X-Kaliber 2097

Character Names
Everyone's name was changed for the game prototype, except for Cocktail / Kane, who had his name changed for the final release.

Intro


The Japanese release has an additional cutscene in the intro which shows a dossier of the main character. But... it's mostly blank! It was removed in the US and European versions, most likely because it did nothing to further the plot.

Cutscenes
A cutscene in the original release featured Creapy / Spuke standing in the middle of a pentagram (or pentacle.) Since this symbol is associated with occult magic in Western cultures, it was removed.

Final Battle
The floor in the final battle was replaced with a grid in the US and European versions. Also, Alix, the female-in-distress, is not shown on screen, despite the cutscenes making it clear that the final boss is feeding off her energy.

Music
The US and European versions of the game had their original soundtrack replaced with six songs from Psykosonik's debut album. But there are still some remnants of the original Japanese soundtrack in the game.

The music can be played after starting a game by using, xx being the music ID. The unused music from Sword Maniac (except with X-Kaliber 2097's samples) is located at.

Cheat Codes
All regional releases of the game have cheat codes, but you have to enter them in different places. In the US and European versions, you have to enter the codes on the screen where you choose the game mode; in the Japanese version, these codes must be entered on the screen that says "PRESS START". You'll know the code works if the music goes silent for a moment and then begins again.

Sound Test
The music and sound test is hidden in the Japanese version of the game. Press Y ten times, X four times, B, A. The sound test will now be available in the options. This cheat does not exist in the US version because it already has the sound test available in the options.

Additional Difficulties
Press X, Y, B, A on the title screen. Go into the options and you'll be able to select two new difficulties: "0 UMEKING" (Easiest) and "7 KAZUNIC" (Expert). This cheat doesn't exist in the US or European versions of the game because they're already selectable in the options.

Level Select
Press Right, Right, Left, Left, Up, Down, Left, Down, Down, Down. Just like on the previous cheat, in the Japanese version, do this in the screen that says "Press Start". Start a new game and you'll be able to choose the starting level, or go directly to any boss fight, except for the final stage and boss fight.

The Japanese release of the game has an extra level: "BOSS GAME", which lets you fight against the bosses one after the other. The text still exists in the US version at address.

Invincibility
In the US and European versions, press Left, Left, Right, Right, Down, Up, Right, Up, Up, Up. In the Japanese version, press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Down, R, Up, L, Y, B, X, A. Go into the options and you'll find the "NO DAMAGE" (US/EU) or "MUTEKI" (JP) options. Turn it on to be invincible. You can still die if you fall into a pit, though!

A keen observer might notice that the Japanese version of the code is a combination of the classic Konami code, and a secret code from Street Fighter II Turbo (SNES). Guess someone in the dev team was a fan!