Dynamite Headdy (Game Gear, Sega Master System)

Dynamite Headdy

Developers: Treasure, Minato Giken
Publishers: Sega, Tec Toy (BR)
Platforms: Game Gear, Sega Master System
Released in JP: August 5, 1994
Released in US: September 1994
Released in EU: November 1994
Released in UK: November 1994
Released in BR: 1995

This game has unused graphics.
This game has a hidden sound test.
This game has a hidden level select.
This game has regional differences.

This game has a prototype article

This game has a prerelease article

Although not as popular as the Genesis game, the 8-bit adaptation of Dynamite Headdy is a good game in its own right.

Sub-Page

Prototype Info

Prerelease Info

Debugging Functions

Sound Test

Change the value at RAM address C51C to 01 at the title screen (or use the PAR code 00C51C:01) to enable a basic sound test. The numbers won't be visible unless you change C522 to 01 (or use the PAR code 00C522:01) and press Start on the title screen, which will cause the screen to fade out and back in to reveal the numbers. The latter doesn't work in the Sega Master System version for some reason.

(Source: RadSpyro)

Stage Select

Change the value at RAM address C51C to FF at the title screen (or use the PAR code 00C51C:FF) to enable a basic stage select. The numbers won't be visible unless you change C522 to 01 (or use the PAR code 00C522:01) and press Start on the title screen, which will cause the screen to fade out and back in to reveal the numbers. The latter doesn't work in the Sega Master System version for some reason.

No Damage

Change the value at RAM address C378 to 01 (or use the PAR code 00C378:01). This allows you to pass through enemies and hazards, and it also prevents you from losing health when falling in bottomless pits.

(Source: seafour)

Unused Graphics

This needs some investigation.
Discuss ideas and findings on the talk page.
Specifically: Is it possible to load this on the title screen?

Some tiles that read: ノーマル(normal) NoDMG. These are loaded into the VRAM on the title screen. "NoDMG" is likely an abbreviation for "No Damage", so these graphics are possibly related to the aforementioned no damage function.

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Regional Differences

To do:
Document more regional differences like different sprites and music. I'm pretty sure some of the bosses have different HP values and behaviours in the international version, too.

Like the original Genesis version, the game got some adjustments for the overseas release. However, the porting team did miss some changes the original got for the international version. For example, Rebecca is a doll in all versions and Trouble Bruin retains Maruyama's happy expression.

Title Screen

Japanese	International

Trademarks were added to the title screen in the international version, alongside adding some extra colour to the text.

Intro

The international version has a text intro that's completely absent in the Japanese version! In the Japanese release, pressing Start on the title instantly begins the first level.

Score Tally

Japanese	International

The score tally after beating a level was changed to better resemble the Genesis version. "Stage-P" and "Clear-P" were combined into "Stage Points" and an out-of counter was added to "Secret Bonus".

Level Names

As with the Genesis original, the level names were changed between versions. However, most of the new names are not the same as the Genesis version; generally the levels that got different names in the Japanese version compared to the Genesis original also got brand new names.

Japanese	International
Scene 1
ESCAPE HERO!	THE GETAWAY
MARUYAMA FIRST	BEAR ESSENTIALS
Scene 2
PUPPET TOWN	TOYS N THE HOOD
BACKSTREET TRIO	BACK STAGE
MARUYAMA WALNUT CUT	OPENING NIGHT
Scene 3
VOLCANIC CAVE SET	GOING UNDERGROUND
HI-SPEED RALE SET	HOOKED
MARUYAMA PRIMA DONNA	STAGESTRUCK
Scene 4
CRUMBLE TOWER	STEPPING UP
TOWER INSIDE BONE	RISING FUN
MARUYAMA KING OF SKY	HI ANXIETY
Scene 5
MULTIPLEX CASTLE	ROOM SERVICE
MARUYAMA TWIN FACES	TWIN FREAKS
Scene 6
MARUYAMA LAST CHANCE	FATAL CONTRAPTION
FINAL ATTACK!	FINALE ANALYSIS

Continue and Game Over Sequence

Japanese	International

In the Japanese version, after the player loses their last life, they will be sent to the game over screen first and then the continue screen. Refusing to continue, the player will be sent to the SEGA logo screen. In the International version, the sequence is reversed. After the player loses their last life, they will be sent to the continue screen first. Refusing to continue, the player will be sent to the game over screen, then the SEGA logo screen.

Sega Master System Version

A Sega Master System port was made exclusively in Brazil by Tec Toy. It is based on the international version of the game but contains a few changes due to the hardware differences between the two systems, the most obvious being the increased screen resolution and reduced colour palette. Additionally, all music was reduced from stereo (when using headphones) to mono in the Master System version.

Company Logos

The Game Gear version displays logos for both Sega and Treasure on boot. These were removed in the Master System version.