Predator (NES)

Predator
Developer: Pack-In-Video Publishers: Activision (US, AU), Pack-In-Video (JP) Platform: NES Released in JP: March 10, 1988 Released in US: April 1989 Released in AU: 1990 This game has unused text. This game has a hidden level select.

Chopper. Get to it.

Predator for the NES is loosely based on the MSX2 version of the game. It even reuses many graphics, as well as most of the music from that game.

Level Skip

To skip a "normal mode" level, hold Left + Right and press A or B. To skip a "big mode" level, hold Up + Down and wait until the normal level number screen appears. Note that these codes are impossible to enter on a properly-functioning NES controller.

Unused Text

The Japanese version contains some unused text strings for a sample version, which were removed from all other releases.

000119A0: 0A 22 5F 61 54 53 50 63 5E 61 FF 00 22 F1 FF 4A ..PREDATOR.....;
000119B0: 22 62 50 5C 5F 5B 54 F1 61 5E 5C FF 00 22 F1 FF .SAMPLE.ROM.....
000119C0: EA 20 62 63 50 56 54 FF 00 20 F1 FF 2A 21 5F 5B ..STAGE.......PL

(Source: CaH4e3)

Regional Differences

To do: The levels are in a completely different order, as well as other differences. Document these.

Copyright Screen

Japanese:

             PREDATOR  TM

  ©1987 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
  FILM CORPORATON. ALL RIGHTS
  RESERVED.
       TRADEMARKS OWNED BY
   TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM
    CORPORATION AND USED BY
  PACK-IN-VIDEO CO.,LTD.UNDER
  AUTHORIZATION.

USA:

             PREDATOR  TM

  ©1987 Twentieth Century Fox
  Film Corporation.All rights
  reserved.
  Trademarks owned by
  Twentieth Century Fox film
  Corporation and used by
  PACK-IN-VIDEO CO.,LTD.Under
  authorization.
  Licensed by Nintendo of
  America Inc.

• The USA version uses both upper-case and lower-case letters.
• The Japanese version spells 'Corporaton' wrong the first time.
• The USA version says "Licensed by Nintendo of America Inc."
• The Japanese version has more centered text.

Gameplay

To do: List all gameplay differences.

The Japanese version is harder and also starts the player in Big Mode 1, whereas the USA version was made a little easier and starts the player at one of the normal action levels. The NES version's instruction manual actually tells the player that they start in Big Mode 1.