Space Megaforce

Space Megaforce
Also known as: Super Aleste (JP/EU) Developer: Compile Publisher: Toho Platform: SNES Released in JP: April 28, 1992 Released in US: October 1992 Released in EU: 1992 This game has unused music. This game has debugging material. This game has a hidden level select. This game has regional differences. This game has a prototype article

Space Megaforce is a top-notch vertical shooter from Compile.

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Prototype Info

Debug Mode

To enable the game's debug mode, perform the following steps after turning the game on:

• When the opening music starts playing, press Reset. Do this a total of five times.
• Next, at the same point in the game, hold L + R + Start and press Select to reset the game a total of eight more times.
• After resetting the game exactly 13 times in all, at the title screen, hold Select with the cursor on Options and press Start.

(Source: urawaza.in)

Options Menu

When the debug menu is active, two additional options will be added to the game's options menu. The first chooses the starting stage, while the other turns invulnerability on ("non death") or off ("death").

AREA

In the US/Europe version, AREA menu can level select between 1 to 12. But the Japanese version can select between 1 to 14.

• ROUND 13 - This is AREA 1 in SHORT GAME.
• ROUND 14 - This is AREA 3 in SHORT GAME.

CONTROLLER TEST

Default	Debug Mode

There's a test for up to 4 controllers (the default is only 2) but the test is buggy. Pressing buttons on pad 3 or 4 will cause incorrect test-response areas to light up.

(Source: This game programmer's tweet[1][2])

In-Game Buttons

While the game is paused, pressing L + B on controller 2 replaces the HUD with some of the graphics currently loaded in VRAM. Each press cycles through four pages of tiles and sprites. Every time you cycle through all four pages, the palette will change to the next one available. Cycling through all of the graphics eight times will restore the normal HUD.

Additionally, pressing L + R on controller 2 will switch between progressive and interlaced video output. How noticeable this is will depend on your specific emulator or TV.

Interestingly, the above two button combos can also be unlocked by holding Select while accessing the options menu without first resetting the game 13 times; however, the resets are still necessary in order to unlock the expanded options menu.

Extra Debug Flag

The Pro Action Replay code 00FFF0FF will enable a debug flag at a hardcoded location in ROM, enabling all of the above features plus the following additional button combos for controller 2 during gameplay:

• R + Down: toggle background scrolling on/off.
• R + A: change current weapon.
• R + B: increase weapon level.
• R + X: increase lives and bombs.

In addition, during the intro, you can now press L + R + Start to immediately skip to the ending.

(Source: Frank Hughes (patch / PAR code))

Regional Differences

Music Differences

In the US and European versions of the game, stages 3 and 9 in the standard game use the same music as stages 6 and 10, while in the Japanese version, these stages both use a different track that isn't heard anywhere in the other versions. However, the music is present in all versions of the ROM.

In the Japanese version, this music is track number 02 on the sound test menu.

The Pro Action Replay code 809E1404 will make the Japanese version's music play during the US version's title screen.

Various parts of the song bear strong resemblances to parts of (in order) "Fine Time", "Blue Monday", and "The Perfect Kiss" by New Order, which was probably the reason for its removal in international versions.

Intro

The Japanese version of the game features an actual plot, which was more or less removed from the international versions, and as such there are a few differences in presentation that go along with it.

Two frames from the opening sequence, showing the main characters Raz and Thi, were removed from international versions.

Summary of the Japanese introduction of Super Aleste (from the Japanese manual):

In 2048 A.D., Earth encountered a grave crisis as a giant glowing sphere initiated widespread destruction across major cities. This mysterious sphere subsequently hovered over the jungles of Central and South America, where it began constructing floating cities. In response, the Allied Forces deployed their advanced attack aircraft, the Aleste, for a crucial confrontation; however, all planes were rapidly downed within minutes of engagement.

Ace pilot Raz awoke amidst the wreckage of the Aleste, suspended by vines in the mountains, a few kilometers from the battle site. As he contemplated his situation, he heard a voice identifying itself as part of the "Sapient Beings" trapped within the sphere. These beings had escaped through an opening created by the previous attack and repaired Raz's aircraft. The vines he observed were, in fact, the voices of these beings.

The Aleste fully fused with the "Sapient Beings," leaving Raz bewildered by the transformed aircraft. Suddenly, he heard a voice behind him and turned to find a girl, a human form created from an image extracted from his consciousness by the "Sapient Beings". She introduced herself as "Thi." She explained that the sphere served as the source of energy, and that accessing its core required releasing the planet under its control. With the enhanced capabilities of the Super Aleste, Raz embarked on a new journey, guided by Thi, to confront the impending challenges and battles necessary to save Earth.

The Japanese transliteration of "Aleste" is アレスタ (aresuta), which could represent the English noun "(lightning) arrester". This name is possibly a reference to a gohei wand with its lightning-shaped shide paper, which is used in Shinto as a conductor for supernatural forces.

Title Screen

Japan	US

Different "NORMAL" or "STANDARD".

Ending

The Japanese version also has an entirely different ending:

• 

  At last, the Super Aleste had successfully destroyed the interior of the giant Sphere.

• 

  In that moment, from the back of the cockpit...!

• 

  Thi suddenly took to the sky and became airborne.

• 

  She gracefully maneuvered through the heavens!

• 

  As Thi approached the Sphere, one couldn't help but wonder about her intentions...?

• 

  After entering the Sphere, Thi freed all the sapient beings that were trapped within.

• 

  "It's all over now," she declared.

• 

  Surrounded by the radiant light emitted by the freed beings, the Sphere ascended toward the far reaches of space.

• 

  Peace on Earth was preserved. Thank you, Raz, and thank you, Thi.

Translation comment:

Regarding the noun いしたい (i-shi-tai) in the Japanese ending of Super Aleste, in the introduction in the Japanese manual it's written with kanji 意思体 (intention-body), which is difficult to translate, but means "beings that have a will of their own". This translation uses "sapient beings" for lack of a more concise term.

(Translation: GlitterBerri)

(Translation revisions: EMRA527)

The Japanese version also has a few bonus pictures that can be seen by pressing L or R after the credits. Which one you see depends on the skill level you were playing on.

• 

  Normal mode.

• 

  Hard mode.

• 

  Hyper mode and Tricky mode.

• 

  Wild mode.

Options Screen

Japan	US/Europe

GAME MODE

Japan	US/Europe
-3? るなてぃっく ?? とりっきー 1 NORMAL GAME 2! HARD RANK 3!! HYPER MODE	WILD TRICKY NORMAL HARD HYPER

Game Over Screen

Japan	US/Europe

Short Game Result Screen

Space Megaforce and Super Aleste(EU) has this screen.

Voice Clips

Weapon Names

The voice clips played when picking up the various powerups differ between the US and Japanese release.

Japan	US/Europe
Multi shot	Multiple shot

Japan	US/Europe
Laser	Laser

Japan	US/Europe
Circle	Circle

Japan	US/Europe
All range	Multi direction shot

Japan	US/Europe
Homing missile	Missile

Japan	US/Europe
Charge gun	Power shot

Japan	US/Europe
Sprite	Sprite

Japan	US/Europe
Cracker	Scatter shot

In the Japanese version, when playing on hard rank or るなてぃっく(Lunatic) or とりっきー(Tricky) mode, the following clips are played instead of the above.

• 01
• 02
• 03
• 04
• 05
• 06
• 07
• 08

Bosses

Japan	US/Europe
Welcome to the hell!	Welcome to the underworld!

Japan	US/Europe
Give me break will you?	Give me break will you?

Japan	US/Europe
Hey, hey look sharp!	Hey! Look sharp!

Japan	US/Europe
	To Hell with you!

Japan	US/Europe
What a brave guy you are!	What a brave guy you are!

Japan	US/Europe
I'll watch you die!	I'll watch you die!

Japan	US/Europe
Fancy meeting you here!	Fancy meeting you here!

Japan	US/Europe
I came from the Kingdom of God.	I came from the world beyond.

US/EU Version has different defeat voice.