Zool (SNES)

Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension
Also known as: Zool no Yume Bouken (JP) Developer: Gremlin Graphics Publishers: GameTek (US), Gremlin Graphics (EU), Nissho Iwai Infocom (JP) Platform: SNES Released in JP: July 29, 1994 Released in US: January 1994 Released in EU: 1994 This game has unused music. This game has a hidden level select. This game has regional differences.

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Unused Music

There are two unused jingles in this version. Both jingles sound unfinished, which may be why they were left unused.

Unused Jingle 1

This jingle is actually used in the Genesis version, as the game over theme. This version notably just reuses the title screen theme.

Unused Jingle 2

Another jingle that was also used in the Genesis version, for when completing a level.

Stage Select

At the options menu, press Down, L, R, Down, L, Up, Down, Up, R, Up, R, then press Up + A + B. If done correctly, a sound will play. Now, at the beginning of a stage, hold R to access the stage select.

(Source: urawaza (Japanese))

Regional Differences

General

• The US version wasn't optimized for NTSC signals, and therefore runs faster than intended.
  • The Japanese version also doesn't match the European version's speed, but still seems to be slightly slower than the US version.
• Further changes to the Japanese version:
  • The text in the intro and ending sequences was removed.
  • A "digest" mode was added, which includes only the first levels of each world.
  • The default controls were reversed (or rather, "fixed") so B jumps and Y shoots.
  • The health meter was changed from a bar to a number.
  • Power-up icons flash yellow to help make them more visible.
  • The music zone, originally level 2, was pushed back to become level 6.

Start Up

Europe	US	Japan

While the European version was self-published by Gremlin Graphics, the Japanese and US versions were handled by Infocom and GameTek, respectively.

US/Europe	Japan

The Japanese version includes the subtitle "Zool's Dream Adventure" and adds a gradient to the background.

US/Europe	Japan

The Japanese version uses a simpler font, presumably to make the text more readable to Japanese audiences.

Branding

US	Europe/Japan

The European and Japanese versions include Chupa Chups branding, which was not present in the US release.

The Japanese version includes further cross-promotion in nearly every level...

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  Morinaga (a candy company, distributer of Chupa Chups in Japan at the time)

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  Ginza Sembikiya (a high-end fruit company)

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  Ryobi (a tool company)

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  Infocom (the publisher of this game)

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  Yamaha Resort (a hotel/resort subsidiary of Yamaha)

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  Yamaha (a music company, among other things)

Credits for these companies was added to the end of the credits scroll.