After Burner (NES)

After Burner
Also known as: After Burner II (JP) Developer: Sunsoft Publishers: Sunsoft (JP), Tengen (US) Platforms: NES (JP), Unlicensed NES (US) Released in JP: March 30, 1989 Released in US: 1989 This game has debugging material. This game has a hidden sound test. This game has a hidden level select. This game has regional differences.

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, this is indeed a Sega game on the NES. So are this, this, this, both of these, and this.

Sound Test

USA	Japan

In the US version, hold B while starting the game before the title screen appears to enter a sound test. In the Japanese version, press A + Start on the title screen.

(Source: CaH4e3)

Background Test

In the US version, hold B + Left on controller 1 and A on controller 2 at the same time while starting the game (before the title screen appears).

There is no proper initialization for initial values for the menu, so on some emulators you just get the black screen. On controller 1 press Down a couple of times then press Left to start displaying something. If displayed correctly, use the D-Pad buttons on controller 1 to select backgrounds, CHR data for it and proper palette. There is no data what patterns and palettes belongs to the particular background. Press and hold Select to temporarily hide the menu.

Stage Select

In the US version, during gameplay, press Select to pause it, then press A + Down + Left on controller 2 and Down + Left on controller 1 at the same time. Press Up / Down to select a stage, press Select to return back to the game. This cheat can be done in all levels except 8 and 17. But you can still get to these stages with this cheat from any other stages.

Regional Differences

Note: The exact date of the US version is unknown but it was most likely made before the JP version.

The graphics were almost completely changed and given more detail, making the game look more polished.

USA	Japan

• Font was changed.
• Background was changed from blue to black.
• An exclamation point was added to "PUSH START BUTTON".
• Logo was changed and given more colors to resemble the arcade logo more.
• The II was added.
• TENGEN was changed to SUNSOFT.
• "(C)1989" and "(C)1987 SEGA" are now blue.

USA	Japan

The intro is different. In the US version, the logo just drops from the top and bottom to the center. The JP version is more accurate to the arcade version; the logo appears backwards, then the balls form a II and the logo changes to normal while the II rotates.

The Japanese version has the II explode after doing nothing for a while on the title screen.

The Japanese version also has an exclusive animated intro that's not in the US version.

USA	Japan

• The number 65 was changed to 3.17.
• TENGEN ENTERPRISE was changed to SUN ENTERPRISE.

Stages

Overall the animated backgrounds for the stages were redrawn to add more detail.

Stage 1

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 2

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Reload Weapons

USA	Japan

Stages 4 and 7

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 6

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 8

USA	Japan

Stage 9

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stages 10 and 19

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stages 11 and 16

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 12

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 14

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 15

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 17

USA	Japan

Stage 18

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 20

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 21

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 22

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Intermission Stages

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

For the first intermission stage, the Japanese version adds a motorcycle and for the second one, it adds a car. Probably a reference to Hang-On and Out Run.

Ending

USA	Japan
N/A
N/A

The US version has a one-screen ending while the Japanese version includes 3 black and white photos.

Credits

The Japanese version also adds credits screens.

Game Over

USA	Japan

The Japanese version's Game Over is animated.

Font

USA	Japan

The font was also changed.

Audio

The music was completely changed and not only that, but one additional track that was missing in the US version was added.

Song Name	USA	Japan
Maximum Power
Final Take Off
After Burner	N/A
Super Stripe
Red Out
City 202