Ristar: Japanese & American Differences (Formerly w/ Annotations)
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- Опубликовано: 7 окт 2024
- For when RUclips used to allow annotation, I had White Text in Red to refer to the Japanese version, and White Text in Blue to refer to the American version. The European version just follows all of what the American version contains, so consider them the same besides their frame rate differences.
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This video points out the many changes, additions, and omissions between the Japanese & American versions of Ristar. Not all of them, however, but most of them, I'm sure. You're free to note any other differences between the versions that I did not cover in this video.
First, I show the Japanese version of a scene, then its American equivalent, pointing out whatever may be different between them.
Ironically, all three versions of the game were only one day apart of their releases: February 16 for the USA, and Feb 17 for Japan, and Feb 18 for Europe. Maybe this contributed to what the Japanese version DOESN'T have. An ironic twist of fate, this is, as this game was created and developed IN Japan.
Even one-day distances can make a difference in a game, especially since this game doesn't really have much that needed to be changed. Even in the Japanese version, all of its text is entirely in English.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: In the intro, the flying green monster that's the 1st boss of the game appears in both versions' intros, and all version of the game. However, in this video, that guy only appears during the US intro, because his frames are flashing on & off in such a rate that RUclips's videos can't keep up. It luckily only caught the frames where this boss is "on" in the US intro, while the JP intro only catches the frames when the boss is "off".
Again, this is just the video doing that abnormality. Both versions of the game DO show the monster. This exact same thing can apply to other stuff in the game, such as the flickering shadow under Itamor when he jumps.
Alas, such is normal of a 30fps video of a 60fps game.
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All of this took a few days to do since I went on and off with making the video. I didn't necessarily have to go through the entirety of both versions to pull this off since there's a Level Select code.
Credit to the Ristar Cluster fansite for most of this info. Check that out for more changes that weren't covered in this video, as well as the development behind Ristar the Shooting Star (and Sonic the Hedgehog by a small proxy).
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I have a proper playthrough of the American version of this game now. Check it out in this playlist, which also contains this very video:
• Ristar the Shooting St...
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5/29/17 UPDATE: Since I've come to realize that annotations may not work for some of you anymore, I'll have to be more specific on how the differences are shown.
All of the regular planets have different names, even though I didn't show all of them. The US names are more indicative of what theme the planets have:
Planet 1: Neer (JP) & Flora (US)
Planet 2: Leatow (JP) & Undertow (US)
Planet 3: Onaclove (JP) & Scorch (US)
Planet 4: Neuos (JP) & Sonata (US)
Planet 5: Elykiki (JP) & Freon (US)
Planet 6: Rewope (JP) & Automaton (US)
I first show the Japanese version of a scene, then I show the American version of that scene where you will have to figure out what's different about it compared to the Japanese version.
One exception to this is where I first show the start of Planet 5: Freon (US) or Elykiki (JP). The American version shows Ristar skiing down a snowy mountain before landing into this stage proper. The Japanese version does not have this skiing sequence and skips right to Ristar landing into the stage.
Another exception is when I show the passwords. I only show off the passwords that work in the Japanese version. Any password that I skipped also worked in the American version. 
Игры
![[TAS] Genesis Ristar by upthorn in 26:44.15](/img/1.gif)
Annotations are gone, but here is everything to re-cap and appeared in that order:
Intro: 0:03
The Japanese version has a green star-like figure as the Pleed for help is sent and the "The Shooting Star" is added to the Title screen (The Green monster in the American version is there, you can't see it because of the frame rate of the video but it is there)
The American version has subtitled added to tell whats going on
Level Intro: 2:50
Planet Name is different on both versions; see video description for all planet names
Ristar Idle Animations: 3:01
The Japanese version has him Happy
The American version has him Angry
Enemy Animations: 3:20
The Japanese version has them looking Normal
The American version has them looking ticked off
Bonus treasure: 3:46
The Japanese version tells the name of the Treasure
The American version awards Bonus Points but no treasure name
Level Complete: 3:59
The Japanese version has the Valdi System Tag, but removed in the American Version
Starfish Enemy 4:20
Not present in the Japanese version
Mecha Birds mini-Boss 4:55
The Japanese version shows a Musical Note to when they'll attack, the American version removes this making it much harder
Missing cut scene on Round 5 5:50
The American version has Ristar skiing down a hill, just like Sonic from Ice Cap Zone Act 1 on Sonic 3, this is removed in the Japanese version
Changes on Round 5 Boss 6:29
The Japanese version has the monster looking more like a cat
The american version has the monster looking more like a beast
Anti-gravity Session 7:37
The Japanese version has Ristar looking like he is swimming in midair as the invisible water is slowly going down
The American version has it look like Ristar just put on some "Anti-Gravity" Shoes, but it is pretty much the same
Different Passwords 8:41
I think this was referring to passwords in the American version, whilst also showing the Valdi System
The Round 5 boss error during End Credits 10:33
The Japanese version has Ristar having 5 Fingers and the Boss looks normal
The American version has Ristar having 4 Fingers and the Boss has the Tail from the Japanese Version; the actual boss didn't have this visible during Gameplay on this version so that's an error
Endings 10:50
The Japanese version has Greedy and his Henchman on the Planet looking up at a Projected Ristar (You can't see it because of the frame rate of the video) and it says in the bottom-right "The End
The American version has Ristar reunite with his Dad (which looks like a giant version of him) and it says in the bottom-right "CONGRATULATIONS!!"
Damn, I'm literally just watching this video, glad this is here
some of these were not obvious xD
Maybe the green star could be ristar's mom?
I DEMAND A RISTAR SEQUEL SEGA! HE IS ONE OF THE BEST GAMES THAT I EVER PLAYED!
I agree with you
flowervirtual bro no mater how baf you want it its not comeing
Me too i want ristar 2 greedy's revenge thats good name for a sequel you know.
Play Ristar (Game Gear)
THANK U A RISTAR FAN
in my opinion, the good things about the japanese version are: Ristar's face (he looks more adorable) the cat boss, the less angry enemies (I love the derpy looks) and the name of the bonus objects. On the other hand, what I would add from the american version are the anti gravity shoes in the sixth planet, the sky cutscene and the ending scene with Ristar's dad. A version like that would be perfect
And Ristar's mom from the Japanese version.
Indeed! Combining both versions would be great
Ristar's angry face in the American version reminds of the Kirby approach to localization.
Lite 64 I was about to say the same. I guess the Angry face is to make Ristar seem tough and intimidating.
It matches the US story, I mean idk how happy I'd be if my father was kidnapped, and getting to be a hero is certainly more enjoyable.
Hexidecimark I guess you do have a point there.
Lite 64 I loved how he was always angry and ready to kick ass, he was saving the world after all, also when you get the tempo thingy in sonata he smiles, like he is enjoying the music, he has a reason to smile, not just because, it's way better than the happy version
just smiling is normal though...being angry isnt...
Japanese version ending: Greedy: This is not over Ristar. I'll get you next time.
THE END...or is it?
American version ending: Ristar: DAD I'm back.
Ristar Father: Welcome home son. Your mother and I bake a cake for you.
THE END.
American version is more better lol
Kinda reminds me of princess peach baked a cake for mario.
Just in case if you guys forgot Kaiser greedy sealed Ristar father in the American version.
American version is accurate because we never got another Ristar game
The Japanese ending reminds me of a bad ending.
Japanese Ristar = Alright another adventure, Hooray
American Ristar = You want some of this, punk? What?
Sooooo true
japanese version 90& are best that other version
Also sounds like sonic
The music is like Kirby meets Sonic. Which the gameplay is actually kinda that way too. Those are huge compliments though as nothing in Ristar seems derivative or played out. Even in 2020 this game somehow seems so fresh
I'll never wrap my head around the fact they removed the notes from planet sonata act 1 miniboss. That made it so much more balanced.
Eh,they werent hard to dodge,it made the balance worse since it made them easier to hit
@@Matias-fh2hf Just because they are harder to dodge doesn't mean it's good. You basically have to wait for them to move before attacking because you never know when they'll peck at you.
Cool
Americans like things hard. Streets of Rage 3 is so unforgiving with its ridiculous difficulty and the fact the enemies could kill you in three hits in Hard, something that doesn't happen in the Japanese version.
Good, harder is better
Man,the ending with Kaiser Greedy is left intact in the Game Gear versions so its good to say..he will be back for revenge. IF SEGA DOES THIS SEQUEL!!
I don’t think the US version is inferior, because I personally like the design of the Ice boss in the US ver.
However, stuff like 10:00 being removed makes no sense to me.
Also, it would’ve been cool if both countries got both endings, with the one involving Ristar’s dad being the “good” ending.
yep. and the good ending would be unlocked by beating all 12 bonus rounds.
Cartridge space
5:52 Oh, I see. Ice Cap Zone. Clever.
I always found it disappointing that references to Japanese culture were often removed from games back in these days because they would be "too foreign." I think that is pretty damn silly in my opinion; learning things about the many different cultures of our world is what makes it fun. Thankfully localization today doesn't often remove Japanese references.
Now it's sometimes just "translate text when necessary, add subtitles when necessary" then ship product
Personally I don't really like the references, I don't find them fun and a bit annoying...
Like the fat ice muncher boss
If you know, I take my hat off and excuse me if my English is pity, I am using the translator.
@@maximumforce8275 finally someone who agrees with me. eg. Billy hatcher would have been 100 times more tolerable with localized voice clips. When the characters say certain English words like OK or cock-a-doodle-doo they sound mentally challenged to native English speakers. They sound fine for Japanese voice actors saying English words but the perspective the game gives is that the characters are supposed to be native English speakers.
*INSERT KIRBY USA BOXART JOKE HERE*
Thanks for interesting video, bro. ;)
You are shadowed?
Lol its you again(im a fan of shoot em up)
OMG ITS HIM IM A FAN OF TOU SHADOWERG
Hey there!
I finally beat the game like 8 months before now. Lived in USA at the time and I had Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection (So i used save states.)
The ending is much more satisfying than the Japanese ending, too.
I love that Itamor's a cat in the JP version. XD Never knew these differences existed! Love this game, still play it.
So ristar is angry with us, but happy when he is japan?
Sounds like AmeriKirby Syndrome to me.... Although this case is more extreme, since Kirby's anger was only shown on the box art. Ristar is angry in game as well....
Ristar can be a happy boi _after_ he wrecks Greedy's plans.
Same with Sonic box art. They made him have more attitude for the west.
Trump: china
Sorry for derp joke
Probably the only instance where the American version is HARDER than the Japanese version! I also like how Ristar isn't always smiling, he looks way more determined and badass that way.
ToxixKroteTV How would you feel if your father was kidnapped? Americans knew this so they changed it for the logical better.
Only instance? Hah.
The American version is harder? That’s the reverse of super Mario bros 2
Streets of Rage 3: Am I a joke to you?
@@deadchannel4792 You know the whole father thing was a thing made by the american version right?
Bro I love how ristar rocks out to the music while in idle animation, such attention to detail.
Oh, so it's called the Valdi System? DAMN! It sucks that SEGA did not put that in for the USA version. Thanks fr helping me learn that!
On another note, you forgot to put some of the passwords from the same version.
Sooooo....... The Us version is hard mode. OK!
It was the same way with S.O.R 3
Never let it be said that all western versions of games aren’t as intense.
@@definitelynotanarcissist.3135 yeah it's definitely case by case. Castlevania 3, Ristar, Dynamite Headdy, Contro Hard Corps,etc are all much harder in the US release. Anything from less continues, lives and health to there being more enemies or more health for the enemies. I wouldn't mind it but itd be better to have adjustable difficulty imo
Seeing the US ending made me respect the enemies a lot more. "Ristar's dad is HUGE! Tf were they on to capture him???"
I just noticed this now: Itamor's concept change from Japan to US still looks fairly foreign. In particular, he looks a lot like a Japanese snowman, hat and all. Personally, I like this design a lot better than the original nekojita design.
0:46 white diamond 😨
Ah i see iI've stumbled onto a fellow steven universe fan.
hahahaha
Usa ending is so cute and heartwarming
ristar saved his dad and he meets him again with happiness awww 😍😍
For me there's a sad part. Seeing the way Uranim looks makes me want to hug him. To me he looks huggable
Interesting, I never seen so many changes for a platformer game before between American & Japanese versions. Admittedly, I kinda wish they left in some of the passwords, or at least the "VALDI" system one, wich would've been cool. Some of the other changes I can understand, so I'm not to upset about most of 'em.
Would've been cool if they had the "Greedy" ending, as an alternate ending.
Kinda funny one of the Japanese codes hinted at a sequal, wich we never got...
Its a shame the US version doest include the Valdi System password, neatest difference in my opinion.
M2 should totally make 3D Ristar with both Japanese and American version available just like they did with Sonic and Ecco.
+Sailor Paladina Or just combine cues from them both. Heck, if there's a boss-rush, one could even include both Itamors in the game: Ice Monster Itamor on the ice planet, and Cat Robot Itamor as part of the rush.
@@Nehfarius Imo, the “ice monster” version of Itamor looks more like a frog or fish than a monster
For years I've always thought about how neat it would be to see a Ristar and Kirby crossover.
Why they leave out Ouruto in US? she looked promising, I thought she might be his mother.
I personally like the stage 5 boss better as a cat.
US game companies back then were WAY too picky about things, But I like both the endings here in both versions of ristar.
It was the ninties. Everything had to be extreme, and everything had to try and copy Sonic. For Sega of America, that meant even their own external titles, at the risk of their identity for the sake of demographic appeal.
MagnificantSasquatch
Yeah I get what you're saying there, but c'mon, leaving out Ouruto? It's not a big deal to me but I just didn't see much of a reason to cut her out of the US version.
For me, it makes more sense for itamor(stage 5 boss) to be a weird ice melting monster instead of a mechanical cat thing. It makes more sense.
Ouruto was cut because they though that the "legendary hero" shouldn't be female. Simple as that.
The cat boss is a reference to a Japanese ice cream maker.
The reason Itamor is a cat in the Japanese version is because it's a reference to a phrase in Japan known as a cat tongue, a person who doesn't like hot/spicy food.
Thank you for making this. I grew up playing Ristar (and Sonic) and had no idea there were all these differences between versions. I really enjoyed this. Thanks!
This game is so well made, holy crap
Lovely pfp, what characters and show? :3
@@autobotstarscream765 wut
Most underrated game. Definitelly needs a remake.
Ya’know, if they ever reboot this then they should do the combined route and just make both Oruto and the legendary hero canon.
10:46 that's not his tail LOL
What is it?
@@sataan401 ask your mom
@@pickler_pickler awww, you are toxic
@@sataan401 k
I always thought it was weird that the abominable snowman boss sounded so cute when he took damage. Now it makes sense.
You mean the boss on the ice planet? It’s name is Itamor.
He's my favorite
A planed sequel? ITS BEEN 18 YEARS!!! Although i do wish this game had a sequel.
imagine if it looked like rayman origins omg i would buy it
Eh worth my money.
There was one it was canceled tho
Sega should bring Ristar Back
He was a comeo in all Stars racing transformed he would wave the flag at the beginning of each race.
He was a toy in the first shinmue
He make a cameo appearance on Segagaga
Globemon: ristar was like the BEST GAME!!! rip ristar
thank you for letting me know. :) and i never knew the differences between the expressions on the enemies and design. the bird one surprised me the most. because i never seen the japan version. but now i learned something. :) i thank you for that.
I'm probably thinking the wrong way, but in the Japanese Ending, Do you think there's a little bit of goodness within Greedy?
perhaps
Yes
_"Oh no! Our poor western kids will be traumatized and scarred for life by these foreign concepts; Change it, quick!"_
A bit unnecessary, but I guess it gave the "localization" team a bit something extra to do. Although, they had a lot of free time, if they even bothered to throw in cut-scenes and whatnot. :P
It's normal for things to be localized and changed to appeal more to one culture or another or make more sense to them. You think American games don't have small, innocuous changes made for Japanese releases?
Have the Japanese version with Ristars dad and I would be hooked
a YM2612 in a competent composer's hands is a beautiful thing.
lol I don’t think this game even uses a YM2612
His idle in us version makes a lot more sense than the JP one
Ristar Japanese version: His face is smiling and he looks very friendly
Ristar American version:
He’s trying to piss and having angry face
Thank you very much, it was instructive and interesting.
Can we get a Ristar 2 Sequel!!?
I knew about some of these changes, but some seem so random. Why did they take the birds out of the background of Planet Neer / Flora?
I prefer the U.S version of this game cause I like the serious look on Ristar's face.
Same, and the fact that it's a little harder so more challenge
Kirby syndrome much?
Menart D wow yer sou Edgy
He was like
Haaaa i will murder you f***ing greedy if you kidnapped my dad AGAIN!!!!!!
He's badass
I see... I always thought that the angry face didn't fit Ristar... so it was the american version that had the angry face only.
Definitely the japanese version looks cute as it should have been in both version.
I thought that Ristar would have been given 5 fingers on each hand in the Japanese release. They did that with Crash.
Idk if you know but Sumo is pretty much asking fans who would they like to be as a DLC character for SnALRT (they'll try to include at least 3 characters) as along as they get at least 1,000 votes. As of Dec 1, people wanted Ryo Hazuki, Hatsume Miku, Segata, Vectorman, Bayonetta, Ristar and Toejam and Earl. But so far 1 character out of those 7 has been approved by SEGA, but its unknown.
Smiling is way more natural , because it is says that you are confident, mental stable and you can handle any difficulties and thus you are real boi here.
While having always angry face means you should visit a doctor.
I mean... how would you feel if your father was kidnapped and Greedy causing havoc to your world??
One if these days I will attempt to bring back this forgotten character and this forgotten game I swear on it
You better do!
To me, the Japanese Ristar is the definitive version.
tfw this video will be irrelevant when youtube completely removes annotations in january
7:38 I will NEVER understand what they were thinking at that part. The shoes added in the US version make a little more sense, but is anyway so cheap, so bad designed and glitchy that I can't bear it...
I want Uranim from ristar in smash his idle could be him doing the thing he does in the front view tv his neutral B could throw big screws his side B can be his dashing thing his recovery can be bouncing off a spring his down B can be a charge punch and final smash can be a big energy blast that can do 70
I don't understand the robot cat, I don't know why they changed it for an iceman.
but I also don't understand a robot cat that doesn't even hit the world. Maybe it was because Ristar was already approaching the rewope planet where there are machines.
Or maybe the boss was a reference to Doraemon.
I really don't know.
If US and JP versions were combined
Mom: Ristar, wake up… your dad has been kidnapped by Kaiser greedy and I want you to save him.
wow... lol i've learned something today. :) still ristar is the best little hero. I hope one day, sega will bring him back as a playable character.
Most stuff here is arguable, but there is no denying the American ending is better
Maccha = Green Tea
Viki, Gigglebug, Tomo, Lola, Dash & Click, Rex, And Ping’s Angry Faces In The American Version Reminds Me of The Viki, Gigglebug, Tomo, Lola, Dash & Click, Rex, And Ping approach in localization
ristar was such a great wholesome GAME such a game.
American ristar needs some anger management. Lol.
opalander true LOL!
+opalander To be fair, his dad's been sealed away and Greedy's on the loose. He's got a lot to be pretty serious about!
Creating two different versions for Ristar might be one of the reasons it didn't get a sequel, in the 90's Sega of Japan and Sega of America were always fighting, what a shame 😢
thanks for making this
A sequel was being developed for the Sega Saturn but due to the Saturn's failure caused it to get cancelled.
AAAAAA
Ok,free continue
They need to do a release that combines elements of both versions. Like the Freon intro from the US version, the ending and intro from the Japanese version, etc.
This game is nothing compared to DYNAMITE HEADDY.
Heyo there! My man, Whatcha doing here?
Ristar and dynamite headdy are both the best
😮😆
Ristar is just a ripoff of headdy
That's still reminds me of Kirby mad face from the Kirby advertisements
the US version did make Ristar look badass.
This was my number 1 sega game back then
So I looked up the passwords shown in the video. Those are all the passwords that would work exclusively in the JP version.
STAR : Makes a shooting star appear on screen as a nod to making a wish when you see a shooting star
CANDY : Invincibility
MACCHA : Mention of the "Miyake color" referring to Takumi Miyake, designer of Ristar amongst other Sonic Team titles. Apparently this changes the color palette of Greedy's castle to a greenish color in the final boss battle against Greedy.
MASTER : Simple mention of a next game
AAAAAA : Unlimited continues
FEEL : Hyper mode, which is passwords CANDY (Invincibility), MIEMIE (Blue star marking on hidden item spots) and ILOVEU (Stage select) combined.
VALDI : Displays the Valdi solar system.
HETAP: Reverses the "High score" in the gameplay demo to "Worst score" with a score of 9999900 points. (Not shown in the video)
the birds in the music level remind me of jeff goldbloom
Is it me or I wonder why the bosses their standard of living are measured with colors and not bars? (Ristar and Dynamite Headdy)
OMG, i thought i knew this game... a huge amount of details, easter eggs and shit
Think they should have kept the cat in the US\EUR releases of the game.
But that would be too Japanesey for the American kids!
Then we'd have WW3!
And then people turn into monsters
For all two games the my favourite version is ever the american version and not the japanese
1:02 Ristamite Headdy: I Will Come To You And Save You!
We need to add subtitles if annotations no longer exist
I seen a playtrough of the Japanese version all in 1 video and it doesen't blink on and off at every frame. You derped about Ouruto's image there :P
Does anybody knows what happens if you get all collectibles from the secret stages?
MOBILE USERS:
The first of each two things seem to be the Japanese version. The second is the English version.
Is Ristars dad the universe or something?
How did he get kidnapped despite being so big
I don't know why she doesen't appear in the US version. They could have kept her, but didin't. The plot bit of Ristar's father being captured wasn't even in the JPN version!
Also, i have no idea what the green thing with eyes, arms and legs that can float in the Americain version of the opening is. It's not in the JPN version...
Another also, i kind of like the Japanese version's "The Shooting Star" subtitle...
nice good work!
probably cause in japan the majority of the pepole like cute things, in america, these cute characters have a childish image, lot of japanese things in america are directioned for kids, but the same things in japan are directed for pepole of all ages
The only change that makes sense is the boss of Freon/Elykiki
Why would a robot ice cat be here?
It makes more sense for it to be a ice slime water monster
Candy password- Rystar is now invincible! A refrence to kirby much.
Ah.
And i viewed the ending myself, and it turned out the Ristar picture DID flash.
Why is the "FUU..." part of Game Over and "Pre-Song Intension" removed from the Japan version?
US Game gear version didn't have these changes. The one change i think was really good, though (for the Genesis US changes), was the ending sequence. Gives you a nice payoff to the beginning sequence.
Still one of the greatest games ever created.
no, i have both versions, and they both have different backgrounds. load up your american version and go to settings. it will look exactly like this.
Ristar skiing? Must have gotten that from Sonic 3! LOL
Wasn't there also Japan only code that made the music hilariously out of time ? Perhaps only in sound test .. well I did that saw that from reading tip in Sonic Mega Collection Plus on PS2 and it's so funny
Ok, in the Japanese version, they made the ice boss easy. When the boss jumps you can see the shadow indicating where the boss will land. And the design is different for the boss. But in the American version, they made that the opposite which makes it kind of hard to see where the boss is landing, and they gave the boss a kind of more mean design like they did to others.
Everyone keeps whinning about how there is no 3d sequal to Ristar... There is one, and it sucks. It's called Sonic Unleashed ;O
omg that makes too much sense!
especially considering Ristar is made from leftovers from Sonic 1's production ( even the gameplay is how they initially intended for sonic )
Yay, someone agreed with me :D
Pakomaru For anyone wondering, Sonic was originally going to be a rabbit who could grab things with his ears. The rabbit was given to Cream and the grab was given to Ristar.
Pretty sure everyone knows that already.
EsEmDee I didn't. Interesting fact.