Avenging Spirit (Game Boy)

Avenging Spirit
Also known as: Phantasm (JP) Developer: Jaleco Publisher: Jaleco Platform: Game Boy Released in JP: November 6, 1992 Released in US: December 1992 Released in EU: 1992 This game has regional differences.

A Game Boy version of the original arcade title. Avenging Spirit, unlike what the American box cover might lead you to believe, has a cute art style and a neat possession mechanic where players can take over the bodies of enemies found on each level, from hyperactive girl fighters and mobsters to fire-spewing dragons and underwear flashing vampires (!).

Secret Message

During the intro sequence, pressing Up before the fourth screen appears will show a secret message in Japanese of the main character saying "gachoon!", a reference to late Japanese comedian Kei Tani and his signature gag/gesture. This is present in both the Japanese and western releases.

Regional Differences

Title Screen

Japan	World

In Japan, the game is called Phantasm, whereas it was renamed Avenging Spirit for its worldwide release.

Expert Mode

Once you finish the game in the Japanese version, a special message will come up after the credits and instruct you to simultaneously press A, B, and Up at the title screen to access Expert Mode, which features more enemies and makes some of the harder ones appear sooner during the course of the game. When the code is activated a jingle will play out and "EXPERT" will be shown just below the game's title. This mode is also present in the international releases (jingle included), but the screen with the instructions to access it is not shown at all during the ending, and the "EXPERT" on the title screen doesn't appear either, meaning players wouldn't know how to access it without other sources.

Japanese	English
ここまであそんでくれたきみにスタッフからプレゼント！！ タイトルがめんで上、A、B、をどうじにおすと、もうひとつのファンタズムがはじまるよ！！	Here is a present for you from the staff for playing all the way to the end!! Press up, A and B at the same time on the title screen to start another Phantasm!!

Expert Ending

Once you complete the game in Expert Mode, an extra screen will be shown after the credits. This ending was removed from the international releases for an English font to be included for the localization, completely overriding the original graphics.