Kung-Fu Master (Game Boy)

Kung-Fu Master
Also known as: Spartan X (JP) Developer: Irem Publisher: Irem Platform: Game Boy Released in JP: December 11, 1990 Released in US: 1991 Released in EU: February 1991 This game has a hidden sound test. This game has a hidden level select. This game has regional differences.

Kung-Fu Master is the Game Boy port of the 1984 beat 'em up arcade game about...well, what you'd expect.

Sound Test

Hold B, then press A while on the difficulty selection screen to access a Sound Test mode. Change the value to be played with Left and Right, and press A to play music or B to play a sound effect. This only works on the Japanese version of the game. The cheat and controls code is completely removed from the US version, only the "SOUND TEST" string is left there.

(Source: Urawaza.in)

Stage Select

At the difficulty selection screen, hold Left, then press A 5 times, release Left, then hold Right and press B 3 times, release Right. As the previous cheat, this one works only in the Japanese version. However, the cheat test code as well as Stage Select routine are still in the US version, completely unaccessed.

Regional Differences

Title screen

Japan	International

The title screen was redesigned, the ‌™ became ‌®, the copyright text was altered, and the spacing was changed slightly.

Health Bar

Japan	International

The health bars were made into a single piece for the international release, making it harder to judge how much is left.

Mountain

Japan	International

The mountain graphics were changed, making it look more like it has a shade. Mountains appear in the background of the third and the sixth level.

Protagonist

Japan	International

The playable character was completely remodeled for the international release to look more muscular and to look less like Jackie Chan, who played the protagonist in "Spartan X"; of which the Japanese game is a license of.

Level 4 Boss

Japan	International

The design of the 4th level's boss was improved as well.

Level 5 Boss

Japan	International

It almost looks like this boss got himself a winged helmet. It is interesting to note that both versions still share the same head graphics when the boss takes damage.

Level 6

In the Japanese version, this level is significantly shorter and only the final boss is present. The international version made the level longer and added Asian enemy spawns.

Staff Credits

This text from the Japanese version was removed for the international release.