YEAR: 1988

HARDWARE: Modified 6502 8-bit CPU

DEVELOPER: Capcom

PUBLISHER: Nintendo Of America

Lots of people know about Strider's appearance on the NES. It's infamously bad, both for its horrible translation and even worse programming. Few, however, know that it was never released in Japan. The Famicom version of Strider never surfaced in any playable form, despite this advertisement's claims.

Until very recently, there were no other images of the Famicom version, save the screenshots on that ad. That all changed on March 1, 2006, when Chris Covell from Lost Levels released this video of the beta.

It wasn't that different. It still had the same graphics and everything, but what was interesting was the date: 1988, a full year before the arcade game was released.

The implication is that the NES game is the true Strider story and the beloved arcade game is merely a co-opt put over on us by Capcom. There is also the possibility that the NES version could actually be a beta version with a rushed translation tacked on, as well.

It's not that farfetched. The video of the Famicom game shows a different level layout, and there are other indications in the NES version that the game was put on hold and then given a rushjob completion.

It would be interesting to play the version in the video to see how closely the script mirrors the manga, but as a working beta cartridge recently sold on Yahoo! Auctions Japan for somewhere in the vicinity of $1500 USD, I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for it.