Bangai-O Spirits/Regional Differences

This is a sub-page of Bangai-O Spirits.

Like with Astro Boy: Omega Factor, Treasure made several additions and refinements to Bangai-O Spirits for its international release.

General

• In the Japanese version, all 160 stages are grouped together in a single list. For the international release, the stages were completely rearranged and split into three categories: Treasure's Best, Puzzle Stages, and Other Stages.
• A spinning reticule was added over target objects to make them easily identifiable without having to look at the map screen.
• Explosion damage was significantly reduced, making Mines and such less lethal.

• During the "Stage Clear!" screen, a short sequence was added with Bangai-O blasting off toward the screen like in the original games.

Japan	International

• The map screen was given a visual overhaul. The parts outside the map were changed from solid blue to a light gray with horizontal stripes. The tiled "Bangai-O" logo surrounding the map was redesigned to match the official logo, and the color was changed from teal to purple. The background of the map also stays a dark gray in the Japanese version, while in the international version it changes depending on the color of the background in the stage.

Exclusive Stages

Japan Exclusives

Stage Name	スマートボール Pinball
Translated	Smartball
Stage Number	059
File Name	maegawa4_stg.bin

This is the only stage that was removed from the international version. Based on a pachinko machine, the goal is to knock the baseballs out and have them land on the Mines, which explode and destroy the target Buildings.

However, due to the tweaked explosion damage in the international version, the Mines are no longer powerful enough to destroy the Buildings, making the stage unbeatable. This is most likely the reason it was removed. Despite that, the stage's name was still localized (somewhat erroneously) to "Pinball", suggesting it may have been a late omission.

International Exclusives

Stage Name	YAMATO
Stage Number	Treasure's Best 026
File Name	yamato_stg.bin

Based on a map of Japan. A stage with two target Longai-Os, with three more large Longai-Os to potentially be released.

Stage Name	The Earth
Stage Number	Treasure's Best 027
File Name	the_earth_stg.bin

Based on a depiction of, well, the Earth. Six target enemies grouped together, each among the toughest to deal with in the game.

Stage Name	Move the Box
Stage Number	Puzzle Stages 005
File Name	move_the_box.bin

A pushblock puzzle stage.

Stage Name	Which is Moved?
Stage Number	Puzzle Stages 006
File Name	which_move.bin

Another pushblock puzzle stage.

Stage Name	Bullet's Reach
Stage Number	Puzzle Stages 007
File Name	reach.bin

Yet another pushblock puzzle stage.

Stage Name	The Face
Stage Number	Other Stages 001
File Name	the_face_stg.bin

This stage is modeled after the cover art for the Japanese version of the game.

Stage Name	Sessyu
Stage Number	Other Stages 002
File Name	sessyu_stg.bin

"Sessyu" depicts a classic painting by Sesshu Toyo known as "Winter Landscape".

Stage Name	Sabu
Stage Number	Other Stages 003
File Name	sabu.bin

Sabu is a recurring boss character in the original Bangai-O. This stage is modeled after his character portrait in those games.

Modified Stages

These stages were modified in some way for the international release.

Japan	International
Map
Stage Name
ドリルボス	Drill Boss
Stage Number
045	Other Stages 021
File Name
dorirubosu_stg.bin

Two more target DrillBosses were added, the four AirMine Spawners on the right-hand side were removed, and the center divider was modified to prevent the player from crossing over.

Japan	International
Map
Stage Name
どうかせん	Light My Fuse
Stage Number
131	Puzzle Stages 003
File Name
doukasen_stg.bin

In this stage, the turret at the beginning fires, igniting the explosive trail lining the walls, which needs to be outran. For the international version, a Bomb was added behind the player, likely to prevent them from destroying the turret before it has a chance to shoot. The turret itself was also changed from an H.Cannon to an H.Laser. Otherwise, the stage layout is identical.

Japan	International
Map
Stage Name
ぎょうこするぞうお	Hate Grows
Stage Number
056	Other Stages 040
File Name
gyoukosuruzouo_stg.bin

The stage was expanded vertically, adding a thick floor and ceiling, likely to prevent the HUD from obscuring the opening at the top. Otherwise, the layout is identical.

Japan	International
Map
Stage Name
デカッ！	Superhuge!
Stage Number
158	Treasure's Best 024
File Name
maegawa23_stg.bin

The destructible wall hiding the first boss was replaced with gates, just like the rest of the bosses. Instead of breaking through the wall to get to the BigBot, you have to destroy the crate to unlock the gate.

Japan	International
Map
Stage Name
オトコのこべや	Boy's Room
Stage Number
110	Other Stages 068
File Name
nakai22_stg.bin

The ceiling at the starting point was lowered, possibly to make it easier to shoot the destructible blocks. That's it.

Japan	International
Map
Stage Name
きょうのうんせい	Horoscope
Stage Number
024	Other Stages 069
File Name
ogino5_stg.bin

This stage has you choosing a random path in hopes of reaching the target without much trouble. The stage was modified (and slightly expanded horizontally) to accommodate English translations.

Japan	International
Map
Map (After)
Stage Name
うちゅうからのメッセージ	Space Message
Stage Number
025	Other Stages 004
File Name
ogino6_stg.bin

This is a simple stage which has you shoot an explosive trail, which detonates the surrounding blocks until the leftovers form a message. The stage was modified to translate the message from Japanese ("Bangai-O" in katakana) to English.

Edit Mode

General

• The Japanese version takes you to the name entry screen after selecting the size of a new stage. The international version skips this and takes you directly to the main edit menu, where you can enter the name of your stage later.

Points

Stages can only hold so many objects, which are denoted using a points system. Most objects only take up 1 point but some take more. Many of the higher point requirements were sharply reduced for the international version, perhaps due to optimizations.

Object	JP Points	INT Points
Spawner	2	1
Building	2	1
MegaMine	4	1
BigBot	4	1
MGunBoss	12	10
CannBoss	6	1
DrillBoss	8	2
Longai-O	12	2

Backgrounds

Three stage backgrounds were added to the international release.

Background	Info
	Background 41 A yellow triangle pattern to add to the gray and green ones (#39 and #40). This file is actually included in the Japanese version, but perhaps wasn't used out of error.
	Background 45 A solid flesh-toned background.
	Background 46 A solid white background.

Patterns

Five stage patterns were added to the international version.

Pattern	Info
	Pattern 15 A pattern with solid, varied colors. Perhaps useful for making pixel art.
	Pattern 16 A dark grayscale pattern. Better with light backgrounds.
	Pattern 17 A lighter grayscale pattern. Better with dark backgrounds.
	Pattern 18 A solid black pattern. Best with the solid white background.
	Pattern 19 A solid white pattern. Best with the solid black background.