Biker Mice from Mars (SNES)

Biker Mice From Mars
Developer: Konami Publisher: Konami Platform: SNES Released in US: December 1994 Released in EU: January 1995 This game has debugging material. This game has a hidden level select. This game has regional differences.

An isometric racing game based on the animated series of the same name. It's actually pretty good.

This article is brought to you in association with SNICKERS®.

Developer Menu

A developer menu to quickly test things is still left over in the US version. It can be accessed by setting RAM address $7EFE7E to a non-zero value (e.g. Pro Action Replay code 7EFE7EFE) and then picking either 1 Player or 2 Players on the title screen. Options are toggled by pressing the specified controller button next to the options.

• The same character can be chosen for both players, which normally isn't possible.
• While Fred is present as a selectable character, this was most likely only for testing purposes, as attempting to use him outside of Practice or VS Mode causes the game to crash.
• The Super Hard difficulty isn't present, suggesting it was added late in development.
• A TEST course option is present, but doesn't seem to work anymore and either resets or crashes the game.

While the European version still checks this RAM address and attempts to display the menu, the text and some supporting code were removed, which causes the game to crash instead.

(Source: Rachel Mae)

Regional Differences

For some reason, Konami went looking for a sponsor for the European release and actually found one in Mars Inc. As a result, the European version features an absurd amount of Snickers product placement, none of which was in the US version.

Splash Screen

A second splash screen is shown, mentioning the sponsorship.

Character Portraits

US	Europe

The character portraits were redrawn from scratch so the characters can show off Snickers bars. Some actually look nicer than the originals. Talk about dedication.

Stage Mat

US	Europe

The mat shown in the character selection screen and round result screen had its star design replaced with a Snickers logo.

Shop

US	Europe

The Armor in the shop was replaced with "Food" which is, of course, Snickers bars. The functionality as armor and the pricing for each level are the same regardless. While each level of armor has a unique name and look in the US version, all levels use the same name and icon in the European version.

The manual actually has an explanation for the price: "In the future Snickers bars have become highly valued for their ability to ward off hunger which is why they are so valuable in the game."

Suuuure.

Race Results

Before the race results are shown, the winner of the race is shown exclaiming their love for Snickers. All characters use the same message, and this happens after every race.

Star Item

US	Europe

The totally not Mario Kart-inspired invincibility star item got replaced. Maybe justified for once.

Course Advertisements

Three of the game's five areas received Snickers-related changes.

US	Europe

Brand-new signs were added to the Sewerage courses (of all places).

US	Europe

Banners promoting the in-game shop "Last Chance" in the Circuit courses were replaced with ones for Snickers.

US	Europe

The light posts in Fortress courses were redrawn into Snickers posts.