Sqoon

Sqoon
Developer: Home Data Publisher: Irem Platform: NES Released in JP: June 26, 1986 Released in US: September 1987 This game has hidden developer credits. This game has unused graphics. This game has regional differences.

Sqoon is an aquatic-themed horizontal shoot-em-up.

Hidden Developer Credit

Hidden in the Japanese ROM at 0x00010 is the following text. Tetsuwan Atom (by the same developers) has a similar message.

COPYRIGHT 1986 HOMEDATA 
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED     
      madokakina!

(Source: Cah4e3)

Unused Graphics

A tiny copyright graphic for Home Data.

Even tinier developer names: Morikawa, Sakai, Ura, Kohama, ?, Yokoi.

Kohama is likely Yoshiyuki Kohama, who was credited in Home Data games around this time as a programmer.

Regional Differences

...But what does it mean? This game has text or audio that needs to be translated. If you are fluent with this language, please read our translation guidelines and then submit a translation!

Introduction

The Japanese version notes that the distress message is coming from the Pentagon in the United States.

Japan	US

Ending

This game has a strange "ending" in the sense that there are 8 levels, but the "ending" is always seen after finishing level 7. The game also has three distinct loops.
In the Japanese version, destroying all the end-of-level bases triggers a blue-screen message where the Ottoto aliens give up. Additionally, colliding with a mermaid during the level will trigger a hidden bonus message seen on a banner being carried over by the aliens (this message appears before the blue-screen message). These messages can be obtained on any loop.
In the U.S. version, things were changed up a bit. The blue-screened message was changed to a threat from the Neptunians and is always given after level 7 on any loop regardless if the bases were destroyed or not. But, if all the bases are destroyed and you go through all three loops, then the banner message automatically appears where it shows the Neptunians giving up. However, you still get the blue-screen message afterwards despite the enemy having given up already.

The second text translates to: "We give up... We surrender. You're G R E A T. Ottoto."

Japan	US