In this topic i will cover differences between USA and JPN versions of the game (platform that i'm using - PS Emu). Keep in mind - this is still a work in progress, i will edit this post as i explore both versions more. Thanks Hydrus, EZScape, Carcinogen and SDA forums for pointing me in the right direction and keeping history of discussing stuff back in the day.

I will start with smaller time differences first.

1: Management Office Safe code: 0426 vs 0375 Timesave: <1s (USA is faster) 0426 inputs: 4 + p + 3 + p + 2 + p + 2 + p = 11 moves + 4 pushes 0375 inputs: 4 + p + 4 + p + 4 + p + 2 + p = 14 moves + 4 pushes

2: Gas Experiment Room code: 7248 vs 5037 Timesave: <1s (USA is faster) 7248 inputs: 2 + p + 3 + p + 2 + p + 2 + p = 9 moves + 4 pushes 5037 inputs: 2 + p + 2 + p + 4 + p + 4 + p = 12 moves + 4 pushes

3: ID Card (Paul Baker) code: 58104 vs 46907 Timesave: <1s (USA is faster) 58104 inputs: 1 + p + 2 + p + 3 + p + 1 + p + 1 + p = 8 moves + 5 pushes 46907 inputs: 1 + p + 3 + p + 2 + p + 2 + p + 3 + p = 11 moves + 5 pushes

4: ID Card (Dr.Kirk) code: 31415 vs 78814 Timesave: <0.5s (JPN is faster) 31415 inputs: 2 + p + 2 + p + 2 + p + 2 + p + 2 + p = 10 moves + 5 pushes 78814 inputs: 3 + p + 1 + p + 0 + p + 3 + p + 2 + p = 9 moves + 5 pushes

5: Passageway To The Power Room. Regina's positioning. Timesave: <1s (USA is faster?) In USA version you can start running/pre-turning south right after you regain control of Regina. In JPN she faces the north wall, which forces you to quickturn before anything else.

In my experience USA version is slightly faster here; you can tie it with JPN one, but have to master the art of quickturning during transition from black screen back to game screen.

6: Communication Room. Timesave: 1s (JPN is faster) Communication Room is not a Save Room in JPN version. Which means that exiting the room won't prompt you to "Save the game: Y/N?" - that is 3 less inputs to do.

7: 4 Plot choices. Timesave: ~3s (USA is faster) During the plot choices (Rick / Gail) your confirmation input is blocked by the JPN version, so you lose (to USA) around 0.8s per choice (except last one, where it is ~0.4s), so this makes it 3x0.8s + ~0.4s = ~3s

8: Office Hallway Vent. Timesave: ~5s (JPN is faster) Text while inspecting the vent is scrolling faster on JPN version.

9. Comm Antenna Room. Timesave: ~5.3s (JPN is faster) When antenna is being configured, text in JPN version is scrolling considerably faster.

10: Moving Boxes "Puzzle". Timesave: ~12s (JPN is faster) One of the boxes in JPN version is missing, which allows for faster room completion.

P.S. As i said, there are still quite a few things left to check, this post will be updated once i'm done researching both versions.

Update 1. Added Comm Antenna Room comparison (n.9 currently), japanese version is faster, yet again. By a large margin too.

All there is to it for [USA] vs [PS1.JPN] for now. if anything new will come up - i will update the thread. Total timesave: ~19s (PS1.JPN is faster)

In the next post i will quickly go through differences between [USA] and [PC.JPN] using the same pointers as examples.

PLACEHOLDER3

[USA] and [PC.JPN-Original Mode]: 1: Management Office Safe code. Timesave: <0.5s (USA is faster)

2: Gas Experiment Room code. Timesave: <0.5s (USA is faster)

3: ID Card (Paul Baker) code. Timesave: <0.5s (USA is faster)

4: ID Card (Dr.Kirk) code. Timesave: <0.5s (JPN is faster)

5: Passageway To The Power Room. Regina's positioning. Timesave: <1s (USA is faster?)

6: Communication Room. Timesave: 1s (JPN is faster)

7: 4 Plot choices. Timesave: 0s

8: Office Hallway Vent. Timesave: ~5s (JPN is faster)

9. Comm Antenna Room. Timesave: ~5.3s (JPN is faster)

10: Moving Boxes "Puzzle". Timesave: ~12s (JPN is faster)

Total: ~22s (PC.JPN is faster) PC.JPN is far more superior and faster version compared to USA in general; 10 aforementioned points are merely a few examples of timesaves that are somewhat under the control of runner.