Games whose budget versions differ from retail

[MethodGit]

I'm hoping to compile a definitive list of titles which underwent minor or significant modifications when later reissued through a budget label.

List will be gradually updated when I can remember to. Feel free to add some suggestions.

3D Pool - Mirror Image, 1991 - Different copylock-encrypted executable and key
Action Fighter - Kixx Dual Format, 1994 - AmigaDOS format, reduced to one disk, uses files, protection-free
Bubble Bobble - The Hit Squad, 1991 - No on-disk protection, protection-free
Cadaver + The Pay Off - Kixx XL, 1994 - Based on v1.03 revision, protection-free
Carrier Command - Mirror Image, 1991 - Plain NDOS format, encrypted copylock, based on later Microprose revision
Carrier Command - Kixx, 1992 - Same as Mirror Image release
Carrier Command - Kixx Dual Format, 1994 - AmigaDOS format, uses single executable, protection-free
Castle Master - The Hit Squad, 1992 - No on-disk protection, protection-free
Cybercon III - Kixx XL, 1993 - Door protection removed, protection-free
Daley Thompson's Olympic Challenge - The Hit Squad, 1991 - AmigaDOS format, reduced to one disk, omits some graphics, protection-free
Driller - Kixx, 1991 - Non-encrypted executable, manual check bypassed, protection-free
IK+ - The Hit Squad, 1991 - Plain NDOS format, protection-free
James Pond 2: Codename RoboCod - Kixx, 1994 - Plain NDOS format, protection-free
Lombard RAC Rally - The Hit Squad, 1991 - Reduced to one disk, protection-free
Maniac Mansion - Kixx XL, 1993 - Executable hacked to pass the codebook check, but with a side effect (unable to save), protection-free
Night Shift - Kixx XL, 1993 - Codewheel section bypassed, protection-free
Populous - The Hit Squad, 1992 - Non-encrypted executable, protection-free
Red Heat - The Hit Squad, 1991 - Plain NDOS format, protection-free
Rick Dangerous - Kixx Dual Format, 1994 - AmigaDOS format, uses files, protection-free
Rick Dangerous 2 - Kixx Dual Format, 1994 - AmigaDOS format, uses files, protection-free
RoboCop - The Hit Squad, 1992 - Plain NDOS format, protection-free
Secret of Monkey Island, The - Kixx XL, 1993 - Hacked to remove the codewheel section, protection-free
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge - Kixx XL, 1994 - Hacked to remove the codewheel section, protection-free
Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe - Kixx, 1994 - Protection-free, fixed for AGA, reportedly based on a scene crack
Strike Force Harrier - Mirror Image, 1991 - Copylock-encrypted executable
Stunt Car Racer - Kixx Dual Format, 1994 - AmigaDOS format, uses files, protection-free
Toki - The Hit Squad, 1993 - Plain NDOS format, protection-free, reportedly based on a scene crack
Total Recall - The Hit Squad, 1992 - AmigaDOS format, reduced to one disk, protection-free


Question to Galahad: in your WHDLoad readme for Hook, you listed the Hit Squad version seperately. Does this confirm that Hit Squad changed the data around on the disks or not, or even removed the copy protection?

[s2325]

Thank you. Do you know what was removed from 1 disk version of Action Fighter and Total Recall?

[BarryB]

I've got a copy of Foundations Waste on the budget Klassix label, NDOS and no protection, not sure what disk based protection the original had though?

Also got a copy of Targhan on the Action Sixteen label, long track protection on track 79.

[Galahad/FLT]

Hit Squad Hook and original release are exactly the same.

[MethodGit]

Originally Posted by Galahad/FLT

Hit Squad Hook and original release are exactly the same.

Thanks for confirming, that saves me the effort and money in getting a Hit Squad copy off eBay.

Kinda figured that the copy protection was too heavily built into the game for anyone to bother removing.

[mcbpete]

Am I right in thinking Robocop 3 had a dongle with the original release which was then removed for the budget version ?

[Galahad/FLT]

Originally Posted by mcbpete

Am I right in thinking Robocop 3 had a dongle with the original release which was then removed for the budget version ?

Yup

[BarryB]

Robocop budget had a doc check I believe!

[Galahad/FLT]

Originally Posted by BarryB

Robocop budget had a doc check I believe!

Robocop 3 budget had a doc check, robocop 2 budget was amigdos files

[Minuous]

Maniac Mansion - Kixx XL, 1993 - Executable hacked to pass the codebook check, but with a side effect (unable to save), protection-free

Wow, I'll have to remember to avoid all Kixx releases in future :-(

[BarryB]

Originally Posted by BarryB

Robocop budget had a doc check I believe!

Dang! I meant to say Robocop 3 budget had doc check Galahad.

[clauddio]

for the budget releases it seems was cheaper make the floppies at home than to pay the service of those companies with those professional floppy-copy protection machines

[mr.vince]

Many budget versions were still replicated. The difference: you don't pay for the protection royalties. These are a few cents per disk, now multiply that by some thousand...

[BarryB]

I think SPS can verify if budget games were professionally duplicated or 'home' duplicated, I'd wager they were all professionally duplicated just like the original retail version.

[DisposableHero]

All manner of budget reissues gained compatibility with later systems - for the A1200 there's Jimmy White's Whirlwind Snooker (and Archer MacLean's Pool), Lotus 2 (and the Lotus Trilogy collection), and several Core Design games for a start. The A500P got compatible reissues of Lotus and SWIV (ironically I believe neither worked on the A1200).

Also, I'm sure I read that Starray's budget version became a one-disk game, which crashed after you got a high score as the code was looking for a different disk to what it found.

Then there's those Team 17 budget versions. From what I gather, Alien Breed 92 was a totally different game, budget Project X was slightly easier, and budget Assassin was little different beyond graphics.

[Gzegzolka]

Can we count Dennis as good example here? One version shiped with Desktop Dyanmite A1200 lacks ending and some leves, while retail box version got them.

[Bugala]

I have KIXX XL version of Maniac Mansion, and it saves just fine. Im not completely sure, but i also think that it might even have that copy protection in place, but that im not sure.

[gimbal]

Originally Posted by Bugala

I have KIXX XL version of Maniac Mansion, and it saves just fine. Im not completely sure, but i also think that it might even have that copy protection in place, but that im not sure.

Perhaps the problem was discovered and fixed in later copies?