Next into the GTW archives are two earlier builds of Kick Off 3 for the SNES, following on from the recent Gameboy original recoveries. Both builds are from March and May 1994, though the dates don’t seem to correlate and as a result are likely inaccurate.
The 10-05-94 build actually seems to be much earlier, with a different unused logo and where it jumps straight into a match between Argentina and Brazil with no sound, missing score areas and various other differences compared to the final game. It seems to be mostly playable, but with some glitches and where players can get stuck. Once the game finishes, it loops.
KungFuFurby has confirmed that this build is indeed the earliest of them all, and includes sound assets which are not used (utilizing David Whittaker’s sound driver). Nothing is done with the sounds at all after loading. SFX present is different to what is used in the Beta version already out there.
Checking out the 08-03-94 build, this seems to be much later and features titles which are closer to the final game, but are still very different, and with completely different menu screens compared to the final game. KungFuFurby says that it can be dated between the known beta version already out there, and the final version – as it has the menus of the beta version, but sound of the final version. The known beta version has a completely different sound driver from David Whittaker, the final version uses a sound driver programmed originally by Kazunari Mimura.
The game itself is much closer, though with differences on the score panel areas and text as well. There are differences in the advertising boards as well by the looks of things. Sound is also present now, though again there could be some minor differences compared to the final release. It is likely that there will be a lot of bugs present at this stage as well that were eventually fixed in the final version.
If you spot anything else and any other major differences, please get in touch to let us know and we’ll update this page. For now, enjoy!
With thanks to Mark Greenshields for allowing us to preserve the game and to KungFuFurby for further information about the builds.
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The 08-03-94 build can be dated in between the known beta version and the final version: it has the menus of the beta version, but the sound of the final version, at least going by a quick listen. I know this because the known beta version has a completely different sound driver from David Whittaker: the final version uses a sound driver that was originally programmed by Kazunari Mimura.
The 10-05-94 build, on the other hand, is earlier than all of the other builds. It does have sound assets and they are indeed loaded on boot (and yes, this is using David Whittaker’s sound driver again), but nothing is apparently ever done with them after loading. Also, the music from the beta does not yet exist (the known beta uses two different sound driver builds, one of which is used to play the menu music), as this only contains the soccer SFX… and they’re different from what is used in the beta.
Thanks very much KungFuFurby for taking a look! I have updated the page with your comments and findings. If anything else turns up, I will let you know.