Saturday, March 22, 2014

Mega Man Legends 2 English Debug Version (7/12/00) Released



Today we're rolling out the second of three Mega Man dumps (the first being an early Rockman X5 build). This time it's not a beta or a prototype. What we have here is a debug version of Mega Man Legends 2.... and it's pretty neat.

The content of the game is exactly the same as the final Japanese version, but with all the debug features left in. Simply plug in a second controller and you'll have access to a number of developer features. For example, in the video above, OKeijiDragon demonstrates the free-look feature. It can be used to explore cutscenes in greater detail. You might even find something you weren't supposed to see!

What's more, this build contains no English voices. The text is entirely in English, though, and there are a number of minor differences from the final game's script. For example, here's a deleted reference to Resident Evil. Maybe they gutted that for the ESRB? Who knows!

So based on the fact we have no English voices, a near final script and an early build date (July 12th, 2000), we're definetly in possession of something significant from the game's localization. And today it's all yours. DOWNLOAD IT HERE!

Hit the jump below for details on how to access the debug features!


To access the debug menu, simply plug in a second controller and press triangle and circle simultaneously. On the top right corner of them menu, you'll see a "PAGE" counter (there are 30 in all). These PAGES allow you to manipulate some certain functions in the game. For example, PAGE 30 specifically grants you two option to choose from: "EVENT CAMERA" and "SCENARIO FLAG."

"EVENT CAMERA" controls the camera during cutscenes. Meanwhile, "SCENARIO FLAG" displays values that enable a function, like opening a treasure, unlocking a door, having a particular item in your inventory, etc. These flags are 1s and 0s. 0 representing off, and 1 representing on. In short, what you enable with these 1s and 0s are hexadecimal parameters for specific functions and objects.

Unfortunately, the game doesn't come with a guide that tells you exactly what hex numbers represent; however, there are several categories that help distinguish the functions that a hex number is assigned to. Here are three examples:

  • ARMS = Special Weapons, Buster Parts, & Key Items.
  • ITEMS = All non-key items. Exactly what it means.
  • TREASURE = All the possible treasure chests in the game.

Again, there's 30 pages of different parameters. We haven't looked into all of them yet so feel free to experiment.

Look forward to the final dump next weekend!

29 comments:

  1. Now THIS is cool. Thanks Protodude.

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  2. Awesome. you must be the coolest guy/girl alive. Prolly gonna feint from joy when they 3rd release is here. lol

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  3. Its definitely been a pleasure working with Protodude to bring the video out in time for the prototype release.

    Now I'm off to working on the next video of the next prototype for next week.

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  4. This is AWESOME! Thanks Protodude!

    And the video is amusing
    1:55 - Blasting off to Elysium!
    4:30 - I don't need the Sulphur-Bottom, I only built it so you can follow me. Time and space are nothing to me.
    9:10 - You missed!
    9:30 - It's dangerous to go alone. Take this with you to save your Data.
    9:50 - What's this music? I'm sure I heard it before, but I can't remember where...

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    1. I meant 11:50, not 9:50, but I found it's Corneria from Star Fox. How could I forget it!

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  5. Many thanks for sharing, Protodude! Debug menus make the proto-world go 'round. :D

    ~MarkGrass

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  6. Eeek! What do you think you're doing?!?

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  7. I.. I don't know how to work it.. I downloaded it.. Then.. What?

    I'm so un-tech savvy. ;-;

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    1. Whoo! I actually got it working! Now, to find that MM8 one that Protodude showed us a bit ago. I gave up trying to get that one to work.

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  8. Thanks! Wow.. Now, I can't wait for two more prototypes from game boy games you promised us soon. :)

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    1. I never promised the Game Boy games. The owner of those said he'd look into dumping them.

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    2. Sorry about the "promised". I know you didnt say that. Okay, good to know. Cheers!

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    3. It's actually a disc, not a cartridge. Can't wait for it!!! :D

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  9. Japanese voices and English text is the best feature of this debug version :D
    Any chance MML1 and MAoTB debug versions with Japanese voices and English text get released?

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    1. Agreed. English text + Japanese voice should always be a selectable option in games from Japan.

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  10. Hey, will we be able to see the uncensored version of "Eeek! What do you think you're doing?!?" in this build???

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    1. It was censored?

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    2. From what I've heard, in the original (Japanese) version of the scene, you actually see the naked/near-naked (I'm not sure which it's supposed to be) Roll. In the American release, it just shows Volnutt.

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    3. That's Legends 1. And no one is shown naked. Rock does a fist-pump in the JPN version.

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    4. Is there a way to restore that scene in the North American version with cheats? I've been on TCRF a lot lately and I noticed they've been able to do stuff like that.

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    5. It has been found though that through gamesharks or something, you can move around a debug room in Legends 2 and run into the naked Sera model who's dancing around or something like that.

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    6. Well, they had to "test" that model to make sure nothing could be seen in-game. :P
      And Sera is the only character that appears naked in the series, both in the Japanese and English versions. Although the Japanese has other "dirty" content changed overseas, like Servbot #40 and some items:
      http://tcrf.net/Mega_Man_Legends#Regional_Differences

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  11. Don't forget to mention that the debug pages can be changed by holding Select and pressing the directional buttons (joystick 2).

    Page 3 has all sound effects from the game, and it is possible to change their volume, pitch, and other stuff.

    Page 22 is a simple camera menu.

    No idea what the other pages are for.

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  12. My god has it really been 14 years since Legends 2 was a thing? Wow I feel so old ah but ht good memories of my younger years. Time to dust off my copy of the game and play for old times sake.


    Thank Protodude for bringing back good memories <3

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  13. I wonder if, by using this a reference, someone can enable the debug in other versions.

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  14. Page 27 is a "Picture Snap Mode":
    http://www.capcom.co.jp/newproducts/consumer/dash/himitsu/himi39.html
    Does it work in this version? If yes, it saves screenshots to the Memory Card like Metal Gear Solid's camera?

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  15. Late comment, but thank you so much for this. No hate to the English VOs, but the US industry back then just wasn't very established and didn't have the talent or money to be what it could have been. The original VOs are so, so good, and being able to hear the original audio along with a playable game (that I can read) is an amazing experience.

    If anyone is interested in playing through this one (and can't speak the language), you can sync up the cutscenes in this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFhN3QWLuUM) for subtitles while playing the game audio!

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