It’s A Bird… It’s A Plane… It’s A Superman Famicom Prototype!

Skrybe of Lost Levels purchased this Superman Famicom prototype from Yahoo Japan Auctions for 10,500 yen.

The game shows a plethora of differences from the Japanese retail game, including an anime-stylized Superman on the title screen, completely different building interiors (The Daily Planet looks less like an office space and more like a warehouse where the desks, windows, telephones, and other office accoutrements have been removed), doorways and walls have altered outlines, the music slows down, an “H” icon appears on the top-right corner of the screen, cars don’t drive around the streets of Metropolis, characters have different hair/clothing/eye brow (!) colors, windows have a sun glare effect, and there’s even less detailed shrubbery.

Prototype
Japanese Retail