Policenauts

Policenauts (ポリスノーツ) is a Japanese adventure game written and directed by Hideo Kojima and developed and published by Konami.

Versions

NEC PC-9821

The initial version of Policenauts for the PC-98 is the most primitive of all four. The graphics aren't up to par with the other versions and the FMV sequences weren't implemented yet. On the other hand, the PC-98 edition has the longest voice recording track of all versions and contains a few obscure scenes not in any of the console versions of the game. It is also the only version that has "talking heads", which show the character's emotion, displayed on the lower part of the screen while the characters speak. This version came in CD format, along with a 2 HD system floppy disk and a sticker for a user disk.

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3DO

Not long before the PC98 version was released, a 3DO version was announced. Prior to its release, Konami issued a "Pilot Disk" containing a demo of the game, various interviews with celebrity-like figures in the Japanese game industry, a glossary of terms used in the game and behind the scenes info on the game. The full 3DO version came in two discs and now featured FMV sequences featuring cel-based animation by AIC, combined with low-budget CG. This was the first version of the game for a game console.

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Sony PlayStation

The PlayStation version of the game made further improvements by adding digital effects to the game's graphics with transperency effects and such, with some of the static and animated images (including at least one of the FMV sequences) being completely redrawn and beautified. A premium disc was released for the PlayStation, titled Policenauts: Private Collection, which shared several of the same contents as the 3DO version's Pilot Disk.

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Sega Saturn

The final version of Policenauts was released for the Sega Saturn and was over three discs long. It came packaged with a black slipcase and hardbound art book. Many elements of the Private Collections/Pilot Disk editions became standard features in this version (including a glossary of terms used in the game) and a scene from the PC98 version (missing from other versions) was restored. The Saturn version was the only version ofto support the use of a light-gun peripheral for the shooting sequences. This version was planned to be localized in the US, but translation difficulties prevented that from happening.

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