Mystic Defender / Kujaku Ou - Localization & Gameplay Hack
This is a ROM hack of Mystic Defender (Kujaku Ou) for the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis.
It reworks the Western localization, restores unused content, and introduces significant gameplay improvements, including 6-button support and a more faithful adaptation of the anime source material.
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🔤 Localization Overhaul (Booting in EN Region)
- Rewritten opening story text to better reflect the events of the anime.
- Seamless transition into the translated Japanese-style opening dialog.
- Title screen uses JP version layout with a translated logo and subtitle.
- Stage transition title cards now feature:
- Proper stage names (e.g., “The Cursed Forest” instead of just “Round 2”)
- Decorative flower designs, like the JP version.
- Corrected Stage 2 enemy palette—no more strange green colors.
- Ending text rewritten to reflect the anime's proper conclusion.
Note: Booting the game in JP region preserves the original broken-English ending for authenticity.
🛠️ Options Menu Adjustments
🎮 Difficulty Levels
- Easy: 5 Lives / 2 Continues
- Normal: 3 Lives / 1 Continue
- Hard: 1 Life / 0 Continues
🌟 Style Option
Switch between:
- Kujaku Ou (JP)
- Mystic Defender (EN)
This affects:
- Character sprite
- Stage transitions
- Ending text
- Credits presentation
⚙️ Gameplay Enhancements
- Restored unused code for new functionality.
- Health bar turns red after taking damage.
- Maximum health blocks increased from 3 → 4.
- Magic charges now go up to 4 (originally capped at 2).
- Individual charge counters for each magic type, visible on-screen.
- Losing a life only deducts the active magic's charge.
- Overcharging magic grants bonus health.
- Losing a life with Magic Bomb selected does not consume bombs or charges.
- Rebound Magic can be fired again—previous shot is expired.
- Water pits in Stage 4 cause damage instead of instant death.
- Continue starts at the beginning of the stage and restores saved charges/bombs.
- Continue screen shows the number of remaining continues.
- Stage 1 sub-bosses no longer die in a single hit.
🎮 6-Button Controller Support
Select magic instantly with dedicated buttons:
| Button | Magic Type |
|---|
| X | Default Magic |
| Y | Fire Magic |
| Z | Rebound Magic |
| Mode | Magic Bomb |
📺 Demo Video
🎬 Watch it in action on YouTube
🧠 Notes
- v2.42 glitched magic bomb graphics after continue, and no magic bomb shown after continue if died with none left bug fixes
- v2.41 fix exploit left from legacy code that allowed magic swap when dead, now disabled due to new mechanic of individual magic charge counters
- This hack supports both JP and EN region boots.
- Patch provided in IPS format – use tools like Lunar IPS or Floating IPS to apply.
- All changes are fully compatible with emulators and flashcarts that support the original game.
🛠 Credits
- Hack, code edits, graphics: Ernani S. Costa
- Original game: SEGA
- Special thanks to the retro ROM hacking and translation communities!
📜 License
This patch is provided for free for educational and preservation purposes.
You must source your own copy of the original game to use this patch.