Unreleased in Japan: a list of non-Japanese Nintendo 8-bit exclusives

[Dire 51]

This is something I feel has never been touched on, online. There are always lists of Famicom exclusives popping up (usually under the heading of "the best NES games you've never played" or some variation on that), but I'd never seen a complete list of non-Japanese exclusives.

In the meantime, until such a list turns up, I've started compiling one. It's a work in progress, and if you can think of any games to add or corrections to make, feel free. I've grouped them all by U.S. publisher. I've also included a list of PAL-exclusive NES games, and a list of FDS-to-NES games that were never released on cartridge for the Famicom (example: Castlevania wouldn't be on this list, but Castlevania II would).

***

NES exclusives

Nintendo:

Donkey Kong Classics
Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt
Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt/World Class Track Meet
Gumshoe
Slalom
Anticipation
To the Earth
Barker Bill's Trick Shooting
Snake Rattle 'n Roll
Short Order/Eggsplode!
Pinbot
R.C. Pro-Am
Cobra Triangle
Tetris (completely different from the Famicom and Tengen versions)
Punch-Out!! (non-Mike Tyson version, featuring Mr. Dream)
StarTropics
Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II
NES Play Action Football
Super Spike V'Ball/Nintendo World Cup
Nintendo World Championships 1990
Nintendo Campus Challenge 1991

Konami:

Contra Force
The Lone Ranger
Monster in my Pocket
Zen: Intergalactic Ninja
Batman Returns
Bill Elliott's Nascar Challenge
Jack Nicklaus' Greatest 18 Holes of Major Championship Golf
King's Quest V
Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?
Tiny Toon Adventures: Cartoon Workshop
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters

Ultra:

Snake's Revenge
Pirates!
Q*Bert
Defender of the Crown
Silent Service
Mission: Impossible
Nightshade
Skate or Die
Ski or Die
Kings of the Beach
Rollergames
Cyber Stadium Series: Base Wars
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary

Capcom:

Strider
Legendary Wings
Adventures in the Magic Kingdom
Darkwing Duck
TaleSpin
G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor
Yo! Noid (technically a localization of the Famicom game Kamen no Ninja Hanumaru, but the graphics and boss battles are completely redone)

Hudson:

Felix the Cat

SNK:

Mechanized Attack
Little League Baseball: Championship Series

FCI:

Break Time: The National Pool Tour
Ultima: Warriors of Destiny
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: DragonStrike

Bandai:

Monster Party
Dick Tracy
The Rocketeer
Toxic Crusaders
The Adventures of Gilligan's Island
Shooting Range
Frankenstein: The Monster Returns
Dynowarz: The Destruction of Spondylus
Legends of the Diamond: The Baseball Championship Game
Bandai Golf: Challenge Pebble Beach

Acclaim:

Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II
Wizards & Warriors III: Kuros: Visions of Power
Trog!
NARC
Arch Rivals: A Basket Brawl!
Destination Earthstar
Swords and Serpents
Cybernoid: The Fighting Machine
Bigfoot
Smash T.V.
Airwolf (completely different from the Famicom game)
The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants
The Simpsons: Bart vs. the World
The Simpsons: Bartman Meets Radioactive Man
Total Recall
WWF WrestleMania
Krusty's Fun House
George Foreman's KO Boxing

Taito:

Qix
KickMaster
Target: Renegade
Kiwi Kraze/The New Zealand Story
The Flintstones: The Surprise at Dinosaur Peak!
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Power Blade (technically a localization of the Famicom game Power Blazer, but the graphics and levels are completely redone)

Data East:

BreakThru
Rampage
Joe & Mac
Captain America and the Avengers
Battle Chess
Bo Jackson Baseball
Caveman Games
Dash Galaxy in the Alien Asylum

Sunsoft:

Freedom Force
Spy Hunter
Xenophobe
Fester's Quest
Platoon
Lemmings

Toho:

Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters
Circus Caper (technically a localization of the Famicom game Moeru Oniisan, but the graphics and levels are completely redone, and some of the mini games were removed)

Jaleco:

The Last Ninja
The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles
Cyberball
Rampart (NES version developed by Bitmasters and is different from the Tengen-developed Famicom game released by Konami)
Maniac Mansion (NES version developed by Lucasfilm Games & Realtime Associates and is different from the Jaleco-developed Famicom game)
Whomp 'Em (technically a localization of the Famicom game Saiyuuki World 2: Tenjoukai no Majin, but the graphics are completely redone)
Shatterhand (technically a localization of the Famicom game Tokkyuu Shirei Solbrain, but the graphics are completely redone)

Tecmo:

Tecmo Baseball
Tecmo NBA Basketball

Taxan:

Magician
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
Low G Man: The Low Gravity Man

Sony Imagesoft:

Bram Stoker's Dracula
Last Action Hero
Cliffhanger

Atlus:

Widget

Bulletproof Software:

Pipe Dream

Absolute Entertainment:

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Space Shuttle Project
Battle Tank
Race America

Namco:

Ms. Pac-Man

JVC:

Defenders of Dynatron City

LJN:

Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Back to the Future
Back to the Future II & III
The Karate Kid
Jaws
Friday the 13th
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Beetlejuice
The Incredible Crash Dummies
Alien 3
Bill & Ted's Excellent Video Game Adventure
Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six
The Uncanny X-Men
Wolverine
The Punisher
Gotcha! The Sport!
WWF Wrestlemania: Steel Cage Challenge
WWF King of the Ring
Pictionary
T&C Surf Designs: Wood & Water Rage
T&C Surf Designs: Thrilla's Surfari
Major League Baseball

Arcadia Systems:

Silver Surfer

Milton Bradley:

California Games
World Games
Marble Madness
Captain Skyhawk
Time Lord
Digger T. Rock: The Legend of the Lost City
Cabal
Jordan vs Bird: One on One

Mattel:

Bad Street Brawler
Super Glove Ball

Matchbox:

Motor City Patrol

Activision:

The Three Stooges
The Adventures of Rad Gravity
Archon
Stealth ATF
Galaxy 5000: Racing in the 51st Century
Ghostbusters II

Tradewest:

Solar Jetman: Hunt for the Golden Warpship
R.C. Pro-Am II
Battletoads & Double Dragon
Taboo: The Sixth Sense
Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat
Magic Johnson's Fast Break
John Elway's Quarterback
Ivan "Ironman" Stewart's Super Off Road
High Speed

American Sammy:

Silkworm
Thundercade
Arkista's Ring

Square:

Rad Racer II

Kemco:

Rocket Ranger
Snoopy's Silly Sports Spectacular (technically a localization of the Famicom game Donald Duck, but the graphics are completely redone)
Kid Klown in Night Mayor World (technically a localization of the Famicom game Mickey Mouse III: Yume Fuusen, but the graphics are completely redone)

GameTek:

Jeopardy!
Jeopardy! Junior Edition
Jeopardy! 25th Anniversary Edition
Super Jeopardy!
Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune: Junior Edition
Wheel of Fortune: Family Edition
Wheel of Fortune: Featuring Vanna White
Double Dare
Hollywood Squares
Classic Concentration
Family Feud
Harlem Globetrotters
American Gladiators
Fisher Price: I Can Remember
Fisher Price: Perfect Fit
Fisher Price: Firehouse Rescue
Nigel Mansell's World Championship Racing

Romstar:

Baseball Stars 2

Electronic Arts:

The Immortal
Skate or Die 2: The Search for Double Trouble

MicroProse:

F-15 Strike Eagle
F-117A Stealth Fighter

INTV Corp.:

Monster Truck Rally

Electro Brain:

Stanley: The Search for Dr. Livingston
Ghoul School
Best of the Best: Championship Karate
Eliminator Boat Duel
Super Cars

HAL:

The Adventures of Lolo (Famicom Adventures of Lolo is a retitled Adventures of Lolo 2)

American Softworks:

Treasure Master
Power Punch II
The Mutant Virus: Crisis in a Computer World

Titus:

The Blues Brothers

Software Toolworks:

The Chessmaster
Mario Is Missing!
Mario's Time Machine

THQ:

The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends
Fox's Peter Pan & the Pirates: The Revenge of Captain Hook
Where's Waldo?
The Great Waldo Search
Swamp Thing
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Buckaroo$!
Wayne Gretzky Hockey
Videomation
James Bond Jr.
Home Alone
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
Wayne's World

Sofel:

Casino Kid II
Klash Ball

Seta:

Formula One: Built to Win

Hi-Tech:

The Hunt for Red October
Jim Henson's Muppet Adventure: Chaos at the Carnival
Win, Lose or Draw
Remote Control
Fun House
Orb 3-D
Rollerblade Racer
Barbie
Sesame Street: ABC
Sesame Street: 123
Sesame Street: ABC/123
Sesame Street: Countdown
Sesame Street: Big Bird's Hide & Speak
Mickey's Adventure in Numberland
Mickey's Safari in Letterland

Ubisoft:

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (completely different than the Taito NES game)

Virgin Interactive:

Color a Dinosaur
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
M.C. Kids
Greg Norman's Golf Power
Prince of Persia
Overlord
Disney's The Jungle Book
Caesars Palace

Ocean:

Jurassic Park
RoboCop 3
Lethal Weapon
The Addams Family
The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt
Darkman
Cool World

Parker Bros.:

Heavy Shreddin'/Snowboard Challenge

Mindscape:

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Gauntlet II
720°
RoadBlasters
Paperboy 2
The Terminator
Alfred Chicken
Days of Thunder
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Infiltrator
The Last Starfighter
Mad Max
M.U.L.E.
Loopz
Dirty Harry
The Miracle Piano Teaching System
Conan
Flight of the Intruder
Roundball 2-on-2 Challenge
Battleship
Championship Pool

***

Unlicensed

Tengen:

Tetris
Gauntlet
Shinobi
Pac-Mania
Toobin'
Skull & Crossbones
Vindicators
Road Runner
Fantasy Zone (completely different than the Sunsoft Famicom game)
Ms. Pac-Man (completely different than the Namco NES game)

American Game Cartridges, Inc.:

Chiller
Death Race
Shockwave

Camerica:

The Ultimate Stuntman
Micro Machines
Quattro Adventure
Quattro Sports
Firehawk
Linus Spacehead's Cosmic Crusade  
Big Nose the Caveman
Quattro Arcade
Bee 52  
MiG 29: Soviet Fighter
Big Nose Freaks Out
Stunt Kids  
Dizzy the Adventurer (w/ Aladdin Deck Enhancer)
The Fantastic Adventures of Dizzy

Color Dreams:

Robodemons  
Baby Boomer
Master Chu and the Drunkard Hu  
The Adventures of Captain Comic
Raid 2020
Crystal Mines
Silent Assault
Challenge of the Dragon
King Neptune's Adventure  
Pesterminator: The Western Exterminator
P'radikus Conflict
Secret Scout in the Temple of Demise
Operation: Secret Storm

Wisdom Tree:

Exodus: Journey to the Promised Land
Bible Adventures
The King of Kings: The Early Years
Joshua & the Battle of Jericho
Spiritual Warfare
Bible Buffet

American Video Entertainment

Dudes With Attitude
F-15 City War
Puzzle  
Double Strike  
Krazy Kreatures  
Deathbots
Rad Racket: Deluxe Tennis II
Venice Beach Volleyball
Impossible Mission II
Wally Bear and the NO! Gang  
Blackjack
Solitaire
Maxi 15
Trolls on Treasure Island

Bunch Games:

Tagin' Dragon
Moon Ranger
Mission Cobra
Castle of Deceit

Active Enterprises:

Action 52
Cheetahmen II

***

PAL NES exclusives

Nintendo:

Super Mario Bros./Nintendo World Cup/Tetris
Mario Bros: Classic Serie

Konami:

Konami Hyper Soccer
Noah's Ark
Rackets & Rivals

Sunsoft:

Ufouria (technically a localization of the Famicom game Hebereke, but the graphics and story are completely redone)

Virgin Interactive:

Disney's Aladdin
The Lion King

Infogrames:

Asterix
The Smurfs

Laser Beam Entertainment:

Aussie Rules Footy
International Cricket

Hudson:

Disney's Beauty & the Beast

Mindscape:

Dropzone

Imagineer:

Elite
Kick Off
Super Turrican

Ocean:

The Legend of Prince Valiant
Parasol Stars: Rainbow Islands II
Rainbow Islands: Bubble Bobble 2 (PAL version is different than Taito's NTSC versions)

***

Disk System format games released as NES carts

Nintendo:

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (FDS title: The Legend of Zelda 2: Link no Boken)
Metroid
Kid Icarus (FDS title: Hikari Shinwa: Parutena no Kagami)

Konami:

Castlevania II: Simon's Quest (FDS title: Dracula II: Noroi no Fuuin)
Jackal (FDS title: Final Command: Akai Yosai)
Rush'n Attack (FDS title: Green Beret)
Double Dribble (FDS title: Exciting Basketball)
Blades of Steel (FDS title: Konamic Ice Hockey)

Capcom:

Gun.Smoke
Section Z

Ultra:

Gyruss

Acclaim:

3-D WorldRunner (FDS title: Tobidase Daisakusen)
Winter Games

Taito:

Bubble Bobble

FCI:

Zanac
Dr. Chaos

Data East:

Karate Champ

Kemco:

The Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle (FDS title: Roger Rabbit)

Taxan:

Mystery Quest (FDS title: Hao-kun no Fushigi na Tabi)

[BonBon]

Very nice list this will be very useful to the forum. I really like how you broke them up by company.

[P]

Nice list. There's a similar list http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=6665.0 but yours is actually unique. I think you could have put it on the Famicom board though.

[fcgamer]

Nice list.  I have been working on a list that is related to this one, namely NES exclusives that were never released on the Famicom, but then illegally ported over to the Famicom by bootleg game companies.  Because of the lack of good resources on this (I had once found a list, but it was not overly comprehensive and was also vague), this list will be useful to me.  In the unlicensed section, there are quite a few mistakes though.

Tengen:
Toobin'
Skull & Crossbones

These two games were officially released in Korea, licensed by Tengen, for Famicom.  Some of the other Tengen games may have officially been released there too, I am unsure, but it wouldn't surprise me.  On another note, it is quite funny to me to see Tetris on the list, since it is one of the most bootlegged Famicom games of all time (Tengen Tetris), though since it is not an official release, I understand why it appears here 

American Game Cartridges:

Were Shockwave and Deathrace released on Famicom?  If so, that is news to me!  If not, they are missing from the list.


Camerica:

All of these with the possible exception of Dizzy the Adventurer and Stunt Kids (I need to check) were officially released on Famicom.



Color Dreams:

These were all officially released on Famicom.  In fact, Miss Peach World was never released on the NES...  Master Chu and Silent Assault were published by Joy van and later Sachen.

Baby Boomer
Master Chu and the Drunkard Hu 
Crystal Mines
Miss Peach World 
Silent Assault
Challenge of the Dragon
Menace Beach


American Video Entertainment

These were all released on the Famicom, in some way or another.  The only two which one could debate are Mermaids of Atlantis and Ultimate League Soccer, both released with pornography in them unlike the censored AVE versions.  It is important to note, however, that Ultimate League Soccer was originally developed in Taiwan, for Famicom...

F-15 City War
Puzzle 
Tiles of Fate 
Double Strike 
Rad Racket: Deluxe Tennis II
Mermaids of Atlantis: The Riddle of the Magic Bubble
Venice Beach Volleyball
Ultimate League Soccer
Pyramid



Bunch Games:

Once again, these were published on Famicom originally, and most likely first...

Tagin' Dragon
Mission Cobra
Galactic Crusader

Panesian:

These two are basically the same as their nudity Asian counterparts (which were probably the originals).  IIRC, the girls are different, but at this point it is sort of splitting hairs, because the versions released in Asia and those released in the USA by Panesian are the same, just slightly hacked for marketing and what not.

Peek A Boo Poker
Bubble Bath Babes

[Dire 51]

Very nice list this will be very useful to the forum. I really like how you broke them up by company.

Thanks!

There is two more games that had PAL and Jap. only release: Gimmick and Hammerin' Harry.

Since they were both released in Japan, they don't count.

Nice list. There's a similar list http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=6665.0 but yours is actually unique. I think you could have put it on the Famicom board though.

Thanks! I figured this would be the best place for it, since it was more NES related than Famicom. But if a moderator would like to shift it over there, they should.

Nice list.  I have been working on a list that is related to this one, namely NES exclusives that were never released on the Famicom, but then illegally ported over to the Famicom by bootleg game companies.  Because of the lack of good resources on this (I had once found a list, but it was not overly comprehensive and was also vague), this list will be useful to me.

I'd like to see your list. I don't do much with bootlegs myself, but it's nice to know what's out there. So if my list does prove helpful to you, awesome.

In the unlicensed section, there are quite a few mistakes though.

The unlicensed games have been the trickiest to include here. In a lot of cases, there's not much info for them available. What I've found out during the time I've spent researching this list are that most of the games you listed as being mistakes were released for the Famicom, but were never officially released in Japan (remember, not shooting for a "not released on Famicom at all" list, but a "not officially released in Japan" list). Most of the ones you listed I've only ever seen as being released outside the U.S. in Korea (as you pointed out for Toobin' and Skull & Crossbones), or elsewhere in Asia, Australia or South America. None of the games I listed ever got an official Japanese release, at least not that I've seen.

However, Shockwave and Deathrace I somehow managed to miss completely during my research, so I've gone back and added them.

[fcgamer]

The unlicensed games have been the trickiest to include here. In a lot of cases, there's not much info for them available. What I've found out during the time I've spent researching this list are that most of the games you listed as being mistakes were released for the Famicom, but were never officially released in Japan (remember, not shooting for a "not released on Famicom at all" list, but a "not officially released in Japan" list). Most of the ones you listed I've only ever seen as being released outside the U.S. in Korea (as you pointed out for Toobin' and Skull & Crossbones), or elsewhere in Asia, Australia or South America. None of the games I listed ever got an official Japanese release, at least not that I've seen.

Good point!  Somehow I misread or misinterpreted, when mentioning the other unlicensed games that were official releases (well unlicensed, but officially released by their respective companies).  This doesn't change the fact that Miss Peach World is a Japanese exclusive (a hack of Menace Beach, published by Hacker International of Japan), and a few of the other unlicensed titles could be debated as to their releases (the Panesians, and a few of the others that Hacker International released in Japan). 

[Dire 51]

Good point!  Somehow I misread or misinterpreted, when mentioning the other unlicensed games that were official releases (well unlicensed, but officially released by their respective companies).

I reworded the thread title to clarify that a little. I did say "a list of NES exclusives" originally, which could've contributed to any misinterpretation.

This doesn't change the fact that Miss Peach World is a Japanese exclusive (a hack of Menace Beach, published by Hacker International of Japan), and a few of the other unlicensed titles could be debated as to their releases (the Panesians, and a few of the others that Hacker International released in Japan).  

For some reason, I was always under the impression that Hacker International was a pirate outfit that just released games in Asia. All the info on them I'd ever seen points in that direction. But I've been doing some more research on them since you brought it up, and I've learned a lot more about them. As they appear to be a Japanese company, and did release their games for the Famicom in Japan (albeit without Nintendo's approval, I'm sure), I'll concede the point.

EDIT: removed all the games I saw that I found credited to Hacker. If you happen to spot any I overlooked, let me know.

[fcgamer]

Good point!  Somehow I misread or misinterpreted, when mentioning the other unlicensed games that were official releases (well unlicensed, but officially released by their respective companies).

I reworded the thread title to clarify that a little. I did say "a list of NES exclusives" originally, which could've contributed to any misinterpretation.

This doesn't change the fact that Miss Peach World is a Japanese exclusive (a hack of Menace Beach, published by Hacker International of Japan), and a few of the other unlicensed titles could be debated as to their releases (the Panesians, and a few of the others that Hacker International released in Japan). 

For some reason, I was always under the impression that Hacker International was a pirate outfit that just released games in Asia. All the info on them I'd ever seen points in that direction. But I've been doing some more research on them since you brought it up, and I've learned a lot more about them. As they appear to be a Japanese company, and did release their games for the Famicom in Japan (albeit without Nintendo's approval, I'm sure), I'll concede the point.

AFAIK, Hacker only released their games in Japan.  The domestic releases (well in domestic I am talking about Taiwan, since that is where the original developers were mostly from) were handled by the developers themselves. 
Post Merge: May 06, 2014, 08:38:45 am
Galactic Crusader was hacked with nudity, and released in Japan by Hacker / Kinema Music.  Once again, I guess it depends on if you consider the game the same or not, but the original is basically identical to the Hacker version, only without nudity.

[Dire 51]

Galactic Crusader was hacked with nudity, and released in Japan by Hacker / Kinema Music.  Once again, I guess it depends on if you consider the game the same or not, but the original is basically identical to the Hacker version, only without nudity.

It's close enough to count, so I pulled it. Thanks again!

[fcgamer]

Galactic Crusader was hacked with nudity, and released in Japan by Hacker / Kinema Music.  Once again, I guess it depends on if you consider the game the same or not, but the original is basically identical to the Hacker version, only without nudity.

It's close enough to count, so I pulled it. Thanks again!

NP.  Glad to help!

Also, just noticed that Ultimate League Soccer still is on there.  It is the same as the following game, only without nudity:

http://page9.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k171550624

Once again, a case of Hacker International publishing the game in Japan.  Interestingly enough, this game seems to have gone unpublished in its homeland, Japan, at least according to some folks I have spoken with, as well as what I have personally seen. 

[Dire 51]

Yanked that one of the list too. Good catch!

Also, I have to say... that's some nice box art shown in the auction. Safe to say it was definitely not approved by Nintendo.

[DDCecil]

Should Demon Sword - Fudo Myouoden be added to the Taito section?

The Japanese version has more levels, power-ups, and you die in one hit unlike the NES version.

Then there is other things like Batman having Stage 1 and 2's music reversed for NES/FC and Xexyz having a different ending from the FC version, etc... But that's probably for a different list

[Silius]

I think "Mario Bros - Classic Serie" is also a PAL exclusive. It has better graphics and game mechanics compared to the original release.

[Dire 51]

Should Demon Sword - Fudo Myouoden be added to the Taito section?

The Japanese version has more levels, power-ups, and you die in one hit unlike the NES version.

I've considered it, but I'm not sure if it's enough of a change to qualify. I'll continue to think on it.

Then there is other things like Batman having Stage 1 and 2's music reversed for NES/FC and Xexyz having a different ending from the FC version, etc... But that's probably for a different list

Man. A list documenting all the different changes between countries would be extensive. Probably exhausting to research, too.

I think "Mario Bros - Classic Serie" is also a PAL exclusive. It has better graphics and game mechanics compared to the original release.

I didn't even know that existed until right now. Upon looking it up, it seems that one's based on Kaettekita Mario Bros. It's still a different release, though, and a PAL exclusive, as you pointed out. Adding it now.

[Ghegs]

Wow, nice job, that's a lot more games than I thought there would be. Still, I feel the Famicom dodged a bullet by not getting The Simpsons games and the GameTek releases...

Should Demon Sword - Fudo Myouoden be added to the Taito section?

The Japanese version has more levels, power-ups, and you die in one hit unlike the NES version.

Then there is other things like Batman having Stage 1 and 2's music reversed for NES/FC and Xexyz having a different ending from the FC version, etc... But that's probably for a different list

Yeah, that's a quick and short path to simply listing all the games that have some differences between JPN and US releases. "Akumajo Densetsu was never released in US! Castlevania 3 is technically a localization, but it lacks the sound chip and some graphics were altered to cover boobs and Grant DaNasty was made worse and..."

Related to that, there are some games in the list I don't quite think should be there. Like Hebereke/Uforia which is exactly the same game, just different sprites for two of the four main characters. Or any other game where the differences are only cosmetic. The gameplay's still the same there (I'm completely ignoring story here, I don't think that's particularly relevant). Looking at gameplay only, Power Blade is easily different enough from Power Blazer to warrant a spot on the list, while Shatterhand/Solbrain is still mostly the same other than one stage being completely different, so that one might deserve just a special mention or something?

But that's just my opinion, it's not my list. It's still a good source of information the way it is, since such releases are clearly marked.