Power Blade [Model NES-7T-USA]

The American (and European) version of the game is significantly different than the Japanese version. The protagonist of Power Blazer was replaced with a beefier Arnold Schwarzenegger look-alike character called Nova. The gameplay is roughly the same but it was greatly improved - controls are better and the boomerang can be thrown in any direction which hugely improves the overall gameplay. Power Blade features a longer introduction sequence, new enemies, different bosses and a totally different mission map. Stages are also far less linear and Nova has to find an informant first. They are usually hidden somewhere in the visited zone and they unlock the door to the area's boss. Interestingly a sequel to the American version of the game was released in Japan in 1991 and was called Captain Saver. But when it was released in American, the game was renamed Power Blade 2.