S.C.A.T. - Special Cybernetic Attack Team © 1991 Natsume, Incorporated.
North American release. For more information about the game itself, please see the original Japanese version entry; "Final Mission [Model NAT-FV]".
Description from back cover:
It's the year 2029 and humanity faces certain extinction! An alien force led by the Supreme Commander Vile Malmort is positioned to destroy the earth.
The President had little time to act. He assembled the greatest scientists from around the globe to stop this menace. From their laboratory came mankind's last hope - the members of S.C.A.T.
The Special Cybernetic Attack Team has one goal: the utter destruction of the alien fleet. They've sent an armada to conquer us. We've sent two warriors from S.C.A.T... It should be a fair fight.
Cartridge ID: NES-FV-USA
S.C.A.T. was released in June 1991 in North America.
There are some major differences between the original Japanese release of the game and the Export versions. First off, the story and the introduction sequence were completely changed (as well as the introduction music) - although the Japanese game is set in an post-apocalyptic world and features an unknown alien invasion, the western release introduces an alien force led by the Supreme Commander Vile Malmort. Additionally, the two soldiers were renamed Arnold and Sigourney (two blatantly obvious references to Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sigourney Weaver). The character sprites are different, the game features a progress map (picture below), and Level 3 and 4 were switched over. Finally, the original Japanese version is a lot more difficult - the player starts the game with a shorter life bar (three cells instead of six) and loses any equipped weapon when hit. Additionally, the pods have a different configuration in the western release and the weapons do more damage overall.
12 Lives (This USA version only): At title screen press and hold on the 2nd controller Up, A and B buttons, and then on the 1st controller press Start. If done right, you should get 12 lives.
Game's ROM.