![U.F.O. Kamen Yakisoban - Kettler no Kuroi Inbou Keihin Ban [Model SHVC-Y7] screenshot](images/game/62567_2.png "U.F.O. Kamen Yakisoban - Kettler no Kuroi Inbou Keihin Ban [Model SHVC-Y7]")
U.F.O. Kamen Yakisoban - Kettler no Kuroi Inbou Keihin Ban © 1994 Denz
U.F.O. Kamen Yakisoban: Kettler no Kuroi Inbou Keihin Ban is the original, limited-edition promotional version of the bizarre food-themed beat-'em-up. The "Keihin Ban" (Prize Edition) was not originally sold in stores; instead, it was distributed as a contest prize to consumers of Nissin's U.F.O. brand of instant yakisoba noodles. Mechanically, it functions the same as the standard retail release that followed, featuring the same side-scrolling action, sauce-spraying mechanics, and absurd culinary enemies, but it contains specific aesthetic and packaging differences that make it a distinct and highly sought-after collector's item.
GAME ID: SHVC-Y7
Promotional Distribution: This specific version was limited to roughly 3,000 copies, given away exclusively as a prize to winners of a Nissin promotional campaign.
Aesthetic Differences: The most notable difference between this Keihin Ban and the later standard retail release (SHVC-Y9) is the use of real-world photography. The box art and the cartridge label of the Prize Edition feature actual photographs of the actors from the popular TV commercials (including the actor who portrayed Yakisoban, and American TV personality Dave Spector who played the villain, Kettler). The retail version replaced these with generic illustrated artwork.
In-Game Changes: The Keihin Ban features a special congratulatory message upon booting the game, thanking the player for winning the contest. This introductory text was scrubbed from the eventual retail cartridge.
Gameplay Continuity: Despite the rarity and cosmetic differences, the core ROM data regarding stages, enemy placement, and the beat-'em-up mechanics remains practically identical to the mass-market version.
Collector Significance: Because it represents the "true" promotional artifact of the Nissin advertising campaign and had an extremely limited print run, the Keihin Ban commands a significantly higher premium on the secondary market compared to its retail counterpart.