I do like the idea of doing binary comparisons. It will be an ambitious project (mainly due to ROM offset documentation, and the large number of versions that exist), but it's a surefire way to find every difference, including possible differences that we haven't discovered yet. I actually attempted something like this for DKL3, comparing English v1.0 and English v1.1, but despite the large amount of internal differences, the only two actual differences I could find are the title screen and the Tundra Blunda map (and I knew about both of those before doing a binary comparison). Most of the internal differences (at least from what I could find) are due to changes in tiles used in the title screen, which caused a LOT of tiles, including unrelated ones, to be compressed differently. I should probably dig deeper though...
Second, now that the DKC (and DKL) games are
FINALLY released on the North American eShop (this took way too long!), I downloaded all six games, and I can tell you which revisions the VC games use... at least in North America anyway.
- For DKC, the Virtual Console version is based on v1.2, judging from the pausing rope bug and the inability to cut victory animations short.
- For DKC2, the Virtual Console version is based on v1.1, judging from the tag-team behavior, the Enguarde barrel in Arctic Abyss, and the Fiery Furnace bonus shortcut being fixed.
- DKC3 only ever had one North American version. I haven't played it much yet, but I'd be surprised if there were any changes.
- DKL and DKL2 only ever had one North American (and European) version.
- For DKL3, the Virtual Console version is based on v1.1, judging from the title screen and Tundra Blunda's pit at the very end of the level.
Next, as for Pot Hole Panic, I'm sure that Raccoon Sam was referring to
the removed Booty Bird, and the Buzz that replaced the Kuchuka. Unless there's something else that I'm unaware of.
Lastly, I'd like to bring up the
delayed sound effects bug. While it occurs in American v1.0, I am certain that it was fixed in American v1.1. I have no idea about European or Japanese versions. I'll just quote my reply in the topic that I linked to:
I realize that this thread is almost seven years old, but I have things to mention that haven't been mentioned yet.
- First, I've heard this glitch (which I find VERY annoying, by the way) occur on my SNES cartridge, which is American v1.0. I know it's v1.0 based on things listed here (plus the sticker on the back of the cartridge doesn't have an engraved "A" on it, just two digits).
- In addition, I have played American v1.1 on an emulator, and have not ever heard it across multiple playthroughs. Considering I always hear the bug at least once on my cartridge per playthrough, I am certain that it was fixed here.
- Also, I recently downloaded DKC2 on the Wii U Virtual Console, and again, I have not heard it once throughout the entire game. I know that this is v1.1, again due to things mentioned in the thread covering version differences.
Due to all of this, I am certain that as far as American revisions are concerned, it only works in v1.0, and was fixed in v1.1. I have no idea what the situation is for European or Japanese versions, however. I faintly don't recall hearing the glitch in Japanese v1.1, but it's been a while since I played that.