Video System released the original Super Volleyball in 1989 as a jamma board.
The Sega Genesis and NEC Turbografx received ports of this game in 1990. The
second title in the series, also on jamma, was called Super Volley '91 (aka Power
Spikes) in 1991. And in 1993, the Super NES saw the release of Hyper V-Ball. The
final game in the series may have been initially called "Fighting Volley", later
changed to Super Volley '94, and then changed to Power Spikes II.
In March of 1994, the FIRST RUN of MVS cartridges were manufactured with the
66 MEG Super Volleyball '94 version of the game contained within. These cartridges
were quickly recalled and modified by SNK. Shortly afterwards, in September of 1994,
a SECOND RUN of MVS cartridges went out with the 82 MEG version of the game. These
boards were populated with replacement P, M, and S mask roms as well as 2 additional
C roms. These early carts will display a different title screen in the Japan region
but display the same title screen in the USA and Europe regions.
There were many changes made to the game but the most notable changes were a
completely different introduction sequence (audio and video), character animations
for the teams when they score a point, and win or lose a match, as well as
implementing a seperate continue screen with a cut scene. In addition, the league
selection screen has the men, women, and hyper choices in different orders, with
different icons, and a different background color.
The SV94 HYPER stadium had planet Earth in the background which was changed to
a flaming sun in PS2. And the SV94 PLAYER stadium had world flags hanging from the
upper deck along with mostly low resolution fans in the audience. PS2 removed the
flags and implemented a larger audience with much more detailed and colorfull fans.
There is also only one background used for all 5 matches in SV94, consisting of an
orange and green color scheme. PS2 actually changes the color scheme in all 5 stadiums
from blue, green, orange, red, and yellow. Game difficulty was increased from SV94
to PS2 in that the starting points of the matches were modified and the arrow icon
was removed on later levels. Lastly, the Video System icon in home mode changed
colors from yellow to red.
One last detail about this game (but this one applies equally to SV94 and PS2)
Similar to Data East's Street Slam, the team selection is different among regions.
The USA and JAPAN regions have (USA, Brazil, Korea, Cuba, Canada, Mexico, China, Japan)
The Europe region has (Italy, England, France, USA, Spain, Germany, Korea, China)
January 1994 - the official arcade flyer is distributed by Video System.
February 1994 - Super Volley '94 is presented at the 1994 AOU show
April 1994 - Taito/Video System places an advertisement in GM Magazine.
April 1994 - Game Machine reports on SNK at
the AOU show and provides a screenshot.
May 1994 - Gamest #113 reports on SNK at
the AOU show in this article with screenshots.
May 1994 - Dengeki Oh Magazine publishes an article with screenshots
June 1994 - Video System continues to advertise Super Volley '94 month
after month.
July 1994 - the NEOGEO Guide Book publishes an article with a screenshot
July 1994 - Dengeki Oh Magazine runs an AD by Video System
November 1994 - Gamest #130 finally reviews the game as Power Spikes II.
November 2001 - a Super Volley '94 MVS cartridge is found in California, USA.
January 2005 - Emulated shots are provided by (X)
May 2012 - a Super Volley '94 MVS cartridge is found in France, Europe.
December 2016 - The P rom file is shared courtesy of Rob from California.
September 2022 - Emulated shots provided by (R).
October 2022 - Emulated videos provided by (R).
ROM STATUS: SAFEGUARDED
