I took a peek at the tosec and I saw Zanac 2nd version. Is this a hack/pirate or does this game really exists?

I've never seen an original Zanac 2nd version, but IMHO it is not a pirate thingie. The code is completely recompiled, not simply patched, and that's something very hard to do without the original, commented source code.

zanac X?

I don't think it was done by COMPILE, but maybe other team of from PonyCa. I've looked at the list of games they were directly involved with.

http://www.puyo.org/cache/www.compile.co.jp/game/

If you look in the MSX section, Zanac only appears once. Where's the 2nd version?

On a side note, I never knew this until reading this list but COMPILE ported Thexder to the msx. I used to love playing that game. Although I never been able to beat it.

You can find Zanac Ex in the MSX2 section. Actually Zanac Ex was released as Zanac, just as the MSX1 version. The MSX2 version, however, is similar to the NES version of Zanac, whereas the MSX1 version of Zanac has (as far as I know) never been ported to any other system. There are many similarities between Zanac and Zanac Ex; the graphics form the main difference.

About Thexder: I didn't remember, but I always thought that Compile was the one who ported it to MSX. I was more surprised about Higemaru, to be honest. It's an interesting list to which you are linking .

I'm aware of the Zanac EX and Zanac on the Nes, and I've played both to the end. I only like the Nes version a little better though, mainly because I think the action feels faster.

The best version of course is Zanac A.I. on the msx1. Been playing it for years, it never gets old. I have the japanese rom, and I'm waiting for the cassette version to come in the mail.

I would like to see a photo of the actual rom cartridge of Zanac 2nd version. Theres hardly any info on this game.

Since were on the subject of Compile shooters, has anyone played Rude Breaker?

http://pc98.acheronx.com/rudebr.html

It was released in 1996, part of DiscStation vol 10 for the NEC PC98. I urge all Compile fans to at least play it.
It's definitely better than Aleste Gaiden.

You can have a look at http://screenshots.fixato.co.uk/zanac
It lists screenshots I took from all the disk/rom images I could find on my machine.
As you can see there was a Zanac Ex released in `86, and a normal Zanac in `86.
There also has been a Zanac version 2 in `87, which features the same old graphics from the normal Zanac `86, but with different levels and different enemies in those levels. Also notice the new "Rank" status that was added in the `87 version.
All have been cracked to disk-versions as well Mostly by MagiCracks.

Ooh, I do see the logo of Zanac X Zanac on the first link.
That's an awesome game, I play it a lot on my PSX emulator.

Quote:

You can find Zanac Ex in the MSX2 section. Actually Zanac Ex was released as Zanac, just as the MSX1 version. The MSX2 version, however, is similar to the NES version of Zanac, whereas the MSX1 version of Zanac has (as far as I know) never been ported to any other system.

There is a unofficial PC port. DOS recompiled file.
Sure that are two versions of Zanac for MSX.
I even heard about a "third" version ...

What's about level 0?
Zero could be a interesting area ...