Generally Japan had to jack up difficulty to please USA operators so they could earn more quarters and Japan versions are more fair and how they intended them to be. Play any CPS2 fighter game in a 1 player game, Japan versions are always easier. The easiest version of SSF2 was the Grand Master Challenge, they didn't even give us one of those. Too fair lol. There's a Japanese version of Thunder Zone that is possible to beat in 1 credit and it doesn't have jacked up graphics to simulate the popular war at the time of release. Even as far back as Mario... Always try the Japan versions.