Can anyone tell me why "Congo's Caper" is "Joe & Mac 2"?

[dbiersdorf]

I was just reading up the Wiki articles about this and saw that the SNES game called Congo's Caper is actually the real Joe & Mac 2, while the US version Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics is actually considered Joe & Mac 3. Does anyone know the reasoning behind why Data East localized Congo's Caper as a different game? Also why doesn't the game contain the original Joe & Mac? (or maybe it does, as I've never played the game)

I just find oddities like this so strange. Anyone who can shed light on the series a bit more would be greatly appreciated.

[ShinobiMan]

Congo's Caper is pretty much is the same "universe" as Joe & Mac, which is why it was considered Joe & Mac 2 in the days before "Lost In The Tropics" was released. Same developer, similar gameplay and story.

I compare this to how Taito tried to pass off Rainbow Islands and Parasol Stars as Bubble Bobble 2 & 3, but then they released Bubble Bobble Part 2 on the NES.

[j_factor]

In Japan, Congo's Caper is actually called Joe & Mac 2 (or whatever the Japanese title of the original is, with a 2). Our Joe & Mac 2 is called Joe & Mac 3 over there. It's also called Joe & Mac 3 in Europe, even though the second one is still just Congo's Caper.

[betamax001]

This reminds me of Thunder Force IV being called Lightening Force. Doesn't mater what the game is called as long as it's fun IMO ^_^