Wow, that was a fast response! I'm glad to see this thread is still alive! I didn't think I'd ever find anyone who would appreciate it!
This is actually my second iteration of this restoration (I did the first one's with VHS footage before there were any DVDs). 99% of the work is already done for this newer iteration. Here's what I did:
- ripped the appropriate scenes from the theatrical DVDs (using the viewer and cartridges as a reference)
- edited the sequences to match the cartridges' scenes, frame by frame (very painstaking, and for the second time!)
- cropped each scene to the exact dimensions of the same scene on the cartridges (again, very painstaking, but wasn't possible the first time since the VHS versions had their own cropping that didn't match the cartridges)
- flipped 3 of the 5 resulting sequences horizontally (which is how Kenner made them for some reason, adding to the charm of these sequences)
- emulated the opening logo for each of the cartridges
I'll post on YouTube when I'm done (should be in just a couple of weeks).
To answer the other question, there are no alternate takes, but the horizontally flipped scenes make them look like different footage, and most likely contributed to the memory of "alternate footage" ;-)
Between collecting the cartridges again on eBay, ripping from VHS and then ripping again from DVD, I probably spent a good 2 years of my life recreating my favorite childhood toy! I did this for my own pleasure so that I could once again scroll through the sequences I grew up with by recreating them digitally and playing them on a PDA or smartphone with software that would allow me to play the sequences forwards and backwards, and frame by frame, just like I could on the toy.
I just can't believe there's anyone else who cares! I definitely though this would be something I would only be able to enjoy without sharing it with anyone.
Stay tuned!
MTFBWY