Why does Wario Land 2 limit save data by colour/non-colour version?

[CM30]

As TCRF wiki states, files played on a Game Boy or Game Boy Colour are incompatible with the other system, with the game refusing to let you play them on the other console:

Notes:Wario Land II - The Cutting Room Floor

tcrf.net

But why does this exist on a technical level? Does patching out the check cause any bugs or glitches further down the road?

What's the purpose of this restriction to begin with?

 

[NacklesK]

You're telling me the Game Boy of color is getting seperate save ? Sounds like racial segragation to me.

In all seriousness, if I had to take a uneducated guess, I'd say maybe the developpers didn't want to risk any potential issues that could come up with making the saves able to open by either systems ? But I doubt Wario Land 2 was the first Dual GB/GBC game so.... even my theory doesn't make much sense. Maybe there's something specific in Wario Land 2's coding the other Dual GB/GBC games don't have that may have worried the devs that the game would have issues ?

 

[Glowsquid]

some guy on reddit had a pretty good guess.

 

[CM30]

some guy on reddit had a pretty good guess. View attachment 16521

Hmm that would make sense. The Game Boy and Game Boy Colour versions have differences in level design, plus an exclusive enemy.