Test movement, punches, kicks, grabs, throws, special techniques, weapon use, enemy contact, scrolling, cooperative behavior, stage exits, and boss transitions. Placeholder scenes, incomplete routes, altered collision, or an early ending should be compared with the final game before being called a load failure.

Keep beta saves separate, learn the move and guard timing in the first area, and do not enter a group without an escape path. Save before each transition, record the exact stage and move for differences, and avoid importing retail states without checking compatibility.