I can confirm the 1 credit, start = start for both players for me also but in War-Zard. Fresh UltraSIMM install, new Repro cart with nocd UltraBIOS. Initially tried to repro in SF2NG but no go.
Repro’d when I Started up War-Zard JP, 1 coin, start. Loading War-Zard US didn’t repro, reloading...