Revenge is one of the few games on digital distribution that is still worth owning a physical copy for, if you are a collector. The version included on compilations and digital downloads is edited from the console versions. There are actually five different versions of the game (six if you count some of the audio changes made in the Sega CD version). The original plus five different revisions. Mostly with art changes to avoid copyright infringement.
You might even get lucky and end up with one of the earliest versions with Batman and Spider-Man.
Also Speaking of Spider-Man, I always liked Spider-Man vs the Kingpin. But who knows how well it aged? X-Men 1 and 2 are pretty cool as well.
When I started building my collection again, I made sure to get an original version. I had to buy a few edited ones off eBay before I ended up getting one from a seller on Nintendo age. He had a bunch of random games for sale and I just asked him if he knew what version it was. He was unaware of any revision and offered to play the game to check it for me. So cool for someone to do, especially since it ended up being what I wanted.
Such a great game, the blatant copyright infringement is just frosting on a delicious cake.
The only version I have of the game is 1.01, which I suppose is still pretty common. 1.01 removes the red bandanas and hair from the Rambo like enemies to make them look less like Rambo. It also removes Batman and replaces him with a generic devil man like character.
Back in the day, before I even knew about the other versions, I always assumed that the devil character was Morbius from the Blade/ Spider-man universe and Spider-man was battling him, for some reason.
I also have the version that was released on the 5-1 Sega CD compilation. This version is based on revision 1.04 but with some very minor audio differences. All the games on the 5-1 CD disc had altered audio, Super Monaco GP had improved voice samples and better music in the Sega CD version:
Revenge is one of the few games on digital distribution that is still worth owning a physical copy for, if you are a collector. The version included on compilations and digital downloads is edited from the console versions. There are actually five different versions of the game (six if you count some of the audio changes made in the Sega CD version). The original plus five different revisions. Mostly with art changes to avoid copyright infringement.
You might even get lucky and end up with one of the earliest versions with Batman and Spider-Man.
Also Speaking of Spider-Man, I always liked Spider-Man vs the Kingpin. But who knows how well it aged? X-Men 1 and 2 are pretty cool as well.
I'm sure that it might be worth more to some collectors. But I don't think it is a highly sought after item, because they are really hard to distinguish between version 1.01.
Sega used the same box art, manuals and cartridge labels for both versions. So the only way to spot the differences is to literally play the game. If the flamethrower enemies in level 3 have hair and red bandanas, then it is 1.00. if not, it's 1.01.
Version 1.02 is a little easier to spot. Even though it uses the same printed manuals, box inserts and cartridge labels as 1.00 and 1.01. You can easily check by booting up the game. If it has a "Spider-Man is a copyrighted trademark of Marvel Comics" screen after the Sega logo then it is 1.02.
Version 1.03 is the easiest to spot. Because it was always packaged in the "Sega Classic" label. So any version in a Sega Classic box is 1.03.
Version 1.04 is the digital download version.
here's a image I found on another forum showing what all 4 versions look like...
It's impossible to tell the difference between the first three versions. 1.03 is the Sega Classic label.
I'm sure that it might be worth more to some collectors. But I don't think it is a highly sought after item, because they are really hard to distinguish between version 1.01.
Sega used the same box art, manuals and cartridge labels for both versions. So the only way to spot the differences is to literally play the game. If the flamethrower enemies in level 3 have hair and red bandanas, then it is 1.00. if not, it's 1.01.
Version 1.02 is a little easier to spot. Even though it uses the same printed manuals, box inserts and cartridge labels as 1.00 and 1.01. You can easily check by booting up the game. If it has a "Spider-Man is a copyrighted trademark of Marvel Comics" screen after the Sega logo then it is 1.02.
Version 1.03 is the easiest to spot. Because it was always packaged in the "Sega Classic" label. So any version in a Sega Classic box is 1.03.
Version 1.04 is the digital download version.
here's a image I found on another forum showing what all 4 versions look like...
It's impossible to tell the difference between the first three versions. 1.03 is the Sega Classic label.
Didn't the remove the "bad" ending from later versions? (Admittedly I have a 1.00 version and it has 2 endings plus it can be played in "Japanese" mode if you have a language switch on your Genesis.)
Didn't the remove the "bad" ending from later versions? (Admittedly I have a 1.00 version and it has 2 endings plus it can be played in "Japanese" mode if you have a language switch on your Genesis.)
They did? That's news to me. The 1.01 version I have has both the bad and good endings. But I never played through the other revisions to the end, to be honest. I also have no idea if 1.01 still has the Japanese mode, either.
Yeah, it's more of a neat thing to have for the novelty. Still a great game regardless of revision.
Since its hard to actually tell the version without playing it, you may end up getting it from any random eBay auction. I paid $20 for a complete version that was confirmed, but I've seen people try to sell them on ebay for triple that.
Yeah, it's more of a neat thing to have for the novelty. Still a great game regardless of revision.
Since its hard to actually tell the version without playing it, you may end up getting it from any random eBay auction. I paid $20 for a complete version that was confirmed, but I've seen people try to sell them on ebay for triple that.
That's the thing. You could end up with an original cartridge at a flea market, pawn shop or Ebay for 5 - 10 dollars, without you or the seller ever knowing that it is unique or a bit of a rarity. Which makes this game harder to sell as a collectors item. Though, as you said above. You did buy multiple copies of this game, while looking for rev 0. So sometimes spending the extra from a seller who does know about the version differences could be justified.
All this talk of different versions reminds me to mention Mystic Defender--both as an awesome action game and the fact that when it first dropped, it featured a topless end boss. Worth getting any version though. It was my first Genesis game and holds a special place in my heart.
All this talk of different versions reminds me to mention Mystic Defender--both as an awesome action game and the fact that when it first dropped, it featured a topless end boss. Worth getting any version though. It was my first Genesis game and holds a special place in my heart.
I don't think I have ever played Mystic Defender. But after looking at Youtube videos, I might have to check it out. For some reason, I am kind of reminded of Wings of Wor. Which is also had a couple questionable boss designs.
It was a great shooter though, regardless.
Sonic 1 also had a couple different revisions as well. Later versions had additional special effects (like the water effects in Labrynth zone) and extra layers of parallax and scrolling.
Revenge is one of the few games on digital distribution that is still worth owning a physical copy for, if you are a collector. The version included on compilations and digital downloads is edited from the console versions. There are actually five different versions of the game (six if you count some of the audio changes made in the Sega CD version). The original plus five different revisions. Mostly with art changes to avoid copyright infringement.
You might even get lucky and end up with one of the earliest versions with Batman and Spider-Man.
Also Speaking of Spider-Man, I always liked Spider-Man vs the Kingpin. But who knows how well it aged? X-Men 1 and 2 are pretty cool as well.
I got the one with the Spiderman copyright on the pre-title screen, but dunno if Batman is in.
A friend of mine just gave me an old six button controller he dug up, but it feels kinda funny compared to the standard. Its official Sega, but has a normal/turbo/slow switch, mode button, and the d-pad is kinda....floaty? Anyone have any experiences with this controller before?
A friend of mine just gave me an old six button controller he dug up, but it feels kinda funny compared to the standard. Its official Sega, but has a normal/turbo/slow switch, mode button, and the d-pad is kinda....floaty? Anyone have any experiences with this controller before?
I think that may be one of the later model 6 button controllers that was manufactured by Majesco for their Genesis 3 release. The Majesco model looks like this:
Which is model number: MK1470 (rapid fire switch, 6 grey buttons, mode button on the front)
I have never owned one. But I have been told that their build quality is a lot cheaper than the official Sega made 6 button Controllers...
The official Sega produced Genesis 6 button controller is this one here:
Which is model number mk-1653 (3 black and 3 grey buttons, mode button on the top) and are generally very high in build quality and have impressive d-pads.
I made a Thunderforce III thread some time ago. Really, one of my favorite games of all time. The game has this synergy to it where everything comes together incredibly well. It's lovingly crafted.
It is indeed. It's one of my favorite games ever; back in the day, I beat it on the hardest setting (Mania, IIRC) without dying. I still go and listen to the soundtrack now and then. As you said, all the pieces click together so well.
I decided to go on a huge Gen kick a few years ago after missing out on it during the 16Bit days and found Shinobi 3 to be maybe the best action game on the system. It's just so freaking good. I've played Revenge of Shinobi and Shadow Dancer and this one blows them away in my opinion.
I agree. Revenge is a longtime favorite of mine - it's what we bought with the Genesis - but I find III to be a much stronger game. More secrets, tighter gameplay, more moves, tougher platforming and better bosses. Very different music style, but I think it stands up well. Both classics, though.
I always preferred the steeper learning curve of Revenge of Shinobi over Shinobi III's faster gameplay and better visual presentation. I also feel that Revenge had a better soundtrack than III as well.
I'm not really suggesting that Shinobi III was a terrible game or anything. It wasn't. It was equally awesome in its own right, and one of the best action platformers on the console. But I always liked Revenge just a little bit more.
I find I enjoy the broader set of moves in III much more, and how they chain together (dropping off the ceiling to chain kick a few enemies into the air, then landing on a wall and leaping across a chasm, and so on). They really nailed the feeling of being agile and having lots of moves on hand at all times. I find the platforming to be more satisfying as a result.
Still, Revenge is a great, classic game. I always enjoyed draining my shurikens and playing through Chinatown in pure hand to hand combat. The level with the guard towers and waves splashing set an incredible stage, and the ending dungeon maze was great. (I always let the girl get squished at the end. The ending was cooler.)
Think the d-pad is pretty much shot on this one...either that or its just a really bad d-pad in general. Just for curiosity sake, is it still possible to play Ranger-X just fine with a 3 button...sure its just easier with a 6 button?
Think the d-pad is pretty much shot on this one...either that or its just a really bad d-pad in general. Just for curiosity sake, is it still possible to play Ranger-X just fine with a 3 button...sure its just easier with a 6 button?
yeah, Ranger-X is still playable without the 6 button controller. You lose functionality over controlling your robot companion/ motorcycle thing. But it is still playable.
It's hard to say about the controller model you have. It could just be a faulty D-pad or bad D-pad in general. I was looking at reviews for the MK1470 model after I made my last post, and they seem to be varied from great to decent. So I am not sure what to think about it, considering I have never owned one.
Here's a few Classic Game Room review's of the MK-1470 and MK-1653 controllers. The MK-1470 seems to be a lot easier to come by though. I am not sure what other after market 6 button Genesis controllers there are that could make suitable replacements... I wonder if anyone else here knows?
All this talk of different versions reminds me to mention Mystic Defender--both as an awesome action game and the fact that when it first dropped, it featured a topless end boss. Worth getting any version though. It was my first Genesis game and holds a special place in my heart.
Another awesome and under mentioned game. Alyssa Dragoon was another great game in the same vein. (I think it's related to MD in some way - but could be wrong)
Invest in the official wireless 6 button pads. I've got some and they're amazing. Had to open them up and add a few pennies to each handle as they're a bit light, but even though they're IR they work really well.
I recently went on a crazy retro adventure too and here are some games I really like so far:
Robocop Vs Terminator (very suprisingly didn't know this was gonna be so good)
El Viento (haven't gotten around to this one yet but it looks crazy judging youtube)
Contra Hard Corps
Rocket Knight Adventures
Gunstar Heroes
Alisia Dragoon
I still have some weird games on my list that I just picked up on a whim like of which I'm not really sure if they're any good:
Deeper into Rocket Knight and man...I love Konami's 16 bit generation boss style. You never know what you'll run into, how many forms it will have, or what kind of desperation attack it will have. Not to mention the designs themselves are extremely imaginative.
EDIT: Does Majin Saga still stand up to today's standards? I like everything that i've seen so far, but i'd like to get some impressions from people who've played it recently.
Deeper into Rocket Knight and man...I love Konami's 16 bit generation boss style. You never know what you'll run into, how many forms it will have, or what kind of desperation attack it will have. Not to mention the designs themselves are extremely imaginative.
Whats great is that it is pretty fresh (past stage 2 since I could never get past the mecha train when I was a kid for some reason) for me, so it feels like a new game/not just nostalgia talking.
I know Hard Corps is amazing, but I never had the chance to explore all the different paths, so once I finish these three, i'll probably go for that...as well as Thunder Force IV and Gaiares.
Global Gladiators is probably one of the weaker titles made by Virgin Interactive, it certainly isn't as good as Cool Spot. But it also isn't the worst game you will ever find on the console. It might be worth picking up at a lower price.
Chakan is one of those titles that takes a bit of patience to enjoy. The later levels really become excruciatingly difficult and there is quite a bit of trial and error gameplay. This one is a bit of an acquired taste, though it reminds me mostly of X-Men 1 on the Genesis for some reason.
I know Hard Corps is amazing, but I never had the chance to explore all the different paths, so once I finish these three, i'll probably go for that...as well as Thunder Force IV and Gaiares.
And if you are still looking for a 6 button controller Sega-Parts still apparently has some in their inventory. You might want to send them an email to verify if they have any left. It might be good to at least snag one or two of them.
I think I mentioned in another thread recently that I tried Chakan a little while back and thought it was really, really bad. If it was ever good it hasn't aged well at all.
I keep thinking I should track down a copy of Clockwork Knight. Remember liking it back in the day, wonder if that was just rose colored glasses.
I recently went on a crazy retro adventure too and here are some games I really like so far:
Robocop Vs Terminator (very suprisingly didn't know this was gonna be so good) El Viento (haven't gotten around to this one yet but it looks crazy judging youtube)
Contra Hard Corps
Rocket Knight Adventures
Gunstar Heroes
Alisia Dragoon
I still have some weird games on my list that I just picked up on a whim like of which I'm not really sure if they're any good:
Yes! A fun game that's just a little rough around the edges but does a lot right. Wolf Team had this knack for making games that were so memorable to me but never really took off. Arcus Odyssey was another personal fave of mine that really isn't a classic but remains in my gaming heart.
It's a decent little game. The first is way too easy for its own good, though, while the second is much better.
Actually played the games in reverse, which might've worked against Clockwork Knight [1]'s favor... but hell, I had a demo of Clockwork Knight 2 that came with my Saturn, and had been craving the full game since the late '90s, so it was one of my first eBay Saturn pickups (after NiGHTS, w/ 3D pad and an RF switch for my old crappy television). Got it with Panzer Dragoon Zwei sometime in 2004 for, like, $30, although CK2 is a bit scratched up and the ending video starts skipping like an old record just before the roll call. As I recall, got it the day after a tropical storm/hurricane went through, and we'd lost power for a brief while (it was back up within the day, though, which is more than I can say for this goddamn derecho that went past just this past Friday; I'm still out of power from that) - not sure why I remember this fact, but I very clearly do, so there we are.
Clockwork Knight's fun, I agree. I don't have the second one though, only the first. It's really a 2d platformer, I don't know if it has any actual 2.5d (polygonal) elements... looks prerendered to me, and the levels are strictly side-view. I have played the demo of the sequel, and I know that one does have perspective shifts, so that one at least is 2.5d.
Even though Clockwork Knight is good, though, my favorite 1995 Saturn platformer is definitely Bug!. I think it's a fascinating look at a pre-Mario 64 attempt at a 3d platformer. It's one of the first true 3d platformers, along with Jumping Flash. Yes, it plays more 2.5d than 3d, but it IS a 3d game. The levels are way too long, the continue points far apart, the pace slow, the save system cruelly limited (there's a LOAD LIMIT, of how many times you can load the game, and it only saves between worlds, too... inordinately cruel with a game with such long levels. Get around this by backing up your save file to the Action Replay cart, and copying it over before playing, unless you actually like playing through the whole, long game over and over.), so it's too hard, but I like the game a lot anyway. The sequel's similar, and is just as difficult. Good game too. Bug! isn't for everyone, but I like it.
Oh, as for Astal, it's okay, but it's definitely a "graphics above gameplay" title. I get bored quickly. Bug's a much better game, in my opinion. Or Clockwork Knight (graphics aside; Astal is certainly prettier than that game).
I recently went on a crazy retro adventure too and here are some games I really like so far:
Robocop Vs Terminator (very suprisingly didn't know this was gonna be so good)
El Viento (haven't gotten around to this one yet but it looks crazy judging youtube)
Contra Hard Corps
Rocket Knight Adventures
Gunstar Heroes
Alisia Dragoon
Those are all among the best action-platformer games on the Genesis, yeah. Well, I don't knwo if Robocop vs. Terminator is, but it's certainly very good at least. It was well known at the time for its violence (and no, the SNES one wasn't nearly as gory), but the game is good too.
As for the rest of those, Alisia Dragoon and Contra: Hard Corps are fantastic games, among the best. Alisia Dragoon's a pretty unique game, and really was a good find. I like the game a lot. Alisia's lightning attack is pretty cool, with how it hits everything in the direction you're facing. The game has lots of hidden stuff to find too, and solid graphics and good music. Great ll around.
Contra: Hard Corps is interesting as well; it's Konami's best, and highest production values, Genesis game. Most of the rest of Konami's Genesis games have issues --low production values, inferior games compared to titles in those franchises on other platforms, etc.), but not Hard Corps -- Hard Corps is probably Konami's only Genesis game that I like more than the SNES game in the same franchise. Genesis TMNT beat 'em up, TMNT Tournament Fighters, Sunset Riders, Castlevania, and Tiny Toon Adventures sports and platformer are all better on SNES for sure. Oh, note that none of those games are multiplatform. They're all exclusives, with a separate game for each system... and quite a bit better ones on SNES, except for Contra: Hard Corps (though Rocket Knight/Sparktster is at least even, that was a Genesis first series). I like stuff in Contra: Hard Corps like the story, branching mission tree, and four characters, too. Contra III for SNES, with no character choice, a really lame story, only one ending, only six levels, and a linear path, really looks dated in comparison. The only negative is the absolutely insane difficulty level in the US version; in Japan it's got infinite continues and three hit points, not five continues and one hit kills. The change makes the game near-impossible for all but the best gamer, unfortunately. And due to the substantial script, playing the Japanese version would be frustrating because you wouldn't know what's being said. Anyway though, as for Gunstar Heroes, it is really good too of course, though I do like Contra: Hard Corps more, myself. Hard Corps released after Gunstar Heroes, and I think the Konami team looked at Treasure's work, and set out to exceed it. Well, I'd say they did. Actually, I might even like Gunstar Super Heroes (GBA) more than the Genesis game... I don't know. It is, at least, quite good.
Rocket Knight's a great platformer too, lots of fun and I like jetpacks. It's got great graphics, fun gameplay, and a fair amount of challenge too. And yes, it's another one of those very rare great Konami Genesis games! This one wasn't on my list above because it's a Genesis exclusive. The SNES "Sparkster" game (note, the two (Gen/SNES) Sparkster games are entirely different) came later.
I still have some weird games on my list that I just picked up on a whim like of which I'm not really sure if they're any good:
Those three aren't nearly as good as the first five, but most Genesis games aren't, so that's not too bad. (As a note, one of the few platform-action games on Genesis that is up to the par those first games set, both graphically and gameplay-wise, is The adventures of Batman & Robin. Exceptional game.) Anyway though, Global Gladiators is basically a Shiny-style platformer, like Cool Spot, more than anything. It's alright, but I don't love it. I haven't played much of those others, though Chakan is of course infamous for its excessive difficulty level. And that's really saying something, considering how brutally hard so many Genesis games are.
The official Sega produced Genesis 6 button controller is this one here:
Which is model number mk-1653 (3 black and 3 grey buttons, mode button on the top) and are generally very high in build quality and have impressive d-pads.
My favorite digital-only controller ever. Yes, I like it more than the digital-only Saturn controllers... I don't know, I think it feels better. I prefer the 3D Controller for all Saturn games (that I don't use the Mission Stick or Arcade Racer for; I have those too).
Contra: Hard Corps is interesting as well; it's Konami's best, and highest production values, Genesis game. Most of the rest of Konami's Genesis games have some issues, but not Hard Corps. I like stuff like the branching mission tree and four characters, too. The only negative is the absolutely insane difficulty level in the US version; in Japan it's got infinite continues and three hit points, not five continues and one hit kills. Gunstar Heroes is really good too of course, though I do like Contra: Hard Corps more, myself. Rocket Knight's a great platformer too, lots of fun and I like jetpacks.
yeah Hardcorps is definitely my favorite run and gun on the platform. In many ways I think it is right up there with Contra III on the SNES, and in some ways, I like it more. Gunstar Heroes comes in at number two. The Adventures of Batman and Robin, while not a bad game. Does have some balancing issues with the levels. There are some levels that drag on way to long, I feel. It could've been a much better game, if they had a little more time to solve them. Midnight Resistance is pretty underrated too, I think. Though Midnight Resistance does have a bit of a weird control setup, but if you can managed to get around it, the game becomes a lot of fun. Alien Soldier is also great too.
Mega Turrican, while more of a hybrid shooter/ platformer, is very underrated as well. It's a great game and has one of the best soundtracks on the Genesis. Vectorman 1 (and to a lesser extent 2) are great platform shooters as well. Earthworm Jim 1 is one of my favorites in the genre, though I always preferred the Sega CD version more. Earthworm Jim 2 was also great, but a lot more varied in play mechanics. Even though the SNES version is my preferred version of EWJ 2. Robocop Vs. Terminator also falls in this category, it's not bad. I like the Genesis version more than the one on the SNES. Though Terminator on the Sega CD is a better game, IMO.
And while I am listing shooters, Trouble Shooter (Battle Mania in Japan) is a lot of fun. It also had a sequel that was released in Japan only called Battle Mania Daiginjō which was an even better game. Though also impossible to find due to its limited print run
Everytime someone outbids me for a decently priced Dragon Force, Shining Force 3, or Shining the holy ark at the last minute, I want to break something
EDIT: Legend of Oasis just arrived, going to limit myself to just playing through 4-5 games at a time to strike a balance.
Clockwork Knight's fun, I agree. I don't have the second one though, only the first. It's really a 2d platformer, I don't know if it has any actual 2.5d (polygonal) elements... looks prerendered to me, and the levels are strictly side-view. I have played the demo of the sequel, and I know that one does have perspective shifts, so that one at least is 2.5d.
The backgrounds are all polygonal (well, quads, but still), trust me. The quality is too low to be prerendered; not to mention, all the varying angles you can see everything from (ignoring that it's always side-view, that camera can be positioned all over the place and the backgrounds don't skip a beat). All the enemies and items are prerendered sprites, though.
Even though Clockwork Knight is good, though, my favorite 1995 Saturn platformer is definitely Bug!. I think it's a fascinating look at a pre-Mario 64 attempt at a 3d platformer. It's one of the first true 3d platformers, along with Jumping Flash. Yes, it plays more 2.5d than 3d, but it IS a 3d game. The levels are way too long, the continue points far apart, the pace slow, the save system cruelly limited (there's a LOAD LIMIT, of how many times you can load the game, and it only saves between worlds, too... inordinately cruel with a game with such long levels. Get around this by backing up your save file to the Action Replay cart, and copying it over before playing, unless you actually like playing through the whole, long game over and over.), so it's too hard, but I like the game a lot anyway. The sequel's similar, and is just as difficult. Good game too. Bug! isn't for everyone, but I like it.
BUG! has a great first world, but it starts to fall apart around the second or third, where the difficulty ramps up insanely. Still like the game, but it's not all that great.
Oh, as for Astal, it's okay, but it's definitely a "graphics above gameplay" title. I get bored quickly. Bug's a much better game, in my opinion. Or Clockwork Knight (graphics aside; Astal is certainly prettier than that game).
Eh, I like Astal a good deal. It's definitely linear as hell with not a whole lot of replay value as such, but it's a very pretty and fairly well-designed romp despite that.
yeah Hardcorps is definitely my favorite run and gun on the platform. In many ways I think it is right up there with Contra III on the SNES, and in some ways, I like it more. Gunstar Heroes comes in at number two. The Adventures of Batman and Robin, while not a bad game. Does have some balancing issues with the levels. There are some levels that drag on way to long, I feel. It could've been a much better game, if they had a little more time to solve them. Midnight Resistance is pretty underrated too, I think. Though Midnight Resistance does have a bit of a weird control setup, but if you can managed to get around it, the game becomes a lot of fun. Alien Soldier is also great too.
I'm not really a Contra fan. It's not a series I played as a kid, so I generally find them too hard... I've never actually finished a Contra game actually (I have the first one for NES, Operation C, III, Hard Corps, and the two PS2 ones). It probably did help my opinion of Hard Corps that it was one of the first Contra games I played, after the NES game... I'd tried Contra III sometime, but not for long. And comparing them now, I think that Hard Corps plays better. As I said (or added to) that post, I like that it actually has a story, the multiple playable characters, that it has a lot more levels, the branching mission path, etc. III feels somewhat dated in comparison, in those regards...
But I'd actually rather play GunForce than Contra III, for a SNES run & gun, so yeah. I mean, sure, GunForce is a worse game score-wise, but I think it's more fun to play... and plus, it's the origin of the Metal Slug series, which I love. It's also not too difficult, oddly enough for a Metal Slug predecessor; I've beaten it repeatedly, and there is a continue limit. (One time I played it through with my cousin, we ran out of credits at the final boss and then he died, and I beat the boss with either zero or one life remaining... )
Haven't played Midnight Resistance. As for The Adventures of Batman & Robin, though, you're right that some levels drag on a bit long -- each area basically has one visual theme that repeats through the whole stage, it gets repetitive. Still, it's a fantastic game, and is mostly well thought through and a lot of fun. The farthes I've gotten (on the actual cart) is the level with the mushroom forest... somehow I always start running out of credits there. Still, despite the visual repetition, I do think it's a very good game.
There's also a Sega CD Adventures of Batman & Robin game, too, and it's at least as hard, maybe even harder. That game's entirely different of course (it's all behind-the-car driving/shooting), but about as good too... but wow does that game get crazy difficult. I love that it shows off what the system can do visually, though, but the Riddler's cyberworld level is just unfairly hard, not sure if I've ever gotten past it.
Mega Turrican, while more of a hybrid shooter/ platformer, is very underrated as well. It's a great game and has one of the best soundtracks on the Genesis. Vectorman 1 (and to a lesser extent 2) are great platform shooters as well.
I'm a big fan of all three of Factor 5's original Turrican games, they're fantastic. I made a thread here about Turrican some years ago, actually: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=228909 . I'd only add that I actually like Universal Soldier (aka the Genesis version of Turrican 2), too. I know it's often maligned, but it's not THAT bad, and I do like the addition of password save (for the only time in the franchise). The first Turrican is a bit too annoying though, it's got way too many blind jumps.
As for Vectorman, yeah, those are real classics. Definite must-plays, the first one especially. I don't like the second quite as much as the first either (that intro swamp level... ick), but if you like one, why not play both.
Earthworm Jim 1 is one of my favorites in the genre, though I always preferred the Sega CD version more. Earthworm Jim 2 was also great, but a lot more varied in play mechanics.
I've never really been an EWJ fan, myself. I've tried to like it many times, and I like the visual look, but somehow the gameplay is kind of annoying... the first version I owned was the PC version (EWJ for Win95), which is the best version, but I never finished it. It got tougher, and instead of continuing to try I lost interest. It's just ... a little off, mechanically, or something. I mean, it's good, but I like other games more.
As for EWJ2, never played that one much.
Even though the SNES version is my preferred version of EWJ 2. Robocop Vs. Terminator also falls in this category, it's not bad. I like the Genesis version more than the one on the SNES. Though Terminator on the Sega CD is a better game, IMO.
I find it funny how every "The Terminator" game (based on the first movie that is) is similar, but different... I mean, on each platform they made a different game, but they have some things all in common. It's somewhat similar with T2, though the "Judgment Day" and "The Arcade Game" versions are more similar of course. Anyway though, yeah, The Terminator for SCD is great.
And while I am listing shooters, Trouble Shooter (Battle Mania in Japan) is a lot of fun. It also had a sequel that was released in Japan only called Battle Mania Daiginjō which was an even better game. Though also impossible to find due to its limited print run
The backgrounds are all polygonal (well, quads, but still), trust me. The quality is too low to be prerendered; not to mention, all the varying angles you can see everything from (ignoring that it's always side-view, that camera can be positioned all over the place and the backgrounds don't skip a beat). All the enemies and items are prerendered sprites, though.
I don't know, I thought the backgrounds could have been parallax or something. But if they are polygons, then it is a 2.5d game... just the least "2.5d" of all the 2.5d platformers I've ever seen, as far as gameplay goes. It is fun though, sure.
BUG! has a great first world, but it starts to fall apart around the second or third, where the difficulty ramps up insanely. Still like the game, but it's not all that great.
It does start getting crazy hard, yes. And yeah, that's a flaw, and an important one. I find it too hard too. But I think that the game's great design, unique concept, and fun gameplay hold up, even if it's too hard to probably ever finish. It's an under-rated series for sure.
If only it'd had saving between levels, instead of worlds... (and GAH, why did they not put that into the sequel, which is even HARDER at the start?) But I really like the gameplay regardless.
Eh, I like Astal a good deal. It's definitely linear as hell with not a whole lot of replay value as such, but it's a very pretty and fairly well-designed romp despite that.
Well designed? Eh, not really. I mean, the game's biggest problem is its simplistic, boring level designs, and that's a design element, obviously. The levels are just much too bland. Walk right, jump/hit things, continue.
Just picked up Vatlva for cheap recently. Not a common game but also really reasonable when it pops up.
Highly recommended from me, especially if you like party combat games (is that a genre?) like Bomberman or Micro Machines. Also Yuzo Koshiro soundtrack.
Just bought Groove on Fight this weekend, it hasn't arrived yet but I've heard good things.
I don't know, I thought the backgrounds could have been parallax or something. But if they are polygons, then it is a 2.5d game... just the least "2.5d" of all the 2.5d platformers I've ever seen, as far as gameplay goes. It is fun though, sure.
Well, I suppose I should elaborate; there are prerendered backgrounds in the far background with the appropriate parallax applied. Then again, this is true for most 3D games, although their settings generally mean that it's a blue cloudy sky instead of a lavishly-detailed rendering of a house's room. The foregrounds, though - the parts you actually jump around on and interact with - definitely polygonal.
Clockwork Knight [1] didn't do too much with the motif, as I recall. I mean, some of the bosses (which were also fully polygonal) would go in and out of the playing area, which was pretty cool at the time. Clockwork Knight 2 does a lot more; aside from the curving path the demo showed off, some of the horse-riding autoscrolling stages have alternate paths you can switch onto that go into the foreground/background. The second world goes all-out with two separate playing fields, one further behind the other, that you periodically switch between. (Also some really nice jazz music).
It is by far the best Panzer Dragoon to date, and one of my favorite RPGs of all time. Stillit's only 20 or so hours, it's not that long. What is there is amazing.
Another vote fore Astal! That game deserves an HD remix. While the characters and plot are generic, the art style is amazing!
Those ugly 3D graphics in Panzer Dragoon Saga made it easy to sell a few years ago. No matter how good a game is or how much I enjoyed it at one time, I just can't look past early 3D.
It is by far the best Panzer Dragoon to date, and one of my favorite RPGs of all time. Stillit's only 20 or so hours, it's not that long. What is there is amazing.
I'm surprised you got 20 hours. My first run was 12 - and that's with a fair amount of the sidequests (what precious few there are) done. I neglected to
prevent the little boy with the caravan from dying
, though; I should really replay this game sometime and amend that.
Those ugly 3D graphics in Panzer Dragoon Saga made it easy to sell a few years ago. No matter how good a game is or how much I enjoyed it at one time, I just can't look past early 3D.
That's a good point. If you buy it you'll definitely get your money back, maybe even make some if you manage to buy it lower than what it normally goes for.
I'm surprised you got 20 hours. My first run was 12 - and that's with a fair amount of the sidequests (what precious few there are) done. I neglected to
prevent the little boy with the caravan from dying
, though; I should really replay this game sometime and amend that.
It's been so long, at the time I didn't expect much, I bought it for 19.99 from Toys-R-US after all. Just remember loving it, and being floored by how much it sold for.
But I'd actually rather play GunForce than Contra III, for a SNES run & gun, so yeah. I mean, sure, GunForce is a worse game score-wise, but I think it's more fun to play... and plus, it's the origin of the Metal Slug series, which I love. It's also not too difficult, oddly enough for a Metal Slug predecessor; I've beaten it repeatedly, and there is a continue limit. (One time I played it through with my cousin, we ran out of credits at the final boss and then he died, and I beat the boss with either zero or one life remaining... )
I'm a big fan of all three of Factor 5's original Turrican games, they're fantastic. I made a thread here about Turrican some years ago, actually: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=228909 . I'd only add that I actually like Universal Soldier (aka the Genesis version of Turrican 2), too. I know it's often maligned, but it's not THAT bad, and I do like the addition of password save (for the only time in the franchise). The first Turrican is a bit too annoying though, it's got way too many blind jumps.
I would have never guessed that Universal Soldier on the Genesis was really Turrican 2. Honestly, I generally avoided movie licensed games like Universal Soldier, because they are generally garbage. But looking at the video's on youtube, yeah that is Turrican 2 alright. It was ported by Ballistic too, who did Turrican 1 on the Genesis as well. I guess They had a Turrican 2 port in the works, but must have changed it during development after obtaining the Universal Solider movie license, or something.
I find it funny how every "The Terminator" game (based on the first movie that is) is similar, but different... I mean, on each platform they made a different game, but they have some things all in common. It's somewhat similar with T2, though the "Judgment Day" and "The Arcade Game" versions are more similar of course. Anyway though, yeah, The Terminator for SCD is great.
Well, from what I understand, Virgin games did all the Sega versions that were based on Terminator 1. Terminator on the Genesis, Terminator on the Sega CD and Robocop Vs. The Terminator on the Genesis. Interplay did the SNES version of Robocop Vs. The Terminator and the SNES version of Terminator 1 was done by another developer. All three of the Virgin made games used the same engine, which was also the same engine that was used for Global Gladiators, Cool Spot, Aladdin, The Lion King and EWJ 1 and 2. Tommy Tallarico did the music for Terminator CD and Robocop Vs. The Terminator on the Genesis as well.
It's the first run n gun game by the team that would later go on to leave Irem and make Metal Slug for SNK. GunForce 2 became somewhat well known a few years back as "Metal Slug Zero" of sorts, but it's really the first GunForce that's that... (On that note, GunForce 1 is for arcade and SNES, while GunForce 2 is arcade only, unfortunately.)
I mean, Gunforce 2 does add more stuff that's recognizably Metal Slug-like, like some art in that recognizably Metal Slug style, unlike Gunforce 1's more realistic/Contra-style stuff, and prisoners to rescue who give you powerups (the first one just has powerups, no prisoners), but the first Gunforce IS Metal Slug-like in some ways. It's got a base gun with infinite ammo and various pickups with limited ammo, for instance, and many of the guns are familiar -- there's a rocket launcher, laser gun, flamethrower, machine gun, etc. You can control vehicles, too, in certain segments.
There are also aliens.
You can see where they took inspiration from Contra, but it's its own game. It is of course MUCH easier than any Metal Slug game, as I said, something helped out by the fact that it has eight direction firing (yes, you can shoot diagonally in Gunforce!), but that's not all bad, and I like being able to shoot diagonally. The art's generic stuff, not Metal Slug levels of awesome, but still, it is a good game, in my opinion. Oh, and while the SNES version has lots of slowdown, they did keep the two player co-op, which is great. I think it's a decent port, overall.
Oddly enough, I remember playing GunForce in the arcades back in the early '90s (and liking it), but have no memory of Contra, apart from reading about it in Nintendo Power and such... Oh, and on another note, GunForce also has one of the best subtitles ever. The game's full name is GunForce: Battle Fire Engulfed Terror Island.
I would have never guessed that Universal Soldier on the Genesis was really Turrican 2. Honestly, I generally avoided movie licensed games like Universal Soldier, because they are generally garbage. But looking at the video's on youtube, yeah that is Turrican 2 alright. It was ported by Ballistic too, who did Turrican 1 on the Genesis as well. I guess They had a Turrican 2 port in the works, but must have changed it during development after obtaining the Universal Solider movie license, or something.
Yeah, that's basically what happened -- Accolade (the owners of the Ballistic label) got the Universal Soldier license during the development of the Turrican 2 port, and decided that they'd get it out quicker by just turning Turrican 2 into "Universal Soldier". So they changed the player and boss sprites, removed the shmup stages, put in a couple of new levels (to replace the removed shmup levels) set in some scenes from the movie (but with classically Turrican 2 level designs; the settings don't fit at all with the rest of the game, but the levels are fun enough), added in that password system, and shipped it, pretty much. And as I said, I think it's a solid port. Sure, it's not the Amiga version, but it's good, and better than Turrican 1 for Genesis by a lot... though a good part of that is because of how much better Turrican 2 is than the first one, probably.
Well, from what I understand, Virgin games did all the Sega versions that were based on Terminator 1. Terminator on the Genesis, Terminator on the Sega CD and Robocop Vs. Terminator. I am not sure if they did the SNES versions of those games, but I think they may have been done by other developers. All three of those games used the same engine, which was also the same engine that was used for Global Gladiators, Cool Spot, Aladdin, The Lion King and EWJ 1 and 2.
Huh, the same engine runs all of those games? Including The Lion King, really? That game looks and plays nothing like the rest of those... Genesis Aladdin's one of my favorite Genesis games, though. I do love that one, though I don't care nearly as much for any of the rest of those. (I mean, as I said, EWJ's a good game, but I just don't love it, and Global Gladiators and Cool Spot are worse than it is. Both of those games also are jam-packed with blind jumps, which I hate.)
On the note of Lion King, though, that's another interesting case where every version of the game is slightly different. I mean, it's not like The Terminator because most versions ARE at their core versions of the same game, instead of being somewhat similar games with entirely different contents like the T1 games are, but still, they're not identical. The Genesis/SNES/PC (those are the most similar, though not identical I think), GB, GG, NES... each is different, even those first three. Sega's Game Gear version might be the most different, really. Sure, the level themes are the same, but the level designs are completely different, even compared to the other ports. It's also got no continues or level-select cheatcodes, so it's cruelly hard. (You might be able to win continues, but even if you can, it's not easy.) No version of The Lion King's really a great game though, I think. I mean, a lot of them look great, and some sound great (SNES and GB particularly; the GG one has great graphics, but far worse sound than the GB one, though that version has its own major play control issues), but they all have some gameplay issues, and pay more attention to graphics than gameplay.
I mean, Gunforce 2 does add more stuff that's recognizably Metal Slug-like, like some art in that recognizably Metal Slug style, unlike Gunforce 1's more realistic/Contra-style stuff, and prisoners to rescue who give you powerups (the first one just has powerups, no prisoners), but the first Gunforce IS Metal Slug-like in some ways. It's got a base gun with infinite ammo and various pickups with limited ammo, for instance, and many of the guns are familiar -- there's a rocket launcher, a flamethrower, a machine gun, etc. You can control vehicles, too, in certain segments.
There are also aliens.
You can see where they took inspiration from Contra, but it's its own game. It is of course MUCH easier than any Metal Slug game, as I said, something helped out by the fact that it has eight direction firing (yes, you can shoot diagonally in Gunforce!), but that's not all bad, and I like being able to shoot diagonally. The art's generic stuff, not Metal Slug levels of awesome, but still, it is a good game, in my opinion. Oh, and while the SNES version has lots of slowdown, they did keep the two player co-op, which is great. I think it's a decent port, overall.
Oddly enough, I remember playing GunForce in the arcades back in the early '90s (and liking it), but have no memory of Contra, apart from reading about it in Nintendo Power and such... Oh, and on another note, GunForce also has one of the best subtitles ever. The game's full name is GunForce: Battle Fire Engulfed Terror Island.
I can't believe I have never hard of the Gunforce series. Let alone part two being a precursor to Metal Slug... Its time for me to track these games down. Thanks for the info!
Huh, the same engine runs all of those games? Including The Lion King, really? That game looks and plays nothing like the rest of those... Genesis Aladdin's one of my favorite Genesis games, though. I do love that one, though I don't care nearly as much for any of the rest of those. (I mean, as I said, EWJ's a good game, but I just don't love it, and Global Gladiators and Cool Spot are worse than it is. Both of those games also are jam-packed with blind jumps, which I hate.)
Yeah, pretty much everything that was made by Virgin Interactive during the 16 bit era used the tUME editing tool. There were probably variations between game engines that used this editor, but most of the Virgin made 16 bit games were derived from the same engine. More here as well: http://games.greggman.com/game/tume___the_universal_map_editor/
The tUME editor was actually first used in MC Kids for the NES, believe it or not... but after heavy refinement, became of the of the most used engines/ editors of the 16 bit generation (most notably on the Sega Genesis). The tUME engine is now open source, actually.
I can't believe I have never hard of the Gunforce series. Let alone part two being a precursor to Metal Slug... Its time for me to track these games down. Thanks for the info!
Same here. I would make a RTTP: SNES/Super Famicom thread, since I managed to pick that up for cheap the same day as the Genesis, but I think the one that exists now is pretty recent.
And with a subtitle like that, I think i'll snag that soon.
I can't believe I have never hard of the Gunforce series. Let alone part two being a precursor to Metal Slug... Its time for me to track these games down. Thanks for the info!
They're both precursors to Metal Slug, not just part two. My description there was mostly of the first one.
Sure, only the second one has Metal Slug art styles in it, but there is enough Metal Slug like in the first one to make it a recognizable precursor. And on that note, I like both GunForce games on their own too, but in addition to the games themselves, they're also really interesting in how they show the Metal Slug team's development towards the fully unique style Metal Slug would have, between GunForce, GunForce II, and Metal Slug 1.
Yeah, pretty much everything that was made by Virgin Interactive during the 16 bit era used the tUME editing tool. There were probably variations between game engines that used this editor, but most of the Virgin made 16 bit games were derived from the same engine. More here as well: http://games.greggman.com/game/tume___the_universal_map_editor/
The tUME editor was actually first used in MC Kids for the NES, believe it or not... but after heavy refinement, became of the of the most used engines/ editors of the 16 bit generation (most notably on the Sega Genesis). The tUME engine is now open source, actually.
Same here. I would make a RTTP: SNES/Super Famicom thread, since I managed to pick that up for cheap the same day as the Genesis, but I think the one that exists now is pretty recent.
And with a subtitle like that, I think i'll snag that soon.
Yeah, Gunforce 2's visuals are really a Gunforce 1 and Metal Slug hybrid. The players look more like something from the first Gunforce, but a lot of the vehicles and buildings look very Metal Slug... that video did remind me that Gunforce 2's player 2 is female, though. That makes it the only one of their run n guns from before Metal Slug 2 to have one, both of the Gunforce 1 and Metal Slug 1 characters are male.
The other Irem game with very Metal Slug-esque graphics is the submarine shmuplike In the Hunt (arcade/ps1/saturn, best on ps1). It's a pretty good game, and I love the visuals (looks just like Metal Slug!), but it's not quite as fun as the Metal Slug games are.
Just picked up Vatlva for cheap recently. Not a common game but also really reasonable when it pops up.
Highly recommended from me, especially if you like party combat games (is that a genre?) like Bomberman or Micro Machines. Also Yuzo Koshiro soundtrack.
I'm pretty interested in Vatlva, I'll have to pick it up sometime. It's also got six player multiplayer, and is one of the very few non-sports Saturn games with 5+ player support, which is cool. (Saturn Bomberman at 10 players is one of the few other 5+ player non-sports titles.)
)
