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[Tizoc]

I've been playing the game gear Sonic games recently and...they're kinda weird looking with the limited visuals and all that. This got me to wondering: What are the best looking games on either system?

In addition I'd like clarification on which system had the better hardware and which games released on both systems looks better (GG or SMS).

 

[Hero of Legend]

Ristar.

 

[liquidtmd]

Don't know on a technical level but Wonderboy 3 for me

I think it was a combination of art direction, chunky clear design and a smooth experience.

 

[@MUWANdo]

GG hardware is almost identical to SMS hardware. The biggest and most obvious differentiator is the color palette, with the GG's palette being much larger (4096 colours vs. 64).

Some of the later GG games really show off the increased colour range--Ristar, Tempo, Tails Adventure, Royal Stone, Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible Special, etc--but most of the multi-platform games are more or less identical between versions, ignoring the obvious difference in resolution.

(For an example of the opposite, check out Sonic Blast on GG then check out the Brazilian SMS version; the GG version is no looker but the SMS version is just gross.)

EDIT: brainfart, fixed the specs

 

[Jimnymebob]

I can't comment with complete accuracy because I've only played the Game Gear versions of Sonic 1 and 2 on things like Gems Collection, and not on an actual Game Gear, but in terms of being blown up for a TV the Master System versions definitely look better.

I've not played the Master System in absolutely ages, but I remember Running Battle, Master of Darkness and Alex Kidd in Shinobi World being pretty.

 

[Infernal Monkey]

Stay away from the Game Gear versions of Sonic 1, 2 and Chaos and play them on Master System instead if possible. The cropped screen ruins them.

 

[liquidtmd]

My memory is spotty, how was the MS version of Outrun?

 

[Ferr986]

Galaxy Force on the Master System.

 

[nopenopenope]

.

 

[Hero of Legend]

I take it back.

Fantasy Zone Gear.

WAT.

 

[ResidentDante]

My memory is spotty, how was the MS version of Outrun?

It's not bad compared to other 8-bit conversions, the most impressive is they managed to make a 3D version of it on the MS too!

 

[@MUWANdo]

The other thing to remember about the SMS is that there are quite a few games that look relatively good in screenshots but aren't really much fun to play and often don't even animate smoothly--Mortal Kombat 2 and Street Fighter 2 spring to mind.

 

[Reineldinho]

Aladdin on Master System looks great:

I was really wowed that my MS could do that

 

[Tizoc]

Stay away from the Game Gear versions of Sonic 1, 2 and Chaos and play them on Master System instead if possible. The cropped screen ruins them.

Woah that's impressive. I already got the GG games and Sonic 1 GG runs really well and so far I enjoy it :3

 

[Hanningfield]

Land of Illusion of the Master System. Good looking stages, animation and cut scenes.

 

[Infernal Monkey]

Oh yeah, Deep Duck Trouble looked pretty damn good too~

 

[Shig]

Sylvan Tale and GG Shinobi 2 on Game Gear.

The Terminator, Aladdin, Ninja Gaiden, and Phantasy Star on Master System.

 

[Klart]

I always thought Alex Kidd in Miracle World looked quite good on MS.

 

[Englebert3rd]

Aladdin on Master System looks great
I was really wowed that my MS could do that

That was the only game I had on Game Gear. I should get it for SMS one day!

 

[Sgt. Kabukiman]

Phantasy Star is by far the best looking 8-bit rpg. I love how the dungeons look and the creature designs are amazing. And I prefer its style to PSII on the Megadrive. Land of Illusion, Alex Kidd in Shinobi World and Aladdin also come to mind.

I'm not super familiar with the Game Gear library but Shinobi 2 looks and sounds great. They managed to cram a fantastic Yuzo Koshiro soundtrack in that tiny cartridge.

 

[Krejlooc]

Fantasy Zone II

Space Harrier 3D (really loses something without actually playing in 3D on a real console):

Gunstar Heroes

Dynamite Headdy

Road Rash

Phantasy Star

Shining Force II: Sword of Hajya

Wonder Boy III

Sagaia

Alex Kidd in Shinobi World

Chuck Rock II

Land of Illusion

Tempo Jr

GG Aleste II

 

[orient]

Chuck Rock 2 looks extremely detailed for an 8-bit game. Lucky Dime Caper, Fantasy Zone, Phantasy Star. Jungle Zone in Sonic 1 is one of my favourites. Heck, Alex Kidd in Miracle World blows 90% of NES games out of the water, and I like the game, too.

 

[nkarafo]

Krejlooc educating again.

 

[Krejlooc]

GG has a much larger palette (4096 colours vs. 52)

The SMS has 6-bit CRAM resulting in 64 possible colors, not 52.

and can display more simultaneous colours on screen (32 vs. 16).

Nope

Both the game gear and the master system have 2-16 color sub palettes.

 

[Tizoc]

Krejlooc educating again.

Preach!

 

[Jimnymebob]

Dynamite Headdy

Chuck Rock II

I've never seen that version of Dynamite Headdy/never knew it existed, but holy crap that looks really good.

Chuck Rock II looks good here too, but I'm used to the Amiga version, which I remember looking really pretty.

 

[johancruijff]

R-Type

Phantasy Star

Prince of Persia also looked great

 

[Krejlooc]

I've never seen that version of Dynamite Headdy/never knew it existed, but holy crap that looks really good.

Chuck Rock II looks good here too, but I'm used to the Amiga version, which I remember looking really pretty.

The sega genesis/sega cd version of chuck rock ii is pretty much the same as the amiga version with slight differences (its much easier as most enemies take 1 hit instead of 2, and it has different, more complex backgrounds (eg one of the levels that (a jungle level) that is bare in the Amiga version has tons of butterfly sprites in the genesis version, the water-tubing dinosaur rotates in the genesis version, etc), and some of the stages that were one long stage in the genesis version were cut into two stages in the Amiga version) but the 8-bit version is really different. Same game, still, but lots of different art and some different level layouts, too. The genesis version was the lead version, btw.

 

[baudelinog]

Some of the latest SMS games look absolutely fantastic. Some of them don't play so good, but the graphics are astounding for a 8 bit system.

A few that come to my mind: Chuck Rock II, Aladdin, Streets of Rage, Cheese Cat-Astrophe, Taz Escape from Mars, Dynamite Headdy, James Pond 2, Desert Speedtrap, Fire and Ice, Global Gladiators, Ottifants, Daffy Duck, Power Strike II, Star Wars, Asterix and the Great Rescue, Wolfchild or Zool.

From all this, I'd say that Chuck Rock II, Aladdin, Daffy Duck and Star Wars are good games, and Streets of Rage and Power Strike II are VERY good games.

 

[Jimnymebob]

The sega genesis/sega cd version of chuck rock ii is pretty much the same as the amiga version with slight differences (its much easier as most enemies take 1 hit instead of 2, and it has different, more complex backgrounds (eg one of the levels that (a jungle level) that is bare in the Amiga version has tons of butterfly sprites in the genesis version, the water-tubing dinosaur rotates in the genesis version, etc), and some of the stages that were one long stage in the genesis version were cut into two stages in the Amiga version) but the 8-bit version is really different. Same game, still, but lots of different art and some different level layouts, too. The genesis version was the lead version, btw.

Ah, right. Thanks.

I always assumed the Amiga versions of the Chuck Rock games were the lead ones, but I guess that was because I grew up with those ones.

 

[ponpo]

E: See below lol.

 

[Jamix012]

I'm partial to Ranger X.

That's a Mega Drive/Genesis game. Not a Master System game.

 

[Krejlooc]

Ah, right. Thanks.

I always assumed the Amiga versions of the Chuck Rock games were the lead ones, but I guess that was because I grew up with those ones.

Amiga was the lead for Chuck Rock I, despite it having no backgrounds in that version.

 

[ponpo]

That's a Mega Drive/Genesis game. Not a Master System game.

O..oh.

Stupid me.

 

[celsowmbr]

How about this "hacked" version of Sonic 2?

http://shc.sonicresearch.org/entry/25

 

[IbizaPocholo]

 

[lock2k]

Psycho Fox and Basketball Nightmare come to mind.

 

[Hawk269]

Phantasy Star is by far the best looking 8-bit rpg. I love how the dungeons look and the creature designs are amazing. And I prefer its style to PSII on the Megadrive. Land of Illusion, Alex Kidd in Shinobi World and Aladdin also come to mind.

I'm not super familiar with the Game Gear library but Shinobi 2 looks and sounds great. They managed to cram a fantastic Yuzo Koshiro soundtrack in that tiny cartridge.

I was waiting for someone to say Phantasy Star. I remember magazines back in the day giving Phantasy Star "Best Graphics" awards back in the day. It was one of the most impressive games on the Sega Master System.

 

[Touch fuzZy. get BizZay]

 

[Laconian Sword]

Surprised no one mentioned Spellcaster. Great graphics, atmospheric music, and weird plot that transitions from ancient Japan into sci-fi seamlessly.

 

[RoadHazard]

I was waiting for someone to say Phantasy Star.

And then you waited another 4 years, lol.