To Salamander fans: let's choose one and vote for that!

[Turrican]

based on discussion about the series, votes for NES Life Force were separated from votes for Salamander this year. Had that not been the case, the "game" would have nabbed the 13th spot. As is, both NES Life Force AND Salamander made the honorable mention list.

Come guys... let's find an agreement here about which version we do like better.

Keep in mind that this thread does not discuss Salamander 2. Lifeforce arcade would be a possibility, but it never was among the most voted, so really the choice is split in two: the original arcade or NES version.

Leeram, I want your opinion here!

P.S. of course, try not to just vote - add a little explanation for the sake of discussion, will be appreciated ^_^

[system11]

The NES one is a pretty ugly port of the arcade game - why anyone would vote for this instead of the original is bizarre. Note also, Life Force appeared in arcade form too - but it should just be considered a romhack of Salamander - I'd vote for that.

[Turrican]

The NES one is a pretty ugly port of the arcade game - why anyone would vote for this instead of the original is bizarre.

The port is excellent - considered NES capabilities - and there are plenty of reasons to choose it. For example, the arcade had two very shoddy stages (stage 2 and stage 5), which were replaced by an egyptian themed stage and an ultra-cool bio-organic stage - the one with the skull boss.

Note also, Life Force appeared in arcade form too

Yeah, and to make things difficult there are two revs of it - the quite improved Japanese one and the US one, which is little more than the original Salamander. They are not romhacks though, they're Konami legit and all different each other. Puzzling, yes.

Oh - and there's also the MSX one which is completely different. I already know that Laydock will vote for it.

[MSZ]

NES version by a mile. Although the arcade version is a lot more challenging.

BTW, I wonder why we don't have a NES Salamander scoreboard in the hiscore forum.

[Fighter17]

Arcade version all the way. I played the NES port for the first time this week, and I found the NES port to be too ugly and too slow.

[Shatterhand]

I think it's going to be hard to reach a common point here.

I won't vote for neither Salamander game, but the NES and the Arcade one (And the MSX one for the matter) are SO different between each other that they feel like a new game.

Konami used to make "versions" of their arcade games in home system, instead of direct ports. That's why you have a Mega-Drive Sunsetriders so diffrent from the arcade one, or NES and MSX Yie-Ar Kung-fu completely different from the arcade one.

[system11]

They are not romhacks though, they're Konami legit and all different each other. Puzzling, yes.

I didn't mean bootleg romhacks, I mean Konami taking the code and mangling it a bit.

[llabnip]

I voted for the NES port by a wide margin. It plays great and I found it to be more managable than the arcade rev. This one sees plenty of time in my NES - a classic.

[Turrican]

Okay, I changed my vote in the top 25 and opted for Lifeforce/Salamander NES version. Reasons behind my change:

-the NES version does incorporate some of the best features that were originally split between the two arcades. Music-wise it retains the awesome "Starfield" tune from Salamander, but at the same time adds the powerful piece "Thunderbolt" from Lifeforce. On a gameplay level, it uses the Gradius powerup bar;

-although the egyptian stage did never impress me that much, it must be said that the organic stage with the skull boss absolutely rocks;

-I had listed nine arcade games in my top 25 already and not a single NES shmup; I supposed showing some NES love would have been nice;

-not only the NES version is getting more feedback on this thread, but it's already voted by theevilfunkster, so now it's got two votes

[Bydobasher]

I voted for the PCE version in my top 25, and now Turrican has PM'ed me to demand that I explain my actions to the court.

I know it's very similar to the arcade, but I always play the PCE version instead. I enjoy the checkpoints, and I especially like the music. As with the PCE ports of Gradius and Dragon Spirit, the tunes are the same as in the arcade, but everything has been slightly rearranged in a way I really appreciate.

I don't want to split the Salamander vote, but I'm afraid I have to. In truth, I like the NES version more than the arcade as well, but I like PCE best. Perhaps Zach might consider PCE to be close enough to count with the arcade votes? I make the distinction between them, but perhaps most wouldn't?

[Turrican]

I voted for the PCE version in my top 25, and now Turrican has PM'ed me to demand that I explain my actions to the court.

I know it's very similar to the arcade, but I always play the PCE version instead. I enjoy the checkpoints, and I especially like the music. As with the PCE ports of Gradius and Dragon Spirit, the tunes are the same as in the arcade, but everything has been slightly rearranged in a way I really appreciate.

I don't want to split the Salamander vote, but I'm afraid I have to. In truth, I like the NES version more than the arcade as well, but I like PCE best. Perhaps Zach might consider PCE to be close enough to count with the arcade votes? I make the distinction between them, but perhaps most wouldn't?

Thanks for your self-defence Bydobasher - much appreciated.

Yeah, I know it's awesome how we're attached to our beloved ports, with their unique feeling etc.

However, I hope Zach does at least count Sala PCE as "arcade" - actually, I think he should do the same for the other vote you cast, Gradius II (NES). I know the NES port is awesome, but it's still closer to "port" than to "rearranged version" in my view.

Oh, by the way - I just want to point out that I'm not trying to force anyone witth this poll.

[zaphod]

The fact that the tg-16 version CHECPOINTS makes it a VERY different game, muhc harder!

[Bloodreign]

I go with the arcade, must be the computer voiceover that gets to me. I give props to the NES version though for adding more stuff to the experience.


And the Zelos dying at the end with a steady AHHHH seems funny to me.

[Stormwatch]

How about counting votes to any version as votes to a single title?

[Turrican]

How about counting votes to any version as votes to a single title?

Yeah (sigh)... I'm thinking it may be the best solution after all.

[Super Laydock]

I would prefer to vote for MSX version of the game.

It's the one I always played and have loved.
The one and only 1CC (1 Life actually) game too.

Recently tried the Arcade version in Mame and it left me quite cold (possibly because it was not perfectly emulated -according to a message in mame).
The first level alone was quite different then the MSX version's.

If I'd vote for the Arcade version I'd just do that to get the game in and not because I actually find it worthy.

Since I have never played the NES version I can't allow me to vote on that one too. God knows how different that one is from my beloved MSX version.


So sorry Turrican, but my vote will go to the MSX version. I know it won't make the forum's top 25 but at least I can stand behind my vote.

[Turrican]

So sorry Turrican, but my vote will go to the MSX version. I know it won't make the forum's top 25 but at least I can stand behind my vote.

It's perfectly understandable - I had already taken this into account ^_^

[Shatterhand]

The MSX version is WAAAAY different to the arcade version. It's really VERY VERY different, it adds some cut-scenes, plot twists, the levels are completely different...

And congratulations for 1cc the MSX version mate, that game is EVIL. It's by far the most difficult version of all available IMO.

and IMO PCE and Arcade should count as the same. And I think Life Force Arcade and Salamander Arcade should count as the same game too, the differences aren't really THAT big to make them different games.

[Metal Gear Okt]

Yeah, I'm going to vote for PCE.

[BIG]

Gotta love the 'cade.

B-

[-Ace-]

Arcade all the way. I remember playing Lifeforce in the arcade, and for some reason was blown away with the game voice. . "missle chamber is empty", etc. Just added another dimension of the game for me. Ofcourse, the NES version didn't have these voices.

[Turrican]

"missle chamber is empty"

I always thought it was "this whole chamber is empty".

[-Ace-]

I don't think so because it said this when you pressed the button for missles, and you didn't have it powered up. The whole chamber doesn't make sense.

[Turrican]

I don't think so because it said this when you pressed the button for missles, and you didn't have it powered up. The whole chamber doesn't make sense.

Should we let him know?

http://www.thundercross.freeserve.co.uk ... lamand.htm

I think it's going to be hard to reach a common point here.

You know, you were so right.

[-Ace-]

Ah yes, thanks for the correction. . .

[Turrican]

Ah yes, thanks for the correction. . .

I did't correct you, but him: I genuinely believe you are indeed right. Try a Google Japan search of "Missile chamber is empty" and you'll understand why.

[Turrican]

Some more votes for Salamander / Lifeforce are up, so I guess I should bump this thread.

Interestingly enough, the Annual vote and the Salamander poll show inverted results.

And here are the votes so far:

NES

theevilfunkster
Turrican
bVork
Gakidou
Alpolio
chempop
Neo Rasa
5parrowhawk
howmuchkeefe
Zach Keene
ST Dragon
Keranu
BenT

*Haven't checked but it should be the most voted NES game already.

Arcade / PCE

Bydobasher (PCE)
shapermc (Arcade)

MSX:

Shocky

[Turrican]

Updated current votes for Salamander...

This is a bump since the game is quite popular and someone didn't specify which version yet.

Hurry up guys, there's only a couple days to support this game ^_^

[Keranu]

NES Life Force, definitely.

[rolins]

The MSX version is WAAAAY different to the arcade version. It's really VERY VERY different, it adds some cut-scenes, plot twists, the levels are completely different...

And congratulations for 1cc the MSX version mate, that game is EVIL. It's by far the most difficult version of all available IMO.

and IMO PCE and Arcade should count as the same. And I think Life Force Arcade and Salamander Arcade should count as the same game too, the differences aren't really THAT big to make them different games.

I second Salamander (msx). I've been trying to beat this game for 16 years, but I'm getting close. I keep dying at the last level w/ the Evil Eye because of those damn option-eaters!