The Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Thread (NEW)!!!

[Squire Grooktook]

Add another vote to the "MD Kyukyoku Tiger/Twin Cobra fucking rocks" pile

[Mortificator]

I can see playing the Genesis port if it's the '90s and you don't have access to the original, but when arcade Kyukyoku Tiger with its full playing field is available, a cropped vertizontal conversion seems pointless.

[Squire Grooktook]

Last I remember, MD Kyukyoku Tiger is one of those ports that plays differently enough from its source material that its not directly comparable.

[Perikles]

Precisely. That argument could be made for Daisenpuu, where the clinched resolution makes positioning and dodging on the screen rather awkward compared to the less restrained arcade game. MD Kyuukyoku Tiger on the other hand excels at personal, implacable belligerence, it's almost like a close-quarters battle where the arcade game is more like controlling a chessboard with the spread shot.

[TransatlanticFoe]

Do not anger the cult of MD Kyukyoku Tiger.

It's remarkably similar apart from the cropped playfield. But having that bit less time to react and space to move in makes it all the more exciting. It's an entirely new challenge. Whether it's deliberate or not, it's still awesome.

[BIL]

MD Kyuukyoku Tiger is one of my favourite 16-bit "Black Labels" to have around. By accident or design, the quick n' dirty screen crop turns a relatively mild and impeccably calculated Toaplan into a nonstop point-blank hellride. Monstrously brawnier audio seals the effect. One of my go-to shooters, any format, for instant sniper tank gratification. It's intense!

I actually sold my first copy after getting the arcade-perfect PS1 compilation, then instantly missed it and realised I'd considered it a defining MD shooter all along. Never parting with it again.

[Sumez]

Monstrously brawnier audio seals the effect.

Someone really needs to put together a TAS that times the bass sound of destroying the enemies with the background music.

(whoever did this "longplay" does it to some extend in the beginning, but I'm sure most who have played the game will recognise the habit)

[neorichieb1971]

I was just investigating Splatterhouse on the Megadrive since its one of those that gets mentioned in high regard.

Was shocked to see only parts 2 and 3 exist for the system, and even then part 3 is exclusive to Japan and the USA.


Is S2 the best of the 2? I'm assuming being produced in 1992 the PAL version works on my Gene 2.

[charlie chong]

splatterhouse 2 is more in line with the original so some prefer it to 3 which is more of a side scrolling beat em up.
they both have their fans but i prefer 2 personally.they are completely different games really.

[Squire Grooktook]

IMO splatter 1 and 2 are competant but fairly clunky and don't really have much going for them beyond the aesthetic. 3 might seem like a standard brawler at first, but it carves out its own niche with a combination of unique map based time attack gameplay, a well executed transformation mechanic, and solid brawling fundamentals. Memorable horror setpieces aside, it's the only one I feel any real need to revisit from time to time.

[CIT]

Splatterhouse 2 is highly underrated imo. It perfects the memorizer gameplay from part 1, really ramps up the challenge (and gore) and has a kick ass OST. Also love its many set pieces, like the fetus-barn, descent into and escape from hell, kraken boat chase, etc. Once you can nail a single credit clear it plays like a kind of carefully "goreographed" hellscape. It's only clunky in the same way Castlevania is: slow pacing and restricted movement, but everything designed deliberately around these components. In my opinion it's the best in the series.

Splatterhouse 3 is an interesting take on the beltscroller genre, with it's exploration, multiple paths and endings. Still feels very fresh today. The overreliance on Rick's super (overpowered in the US version) and somewhat high resilience of stronger foes are some minor flaws IMO.

[neorichieb1971]

Thanks guys. I will stick with 2 then. Will the PAL version suffice in compatibility terms and region locking? Or do I need a NTSC version?


Thanks again.

[Xyga]

Agreed about 2, it's another of those games of the 16bit era that are rather simplistic compared to later installments, but totally nail what I would call the right 'alchemy' of games that people will always remember, like Steets of Rage 2, Axelay, Secret of Mana and many more of the early-to-mid 90's 'gold'.

[Mortificator]

There are only a few parts of Splatterhouse 2 that I think live up to the original game. The idea that the console game is more challenging than the arcade game is strange to me, as is the idea that it's gorier. Any offensive imagery you can name from the sequel was in the original, but the same isn't true in reverse.

[BrianC]

There are only a few parts of Splatterhouse 2 that I think live up to the original game. The idea that the console game is more challenging than the arcade game is strange to me, as is the idea that it's gorier.

I heard the Japanese version of Splatterhouse is gorier than the US one and that even the JP PCE version is toned down in violence compared to the arcade.

Edit: I actually don't remember if was the JP AC or PCE version that I heard about being gorier to the US, but watching videos, the JP AC version still has green blood for many enemies. Both US and JP AC versions are gorier than the JP PCE and US TG-16 versions.

[BIL]

Popping up with my usual recommendation to play the Japanese Splatterhouse 3 (Splatterhouse Part 3) if at all possible. The US one's balance is ruined by its overpowered super moves... the roundhouse and tentacles totally obviate the respective Normal/Monster movesets. It's uncensored and still a helluva good 16-bit horror show, but the JP ver's nice Final Fight-style engine and time trial aspects simply don't get a look in.

Where the US roundhouse/disco inferno bludgeons faces off, JP's is an emergency escape/finesse tool. Still an invincible bidirectional knockdown, but it's limited to one rep, does near-nil damage and thus eats up time:

Spoiler

You can also break combos with it, opening up the possibility of saving the bigger knockdown punches for more deserving targets:

Spoiler

JP tentacles eat chunks of meter, often better spent on extended monster time and more technical maulings:

Spoiler

Sometimes you do want to go on a hentai tendril rampage, to almost YGW-style "weaponised bomb" effect - yet another finer aspect sanded off by the US ver.

It's not the greatest beltscroller, even just on the MD, but it's certainly a technically and viscerally substantial one - and the more hands-on brawling superbly complements the game's obvious aesthetic strengths.

[Mortificator]

I heard the Japanese version of Splatterhouse is gorier than the US one and that even the JP PCE version is toned down in violence compared to the arcade.

That's a good point, version differences could explain the different perceptions. I most recently played through the Japanese version of Part 2, and double checking, I see the US starts you with one less heart.

[evil_ash_xero]

Some exciting news (well, I think so anyway).

Some great guy went ahead and patched some Working Design Sega CD games, to get their difficulty down to JP levels.
I was pretty happy about this, since I couldn't get into Popful Mail, due to it's oddball difficulty (for the kind of game it is). But I did want to play it in English.

Anyway, here's the link: http://www.romhacking.net/forum/index.p ... 436.0.html

[Skykid]

Some exciting news (well, I think so anyway).

Some great guy went ahead and patched some Working Design Sega CD games, to get their difficulty down to JP levels.
I was pretty happy about this, since I couldn't get into Popful Mail, due to it's oddball difficulty (for the kind of game it is). But I did want to play it in English.

Anyway, here's the link: http://www.romhacking.net/forum/index.p ... 436.0.html

Finally! I was waiting for that Popful fix forever.

[Shoryukev]

That is excellent news, I also had a bit of mixed feelings about Popful Mail based on it's US version.

[BrianC]

Reading about some of the changes in WD games makes me go "what the heck?". That gold vortex thing in Vay is especially perplexing. I wonder if WD made any changes to Parasol Stars and Cadash.

[neorichieb1971]

Can anyone print Genesis cartridge labels here?

I'm wanting a Snow Bros for a repro and a New Zealand story Genesis label.

I've got both on my HDD.

Thanks.

[WelshMegalodon]

The amount of input failure in Golden Axe MD is just awful. Agree or disagree?

[BryanM]

Eh? Is it different from the Genesis's version?

Never had any problem with that as a kid. Easy game to 1-life.

[neorichieb1971]

I just got Splatterhouse 2 today. The inlay feels stiff like card and very high gloss quality images. First i've seen anything like that.

The case was embossed with the NAMCOT insignia inside, so all original I hope.

[Sumez]

Splatterhouse 2 is one of those games that just ended up in my possession ages ago as a part of some bundle somewhere. I never cared that much for the series, but enough to buy the PC Engine port of the original at some point. I never played the second game, so hearing people name it the best of the series makes me want to give it a go. I always had the impression that people liked 3 more, but that one has gone to a price level higher than what I'd consider paying for a game like that.

[BIL]

The amount of input failure in Golden Axe MD is just awful. Agree or disagree?

I'm only moderately experienced with the port, and always found the second MD game to handle much more enjoyably, but I don't remember any input issues. Fired it up for a quick go in emulation, seems its usual slightly stiff but consistent self. Any specific examples?

I just got Splatterhouse 2 today. The inlay feels stiff like card and very high gloss quality images. First i've seen anything like that.

The case was embossed with the NAMCOT insignia inside, so all original I hope.

What region? And do you have any other Namco-published games to compare it with? I read over at the Neo-Geo.com forums that their JP inlays are on noticeably heavier paper than the norm. I'm not near my stuff to check right now, unfortunately.

[CIT]

Been revisiting the classic Sonic series a bit. Progress thus far:

Sonic the Hedgehog

Pro:
- Momentum-based physics really introduced something new and special to the genre
- Hoverall very good level-design lending itself to many play styles, both speedrunning and discovering secrets (has pretty much become a Sonic hallmark since then)
- Highly detailed, vibrant graphics
- Excellent soundtrack, both in composition and arrangement

Con:
- Some enemy/hazard placement not well adjusted to the zoomed in view (drawback of greater sprite detail)
- A lot of stages don't actually feel very "sonicesque", requiring lots of slow, methodical play and waiting for obstacles/environments to cycle through
- Momentum-based spin is sometimes cumbersome
- Special stages are messy and not much fun

Bottom line:
Probably aged the least well of the classic series, but the concepts explored here built a solid foundation for future entries to build on.


Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Pro:
- Strongly improved level design, focused more on Sonics key asset, speed
- Adds the spin dash!
- Nice dramatic buildup in the final stages
- Game is challenging enough and provides a good incentive to beat the special stages (Super Sonic!)
- Phenomenal graphics and sound (although I prefer the first Sonic's compositions a bit more)

Con:
- Special stages not that great
- Metropolis Zone Act 3 is pure filler
- Sky Chase Zone (the autoscroller stage) has super wonky controls

Bottom line:
Fun, filled with great ideas, and high-grade audiovisuals — deservedly a classic.


Chaotix

Pro:
- Rubber-band mechanics work surprisingly well and are really fun mess around with
- Large selection of playable characters
- Interesting and varied boss fights
- Day/night shift effects in the stages
- Bonus stages that are actually fun to play
- Graphics and sound are excellent and really take advantage of the 32X' capabilities. Door Into Summer is one of the best tracks in the series.

Con:
- Level design is somewhat empty and bland
- Apart from the intro stage the game never really revolves around using the different abilities of the rubber band system, as opposed to something like Umihara Kawase. It's mostly just there to build momentum and reach high places.
- Even some of the more advanced techniques are never necessary to beat the game.
- Same goes for the different abilities of the characters. In the end, it makes little difference who you chose
- As opposed to five acts per Zone, three acts and one additional zone would have sufficed.

Bottom line:
I found this game really enjoyable to play, if only to mess around with the physics and to see the trusty Mega Drive produce such beautiful audiovisuals. However, in terms of game design it has significant weaknesses, albeit more missed opportunities than outright flaws.


Next up: Sonic CD

[bigbadboaz]

Hey guys, anyone know if there is any internal obstacle (cut differences, screw location.. whatever) to transplanting a JP Mega Drive 1 top cover onto the bottom assembly (case bottom, all internals) of a US Genesis 1? I'm guessing there's a fair chance it drops right on.

I do know I'll have to cut and reassemble the power line for the red LED, but is there anything preventing this otherwise?

Thanks -

[WelshMegalodon]

I'm only moderately experienced with the port, and always found the second MD game to handle much more enjoyably, but I don't remember any input issues. Fired it up for a quick go in emulation, seems its usual slightly stiff but consistent self. Any specific examples?

Must be me again, then. I've always had trouble consistently getting my character to run or perform his or her back attack (executed by pressing the Jump and Attack buttons simultaneously). Being that the latter is one of the strongest normal attacks in the game, it's quite useful in spite of its lengthy startup. Tyris' back attack I can get out with some consistency, but not Gilius'.

Is it just a matter of learning the timing?