Are the Thunderforce Gold Packs worth getting?

[CIT]

I already have Thunderforce III & IV for Megadrive, but I'm thinking of getting the Gold Packs instead.

My reasoning:

- I don't have Thunderforce II & AC
- Together with Thunderforce V that would be all the Thunderforce one man could possibly want (apart from maybe Hyper Duel)
- They take up much less space than the MD versions, plus my MD is usually not set up, so less hassle
- I could then enjoy them in RGB

Now I just need to know if they are technically okay and faithful to the originals.

[llabnip]

I own both "Thunderpacks" for the Saturn as well as the original TF2MD, TF3, TF4 for the Genny. The sound on the Thunderpacks is not quite right - especially TF3 which sounds a bit more tinny on the GoldPacks and not quite as pleasing as the original. The games play just fine on the GoldPacks - but TF4 has most of the slowdown removed - making the game even harder! Only the second Thunderforce Gold Pack supports saving (high scores in TFAC and TF4 - nice!). There is no memory save usage for the first gold pack. Visuals are great on both - much sharper than the originals (though this actually makes TF3 look a bit more pixelated than it might otherwise look on the old Genny). Control is tight on both packs - no complaints there.

Overall, they are good ports though not completely faithful. I'm not giving up my originals yet. It's nice to have both TFAC as well as TF3 (they are different enough). Combine these two discs with TF-V and you've got a heck of a TF collection on the Saturn!

As a side note, I think it would have been better to put TF3 and TF4 on the same disc - and TF2/AC on the other, but I'm guessing they wanted to sell an equal number

[ST Dragon]

I already have Thunderforce III & IV for Megadrive, but I'm thinking of getting the Gold Packs instead.

My reasoning:

- I don't have Thunderforce II & AC
- Together with Thunderforce V that would be all the Thunderforce one man could possibly want (apart from maybe Hyper Duel)
- They take up much less space than the MD versions, plus my MD is usually not set up, so less hassle
- I could then enjoy them in RGB

Now I just need to know if they are technically okay and faithful to the originals.

If I were you I would try the images on a modded Saturn before buying them.
Yes, sound is not emulated 100% which would probably distract a Thunder Force fan like your self.

For anyone that has never played any of TF series, it is a nice collection to have them all in one disc.

[Ganelon]

You can also play as the TFIII ship in TFIV if you 1CC the latter. There should be quite a few older topics on this same subject...

[FRO]

You can also play as the TFIII ship in TFIV if you 1CC the latter. There should be quite a few older topics on this same subject...

That alone might be reason enough for some TF fans (like myself) to track a copy of TF Gold Pack 2 down!

[SAM]

- I don't have Thunderforce II & AC

MD Version of ThunderForce II cost little to pick up. And the AC version is just a remake of ThunderForce III, it is avaliable on SFC and is also cheap to pick up. (IIRC I got that SFC cart up for sale - see my sale thread.)

- Together with Thunderforce V that would be all the Thunderforce one man could possibly want (apart from maybe Hyper Duel)

ThunderForce V is not included in the Golden Packs, IIRC.

ThunderForce V & Hyper Duel... Hmm...You have just reminds me what remines to hunt down...

BTW, have you found yourself a copy of Elemental Master (MD), it's quite good.

- They take up much less space than the MD versions, plus my MD is usually not set up, so less hassle

The carts definately take up more storage spaces. I have opted to store the game boxes and carts seperately. So that I can have the carts lies within my reach all the time.

For unknown reasons, I have my MD currently hooked up and ready within minute. This situation has last for more than 6 months...

- I could then enjoy them in RGB

?!?! (Puzzled) MD could output RGB without any modification, in fact I have it hook up to my 29" Astro City Monitor. Just found yourself a MD RGB cable.

[CIT]

I own both "Thunderpacks" for the Saturn as well as the original TF2MD, TF3, TF4 for the Genny. The sound on the Thunderpacks is not quite right - especially TF3 which sounds a bit more tinny on the GoldPacks and not quite as pleasing as the original. The games play just fine on the GoldPacks - but TF4 has most of the slowdown removed - making the game even harder! Only the second Thunderforce Gold Pack supports saving (high scores in TFAC and TF4 - nice!). There is no memory save usage for the first gold pack. Visuals are great on both - much sharper than the originals (though this actually makes TF3 look a bit more pixelated than it might otherwise look on the old Genny). Control is tight on both packs - no complaints there.

Overall, they are good ports though not completely faithful. I'm not giving up my originals yet. It's nice to have both TFAC as well as TF3 (they are different enough). Combine these two discs with TF-V and you've got a heck of a TF collection on the Saturn!

Thanks for the in depth run-down! I guess I'm sold on the Gold Packs. All in all the advantages seem to me to outweigh the disadvantages.

One more question. The version of Thunderforce II on the Gold Pack 1 is Thunderforce II MD right? It seems odd that they wouldn't have included the original X68k Thunderforce II instead, as it's much nicer!?

ThunderForce V is not included in the Golden Packs, IIRC.

ThunderForce V & Hyper Duel... Hmm...You have just reminds me what remines to hunt down...

BTW, have you found yourself a copy of Elemental Master (MD), it's quite good.

Yip, TFV is separate from the Gold Packs, though I guess on Saturn there's two versions, a Special Pack, and a regular edition. BTW, I don't own this game yet, and I have never even played it once! It's one of my dark shmup secrets I can't tell anybody about...
It's hot on my to-get list though.

Hyper Duel I've been playing a lot in MAME. I really love it, but it's just too bad the Saturn port is so expensive. I think it must be the priceyest Saturn shooter after Radiant SG.

And yeah, I got Elemental Master. It's one of my Megadrive favorites from way back. Great game!

- I could then enjoy them in RGB

?!?! (Puzzled) MD could output RGB without any modification, in fact I have it hook up to my 29" Astro City Monitor. Just found yourself a MD RGB cable.

Ah, you are right, of course!

I should have known this would confuse people. You see, I don't actually own a Megadrive, but I have a model 1 Victor Wondermega that I use to play all MD and Mega CD games. Unfortunately though, despite its sexy looks, the best it can do for picture is S-Video. D'oh!

[llabnip]

One more question. The version of Thunderforce II on the Gold Pack 1 is Thunderforce II MD right? It seems odd that they wouldn't have included the original X68k Thunderforce II instead, as it's much nicer!?

Correct - the version included on the GP1 is Thunderforce II MD. Anyway, the minor quibbles asside, you should be very happy with all that Technosoft goodness on the Saturn - the Gold Packs are well worth picking up.

Hyper Duel I've been playing a lot in MAME. I really love it, but it's just too bad the Saturn port is so expensive. I think it must be the priceyest Saturn shooter after Radiant SG.

Hyper Duel on the Saturn is fantastic - the Saturn Mode is graphically superior to the Arcade mode and it just feels a little more modern overall. Well worth hunting down if you like Technosoft horizontal shooters (and obviously you seem to have good Technosoft tastes!).

[Neon]

The thing that irritates me about TFIV on the Genesis is that when it slows down, the music slows down as well. TFIV in the goldpack has it all removed so it's worth getting despite downsampled sound.

Now Sonic Jam, those are some shitty Genesis conversions. Avoid that. Downsampling and slowdown and delayed playing of sfx that aren't downsampled.

[jp]

Yes, the Gold Packs are, shall I say, golden?


I like them anyways. I have TFIII and IV for my Genesis, but I still typically play the Gold Packs. Don't really notice the music thing.


As for Hyper Duel... by God yes man. IMO its better than all the Thunder Force games combined (at least Saturn mode is, Arcade mode is kinda, meh).

[Thunder Force]

Now I just need to know if they are technically okay and faithful to the originals.

I talked about audio problems affecting Saturn's TFIII port here.

[LSU]

If you have only played the MD originals casually, I also don't think you'll notice any problems with the Saturn ports. I do understand why many people would be put off by the differences in audio though, and the removal of most of the slowdown, but I still think the Gold Packs are great value for money. I actually really appreciate the more consistent game speed of TFIV personally, in this case.

[Limbrooke]

The thing that irritates me about TFIV on the Genesis is that when it slows down, the music slows down as well. TFIV in the goldpack has it all removed so it's worth getting despite downsampled sound.

Now Sonic Jam, those are some shitty Genesis conversions. Avoid that. Downsampling and slowdown and delayed playing of sfx that aren't downsampled.

You're kidding right?
It's easily light years ahead of the Dreamcast Sega Smash Pack in terms of sound translation. I don't find any problems with the sampling whatsoever. My only gripe is the slowdown in Sonic 2, otherwise the other games are great. Yes, they are downsampled, but this is still a quality collection.
Infact, I think it's hard to make a claim at a good Genesis emulator outside computer exists. There's always been problems, even with some of the most recent ones, such as the Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box, it doesn't sound as full on Genesis but it's damn good.

[The Coop]

Both packs turned out quite well. There are little pissy things to nit pick at if you felt like it, but the only real downside to them, is that the sound effects suffered a bit. They're tinny sounding in the Gold Packs, even though the music still sounds much like it did on the Genesis/MegaDrive originals. I've yet to figure out how Technosoft got the music so close, but couldn't get the sound effects similarly close. Odd.

Anyway, I'd say get Gold Pack #2 first. A slowdown-free TF IV, playing the TF III ship through TF IV's levels, and TF AC make for a better package... which is likely why it costs more. And since Gold Pack #1 was pretty much just a straight porting of TF II and TF III (and they already played without slowdown on the old Genesis), you may as well get the one with the most "new" stuff first.

[SAM]

Talking about TechnoSoft's MD game, Herzog Zwei is another classic, although it is not a shmups. I dust off my copy and plug it into my MD last night, the next thing I know is it is 2:00 a.m. in the morning.

Definately a great game by it's time, haven't play it against another human player though.

[Diabollokus]

Right, I'm off to 1cc my tf goldpack 2!!!! tf4 get that sexy ship.

[Diabollokus]

I 1cced tf4 last night, er where is the tf3 ship? do I have to do it in hard mode?

[nZero]

Yes, the Gold Packs are, shall I say, golden?

I like them anyways. I have TFIII and IV for my Genesis, but I still typically play the Gold Packs. Don't really notice the music thing.

You've got the second gold pack? Update your site, man! Still waiting to see you reach the gold!

[Icarus]

I 1cced tf4 last night, er where is the tf3 ship? do I have to do it in hard mode?

Complete TF4 on the Gold Pack and the game will display a code. Enter that code at the TF4 title screen to access the TF3 ship.

[jp]

Yes, the Gold Packs are, shall I say, golden?

I like them anyways. I have TFIII and IV for my Genesis, but I still typically play the Gold Packs. Don't really notice the music thing.

You've got the second gold pack? Update your site, man! Still waiting to see you reach the gold!

Hehe, sorry, I keep forgetting. :p