Zero Wing, MD and PCE-CD differences

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 10:21 pm

I've been bitten by the Toaplan bug, and am thinking about buying this game. Which one is the better version to get? I hacked up my Genesis this weekend so I should be import-ready, but I don't have a Duo or SuperCD-ROM system... not like it has stopped my from getting PCE-CD games in the past...

Anyway, are there any major differences in graphics, sound, speed, faithfulness to the arcade version? I don't really care for "All your base" since I was looking at the Japanese MD version anyway..

Thanks.

nihool · Post by **nihool** » Mon May 01, 2006 2:45 am

Both are quite good conversions I think, Zero Wing is actually one of the few games where the MD version doesn´t suck that hard compared to the PCE version (another one being Aero Blasters/Air Buster). It may be a little closer to the original in terms of speed and faithfulness, as it was directly ported by Toaplan themselves, if I remember correctly.
The PCE version on the other hand has much richer colors, better music and is fullscreen (no oversized score-HUD like so many MD games have), but lacks parallax scrolling in most stages.

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Mon May 01, 2006 3:43 am

That makes a lot of sense, thanks for the info!

I guess I'll go for the PCE one if I can't get my hands on the MD soon..

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Mon May 01, 2006 12:48 pm

And just in case it wasn't completely obvious, the PCE version also has an anime intro, anime scenes between stages, and an anime ending unlike the AC and MD versions.

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Mon May 01, 2006 1:40 pm

Ganelon wrote:And just in case it wasn't completely obvious, the PCE version also has an anime intro, anime scenes between stages, and an anime ending unlike the AC and MD versions.

I think you're getting it mixed up with Hellfire.

Zero Wing has an Anime intro (with the inimitable C.A.T.S.) in all versions.

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Mon May 01, 2006 1:55 pm

Not at all. The arcade version of Zero Wing has no anime at all. The MD version only has a semi-anime, semi-comic frames intro. Only the PCE version has full anime cutscenes interspersed throughout, and thus tell a more complete story.

Eps · Post by **Eps** » Mon May 01, 2006 6:52 pm

Ganelon wrote:The MD version only has a semi-anime, semi-comic frames intro.

My word, I bet that looks a bit silly. I might have to start making fun of that on the Internet.. wait... damn

Blade · Post by **Blade** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:59 pm

I will tell you that the arcade version of Zero Wing is several times harder than the Genesis port, but at the same token the music is considerably better. Take your pick.

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Mon May 01, 2006 10:52 pm

The MD defaults the difficulty to Easy. Are Normal or Hard any closer to the arcade version?

Blade · Post by **Blade** » Tue May 02, 2006 1:35 am

I would say the Normal of the Arcade version is the equivalent of Genesis versions' Hard Mode. Course that might be a matter of opinion. I just know it's doggone harder than the Genesis version.

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Tue May 02, 2006 12:18 pm

Oh, and the PCE version is about as difficult as the MD version (default difficulty), which is sorta easy.

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Tue May 02, 2006 7:14 pm

Interesting... but I'll try my luck at getting the MD version for a while..

Thanks for all the input.

sjewkestheloon · Post by **sjewkestheloon** » Wed May 03, 2006 9:00 am

after my continuing love affair with firs shark i've also decided to pick up some more toaplan stuff for my megadrive when i spot it. also playing batsugun se briefly in mame yesterday has got me lusting after a saturn... i have no money