Are the original Zanac's "the same"?

nullstar · Post by **nullstar** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 5:23 am

Another top-25-inspired question: among our Zanac experts, do you consider any of the following Zanac games to be "identical":
- MSX version
- NES version
- EX (on MSX)

My understanding is that Zanac on NES is considered a different game than the original MSX version -- a remix, if you will, a la Batsugun or Psyvariar, etc. My understanding is that the NES version was then ported back to the MSX as Zanac EX. So, there's really two original Zanacs: MSX and NES/EX. Right?

That said, Several people voting for Zanac on this year's top 25 didn't specify a system. (My presumption is that they've only played the NES version and are not aware of the MSX version.)

Or! They may just consider the games (MSX and NES/EX) to be the same -- slightly different, but by no means distinct enough to be thought of as truly separate entities...which would explain why as many other people voting for Zanac specified "NES/MSX" or "all versions".

Which is it? Is it something else? Am I forgetting important ports or differences between the two?

ED-057 · Post by **ED-057** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 6:13 am

Zanac-EX (MSX2) and Zanac NES are pretty much the same. The first Zanac (and Zanac "2nd version") was for the MSX1 and has graphical differences and totally different levels.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 6:23 am

ED-057 wrote:Zanac-EX (MSX2) and Zanac NES are pretty much the same. The first Zanac (and Zanac "2nd version") was for the MSX1 and has graphical differences and totally different levels.

Actually, the levels aren't totally different (the MSX version has the same bosses) and the weapons are similar in the MSX1 version of the first Zanac. However, the background graphics are different for all three versions, which makes the levels seem more different than they actually are. The AI system has been altered a bit for the NES and EX version, probably to make them more balanced. However, Zanac 2nd version is a completely different game from the other versions of Zanac. The main differences between the NES and EX versions of Zanac are graphical, but they both have major differences from the MSX version, mainly becuase of the lack of choppy scrolling, added bells and whistles, and altered AI system.

Post by **Shatterhand** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:16 pm

I voted for Zanac EX, and considered changing the vote for Zanac NES, as I didn't see anyone voting for Zanac EX.

I hope that Zanac EX and Zanac NES votes are counted as just one game.

nullstar · Post by **nullstar** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 1:04 am

Shatterhand wrote:I voted for Zanac EX, and considered changing the vote for Zanac NES, as I didn't see anyone voting for Zanac EX.

I hope that Zanac EX and Zanac NES votes are counted as just one game.

Yeah -- I'm counting Zanac EX and Zanac NES as one-and-the-same for these purposes.

Which reminds me: I didn't find it in my Google search, but this actually answers both the question I had here and in my similar thread about Aleste/Power Strike. (The only shooter I'm aware is missing from Kurt's list is A.E., which I used to play on the Apple ][.)