Why are PC-Engine CD-ROM ports of Toaplan games so bad?

[Ed Oscuro]

Granted, there weren't many of them. I know of two CD-ROM titles, are there any more?

1.) Horror Story (aka Demon's World). First of all, it's not a shmup, so it does represent something of a missed opportunity to port OutZone, Dogyuun, or whatever (I mean they could've at least tried). I think they chose this game because they figured nobody would really notice the wonky inaccurate gameplay on this port. Horror Story wasn't the best game to begin with, and it actually got worse. Not even up to Chelnov's standards.

2.) Daisenpu Custom. Terrible...it seems they've shrunk the playfield down to about a quarter of what it was in the arcade. I haven't spent too much time with it, but your reaction is basically wiped out here.

[CIT]

Granted, there weren't many of them. I know of two CD-ROM titles, are there any more?

Yeah, Zero Wing and Hellfire.

1.) Horror Story (aka Demon's World). First of all, it's not a shmup, so it does represent something of a missed opportunity to port OutZone, Dogyuun, or whatever (I mean they could've at least tried). I think they chose this game because they figured nobody would really notice the wonky inaccurate gameplay on this port. Horror Story wasn't the best game to begin with, and it actually got worse. Not even up to Chelnov's standards.

Haven't spent much time with it, and haven't made a direct comparison, but the port didn't strike me as too bad (by PCE standards). I think the game itself is pretty cool, but yeah, the controls suck, even in the arcade though.

2.) Daisenpu Custom. Terrible...it seems they've shrunk the playfield down to about a quarter of what it was in the arcade. I haven't spent too much time with it, but your reaction is basically wiped out here.

I think the MD port suffers more from the cut down playing field, because it actually retains the same enemy patterns as in the arcade. So it's closer to the arcade, both in graphics & sound and layout, but for that reason actually more frustrating to play.
Personally, what I don't like about the CD is the arranged soundtrack. It's basically really overblown, militaristic marching music. Who wants to listen that on a shooter!? The chip sounds are a lot cooler and more atmospheric, so I prefer the Hu Card.

As for the other two games:

Hellfire - Lack of parallax and loss of some graphics details, different soundtrack (pretty good one) and anime cut scenes. Not as good as MD port IMO, but it's also a lot easier so that's kinda nice, cuz MD and arcade are hard as hell.

Zero Wing - Graphics took a similar hit as in Hellfire. generally I like the MD port better here too.

So yeah, none of the PCE CD games are must-haves. The cards (Tatsujin, Kyuukyoku Tiger and Daisenpuu) are rather nice though.

[Ed Oscuro]

Granted, there weren't many of them. I know of two CD-ROM titles, are there any more?

Yeah, Zero Wing and Hellfire.

Guh, I forgot about Hellfire S, and I don't even have an excuse for Zero Wing since I was laughing at the voice tracks last night :( I generally dislike Toaplan horizontal shooters, but I haven't heard that those were really bad ports (aside from one nay vote on Hellfire S and the "bimbos" from one of my friends).

1.) Horror Story (aka Demon's World). First of all, it's not a shmup, so it does represent something of a missed opportunity to port OutZone, Dogyuun, or whatever (I mean they could've at least tried). I think they chose this game because they figured nobody would really notice the wonky inaccurate gameplay on this port. Horror Story wasn't the best game to begin with, and it actually got worse. Not even up to Chelnov's standards.

Haven't spent much time with it, and haven't made a direct comparison, but the port didn't strike me as too bad (by PCE standards). I think the game itself is pretty cool, but yeah, the controls suck, even in the arcade though.

A few things make me feel this game isn't especially playable in the long run. First, weapons don't work quite the same. Mess around with the laser shot, I think, and switch between the two games...there is a difference, the PC-E version weapons feel gimped (at least some of them). As I recall there are two fire modes, and for at least one of the weapons they are way too similar. Second, the focus on killing enemies by jumping instead of shooting (you get way more points for a head-jump kill). Third, one of the later stages has you jumping across a whole damn carpet of umbrella demons' heads. Yikes. It's kinda impressive for the PC-E, sure, but a bit too insane for me.

2.) Daisenpu Custom. Terrible...it seems they've shrunk the playfield down to about a quarter of what it was in the arcade. I haven't spent too much time with it, but your reaction is basically wiped out here.

I think the MD port suffers more from the cut down playing field, because it actually retains the same enemy patterns as in the arcade. So it's closer to the arcade, both in graphics & sound and layout, but for that reason actually more frustrating to play.
Personally, what I don't like about the CD is the arranged soundtrack. It's basically really overblown, militaristic marching music. Who wants to listen that on a shooter!? The chip sounds are a lot cooler and more atmospheric, so I prefer the Hu Card.

As for the other two games:

Hellfire - Lack of parallax and loss of some graphics details, different soundtrack (pretty good one) and anime cut scenes. Not as good as MD port IMO, but it's also a lot easier so that's kinda nice, cuz MD and arcade are hard as hell.

Zero Wing - Graphics took a similar hit as in Hellfire. generally I like the MD port better here too.

So yeah, none of the PCE CD games are must-haves. The cards (Tatsujin, Kyuukyoku Tiger and Daisenpuu) are rather nice though.

I haven't played Daisenpu on card; should be pretty good. The MD version is pretty tough but I don't mind it. If you're feeling pressed, just flip on autofire, I say :)

[dementia]

Granted, there weren't many of them. I know of two CD-ROM titles, are there any more?

Tatsujin?

[CIT]

Tatsujin is a Hu-Card.