Request: Feedback on Saturn port of Power Drift

[louisg]

Hey, has anyone here played the Saturn port of Power Drift? Any good? Is it 60fps? How does it control?

[DC906270]

Its great, its the version i play when i play Powerdrift. Cant comment on the frame rate though.

[Shatterhand]

I remember people saying it was 30FPS, and not 60.

[Koa Zo]

Yeah if I had to guess I would say 30 fps. I'm not a framerate snob though so I wouldn't notice.

It controls very well with the Analog pad.
Of course the nature of Power Drift tracks are quick breakneck turns, so you're pretty much jamming the analog pad from one extreme to the other, but the subtle control of analog helps when passing or drafting behind other cars in the few straightaways.

as DC906270 said: the Saturn version is the version I play. The Dreamcast port was disappointing. I haven't played it in years, but iirc the Dreamcast version didn't control nearly as well as the Saturn port.

[neorichieb1971]

Saturn version is arcade perfect but its not better than arcade perfect which the DC version was.

Saturn version has option C for controls, which allows the R shoulder to be gear shift, eliminating the use of the brake. Thats how I play it anyway.

[gameoverDude]

The Saturn version is NOT 30 FPS. The in-game course map has jerky position markers, and the overall frame rate is about half that of the arcade. Saturn Galaxy Force II fares a little worse on FPS.

Saturn PD should have been 60 FPS. Rutubo Games (Space Harrier, Out Run, After Burner) didn't do this port, and it sure shows - but at least it was the best port until the DC one showed up. Damn, I would've liked to see a PS2 version - shame the Sega Ages 2500 series has ended.

[BrianC]

The Saturn version is NOT 30 FPS. The in-game course map has jerky position markers, and the overall frame rate is about half that of the arcade.

I thought the arcade was 60 FPS and the Saturn one was 30?

[neorichieb1971]

Dunno, I might try to buy the Yu Suzuki works boxset. If anyone has one for sale lmk.

[DC906270]

Cant imagine playing PowerDrift on Dreamcast. I imagine itll be too 'clean' looking, and wont control good with the dc pad. Really, the Saturn version is excellent, fuck dat 'frame rate' thing. It looks just like the arcade to me.

[Koa Zo]

Cant imagine playing PowerDrift on Dreamcast. I imagine itll be too 'clean' looking, and wont control good with the dc pad. Really, the Saturn version is excellent, fuck dat 'frame rate' thing. It looks just like the arcade to me.

it's as if I wrote that myself...
hahah

Dreamcast version absolutely didn't "feel" right.
Saturn version is ace!

[Limbrooke]

Sega Ages: Power Drift (Saturn)
Pro:
- controls well and allows for use with 3D Pad (analogue)
- has bonus Grand Prix mode
- has remixed soundtrack
- keeps records and has the option for changing many configurations via options
Con:
- not visually and aurally arcade accurate
- 30fps
- plays easier than arcade and Dreamcast
- has become uncommon/pricey, as of late

Yu Suzuki's GameWorks Vol.1 (Dreamcast)
Pro:
- has nearly if not arcade accurate graphics and sound (60fps)
- controls well using the analogue stick on Dreamcast, no real complaints
- comes with 4 other accurate if not nearly arcade accurate ports (After Burner 2, Space Harrier, Hang-On, & OutRun)
- no in-game loading
Con:
- no options (ie, no changing configuration)
- no record keeping
- is and has been pricey for some time ($50), plus main book entirely in Japanese
- requires a mod-chip, boot disc, or NTSC-J machine to run

The Saturn Power Drift is good, and is fun to play. It's nice to be able to use the 3D pad too, but then again pretty much all racing games do on Saturn. I always felt that it was easier to play than arcade and Dreamcast, which isn't a huge problem but for purists it could be a sore spot. Doesn't run the fun factor though. The sound and visuals are a down-grade, but nowhere near the extent of the PC-Engine version, it's a slight but unmistakable change. 30fps doesn't kill the game but it does seem slower and the sound is a little worse for wear. However, there are enough options to choose from and even a sound-test plus arranged tracks of the original songs. This is on top of the nice addition of Grand Prix mode, which extends the play even further. However, lately it seems to more uncommon than previously and prices haven't fared much better. I haven't seen a copy on ebay (that has sold) in around 2 months, so if you can find this for a good price (less than $30) it's alright. I am disappointed in this game coming from the 1996 release of OutRun on Saturn. Yes, I realize Rutubo did not do this port (so it seems) but coming out nearly 2 years earlier and oozing so much more quality and effort stands to reason for disappointment towards this release. It is better than nothing however. Playing it isn't a big deal though as a region cartridge is easy enough to find and utilize.

GameWorks comes with as mentioned the best arcade port to date and in the time I've spent with it handles just fine. The controls on the Dreamcast pad are nearly the exact same as on Saturn with the 3D Pad so the transistion between the two isn't hard at all. It runs and sounds excellent and gives off the sense of speed as recalled from arcade. It's just the port though, and near as I can tell no options or changing configuration much like everything else on disc pardon Hang-On. If that wasn't enough there is no saving of records, which is also a let-down. However, there isn't much beyond that not it it's favour. The playability is an issue unless you have an imported Dreamcast or mod/boot method, but it's not a huge deal (who doesn't have a boot disc in this day?). The price has always been high, ever since it came out so finding it cheap won't be easy if possible at all. As for the other games on disc, in brief:
After Burner 2 - plays, sounds, looks well - found elsewhere: After Burner Complete (32X), After Burner 2 SA & Sega Ages (Saturn), Dreamcast (Shenmue 2)
Space Harrier - everything same as AB2, no auto-fire is a little disappointing, some differences from arcade - found elsewhere: 32X, Saturn, PS2, Dreamcast (Shenmue)
Hang-On - from Shenmue no doubt, otherwise seems very good - found elsewhere: Dreamcast (Shenmue)
OutRun - not bad, although Ferrari license with Sega expired, had to redesign car, plays alright otherwise - found elsewhere: Xbox (OutRun2), Dreamcast (Shenmue 2), Saturn (best port is NTSC-J, bar-none), PS2

I prefer the Dreamcast game but the Saturn game has it's definite advantages if you can find a copy cheap enough.
Seeya later fuckers!

[gameoverDude]

The Saturn version is NOT 30 FPS. The in-game course map has jerky position markers, and the overall frame rate is about half that of the arcade.

I thought the arcade was 60 FPS and the Saturn one was 30?

Oops... I meant "NOT 60" WRT the Saturn. Typo.

[Domino]

Just MAME it.

[D]

PS2 version - shame the Sega Ages 2500 series has ended.

WHAT? This is the worst day of my life. It cannot be. They still have alot of work to do.

[Magic Knight]

PS2 version - shame the Sega Ages 2500 series has ended.

WHAT? This is the worst day of my life. It cannot be. They still have alot of work to do.

The only 2500 series game I own is the very last one, Fantasy Zone Collection, which is probably the best one, and really gave the fans something special. Maybe they should go back and start the whole thing again.

[GaijinPunch]

Saturn version is arcade perfect but its not better than arcade perfect which the DC version was.

Yeah, interlaced graphics, non-configurable buttons -- definitely better than the arcade.
Wha?

EDIT: I'll admit I like button configing, and it may not bother everyone.

[D]

Saturn version is arcade perfect but its not better than arcade perfect which the DC version was.

Yeah, interlaced graphics, non-configurable buttons -- definitely better than the arcade.
Wha?

EDIT: I'll admit I like button configing, and it may not bother everyone.

Interlaced? whoa? I thought..I thought it´d be 240p for saturn and 480p for dc.

[BrianC]

Just for fun, what framerate do the PCE and C64 of Power Drift versions run at?