What's your opinion of the Mega Drive?

[Limbrooke]

Every SNES RPG is 16-bit Blue Dragon, btw.

Blue dragon? That boss in FF3 in the Ancient Castle perhaps?

Top ten of each system, go!

No Aladdin on Genesis? And Tetris Attack on SNES over... anything?! Raucous rallies indeed.

[Drum]

No Aladdin on Genesis? And Tetris Attack on SNES over... anything?!

D:

[Skykid]

The Bare Knuckle games were better than the SNES Final Fights, but they're a joke compared to Capcom's arcade brawlers.

This is an untrue statement if 'brawlers' is representative of scrolling beat-em-up.

I can't think of a scrolling beat-em-up, arcade or otherwise, that's better than SOR2. It's the ultimate example of the genre and offers a far more rounded, varied and enjoyable game than any PCB credit muncher.
And the soundtrack is godly, which helps.

[GaijinPunch]

far more rounded, varied and enjoyable game than any PCB credit muncher.

What about the PCB non-credit munchers?
Final Fight, Undercover Cops, Denjin Makai, etc?

[Drum]

far more rounded, varied and enjoyable game than any PCB credit muncher.

What about the PCB non-credit munchers?
Final Fight, Undercover Cops, Denjin Makai, etc?

... Aliens vs Predator, Battle Circuit, the D & D games, Shadow Force, Punisher, Violent Storm, Ninja Baseball Bat Man, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, Knuckle Bash, Rastan Saga III, Armored Warriors, Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder.

[Skykid]

far more rounded, varied and enjoyable game than any PCB credit muncher.

What about the PCB non-credit munchers?
Final Fight, Undercover Cops, Denjin Makai, etc?

Yes, it's more rounded, varied and enjoyable than those three.

Haven't played Denjin Makai II though, only the SFC one, which is rough around the edges but fun.

... Aliens vs Predator, Battle Circuit, the D & D games, Shadow Force, Punisher, Violent Storm, Ninja Baseball Bat Man, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, Rastan Saga III, Armored Warriors, Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder.

...and more rounded, varied and enjoyable than those too, yes. We're not talking graphical oomph here or the obligatory PCB first level that's usually more interesting than any other in the game, but a good, lean and enjoyable experience from start to finish that doesn't get tired toward the end due to cheap difficulty or otherwise. I appreciate if you're going for a 1cc then arcade scrolling beat-em-ups can be deeply rewarding - they'll still munch a lot of coins though.

I love Cadillacs, AVP, Violent Storm, Night Slashers, UC, FF, Crime Fighters 2, etc, don't get me wrong, those arcade experiences have a special place in my heart.

But whacking up SOR2's soundtrack, putting the difficulty on hard and smashing my way through the game never gets old, whereas the arcade stuff runs out of steam at a certain point (usually by the last two stages when they start recycling backgrounds and piling in enemies for the sake of a few more coins.)

[Drum]

vomit

[drauch]

HOGWASH.

[Ganelon]

Bare Knuckle's urban atmosphere and serious, proportional characters contrasts those other beat-em-ups pretty well. I like my beat-em-ups simple just like I like my fighters simple (I really enjoy the D&D games more because they try to capture an RPG adventure to beat-em-up form). I still prefer BKIII over BKII but both just have that amazing modern day "rumble in the city" feel yet enough interesting areas to capture my attention.

[Skykid]

Lol, don't get your knickers in a twist guys, I'm not ready to be burned at the stake today!

It's just my opinion is all, I happen to dig the game. You like what you like, I'll like what I like. How's that for diplomacy?

[BrianC]

You disagree that for every multiplatform game better on the MD, at least 3 others are better on SFC? EA is one of the few exceptions here. Normally, it's just as basic as trimming down the colors, which make the MD ports inferior.

EA was just an example (and one I used because they made a lot of games), but I feel it's not so cut and dry when it comes to comparing ports (I'm not sure of the ratio, but there are a lot of games that are better on MD/Genesis). I could name some more that are better on Genesis (though I need more to compare. A lot of the good stuff on both isn't multi platform):

Deadly Moves/Power Moves
Earthworm Jim (though it's best on Sega CD. More animations and an extra level on Genesis)
Final Fight CD (I guess it doesn't count since it's SEGA CD, but it blows away the SNES version)
Lemmings (great on both, but better music and more levels on Genesis)
Ms. Pac-Man (faster on Genesis)
NBA Jam and TE (crisper graphics, faster gameplay, and music during gameplay)
Race Drivin' (not really that great, but definitely better on Genesis)
Raiden Trad (more details from the arcade and smoother than SNES. SNES port is poor)
Street Fighter II SCE (could have been better, but has more animations on Genesis)

Toss up:
Lost Vikings (more levels on Genesis, but has all the trappings of a SNES to Genesis port)

One thing that frustrates me is stuff like Sunset Riders that has faster action on Genesis, but where the SNES port is better due to the alterations for a smaller cart size with the Genesis version. Also, Mortal Kombat II feels somewhat more like the arcade on Genesis, but is let down not only due to removed samples and backgrounds, but missing moves due to a poor oversight. What's even more frustrating is that the developers didn't even restore the missing crouching punch for the 32x version.

[GaijinPunch]

Yes, it's more rounded, varied and enjoyable than those three.

Thanks for playing though.

[louisg]

I would've dug SOR2 if the levels were half as long. I always start off enjoying it, and by st3 or 4 I'm ready to turn it off and do something else. I think Final Fight has it beat in the variety and pacing department. But, I also think Alien Storm is a little overlooked, too. That one's not too bad for sheer gameplay (cheesy as all hell, yes).

[drauch]

Bare Knuckle's urban atmosphere and serious, proportional characters contrasts those other beat-em-ups pretty well.

Serious and proportional characters? A kid on rollerskates? A Kangaroo with boxing gloves and gym shorts? A cyborg-doctor with rocket shoes and metal arms? A flamboyantly gay crime boss that flails about? WHAT GAME ARE YOU PLAYING?

[Drum]

Bare Knuckle's urban atmosphere and serious, proportional characters contrasts those other beat-em-ups pretty well.

Serious and proportional characters? A kid on rollerskates? A Kangaroo with boxing gloves and gym shorts? A cyborg-doctor with rocket shoes and metal arms? A flamboyantly gay crime boss that flails about? WHAT GAME ARE YOU PLAYING?

Further, even if what he said was true ... 'urban atmosphere and serious, proportional characters' is the standard formula for the genre. There are assloads of those kinds of games. Of course, there are also plenty of batshit bmups that make SoR's eccentricities look totally banal -Streets of Rage loses again.

[Ganelon]

Serious as in the game doesn't try to force humor down the player like with Battle Circuit (it's like how Captain Commando is serious even with a baby piloting a mecha). The hidden characters aren't canon or anything and never appear in the storyline. And proportional as opposed to, say, Violent Storm's ogre characters. Carefully compare other urban, serious beat-em-ups and you'll find there are actually few decent ones to choose from (for example, there's not a single game in the list you mentioned above that fits the criteria). Among them, BK stands out. I'm not sure where the argument is either; like Skykid said, it's the reason I like the game and it's sort of silly when folks tell me I don't know my own reasons.

brianc: Earthworm Jim 1 & 2 look less dithered on SNES (although the extra stage favors the SG). I thought the NBA Jam games looked more colorful and voice samples sounded clearer on the SNES but it's been awhile. All 4 MKs favor the SNES for color and voice clarity (without lacking features except for blood in MK1). Pretty much any multiplatform licensed game (all the movie-based sidescrollers) looks better on SNES. I question whether better ports could've resulted in a closer parity but that's the apparent situation.

[dunpeal2064]

I think that the Genesis is a great system. It might not stack up in certain areas when compared to the SNES, but that is one of the greatest systems ever. And imo, the genesis gives it a good run for its money in a few areas, shmups more than any. The rpgs are great too, especially if you count in the attachments. Chrono Trigger overshadows a lot of those games, but I absolutely love Lunar, and Phantasy Star IV is great.

[Rob]

Top ten of each system, go!
Chelnov

Odd choice. I'll have to try that one again.

[Drum]

Top ten of each system, go!
Chelnov

Odd choice. I'll have to try that one again.

Make sure you change the controls so it's just a button press to switch directions, much better that way. Japanese version has that as default.

[BPzeBanshee]

My uncle had a Mega Drive (+1 for not calling it the "Genesis" by the way, that seems to be the more common name all over the internet despite being pretty much US only) and our exact game list consisted as follows:

Crue Ball
Jungle Strike
Sonic 2
Batman
Strider Returns (Strider II on the chip)
Revenge of Shinobi
Rock n Roll Racing
Robocop 3
Robocop vs The Terminator

The RF cable lost most of its pins and now when plugged in it wont turn on. Fortunately nowadays I can set up my Nintendo Wii and play Megadrive games with my GameCube controller via homebrew.

Genesis Does What Nintendon't - living way past it's use-by date inside a Nintendo system like a growing Alien.

Seriously though, best console of the old days in my opinion. I can't stand most of the SNES games around and NES I cant stand period, but the few Megadrive games I have and know about rock the suburbs (THUN-DAAA-FOOOORCE).

[Skykid]

Yes, it's more rounded, varied and enjoyable than those three.

Thanks for playing though.

Do you even know what a videogame is?

[Stormwatch]

our exact game list consisted as follows: ... Strider Returns

Poor you! Get the original Strider, it's a masterpiece, but that sequel is such a disaster that Capcom did their own Strider 2 to get that turd out of canon.

[louisg]

Top ten of each system, go!
Chelnov

Odd choice. I'll have to try that one again.

Do it. The game is fantastic, but it does NOT play like a run n gun or like a shmup. It must be approached on its own terms.

[drunkninja24]

It's a great little system, of course I grew up as a SNES-only kid, so I only recently started seeking out Genesis/Megadrive stuff. Never played the system much back in it's day outside of the Sonic games and Aladdin at a friend's house.

[BrianC]

brianc: Earthworm Jim 1 & 2 look less dithered on SNES (although the extra stage favors the SG). I thought the NBA Jam games looked more colorful and voice samples sounded clearer on the SNES but it's been awhile. All 4 MKs favor the SNES for color and voice clarity (without lacking features except for blood in MK1). Pretty much any multiplatform licensed game (all the movie-based sidescrollers) looks better on SNES. I question whether better ports could've resulted in a closer parity but that's the apparent situation.

I think 2 may be better on SNES, but 1, despite looking less dithered on SNES runs smoother and has more animations on Genesis. I was a bit surprised when I put in the SNES TE. It looks more colorful in some areas, but some sprites look as if they were taken from the Genesis. It's not the colors I have issues with, but the look of the sprites, they have a less defined look on SNES. Action is smoother on Genesis too. I agree on the sound samples, though. Not disagreeing on MK, but II feels slightly faster on Genesis, but has so many other porting issues, that the SNES one wins hands down.

I heard Alien 3 is better on the Genesis, but it's a completely different game from the SNES one. I also heard T2: The Arcade Game may or may not be better on the Genesis (I heard mixed things about the SNES one having less action and, from what I played, the Genesis seems to be a solid port). Robocop vs. Terminator, I heard is much better on the Genesis. Lion King seems smoother on the Genesis, from what I remember of both games.

One hilarious one that has nothing to do with system strength is Batman Revenge of the Joker vs. Batman Return of the Joker on NES. It's sad that a third party made a game that looks and sounds inferior to the version on inferior hardware instead of Sunsoft, whose first party designed games have some of the best sound on the Genesis, doing the port themselves.

[drauch]

it's the reason I like the game and it's sort of silly when folks tell me I don't know my own reasons.

That's fine and all on why you like the game, because I love the series, too. But Dr. Zan and Skate are both canon, and not un-lockable characters. I just don't understand how you consider those 'serious' characters in an urban atmosphere. And just because you have to unlock characters to play as them, it's still pretty goddamn silly that you have to fight dudes on motorcycles, flamboyant gay dudes, a street vendor and his kangaroo, dominatrix chicks, etc.

The series rules, but I don't think it's that serious.

[Ganelon]

I heard Alien 3 is better on the Genesis, but it's a completely different game from the SNES one. I also heard T2: The Arcade Game may or may not be better on the Genesis (I heard mixed things about the SNES one having less action and, from what I played, the Genesis seems to be a solid port). Robocop vs. Terminator, I heard is much better on the Genesis. Lion King seems smoother on the Genesis, from what I remember of both games.

Robocop vs. The Terminator has quite a few differences between versions. I'm a fan of both but the SNES version looks and sounds better. I'm more used to playing The Lion King on SG but I got the SNES version later on and the added color and crisper voices stand out. The SNES soundtrack is also more complex but doesn't capture some higher ranges of the music as well as the SG for some bizarre reason.

As for Revenge of the Joker, I still prefer the SG version. Sure, the NES version takes advantage of its system's capabilities far more. But the SG version still looks better for me on an absolute scale (no surprise). I don't remember the music for either version unfortunately. I get what you mean though; I think The Wily Wars plays and sounds worse than the NES originals even though it looks better.

That's fine and all on why you like the game, because I love the series, too. But Dr. Zan and Skate are both canon, and not un-lockable characters. I just don't understand how you consider those 'serious' characters in an urban atmosphere. And just because you have to unlock characters to play as them, it's still pretty goddamn silly that you have to fight dudes on motorcycles, flamboyant gay dudes, a street vendor and his kangaroo, dominatrix chicks, etc.

I think Dr. Zan is fine with his boosters; an old man with cybernetic implants makes sense. Sammy's rollerblades are a bit odd at first glance but a character aesthetic and doesn't play a part in some silly plot line like skating up some walls or something. I think the enemies are a pretty good depiction of what I'd expect an urban syndicate to be (with slight futuristic elements and some oddities). Now, it's not that realistic with a kangaroo enemy, but it is serious. If you look at the sprite animations (besides Ash) and plot, everything is presented in a non-humorous manner.

[Skykid]

Robocop vs. The Terminator has quite a few differences between versions. I'm a fan of both -

Say what? Aren't they considered some of the worst 16bit games ever?

[Ganelon]

I think they're great and recall that they got decent reviews... but like every Terminator-related game, they get very difficult (in a frustrating manner) as you advance through the game so a casual player would probably be terribly frustrated.

[drauch]

I've got it for the SNES. I don't really consider it anything really fancy, but it is a fun, violent game.