Most accurate home port of New Zealand Story??...

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:50 pm

Other then, of course, the up coming Taito collections.

I've been told that the Meag Drive port is missing some stages, so I checked the PC Engine Bible site, and, according to the site's author, it seems to be missing something as well, although he didn't specify what.

So, what is the most arcade-accurate home port of this classic?

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:52 pm

www.google.com

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Just messin with ya.
Sorry, I don't care enough about New Zealand Story to know which one is better.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 10:39 pm

TWITCHDOCTOR wrote:www.google.com

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Just messin with ya.
Sorry, I don't care enough about New Zealand Story to know which one is better.

Nice one, Twich!

But I seriously would like to know; it's such a fun platformer, IMO.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 11:40 pm

As for as I know, the NES version was the only port that came to the US (though, for some odd reason, the name was changed to Kiwi Kraze, despite the game being released as "New Zealand Story" in US arcades). From what I played, it seems to be accurate to the arcade version. The Genesis version is a remix with completely different levels. From what I read, the Sega Master System version of New Zealand Story doesn't work on US Sega Master Systems, though I read that it may actually work on the Power Base Converter.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 12:27 am

BrianC wrote:As for as I know, the NES version was the only port that came to the US (though, for some odd reason, the name was changed to Kiwi Kraze, despite the game being released as "New Zealand Story" in US arcades). From what I played, it seems to be accurate to the arcade version. The Genesis version is a remix with completely different levels. From what I read, the Sega Master System version of New Zealand Story doesn't work on US Sega Master Systems, though I read that it may actually work on the Power Base Converter.

Thanks BrianC!

Yeah I just found this New Zealand Story fan page, which had this to say about the Mega Drive Version:

"This version of the game is an outclasser.It is so accurate and complete, that any comparisons with the others is kinda pointless.
It wouldn't be fair for the others

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However,the version now supplied ISN'T the original,but a pirate version labelled "Kiwi Game"... In fact,the levels are completely redesigned,completely new,with some new graphics,and a lot tougher than any other version. Basically it's HARD CORE stuff!"

I'd provide a link to this webste, but it has roms on it.

At any rate, it went onto say that the best version is the Sharp X68000 one, but there's no way I'm gettin' one of those suckers!

Post by **system11** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 2:00 am

The Amiga one was pretty much perfect. I never much liked it though myself - the levels are too random and confusing.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:08 am

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Story According to this site, the Mega Drive version is based on the arcade Extra version of the game, kind of like how Rainbow Islands is based on the Extra version.

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:18 am

I have a Marty port of it that seems 100% accurate to me. Nice game.

LoneSage · Post by **LoneSage** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:19 am

Kiwi Kraze is pretty sweet, not a perfect port but a good one for the NES. It shouldn't cost too much either if you see it, I found it in the wild for $2.49.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:33 am

I read a faq about the game from gamewinners, but I'm not sure how accurate all the info is. I'm a bit confused about the info I read about the Megadrive version. The faq says that the Megadrive version with the alternate levels may be a pirate, but the faq also suggests that Kiwi Kraze may be a name of a pirate version of the game for NES, which it isn't. Kiwi Kraze is the official name of the US NES version of New Zealand Story. It's an officially licensed game with the Nintendo seal and standard gray NES cartridge. It was even advertised in video game magazines.

Apparantly, the SMS version is one of the better versions of the game, though it's still not arcade perfect. For some odd reason, you can't get eaten by the first boss like in the arcade version.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:42 am

Well thanks for the feedback guys!

I've played almost every version on emualtor, and I like the NES and PC Engine ports the best. The NES port probably wins because it has a LOT less slowdown then the PC Engine version.

The Master System port plays like it's on speed!

Seriously, it can be fun, but also annoying. And I didn't know you don't go into the first bosses mouth, that stinks! I had a lot of fun blasting away at his mouth!

Brian-didn't know you had a Marty, nice!

I plan on getting one myself, mainly for Flying Shark and Tatsujin-Oh' although I'll definately have to check out New Zealand Story on it. It's hard to find complete units on Ebay, but Gajin Punch told me that you can actually use a Genesis controller with the Marty.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:47 am

dave4shmups wrote: The Master System port plays like it's on speed! Seriously, it can be fun, but also annoying. And I didn't know you don't go into the first bosses mouth, that stinks! I had a lot of fun blasting away at his mouth!

My guess is that it's PAL optimized and the emulator is set for NTSC, but I'm not 100% sure on this. From the looks of the port's title screen, it seems to have been designed in Europe, not Japan. The faq from Gamewinners (which I didn't link to becuase it seems to have some ROM info in it) suggests that there may be a GG port of the SMS version. I should look in to that.

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 4:49 am

I own the PC Engine version (which I love), anything missing fromt hat rev?

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 5:14 am

Dylan1CC wrote:I own the PC Engine version (which I love), anything missing fromt hat rev?

From what I read, it has some missing enemies and some odd colors. It seems like most of the revs are missing something.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 6:42 am

I live in New Zealand and I can't find this game to save my life.

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:40 pm

BrianC wrote:
Dylan1CC wrote:I own the PC Engine version (which I love), anything missing fromt hat rev?
From what I read, it has some missing enemies and some odd colors. It seems like most of the revs are missing something.

Thanks for the info.

Oh well, won't be too long before we have Taito Gekan pack and then will have arcade complete NZ Story (besides emu)

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:43 pm

I love this game. I reviewed the SMS version of it here: http://www.sega8bit.com/

It's a great conversion!

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:48 pm

Turrican wrote:I love this game. I reviewed the SMS version of it here: http://www.sega8bit.com/

It's a great conversion!

Nice site, Turrican.

EDIT: I will add, after reading your NZ Story review, I won't be going to the trouble of tracking down and buying the SMS rev. Better graphics than NES and PCE...but no continues at all and an even more repetitive soundtrack? Yikes.

sjewkestheloon · Post by **sjewkestheloon** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:53 pm

to chuck in my bit, i used to own the amiga 600 conversion which was pretty fantastic, and as blood commented, it's pretty accurate too.

can't wait to play this again on the taito comp......

:):)

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 10:05 pm

Dylan1CC wrote:EDIT: I will add, after reading your NZ Story review, I won't be going to the trouble of tracking down and buying the SMS rev. Better graphics than NES and PCE...but no continues at all and an even more repetitive soundtrack? Yikes.

Wow, a reader, thanks! *blush*

Well, it is possible to finish it: I managed to do that, but only studying the best course possible and getting advantage of all the warp points. Also, if you defeat some bosses you get two continues, so that helps fighting the walrus.

The conversion is a little graphical marvel on SMS, but yeah, the sound had to suffer and it sure does offer a challenge. If you're an SMS fan, I'd say you should have a look anyway.

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 10:12 pm

The amiga version was okay, but not as nice as the hardware it runs on could have handled. The NES version sounds a lot better and has map, but it looks quite bad.

NZS fans check also

http://www.dei.unipd.it/~epitropo/nzs/

http://www.skytopia.com/games/arcade/ar ... ml#zealand

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 11:32 pm

Dylan1CC wrote:
Turrican wrote:I love this game. I reviewed the SMS version of it here: http://www.sega8bit.com/

It's a great conversion!
Nice site, Turrican.

EDIT: I will add, after reading your NZ Story review, I won't be going to the trouble of tracking down and buying the SMS rev. Better graphics than NES and PCE...but no continues at all and an even more repetitive soundtrack? Yikes.

I just got on there myself, nicely done indeed Turrican!

I LOVE the Master System! Honestly, if it wasn't for the 3 Genesis Shinobi games, I'd just get an SMS-I actually like the shmup line-up on the SMS better then Genesis's.

Man, Sega needs to do a Shinobi collection; that would ROCK!

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:29 am

Very good SMS site, Turrican! I noticed that you also reviewed Deep Duck Trouble. I'm thinking of getting the GG version of it, which is similar to, but has some differences from the SMS version.

zaphod · Post by **zaphod** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 6:26 am

Best version:x68000 version. Even has the heaven bonus rounds.

Magic Knight · Post by **Magic Knight** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:18 pm

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 2:37 pm

I was actually talking about the megadrive version. The only actual pcb I'd bother buying would be Raiden DX.

Because it is god.

And yeah, I hang around trademe constantly. It's surprising what incredibly hard to find stuff you'll find there. If you import, it isn't so hard to find. But a small auction site?

I've been trying to get myself some gamecube games from trademe but, as quoted from a girl at Video Ezy, "nobody has a gamecube anymore."