sega master system recommendations

[Neon]

the Teddy Boy Blues port is shit, there's no score which is the whole point of the game. That's the only thing I'd play on it, the rest can probably be had in better form elsewhere, rtype etc.

Alien Syndrome is surprisingly better on NES

[Sonic R]

Alien Syndrome is surprisingly better on NES

I been playing Alien Syndrome SMS quite a bit lately (getting ready for the Wii version) but have never play the Tengen game.

Sorry to thread jack, but are any other NES ports of the SMS games "better"?
Shinobi
After Burner
Fantasy Zone
others?

Back on topic, I also like Enduro Racer.
Its a nice isometric motorbike game.

[Neon]

Supposedly the case is similar with PCE and Genesis; PCE oddly got the better ports of Sega games. I can safely say that Genesis Outrun is way better (dunno about any other ports), but then the best is on Saturn.

Not so for the Sonic Jam collection on Saturn; the games are badly ported. Sound effects are either delayed in occuring (due to streaming from CD) or downsampled Saturn internal audio. Also much slowdown.

What I'm saying is that it's a case-by-case basis, generalizations, and generalizations ONLY, can be made on the basis of hardware. For this reason I prefer to own multiple ports of my favorite games.

I haven't played the NES versions of any of those you mentioned except for Afterburner I think.

Er, back to Master System.

[BrianC]

Sorry to thread jack, but are any other NES ports of the SMS games "better"?
Shinobi
After Burner
Fantasy Zone
others?

Space Harrier is on Famicom. It's inferior to the SMS version due to unresponsive controls and inferior graphics.

Shinobi NES is inferior to the SMS version. It's easier and has some strangeness like some ninjas being too easy to get stuck up on and stages that end earlier than they should.

Edit: After playing the SMS of After Burner version a bit more, I actually prefer the NES/FC versions. SMS version has superior graphics, but doesn't control as well as the NES. NES version (especially it's JP counterpart) seems to run slightly more smoothly compared to the SMS version. However, the NES version is based on After Burner II and has an after burner that can be used by pressing start (though it works only as a temporary speed boost and not exactly like the arcade one). The JP Famicom ABII version is superior to the US NES version due to added voice and better graphics. Afterburners seem to have more oomph in the JP version too.

Fantasy Zone had 2 NES versions. Edit: The SMS version is definitely superior to the US Tengen version, but it's not so cut and dry with the JP Sunsoft version. It has more slowdown, but has some advantages over the SMS version like harder difficulty, graphics that are better in some ways, and more big enemies to defeat to reach the boss of the stage. Both NES versions also have the indicator that tells you where the big enemies are, something strangely missing from the SMS version.

There's also Fantasy Zone II on Famicom. The SMS version is superior, though, oddly enough, the FC version got the awesome commercial with Segata Sanshiro.

the Teddy Boy Blues port is shit, there's no score which is the whole point of the game.

It has score, but it's not shown during game play. It shows up after rounds and during game over. The high score shows on the title screen. What's odd is that the Japanese version of Teddy Boy Blues has different music from the US/EU one.

[professor ganson]

Thanks for the helpful advice. As usual, the depth of knowledge here is staggering.

It sounds like Aleste 1 & 2 should be my first priority. I have an emulated version of the former and plan to buy it when I can afford it. The latter looks to be hard to find.

[Sonic R]

I hope I was able to offer help to you.

I think Power Strike (Aleste) is indeed expensive as I pay $60 for mine.
Power Strike II of Europe seem hard to find but is far cheaper when it does arise on auction sites. I just been slow to get myself one.

Best of luck in obtain Power Strikes and have fun with Sega Master System (its what I been playing alot of this past week)

[Ceph]

I hope I was able to offer help to you.

I think Power Strike (Aleste) is indeed expensive as I pay $60 for mine.
Power Strike II of Europe seem hard to find but is far cheaper when it does arise on auction sites. I just been slow to get myself one.

Best of luck in obtain Power Strikes and have fun with Sega Master System (its what I been playing alot of this past week)

The European version of Power Strike 1 (Aleste 1) is inexpensive and not very hard to find. Go for that instead. However, the Europe-only Power Strike 2 is very rare and way more expensive than Aleste 1.

Example: http://cgi.ebay.com/Sega-Master-System- ... 0129369981

[Sonic R]

The European version of Power Strike 1 (Aleste 1) is inexpensive and not very hard to find. Go for that instead. However, the Europe-only Power Strike 2 is very rare and way more expensive than Aleste 1.

Example: http://cgi.ebay.com/Sega-Master-System- ... 0129369981

I guess times have change!

A short while ago I was seeing Power Strike II selling for prices around $30USD. Cheapest one I could have got ended at $15 USD back in spring time.

and I am thinking I may have pay too much for Power Strike USA

Power Strike USA on ebay RIGHT NOW

[CIT]

That's an insane price for Power Strike II, you can definitely get it a lot cheaper than that, even BIN.

I just got one myself two weeks ago for about $30 shipped:

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... 0130577271

Remember CIT's rule for scoring cheap games: "Be patient and keep your eyes open."


@prof. ganson

You should probably just get the two Power Strikes off of one of the European Ebays, you'll find them much quicker and cheaper that way.

Also keep in mind:

Power Strike = Aleste
Power Strike II ≠ Aleste II

Power Strike II is a Euro-only sequel to Power Strike, but doesn't really have anything to do with the Aleste series. (It's still a great game though)

The real sequel, Aleste II, was only released for MSX2 (...and is also great ).

[Ceph]

That's an insane price for Power Strike II, you can definitely get it a lot cheaper than that, even BIN.

I just got one myself two weeks ago for about $30 shipped:

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... 0130577271

Remember CIT's rule for scoring cheap games: "Be patient and keep your eyes open."

You are the master of good deals!

Yeah, 60 EUR is indeed expensive; I wouldn't buy it for that price. I've seen BIN auctions for ~40 EUR. Of course 15.90 EUR is fantastic. I paid 10.49 EUR for it myelf, but that was more than 2 years ago, before anyone was looking for Power Strike II

[professor ganson]

@prof. ganson

You should probably just get the two Power Strikes off of one of the European Ebays, you'll find them much quicker and cheaper that way.

Also keep in mind:

Power Strike = Aleste
Power Strike II ≠ Aleste II

Power Strike II is a Euro-only sequel to Power Strike, but doesn't really have anything to do with the Aleste series. (It's still a great game though)

The real sequel, Aleste II, was only released for MSX2 (...and is also great ).

Cool, thanks. That clears up a lot. And I'd never thought of trying to use European eBays.

About Euporean eBays generally, a quick question or two. I guess UK and Germany would be natural choices, since I'm comfortable enough with the languages. Any others worth checking out? If I'm a registered eBayer in the US, my account carries over?

[Turrican]

Okay, here's the million dollar question: is Shinobi compatible with the Power Base? And if not, why exactly?

[louisg]

Power Strike 2 in particular is great. 1 is OK.

I really like World Grand Prix (it's basically a really nice version of Pole Position), Wonderboy 1 and 3, Astro Warrior is still fun (and holds up better than a lot of people say, imo)..

Sonic 1 is a good platformer, and Mickey Mouse in Land of Illusion is fantastic. The first Asterix seems pretty good too but I haven't spent much time with it yet. Gain Ground has some exclusive touches if you like that game on the Genesis or arcade, and then R-Type is a good port with an extra exclusive level. And Sagaia is a good port as well. The Ninja is a fun run 'n gun game -- underrated if you like Commando and stuff like that. Penguin Land is a brilliant-but-maddening puzzle game. If you have a PAL system, Road Rash is about as good as the Genesis one, which is amazing all things considered. If you like 8-bit light gun games, also try Rescue Mission, which is an original concept. I also hear Bubble Bobble is a good port, though I haven't tried it. And yep, Shinobi is a good port that I believe is compatible with the Power Base Convertor. Not much on cartridge isn't compatible AFAIR.

Oh! And I can't forget Fantasy Zone II, which is my favorite of the series. And, if you dig maze games, there's always Opa Opa

Man, this reminds me I need to do some SMS reviews on my YouTube show!

[Turrican]

And yep, Shinobi is a good port that I believe is compatible with the Power Base Convertor. Not much on cartridge isn't compatible AFAIR.

Mine refuses to work on it; and doing a quick google search, I found I'm not alone with this problem.

[louisg]

And yep, Shinobi is a good port that I believe is compatible with the Power Base Convertor. Not much on cartridge isn't compatible AFAIR.

Mine refuses to work on it; and doing a quick google search, I found I'm not alone with this problem.

Hmm does it just give you a black screen? Other SMS games work on your Power Base Convertor, right?

[BrianC]

I think the problem might be with the Genesis itself and I just suggest to keep trying. Sometimes it's just finicky with some games. The only games that don't work on PBC are SG-1000 games and F-16 Fighting Falcon (even JP card games that don't work on the US SMS work on it). I tried different Genesises with the PBC and some games that took a few tires on one worked instantly on another one.

[GSK]

Some SMS games will only work on MD if you play with a SMS controller. I can't remember if Shinobi is one of them, but Monster Land and Golden Axe Warrior both require a SMS pad.

As for games that are best played on SMS: Bubble Bobble! The SMS version is closest to the arcade version and also has a bunch of exclusive content, including 100 additional stages.

[Pretas]

For everything other than graphics, audio and presentation, I prefer the SMS version of Sonic 2 to the MD version. The omission of the dreadfully monotonous bonus stages (emeralds are hidden within the zones, as in SMS Sonic 1) is especially welcome.

Batman Returns on SMS is an above-average grapple action platformer that doesn't get enough recognition. One hit deaths, impressive swinging physics that probably couldn't be done on a Famicom, deliciously tight and precise (for the most part) level design. It's a nicely contrasting counterpart to Konami's freewheeling, Final Fight-inspired use of the license on SFC. There is some silliness like a stationary bus that inexplicably kills you on contact, though.

[BrianC]

Some SMS games will only work on MD if you play with a SMS controller. I can't remember if Shinobi is one of them, but Monster Land and Golden Axe Warrior both require a SMS pad.

This isn't entirely accurate. The same behavior occurs on a regular SMS, not just PBC. Wonder Boy in Monster Land still boots up, but is unplayable in US/EU mode with a Genesis controller due to glitchy behavior. However, if you play it on a JP switched Genesis, JP Megadrive, or JP Mark III/SMS, it will work with a Genesis controller. Text will be in Japanese, though.

[Turrican]

And yep, Shinobi is a good port that I believe is compatible with the Power Base Convertor. Not much on cartridge isn't compatible AFAIR.

Mine refuses to work on it; and doing a quick google search, I found I'm not alone with this problem.

Hmm does it just give you a black screen? Other SMS games work on your Power Base Convertor, right?

Yes, it gives me a black screen. Contacts on cartridge seem clean, appears to be fine. For the record, the setup is: european modded megadrive with language / hz independent switches, european Power Base converter, european Shinobi sms cartridge. All the other (twenty or so) games that I own work fine on it.

Admiteddly I haven't tried to boot with an SMS pad, though. Stay tuned for more.

[BrianC]

It's worth a try, but I haven't heard of games not booting at all due to the Genesis pad.

[Turrican]

Huh, guess what... I set it to Japanese region, removed the pad, and it booted at first attempt. I thought I found out the right combination, but turns out it was just a coincidence... After that it booted even with the pad plugged in, but very rarely - I'd say it boots one every thirty times that I try switching off and on. Maybe I've just got a picky cartridge. It's weird though, all the other games boot flawlessly at first, including tectoy stuff.

Sorry to have you guys worried; at least a myth is dispelled.

[Herr Schatten]

I really like [...] Wonderboy 1 and 3

Now I'm curious. What's wrong with 2?

The Ninja is a fun run 'n gun game -- underrated if you like Commando and stuff like that.

Yes! That's what I was about to say. I got this just recently and it really plays like an 8-bit Outzone with Ninjas. What's not to like?

[Turrican]

The Ninja is a fun run 'n gun game -- underrated if you like Commando and stuff like that.

Yes! That's what I was about to say. I got this just recently and it really plays like an 8-bit Outzone with Ninjas. What's not to like?

Seconded. Tight controls, one of my faves on the system. Also, impressive sequences for the time: crossing the river is something genuinely amazing for a game that fits in a 256k card.

[BrianC]

Huh, guess what... I set it to Japanese region, removed the pad, and it booted at first attempt. I thought I found out the right combination, but turns out it was just a coincidence... After that it booted even with the pad plugged in, but very rarely - I'd say it boots one every thirty times that I try switching off and on. Maybe I've just got a picky cartridge. It's weird though, all the other games boot flawlessly at first, including tectoy stuff.

Sorry to have you guys worried; at least a myth is dispelled.

I have a few games that were stubborn on the PBC (Fantasy Zone II is one of them), but still worked on it after a few attempts. The behavior of the games and the fact that they worked instantly on another Genesis with the same PBC, makes me think some Genesis systems are just more finicky than others.

[gameoverDude]

Sega should have hired Chris Butler to make a 4-Meg version of Power Drift for the SMS. His C64 version is amazing, with a better than expected representation of the arcade gameplay (it kills the Amiga, ST, and DOS versions). Clearly he knew what he could and could not get away with when porting that to 8-bit.

Quartet is OK but would've been better if Sega had gone for a true port with all 4 characters, all weapons, and the 33 levels of the arcade game. This game can be beaten faster than arcade Contra.

Kenseiden is probably one of the top 10 on SMS.

SMS Shadow Dancer is sadly missing more than a few levels from the arcade. Shame, because it doesn't look too bad graphically- there's even parallax at times. Sega should probably have cut down the sprite sizes to save cart space for a "complete" version.

[Koa Zo]

An often overlooked tidbit is that Outrun has analogue steering by means of the Paddle Controller. Super Racing is also analogue with that controller.

[Magma Dragoon]

Do not forget the Asterix games!

[Evilmaxwar]

Good thread.

While i think the others have got things well covered, I have seen CLOUD MASTER mentioned only once.
+1 for this game seriously.

Also, Consider Getting a FM upgrade for the SMS it is great and some games will really sound better.
Such as R-Type. Awesome FM r-type sound track on the SMS.

[Ed Oscuro]

Yes! That's what I was about to say. I got this just recently and it really plays like an 8-bit Outzone with Ninjas. What's not to like?

That they didn't give the Ninja Princess more visibility. Sexism!

Hmm, I have yet to play many SMS games, like Lord of the Sword / Golvellius / etc.

Kenseiden probably doesn't get more fans because of the rather strange way you exit the first stage (don't just walk to the end). Kind of like Platoon on the NES ("the fucking bridge!")