The Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Thread (NEW)!!!

[Jonathan Ingram]

Starflight 2 is every bit as much of a proper sequel as you can get, plus more. Holy crap, that game is super, super cool! This time when you land on a planet, you can actually visit cities and barter with the aliens on their home planets. The premise of the game is that ISS has discovered a "wormhole to the gamma quadrant" pretty much (sorry to make a Star Trek analogy, but it fits). So this means you have a whole new part of the galaxy to explore, including new alien races. The Spemin, who were complete pushovers in the first game and fun to slaughter, have now obtained powerful shields and weaponry beyond current technology. So thus enters a great time travel aspect of the game, and it is super-duper-neat-o! Unfortunately, I had upgraded from my 286 to a 486, and the math coprocessor skipped over the triggers to initiate conversations in the game. So I would hail the approaching starships, but they'd never respond.

From what I read about it, it sounded like it was more of an expansion than a full-fledged sequel and the screens didn`t really look different from the first game, but I`m still planning on checking out the Amiga version in the near future.

And yes, slaughtering the annoying Spemin race was fun. And so was destroying their home planets with Black Egg planet bombs.

[Strider77]

I`ve been playing Starflight for the last few days and I`m almost done with it. I honestly didn`t expect it to be as good as it turned out to be and hold up so well. There`s no in-game clock, so I don`t know how much time I spent exploring the solar systems, searching for rare artifacts, mining planets, negotiating with other races and buying upgrades for my ship, but it`s gotta be in the tens of hours now and I loved every second of it. Like the lore a lot too. I`m only one artifact away from finishing this game now, but the hints provided by other races as to its whereabouts are kinda vague and I spent the last few hours scanning solar systems for it with no success.

I wish this game got a proper sequel. From what I understand, Starflight 2 for Amiga and PC is not it. But given the existence of Star Control II, I can`t really complain.

I'm a huge Star control 2 fan... you think I would enjoy this?

[Jonathan Ingram]

I'm a huge Star control 2 fan... you think I would enjoy this?

If you don`t mind Starflight`s relative simplicity compared to Star Control II(the original PC version of Starflight predates Star Control II by 6 years), then I think you would.

[null1024]

So, I was in the mood for something that involved slashing things tonight. Had to be on the MD/Genesis [even if it's just emulated].
Started out with Valis III. OK game, too many issues for me to really be satisfied. Also, long-ass intro. Bleh.
I ask for suggestions on IRC [not #shmups, I nearly never go on efnet].
Someone suggests Shinobi III.

it's so good

It hit the spot, right then and there. Looks excellent, and feels just right. It's like 1am, so I'm not doing too well, but it gave me just what I was looking for.

Also, someone else suggested Mamono Hunter Youko, and it definitely felt pretty good, although I died a lot. Went back to playing Shinobi III after a few lives. I'll give Youko a proper shot when I'm fully awake, it seemed rather slick.

There was another suggestion of Blades of Vengeance, which felt like a western developed Valis III. I might give this a proper shot tomorrow, but eh.

[EmperorIng]

Revenge of Shinobi is another good one on the Genesis. It's a little slower, but it's got a cool atmosphere all its own.

Castlevania: Bloodlines is nothing if not praised in this topic!

You might like El Viento, which is made by the Valis team. It's a far more competent game, I'd say.

[MOSQUITO FIGHTER]

Shinobi III is rad. I want a bumper sticker that has "I'd rather be playing Shinobi III" printed on it.

[Mortificator]

After playing Shinobi III with the hack for 6-button support I can't go back.

[Drum]

Jewel Master is kinda cool.

So, I was in the mood for something that involved slashing things tonight. Had to be on the MD/Genesis [even if it's just emulated].
Started out with Valis III. OK game, too many issues for me to really be satisfied. Also, long-ass intro. Bleh.
I ask for suggestions on IRC [not #shmups, I nearly never go on efnet].
Someone suggests Shinobi III.

it's so good

It hit the spot, right then and there. Looks excellent, and feels just right. It's like 1am, so I'm not doing too well, but it gave me just what I was looking for.

Also, someone else suggested Mamono Hunter Youko, and it definitely felt pretty good, although I died a lot. Went back to playing Shinobi III after a few lives. I'll give Youko a proper shot when I'm fully awake, it seemed rather slick.

There was another suggestion of Blades of Vengeance, which felt like a western developed Valis III. I might give this a proper shot tomorrow, but eh.

I like Blades of Vengeance. I'd say it's a better game than any of the Valises I played, but I also don't think it's very much like them.
For more slashing there's Chakan (but it's pretty terrible), Dahna Megami Tanjou, Strider and Aladdin.

[zinger]

Never tried that Shinobi hack, how are the controls mapped?

Love The Super Shinobi II -- excellent presentation, but I'd say the first one (known as The Revenge of Shinobi in the West) is better. Has that kind of amazing stage design that makes you never want to leave the stages (exepting the third boss, I could definitely do without that one). Must be the best ninja game ever (along with Hagane?).

Shadow Dancer isn't bad, just very shallow in comparison to The Super Shinobi.

[BIL]

The original Strider Hiryuu is the definitive sword-slasher game in my book. That attack (so quick only its after-image is seen) is too goddamn satisfying. Best blade sound effect ever - shing. Press the button, bisected bodies go flying in its wake.

Even though I've got the much more accurate PS1 port, I still want to get the MD version at some point. A real system showpiece from the machine's earlier years. And although it's got some slowdown in the crazier bits (mainly stage 4) and lessened colour+detail, the MD's grittier sprites, especially Hiryuu himself, give it a distinct charm.





I actually prefer the MD's ditching of the "swinging arm" frames during rapid attacks, reinforcing the sense of Hiryuu's swordsmanship killing literally faster than the eye can see. Less can indeed be more (see also The Ninja Warriors Again's nunchaku attack by its grappler character... "missing" frames creating a fucking brutal sense of skull-cracking impact velocity).

As much as I love Strider 2's hugely expanded controls (massive double jump, dash on command, slide cancel, off-the-wall glide slash, aerial shredding barrage doubling as a Taroumaru-style hover/air brake... and I'm probably forgetting something), its wimpier-feeling sword disappoints me. Not enough to prevent it being one of my favourite ninja sidescrollers ever, though. Reaching the highest tier of its battleship stage's opening hovercraft-jumping section is pure adrenaline no matter how many times I replay it. You have to absolutely tear stages apart to get the highest rank, too. Talking about Strider 2 for arcade/PS1, needless to say.

[null1024]

The original Strider Hiryuu is the definitive sword-slasher game in my book. That attack (so quick only its after-image is seen) is too goddamn satisfying. Best blade sound effect ever - shing. Press the button, bisected bodies go flying in its wake.

Even though I've got the much more accurate PS1 port, I still want to get the MD version at some point. A real system showpiece from the machine's earlier years. And although it's got some slowdown in the crazier bits (mainly stage 4) and lessened colour+detail, the MD's grittier sprites, especially Hiryuu himself, give it a distinct charm.

http://nfggames.com/games/X68k_Gallery/ ... comp1a.png

http://www.joeredifer.com/reviews/strider2.png

I actually prefer the MD's ditching of the "swinging arm" frames during rapid attacks, reinforcing the sense of Hiryuu's swordsmanship killing literally faster than the eye can see. Less can indeed be more (see also The Ninja Warriors Again's nunchaku attack by its grappler character... "missing" frames creating a fucking brutal sense of skull-cracking impact velocity).

As much as I love Strider 2's hugely expanded controls (massive double jump, dash on command, slide cancel, off-the-wall glide slash, aerial shredding barrage doubling as a Taroumaru-style hover/air brake... and I'm probably forgetting something), its wimpier-feeling sword disappoints me. Not enough to prevent it being one of my favourite ninja sidescrollers ever, though. Reaching the highest tier of its battleship stage's opening hovercraft-jumping section is pure adrenaline no matter how many times I replay it. You have to absolutely tear stages apart to get the highest rank, too. Talking about Strider 2 for arcade/PS1, needless to say.

See, if I had remembered about Strider, I wouldn't have gone looking at Shinobi and Youko.
I've only played a tiny bit of Strider 2, it certainly looks slick, but I haven't given it enough play [we're talking 3 minutes worth of time spent with it here] to get how it feels.

Also, the lack of swinging in Genesis port of Strider really does have a nice sense of style, even if the technical side of me is screaming "damnit, blatantly missing frames".

[Obiwanshinobi]

Never tried that Shinobi hack, how are the controls mapped?

No idea, but it shouldn't matter on emulators.

[null1024]

Gave Blades of Vengeance a bit more time this morning. My initial assessment was wrong, it's pretty nice. I don't like how your after-hit invulnerability time almost perfectly matches the spacing between some attacks though, so you get hit repeatedly anyway.

Gave Youko more time and I don't feel like playing it. Has a neat sense of style, but I hate the way movement and attacking feel.

[Ruldra]

Hiryuu himself looks worse in the arcade version but everything else looks considerably better. Dat lightning.

[greg]

From what I read about it, it sounded like it was more of an expansion than a full-fledged sequel and the screens didn`t really look different from the first game, but I`m still planning on checking out the Amiga version in the near future.

Well, it is a full-fledged sequel. They took a "if it ain't broken, don't try to fix it" approach. The interface is identical, but the drawings of the aliens and ships and such are better detailed. If it was using the same part of the galaxy, I'd call it an expansion. But since you are traveling the far corner of the galaxy, it is definitely a sequel! The lacking aspect of the first game is that you could land on the home world of, say, the Veloxi, and see their capital city and such. However, there was no interaction with them at all planetside. In the sequel, you can visit their stores and outposts on various planets. Plus with the whole time travel element, it is greatly expanded from the original!

[Drum]

The Ooze is a good game. When I first read about it it sounded awesome but then I played it and I mostly just found it confusing and not very exciting but I just went back and gave it another shot and I'm glad I did.
Reminds me (a very little bit) of Gomola Speed, which is a very good thing.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I actually prefer the MD's ditching of the "swinging arm" frames during rapid attacks, reinforcing the sense of Hiryuu's swordsmanship killing literally faster than the eye can see.

Off-topic, but I just got to appreciate one such move of a S&P2 Stage 1 mid-boss. Poorly animated game overall, but now I wonder if a bit of motion capture wasn't at work there. At least that one chap seems more alive than the rest.
On topic, I found McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure more enjoyable than Dynamite Headdy, but it's not saying much.
People interested in the machine's sound should listen to the Task Force Harrier port. I don't recommend the game itself, but it sounds terrific.

[greg]

I went back to the Kanteidan store tonight and bought Magical Taruruuto-kun for 180 yen. I just played a bit of the first level. I like how pressing the jump button a second time makes him dash/fly with bat wings. For that price, complete in box with manual, it's a great deal!

[BIL]

Hiryuu himself looks worse in the arcade version but everything else looks considerably better. Dat lightning.

Wayyy more hardcore death animations too. Shinobiesque.



Someone call a medic! Get a bucket of ice for that hand!

[R79]

Has Ristar been covered in this thread? What a delight, would love to see that pop up on Live Arcade with all the other old SEGA classics recently emerging on there.

[stryc9]

Well, I'll be damned if Chelnov doesn't have some of the best sprite work on the system. I've recently joined the RGB club and man, this game looks great through scart. I have sharpness turned to 0 though to compensate for the greatly increased definition afforded by the cable, which as as you all may know can expose some of the dithering in MD games which can surprise you if all you've been used to over the years is RF and composite.

Back to Chelnov, I can see why Obiwanshinobi likes this one, the control is absolutely superb and the parallax scrolls in the backgrounds look dope. The music is also of a very high quality and overall an excellent little forced scroll run 'n gun.

Can't believe I passed this one up back in the day because of the tiny main sprite. What an ignorant graphics whore I was back then

Oh, and PS, I lifted pin 50 on the VDP inside my MD and this greatly reduced jailbars in the image, as well as using a cable with boosted sync, which of course kills rainbow banding dead as well. Now my picture is 98% perfect.
Anyone with a HAA 2502, lift that pin. I've heard it kills composite and S-video, but who cares right? The fucking jailbars are gone!!!

[louisg]

Well, I'll be damned if Chelnov doesn't have some of the best sprite work on the system. I've recently joined the RGB club and man, this game looks great through scart.

I KNOW! The shading in the background looks like some of the best Euro pixel work. Pretty cool! I think it's a great game. Really underrated.

Has Ristar been covered in this thread? What a delight, would love to see that pop up on Live Arcade with all the other old SEGA classics recently emerging on there.

Definitely one of the best platformers of that generation. I think it has more depth than Sonic.

[null1024]

Has Ristar been covered in this thread? What a delight, would love to see that pop up on Live Arcade with all the other old SEGA classics recently emerging on there.

Might have been mentioned, but I don't think anyone's said too much.
Great game, lots of rather clever level design, and it has one of the most enjoyable water levels in a platformer. Visually impressive too, extremely bright and bold graphics, deep parallax, the works.

Has a few faults here and there, but it's still one of the best platform games on the system. Ristar's swing mechanic is tons of fun. Particularly memorable is when you're swinging upward through the air, you can grab an enemy on the way down, and then continuing your ascent with the pole above, all without touching the ground [such a thing can be done in stage 1-2].
Neat bosses too.

Not a very difficult game, but has its share of moments of challenge, and is good fun.

[stryc9]

I KNOW! The shading in the background looks like some of the best Euro pixel work.

Yep, I was just thinking that before. Something like Flink comes to mind, although no shit there are shades of Gun Force/ and or Metal Slug in some of the bigger sprites too. As for the gameplay, it's obviously arcade to the core and you can feel that heritage when compared to some of it's A lister contemporaries like Gunstar and Contra.

Yeah, Data East did a ripper job with this one.

[louisg]

Yeah, Data East did a ripper job with this one.

You don't often get an opportunity to say *that*

(I love Data East, but they're often really sloppy)

[stryc9]

True, Data East have been careless. But they have this and I guess they did publish Mega Turrican in the west

This Chelnov actually reminds me of a cross between Rygar and a RnG, especially when you get those spiked balls that you shoot.

As for the intro/ splash screen, you gotta love the way he sprints up to the screen and lets loose with those energy blasts. That shit is on the Japanese cover too and it looks great!

[BIL]

As for the intro/ splash screen, you gotta love the way he sprints up to the screen and lets loose with those energy blasts. That shit is on the Japanese cover too and it looks great!

<3 the comic-book style icon in the upper corner of the MD Chelnov box, too. ^__^ A great production all-around. MD snapcases are physically so compact and rock-solid, good cover art really does amplify the game's appeal.

Somewhat related, I picked up two of DECO's other self-published MD games this week, Crude Buster and Midnight Resistance. They and Chelnov always felt like an unofficial MD trilogy - the shared options menus certainly lend a sense of consistency - so I always planned to grab 'em. Neither got quite the astonishing labour of love MD Chelnov did but they're very solid "arcade imperfect" ports nonetheless.

And MD Midnight Resistance has that fucking soundtrack. Stupid sexy Sakimoto!

[stryc9]

<3 the comic-book style icon in the upper corner of the MD Chelnov box

Yeah that impressed me as I unboxed the game, since I missed it looking at its Ebay images.

Crude Buster and Midnight Resistance. They and Chelnov always felt like an unofficial MD trilogy

Nice pick ups dude, I'd like both of those myself And you no what else feels like an unofficial trilogy, well quadrilogy actually - the Tengen arcade ports Slap Fight (MD Black Label mode rocks hard), Gauntlet (Another BL in the form of Quest Mode, soundtrack by Sakimoto, 4 players), Snow Bros and the Japanese version of Marble Madness, which has arcade perfect sound unlike the EA Genesis release

[BrianC]

Nice pick ups dude, I'd like both of those myself And you no what else feels like an unofficial trilogy, well quadrilogy actually - the Tengen arcade ports Slap Fight (MD Black Label mode rocks hard), Gauntlet (Another BL in the form of Quest Mode, soundtrack by Sakimoto, 4 players), Snow Bros and the Japanese version of Marble Madness, which has arcade perfect sound unlike the EA Genesis release

Not on MD/Genesis, but I think the TG-16/PC Engine Klax also deserves credit for being an awesome JP developed Tengen port. I like Gauntlet "IV" quite a bit. I need to pick up more of the Data East games for Genesis. The only ones I have are Atomic Runner and Minnesota Fats. Both are good stuff, though.

The wierd thing about the EA port of Marble Madness is that it has more slowdown and is easier than versions on 8 bit systems.

[louisg]

Don't forget the Tengen port of RoadBlasters. That is an awesome version and the only one that plays well without a full steering wheel (IMO). It's a rock solid game, too. I've allllmost 1cc'd it.