Samurai Shodown (SNES vs. Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis vs. Sega Mega CD)

Samurai Shodown is considered to be one of the games that put SNK on the map. It became so popular that it was ported to nearly every system at the time. The 16-bit ports (not counting the Neo Geo AES version since it is the same as the arcade version) include the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom, Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis, and Sega CD/Mega CD. It was also ported to the Sega Game Gear, Nintendo Game Boy (with Super Game Boy support), and 3DO Interactive Multiplayer systems. Between the Sega CD/Mega CD, SNES, and Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis ports, which one is the best and which one is the worst?

Once again, Neo Geo version is the best. If not at least try the 3DO version (if $700 bucks is worth it to you) The Mega CD version freezes once you reach the final boss. As a result, JVC (whom was responsible for porting the game to Sega CD, which they cloned under the name X'Eye) gave dissapointed users a copy of Fatal Fury Special on the same system. No bug fix for the SCD version of Samurai Showdown is known to be published. Plus, both the Sega CD and Genesis versions don't have the fighter Earthquake or camera zoom, resulting in the fighters being in your face all the time. In the SNES version, in contrast, the characters are way too damn small. The Neo Geo and 3DO ports, on the other hand, are just right.

The options gave by the OP did NOT include Neo Geo or 3DO.

Just stating the ports he did mention are not worth it if he's looking for the best port.

I have the one thats one the SNK arcade collection for PS2 and thats the only one I want or need.

A lot of people on this forum do not seem to grasp the fun that can be had when comparing old ports,
too many a times do I come here and see a thread titled "better port, Snes or Genesis?" only to be greeted by a "DERP ARCADE MAME IS DA ONLY BEST SOLUTION THESE DAYS"

Yeah we know!! but don't you guys remember the old days? when most of us only had one console? we didn't have the money for both or an expensive NeoGeo,
and we certainly didn't have a power PC with mame.

Seriously guys, when we do these comparison threads lets just stick to the idea that it's still 1992 mmmkay?
I don't need to be constantly reminded of the fact that Xbox Live now has a crappy emulation for download,
or the fact that the PS2 has a "collection" disc. (which are only emulated in the end anyway)

I just want to moan that the Genesis version lacks color and the Snes has chibi sprites!

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Originally Posted by NeoVamp

A lot of people on this forum do not seem to grasp the fun that can be had when comparing old ports,
too many a times do I come here and see a thread titled "better port, Snes or Genesis?" only to be greeted by a "DERP ARCADE MAME IS DA ONLY BEST SOLUTION THESE DAYS"

Yeah we know!! but don't you guys remember the old days? when most of us only had one console? we didn't have the money for both or an expensive NeoGeo,
and we certainly didn't have a power PC with mame.

Seriously guys, when we do these comparison threads lets just stick to the idea that it's still 1992 mmmkay?
I don't need to be constantly reminded of the fact that Xbox Live now has a crappy emulation for download,
or the fact that the PS2 has a "collection" disc. (which are only emulated in the end anyway)

I just want to moan that the Genesis version lacks color and the Snes has chibi sprites!

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They may be emulated but if I can get a superior version of the game for a lot cheaper than I will do that. I have no idea how much Samurai Shodown sells for these days on SNES or Genesis but its probably more expensive then getting the Samurai Shodown or SNK collections on PS2. Yeah its emulated and but still better than over paying for inferior ports (SNES/Genesis)

Who cares, DarkDragon?

The fuckin' OP stated "Between the Sega Mega CD, SNES, and Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis ports, which one is the best and which one is the worst?"
If you can't answer that, please, do not full us with this common PSx's collections bullcrap.

If the guy was looking for arcade versions he would have stated that. By the way, he is very experienced on fighting games, he knows it much better than you.

If you want to talk about your countless emulated collections create another thread, I'm pretty sure that many other guys like you will enjoy it. But some other guys still enjoy comparison between ports that used to be reprogrammed rather than cheaply emulated using infinite superior hardware.

You're all wrong, the best version is on MVS, in all it's arcade glory! The game is dirt cheap nowadays, I got this one for $10.

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/6199/dsc03977w.jpg

;)

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Originally Posted by Gunz

You're all wrong, the best version is on MVS, in all it's arcade glory!

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When I said the Neo Geo version, I meant AES, MVS, or CD. Either shall do.

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Originally Posted by agostinhobaroners

By the way, he is very experienced on fighting games

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Thank you for the compliment, agostinhobaroners.

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Originally Posted by VGTM

When I said the Neo Geo version, I meant AES, MVS, or CD. Either shall do.

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I think you missed my joke... Work with me here, I even took a photo of the real deal and everything...

I was about do a series on this game, text only..I know people played it, I don't have to show any youtube vids about it

My thoughts on the 16-bit ports of Samurai Shodown.


1. SNES

I'd say that the SNES port is the best one. The attacks use the same button combinations as the arcade version, all of the cutscene graphics are present along with the arcade intro graphics and character victory art, the sound quality is quite good, the music is decent, nearly all of the speech is present, and the game isn't too difficult or too easy. It also has all of the characters from the arcade game and all of the endings are here as well. The final boss is playable in versus mode and countdown mode with a cheat code. The main complaint I hear from people regarding this port is that the character sprites are small; honestly that's never really bugged me and I actually kind of like it. The lack of red blood (which is colored orange here) and the inability to kill your opponent sort of sucks. Despite those issues, the gameplay is still intact with very little slowdown. A pretty good port overall.


2. Sega CD

This version has more voices than the Sega Genesis/Sega Mega Drive port and the attack animations match-up with the original buttons that the arcade version used. The character victory art is present as well. Earthquake is missing and so is his arena and stage music. The music is ripped straight from the arcade version and the opening sequence contains the Japanese speech. The animation and color palette selection are better in some spots than the Genesis version and vice-versa. A decent port overall.


3. Sega Genesis

Most of the voices had to be cut from this port, namely the announcer. The intro no longer has the original graphics and just displays the text instead. The character victory art is missing and Earthquake is also gone. The characters are large and the environments are well detailed. The music is great and the sound effects are good. The final boss is playable in versus mode without the need of cheats. Unfortunately, the three button control layout sucks, some attacks have been switched around with different buttons, the CPU difficulty is unbelievable and the game has major slowdown issues. Parts of some endings have been cut as well, such the part of Hanzo's ending where it shows him instructing a ninja. Unless you want to play every port of Samurai Shodown, I wouldn't bother with this one.

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Originally Posted by VGTM

The Mega CD version freezes once you reach the final boss. As a result, JVC (whom was responsible for porting the game to Sega CD, which they cloned under the name X'Eye) gave dissapointed users a copy of Fatal Fury Special on the same system. No bug fix for the SCD version of Samurai Showdown is known to be published.

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I remember reading at least one person's comment saying that he didn't have this problem with the final boss in SS. Has the bug been confirmed present in every region, or with every hardware configuration?

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Originally Posted by goldenband

I remember reading at least one person's comment saying that he didn't have this problem with the final boss in SS. Has the bug been confirmed present in every region, or with every hardware configuration?

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I think everybody just believes what's written on Wikipedia these days, nobody really tried it for themselves.

Note to self, play SS on Sega CD and clear this up once and for all.

Keep in mind the hardware model and revision too. I have a couple of Sega CDs I could try Samurai Shodown on.

We should make a legit test of this, with like a thread and game/console/version used.

end this thing once and for all, either Wikipedia is wrong or it is like Guntz said related to hardware model/revision.

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Originally Posted by NeoVamp

We should make a legit test of this, with like a thread and game/console/version used.

end this thing once and for all, either Wikipedia is wrong or it is like Guntz said related to hardware model/revision.

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@NeoVamp (Post #18) and Guntz (Post #17)

That sounds very cool. Have either of you confirmed anything yet?

I'm also curious to hear if anyone confirms it either way. I have it on SCD and I've been tempted to buy a CIB Genesis version for $5 at the local shop. (I also have it on PS2 SNK collection plus Samurai Shodown Anthology!)

The limited continues actually prevents me from getting anywhere in the SCD game though...

I've finished the SCD version of SS with highest difficulty in the past via Kega Fusion, and had no such problem of the game freezing upon reaching Amakusa. I'm well aware of the rumor and think that it is bunk as there's no further sources to back it up. Then again, I did play it on Fusion.

Fusion does recreate problems in other games, eg Silpheed.

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Originally Posted by StarMist

Fusion does recreate problems in other games, eg Silpheed.

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Which is the example I was close to mentioning in that previous post. :D

play it on real hardware

What problems does Silpheed have??? (Just asking bc I love that game and did not notice problems...)

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Originally Posted by Ecco

What problems does Silpheed have??? (Just asking bc I love that game and did not notice problems...)

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Occasional freezes which may vary* on the same disk from play to play. I can't tell you where mine occurred since it's been a few months though they were early, I didn't get too far--probably within the range of stages 4 to 6. I had their existence on real hardware confirmed by another member.
*The variance is superficial: they seem to be triggered by minute circumstances such as where I manoeuvred my ship along the same path because I did get one block where'd I state saved and despite my efforts to prevent the inevitable freeze after loading by doing something different the flaw had already been triggered. So, strictly, the flaws aren't variable but on once-throughs using real hardware they'd rarely be duplicated.

I finished the SEGA CD version on my model 1 Megadrive/Mega CD using a burned copy, with the Megadrive set at 60hz.
No freezes.
I'm very disappointed by this version, the Genesis's is SO MUCH better, despite the slowdowns. I think the PAL is the best because it's slower but slowdowns does not occur.

The thing about JVC offering a copy of FFS as a replacement, does any documentation exist about this anywhere?

Good question, if that really happened, the offer must have been visible somewhere, like in the gaming magazines of the day. They would have to offer the FFS replacement somewhere! It wd be great to see a scan of that, bc it wd settle the mystery of it...

Personally I've come to regard it as an urban legend that just spread a lot. (Just my hunch.) The limited continues make the game hard & it's difficult to reach the last guy at all.

Anyways if most folks can't get very far in the game, the legend can live on that the game wd freeze...

My copy of Samurai Shodown is a burned copy so even if I could beat it, a burned copy really wouldn't prove much, although I think it's just a normal ISO of the game, with nothing special about it. (I should get a real copy to try it.)

Wish there were codes, at least for infinite continues!

ALSO I was playing this and I paused and readjusted my entertainment center a few times, and the game froze up! So IMO it looks like the game is prone to freezing easily in general. Which must be the reason for the urban legend that it will freeze at the end. Maybe it happened to someone's copy, but I bet it just freezes for any slight disturbance...

Anyways, for the question of ranking the ports of Samurai Shodown of the time:

1. Sega CD -- Assuming the freeze glitch is an urban legend, this has all the original arcade music! Plus all moves. I do miss the announcer, especially IPPON! And I miss the interactive stages, but IMO these are outweighed by the stages generally looking better, the great Neo Geo soundtrack, full move sets, & nice animation including blood effects!

2. Genesis -- Stages and characters seem to look slightly less impressive than on the Sega CD, animations are cut, but it all still looks good. The announcer is present to say IPPON! & some stages are more interactive. The soundtrack can't compare w/ the original soundtrack on Sega CD! Also the reduced move set is not forgivable IMO. Haomaru is missing his strong slash animation! One of the coolest & most iconic moves of the whole game!

3. SNES -- I haven't played it but the small characters look awful, orange blood sounds stupid. & I hate SNES controllers so I won't bother w/ this one.





Also, everyone mentions the 3DO version as great, plus of course the Neo Geo versions. Are there any other console versions worth mentioning???


Also since we're on the topic, I have the PS2 Samurai Shodown Anthology which is supposed to be pretty much arcade perfect. I also have SS1 on the Neo Geo Collection which is supposed to be slightly less accurate. What was supposed to be wrong w/ that version?

I wouldn't even bother with these crappy ports. But after I saw the ports for the PCE I was shocked at how good they looked. It's a damn shame that this game wasn't released on the PCE as it could've blown these ports away. BTW YTF doesn't the SCD version not have any zooming? I don't think any SCD fighting game has any scaling in it.

The SS Anthology compilations for the PS2 are far from arcade perfect, those aren't actual ports but bad emulated roms, image quality is far from the real "Neo Geo experience", sound is "ok", but its badly scaled and heavily filtered resulting in an ugly mess graphics wise, there are far more accurate ports which run at the real arcade resolution such as the PS1 "SS Yubinan pack" including both SS1 and SS2, and there's also another port for the Fm-Towns wich almost nobody knows because it was only released in Japan.

Kind of makes me sad that the down-ports of games are sort of being lost to time thanks to MAME and arcade releases on modern console. While it's fantastic we can now more-or-less get the arcade experience at home for cheap, some of the down-ports have their own interesting eccentricities and are still fun in their own right. I don't like the attitude that they're all inferior and thus should be ignored.

The console adaptations were all play tested more extensively than compilations or MAME releases were, we can be assured of that much. Also, all modern consoles introduce controller lag, so the console adaptations are superior in at least two ways.

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Originally Posted by Ecco

1. Sega CD -- Assuming the freeze glitch is an urban legend, this has all the original arcade music! Plus all moves. I do miss the announcer, especially IPPON! And I miss the interactive stages, but IMO these are outweighed by the stages generally looking better, the great Neo Geo soundtrack, full move sets, & nice animation including blood effects!

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The music isn't exactly the original arcade... They used some lame stuff like including some sfx of the stage in the music. I don't like that at all.
Not only the announcer is missing, but the judge (which is a trademark of SS games) is missing. That just feels totally wrong.
The voice samples and sfx are very low quality, actually the Genesis version ones sound much better and closer to the original ones. When you have the swords hitting against each other it's pretty lame compared to the Genesis version.
The VS options are lame too.

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Originally Posted by Ecco

2. Genesis -- Stages and characters seem to look slightly less impressive than on the Sega CD, animations are cut, but it all still looks good. The announcer is present to say IPPON! & some stages are more interactive. The soundtrack can't compare w/ the original soundtrack on Sega CD! Also the reduced move set is not forgivable IMO. Haomaru is missing his strong slash animation! One of the coolest & most iconic moves of the whole game!

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I think you're wrong about the stages. Aside from Hanzo's (which has a neat sky effect on the Sega CD), all others are better on the Genesis IMO. And all Sega CD stages are non-interactive (which is another trademark of the SS games). The use of color is better on the Genesis version. Sega CD has some horrible looking stages.
Characters are a tad smaller than the Sega CD version and 95% of the Sega CD frames of animation are there. Due to the stupid 24Mbit limitation of the cartridges published in Japan, it lacks the stronger animation moves of each character, which also made they recycle the moves affecting the gameplay and this is the worst point of this version.
Not only the "ippon!" sample is there but there's also the ones in the beginning of each round unlike the Sega CD version.
The judge is also there and I can't see any missing frames of him compared to the 3DO version, for example. It's a great thing. And also at the end of the fights, characters have their full finishing animation sequence (I'm not talking about the cutscenes, I'm talking about when they characters win a fight and do their final presentation move) while some of them are lacking on the Sega CD.
It has the "fatalities" as the Sega CD version, censored on the SNES.
The Map screen before the fights is much closer to the arcade one, compared to the Sega CD version. The announcer samples are missing here though.
...
Most of the other tons of details I have listed on that Sega CD thread.

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Originally Posted by Ecco

3. SNES -- I haven't played it but the small characters look awful, orange blood sounds stupid. & I hate SNES controllers so I won't bother w/ this one.

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This version is ass.

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Originally Posted by Ecco

Also, everyone mentions the 3DO version as great, plus of course the Neo Geo versions. Are there any other console versions worth mentioning???

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Yeah, I have a 3DO and the SS version is great. Should NOT be dismissed like you said on the Sega CD thread. 3DO is region free and the Japanese version (which includes a option to set the language to English) isn't expensive when you buy it on auctions from Japan. And you also can you a burned CD like you're doing for the Sega CD version, without any need of modding the console.
It has the zoom effect from the arcade, Earthquake and most of the original stuff. The voice samples and sfx are deeply muffled to fit in its memory but is still far better than the Sega CD ones. The announcer samples for the names of the fighters were shortened though.
Most of the stage effects are there and everything looks really great.
There's some noticeable frame drop when the fight is zoomed out in some situations in some stages, but nothing that really hurts the gameplay.
The loading times are MUCH shorter compared to the Sega CD and PS1 versions. It's really great when you have your friends at home and don't want to wait a lot to begin each fight.
Full blood and gore (both Sega CD and Genesis version have less blood during the fatalities when compared to the arcade version).
On top of that, the 3DO composite output is probably the best one ever made. It's as sharp as possible for composite and everything looks smooth as fuck, with no artifacts. People usually don't mention it but it does a huge difference when you're playing your games on the actual real hardware. PS1 version doesn't look as great in comparison due to that; only when using SCART or video component output.

And, yes, the PS1 version worth to be mentioned (Samurai Spirits: Kenkaku Yubinan Pack; also contains SSII). It's an awesome port and not the emulation garbage of the PS2 generation.
It's very very close to the arcade. No slowdowns, all graphical effects, all voices and sfx (and they sound really great).

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Originally Posted by Ecco

Also since we're on the topic, I have the PS2 Samurai Shodown Anthology which is supposed to be pretty much arcade perfect. I also have SS1 on the Neo Geo Collection which is supposed to be slightly less accurate. What was supposed to be wrong w/ that version?

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Bullshit. Never trust in today's stupid gamers' opinions. They probably never played the original version and always claim that the PS2 versions are arcade perfect when they are actually emulated garbage and deeply flawed. It applies to most of the PS2 compilations.
The PS1 version is the one to go if you don't have a Neo Geo. And the 3DO version also looks far better.

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Originally Posted by Da_Shocker

I wouldn't even bother with these crappy ports. But after I saw the ports for the PCE I was shocked at how good they looked. It's a damn shame that this game wasn't released on the PCE as it could've blown these ports away. BTW YTF doesn't the SCD version not have any zooming? I don't think any SCD fighting game has any scaling in it.

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All PCE versions are great but they all have flat backgrounds which look nothing like the arcade. And I also miss a PCE Arcade CD version of SS.

About the zooming, well, the 3DO struggles with it at times; just imagine the Sega CD trying to do it. Even more considering the dogshit company responsible for the SS port on the system (the Genesis version was made by Saurus, a far more competent company).

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Originally Posted by chinitosoccer

The SS Anthology compilations for the PS2 are far from arcade perfect, those aren't actual ports but bad emulated roms, image quality is far from the real "Neo Geo experience", sound is "ok", but its badly scaled and heavily filtered resulting in an ugly mess graphics wise, there are far more accurate ports which run at the real arcade resolution such as the PS1 "SS Yubinan pack" including both SS1 and SS2, and there's also another port for the Fm-Towns wich almost nobody knows because it was only released in Japan.

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This.
The same occurs with other collections with games like Marble Madness. Man, the screen aspect is always wrong and the graphics look awful.

About the FM Towns version, IDK if it's all that great. It was done by JHV (???) and looks unfaithful in several details.

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Originally Posted by Obviously

While it's fantastic we can now more-or-less get the arcade experience at home for cheap

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No, you're getting cheap emulation for cheap. And I still find a well set PC + emulator hooked to a TV a better deal. At least I can adjust the resolution and other options using some good sense.

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Originally Posted by sheath

The console adaptations were all play tested more extensively than compilations or MAME releases were, we can be assured of that much. Also, all modern consoles introduce controller lag, so the console adaptations are superior in at least two ways.

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This.
They just don't care about the gameplay anymore... They don't care if the analog stick is out of calibration for games like Roadblasters or if just totally suck to play Marble Madness with a analog stick since you have no precision at all.
They just throw those roms there and print "arcade experience at home" on the back cover. Seems to be working though...:?

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Originally Posted by agostinhobaroners

This.
They just don't care about the gameplay anymore... They don't care if the analog stick is out of calibration for games like Roadblasters or if just totally suck to play Marble Madness with a analog stick since you have no precision at all.
They just throw those roms there and print "arcade experience at home" on the back cover. Seems to be working though...:?

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When I first got my Xbox I was really excited to get whichever compilations had Final Fight, S.T.U.N. Runner, San Francisco Rush and other games that I just always wanted in Arcade perfect form. I ended up trading every single one of those compilations because of screwed up gameplay speed, muted audio, or something else that was just stupid. I'm not sure why, but for some reason emulation cheapens the games even when the differences are imperceptible. I'll play Shinobi on Master System or PCE just for fun, but I can't stand it on the Xbox 360. I even have two super nice HORI USB joysticks to contend with the controller lag and I still don't like the XBLA releases, something just feels off.

Take with a grain of salt as its been a long time -

The SNES version is abysmal, the graphics are terrible, and it pretty much looks very much like an 8-Bit game (with a little more colour), the sound IIRC was also absolutely horrific, worst version, by far.

The Mega Drive version is a 6-button game, its more fluid than the SNES game, and I think more of the combos work, though some of the moves now share animation, the music is poor but its better than in the SNES.

Good to know about the superior PS1 port of Samurai Shodown. I'll have to hunt that down! It's funny bc I swear I always heard that the PS2 SS Anthology was supposed to be almost perfect. And that the PS2 Neo Geo Collection has SS1 but less accurate than the SS Anthology... Don't know why.

Anyways I'll hunt down that PS1 port sometime!

Also, for the comment about being dismissive of the more expensive systems (Neo Geo and 3DO), fair enough, they shouldn't be dismissed, and they're probably not nearly as expensive as I imagine. Those systems have always been out of my reach so they seem kind of unreal to me... lol

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Originally Posted by sheath

When I first got my Xbox I was really excited to get whichever compilations had Final Fight, S.T.U.N. Runner, San Francisco Rush and other games that I just always wanted in Arcade perfect form. I ended up trading every single one of those compilations because of screwed up gameplay speed, muted audio, or something else that was just stupid. I'm not sure why, but for some reason emulation cheapens the games even when the differences are imperceptible. I'll play Shinobi on Master System or PCE just for fun, but I can't stand it on the Xbox 360. I even have two super nice HORI USB joysticks to contend with the controller lag and I still don't like the XBLA releases, something just feels off.

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I remember when people said that MKII inside Shaolin Monks was arcade perfect. Then I played it and discovered that it was just as "perfect" as the M.A.M.E. emulation, in other words, abysmal.

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Originally Posted by Thenewguy

Take with a grain of salt as its been a long time -

The SNES version is abysmal, the graphics are terrible, and it pretty much looks very much like an 8-Bit game (with a little more colour), the sound IIRC was also absolutely horrific, worst version, by far.

The Mega Drive version is a 6-button game, its more fluid than the SNES game, and I think more of the combos work, though some of the moves now share animation, the music is poor but its better than in the SNES.

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You remembered and described it correctly.

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Originally Posted by Ecco

Good to know about the superior PS1 port of Samurai Shodown. I'll have to hunt that down! It's funny bc I swear I always heard that the PS2 SS Anthology was supposed to be almost perfect. And that the PS2 Neo Geo Collection has SS1 but less accurate than the SS Anthology... Don't know why.

Anyways I'll hunt down that PS1 port sometime!

Also, for the comment about being dismissive of the more expensive systems (Neo Geo and 3DO), fair enough, they shouldn't be dismissed, and they're probably not nearly as expensive as I imagine. Those systems have always been out of my reach so they seem kind of unreal to me... lol

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Don't take my comment on your dismiss on the bad side, please. I understand your reasons and it seems to be the common sense nowadays.
But being in USA you probably can get a Panasonic 3DO FZ-10 (by far, the more reliable and best option to play burned games) for something around $50-70. And you can play the game using a CD-R (it's very easy to burn games for the 3DO; not the usual problems that you would have with the PS1) until you find a copy for a fair price (I think I saw some Japanese copies in great condition ending the auction around $10-15). The 3DO controls aren't great, but they do the job for this game.
The PS1 version usually goes for $20-30 but I think it's still a good deal since you also get the second game and it's also a very good port.
For SSIII and SSIV go for the Saturn versions. SSIV is a good port on the PS1 (SSIII is abysmal on it) but the Saturn version is clearly superior.

^Thanks for the info! I do love the SS series so I do appreciate it. It's funny that I swear people told me a few years ago that the PS2 SS Anthology was nearly perfect, so that was the notion I've had all these years. lol I guess it was wrong advice in the first place. I do have the SS Anthology, plus the Neo Geo collection with SS1.

I guess my next purchase will be that PS1 game mentioned (SS1 & SS2). I don't usually keep my Saturn set up, but maybe the SS series would get my Saturn a permanent spot on the shelf. :D

I'm a bit shocked & disappointed to hear the SS Anthology slammed. If I had received this advice years ago, I would have passed on the SS Anthology and just got that PS1 game!

Yeah, the main problem with the SNK collections on the PS2 is what chinitosoccer said: the lame filtering.

I remember that I read something about those collections several years ago...
It was something like Sony wanted those SNK classics on the PS2, then SNK Playless showed a demo but got screwed by Sony since it was all using low res. After a lot of shit, they came into an agreement that the games would be released in compilations but using filters like 2XSAI to "increase" the resolution. A very nasty way to increase the resolution. With those filters you always lost a lot in terms of graphic details. So if you're using a Neo Geo with Scart/Component cable or a a PS1 with Scart/Component or even the 3DO with S-Video or Composite you'll see a lot more details.
And since it's all emulated on the PS2 you'll always have additional little problems. The sound will never be as clear as on the Neo Geo and IIRC the game had some moments running at wrong speed during the fights. These are little details that you may not notice if you never played the arcade version or if just played the collection version for 30 minutes. But if you really dig the game you'll always feel that is something wrong with the gameplay, something missing on the controls and overall feeling. And I'm not talking about the nostalgia.