What's the next level?

Hi! I would like to ask for your help to choose my next console purchase.

I already have: 3DO, PS1, Saturn, MD + Mega CD (and Master System using the Everdrive MD). PS2 and 32X are just a matter of time.
I love to explore the game libraries as in depth as possible and I have a lot of specific controllers to all sorts of games to the consoles above. I like to give the games a fair chance, if they require some special controller or rare item to be fully enjoyed, I'll hunt it down most of the time (except in extremely nonsense prices vs little fun cases). So, I do enjoy collecting 3rd party controllers and devices but not for the sake of collecting only, 'cause I really play all the stuff I have and my friends drop by often. Several friends of mine love old consoles, so it's given me a lot of fun in the last years...

Right now I feel like I'm missing something but when I think about getting another console/platform to explore I really have a hard time to find another one that will give me the same level of enjoyment that the above ones have given me. I don't like sluggish games, flat backgrounds, muffled sounds and low/poorly detailed textures/tiles; and that stuff seems to be, until now, more present in the consoles I listed in the poll than in the ones I already own. I also like to have a good set of controllers to choose from.
I'm also very interested in details and little differences between game versions, and I like to own the platforms that will give me superior/improved/extended/unique versions of games, despite those games being very obscure or not.

With that said, please, feel free to pick as many platforms as you want and advocate them. I'll love to read even the more stupid details about in own experience with them.
Imports and piracy are OK with me. Emulation (like when talking about some more recent compilations) will depend on each case. But feel free to talk about anything related to the platforms/consoles you recommend.
I'm no Rockefeller, so I do mind about costs since I have a limited budget for this kind of stuff.

Thanks in advance.

I'll just put my "Neo Geo" recommendation here...

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Originally Posted by Guntz

I'll just put my "Neo Geo" recommendation here...

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Please, expand it. The recommendation is very welcome.
I kinda dropped the idea of a Neo Geo CD due to the painful loading times but you can prove me wrong. Especially since I like the older Neo Geo games more than the Giga Power stuff most of the time.
Also, those black consolized MVS expensive units sound tempting despite the very high initial investment. Seems like I could get a lot of awesome games using multi-game "carts" with them.

Please, your turn now.

Based on the consoles you listed my next to collect consoles were the SNES and PCE/TG16, and then down the road I got back my Master System and NES. The N64 might be fun for you since you actually have friends who come over to play games, the Wrestling games and party games on that system are worth giving a shot.

Otherwise, you know what I think you should get next.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lg7lDgPOtZ...mel-gibson.jpg

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Originally Posted by Barone

I'm also very interested in details and little differences between game versions, and I like to own the platforms that will give me superior/improved/extended/unique versions of games, despite those games being very obscure or not.

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From everything I know about it, I think the X68000 would fit this to a T, and would complement your Mega Drive wonderfully. I don't know how expensive the system is, though -- I'm sure it's never cheap.

(Another possibility is the FM Towns Marty, but I think many games require a floppy disk as well as CD media, and I don't know how much of a hassle that is.)

Well, from all of the systems you have listed, my absolute favorite is the NES, but based on your post and the types of games you do not want to play ("I don't like sluggish games, flat backgrounds, muffled sounds and low/poorly detailed textures/tiles; and that stuff seems to be, until now, more present in the consoles I listed in the poll than in the ones I already own."), it is probably not the best system for you due to the fact that many games on the console suffer from sluggishness, and, notoriously, have flicker and slowdown. That being said, many of my all time favorite games can be found on that system, and basically every NES game published by Capcom has beautifully textured backgrounds that make me feel all gooey inside when I'm playing them.

If you like shmups, the PCE is one of the best systems that money can buy, but overall the hardware is lacking as the system is superior to the 8-bitters, but not as advanced as the Genesis or SNES. And unless you want to spend a small fortune on imports, the software library is lackluster. That can largely be blamed on Nintendo for their anti-competition policies locking up 3rd party publishers during that generation as well as NEC not really understanding the North American market well enough to be effective. Unless the system has nostalgia for you, it should be left for a point in your collecting when you've gotten more of the big dogs out of the way.

For my vote, from the systems you have listed, I would say that your best bet is going to be the SNES. I am basing that recommendation on the fact that the system has hundreds of excellent games, most of which are extremely affordable, and the system was so popular during its run that there are myriads of great and affordable controllers and accessories which you will surely be interested in. Several of the other systems you have listed offer some great titles, and I'm not saying you won't like or even love them, but I think the SNES offers the most bang for your buck. Also, the system showcases excellent backgrounds and sound which seem to be important to you. And obviously we all love the Genesis here, so I'm sure you will enjoy picking up games that were ported to both systems so you can contrast and compare. You may be surprised to find that occasionally the systems received 2 completely different games with the same title. The ones that immediately come to mind are Scooby Doo, Shadowrun, Beavis and Butt-head and Aladdin. Basically what I'm saying is that every Genesis lover should own a SNES as well. If you love the Genesis that means you love 16-bit generation games and gameplay, and the SNES will be a great addition to your collection which, as long as you invest in the right titles, you will not regret.

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Originally Posted by Barone

Please, expand it. The recommendation is very welcome.
I kinda dropped the idea of a Neo Geo CD due to the painful loading times but you can prove me wrong. Especially since I like the older Neo Geo games more than the Giga Power stuff most of the time.
Also, those black consolized MVS expensive units sound tempting despite the very high initial investment. Seems like I could get a lot of awesome games using multi-game "carts" with them.

Please, your turn now.

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Somebody was working on a neat project (might have been Razoola) for Neo Geo CD. Basically, you connect a cable from the Neo Geo CD to a PC and with it, you can run games on the Neo Geo CD without discs and possibly faster load times.

Other than that, I don't really recommend Neo Geo CD, mostly because the hardware is very uncommon and expensive. It's actually much easier to obtain a AES than a CD, seriously.

If you like older Neo Geo games, consider buying an AES home system. Many of the early releases are dirt cheap, such as NAM-1975, Magician Lord, Blue's Journey, Riding Hero, The Super Spy and other such games. Some Japanese titles are also very cheap, like the early Fatal Fury, Samurai Shodown, Art of Fighting and World Heroes games. Heck, even KOF 94 is cheap.

If you want to play every Neo Geo game, get an MVS system, either a CMVS, a MVS board and a supergun, or a big red cabinet.

Lots of people recommend the multi-carts, but I don't. They're cheaply built, generate a lot of heat and are finicky. They are nowhere near as reliable as the original carts. Besides, they're always half-filled with useless hacks that just act as filler. When you buy a 161-in-1, you're only getting about 75-ish original titles, if not less. If you ask me, the best way to go is to buy only games you intend to play or already like. If you want to try before you buy, emulate. It's a lot cheaper than a crappy multi-cart. If you only keep your favorite games, you'll get far more bang for your buck than just owning every game and only playing a few.

Overall though, it's hard to recommend an absolute option. Picking a Neo Geo platform depends largely on the games you want. I for one own both MVS and AES hardware, because I take advantage of both their strengths. I don't really want a Neo Geo CD because it doesn't do anything that the other two platforms can't.

I voted for the Wii. It's not my favorite system out of the ones listed, but I think it's a great and practical choice. Prices on SNES and PC Engine games have gotten insane. Whereas now is a great time to pick up cheap Wii games. And with you not having a Gamecube already, you get two systems in one. Gamecube is mostly cheap too, with only a couple of exceptions.

"I don't like sluggish games, flat backgrounds, muffled sounds and low/poorly detailed textures/tiles"
Avoid the Amiga and N64 like the plague.

I recommended the PCE, the shooters are even less sluggish than the MD ones, don't have flat backgrounds, sounds aren't muffled on the CD ones and the tiles are well textured.
Of course, stuff that isn't a shooter will likely have flat backgrounds (except Castlevania Rondo of Blood), so take that into consideration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDLP6FZWq-w

Taking in mind that most of my experience is with what was released in the US, and I'm under the impression that you live in Europe, Barone (if I'm wrong feel free to enlighten me) so my experience reflects that:

If you're willing to look past the "kiddy, not as powerful as its contemporaries" stuff the Wii actually has a lot to offer. If you add in the Gamecube support, it has a couple really stellar games for most genres. Take RPGs for example, Tales of Symphonia is one of the better entries into that series. I don't recall if you have a Dreamcast (you didn't mention it above) but it can give you access to a port of Skies of Arcadia which was probably the best RPG on the Dreamcast. Wii also hosts what I feel was the best RPG of this generation, Xenoblade Chronicles.

For 2D style platformers/action games you have the Kirby games (I personally loved Kirby's Epic Yarn. Its balls easy to finish, but actually requires some skill if you want to 100% the game). There's a port of Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (It's called something slightly different, don't remember what off the top of my head), that if you don't have the PS1 version is probably a cheaper why to pick up this game. There are the 2 Viewtiful Joe games from Gamecube that are pretty tough, but a lot of fun as well.

For 3D action games, you have the best version of Resident Evil/BioHazard 4, enhanced ports of the earlier RE games (if you don't already have them) as well as a pretty good port Bully. There are also the Metroid Prime games for FPS style action. Then there are the various Mario games (Sunshine, Galaxy, Paper mario 1000year Door, and Super Paper mario). Of course you also get access to the various Legend of Zelda games, Wind Waker (which actually holds up pretty well), Twilight Princess (available in Gamecube and Wii flavors), and Skyward Sword. I'll admit that I have not yet played either Twilight Princess or Skyward Sword, but I do present them as options.

if you like fighting games, the selection is kind of weak but still have a couple of worthy titles. You have Soul Calibur 2 on the Gamecube (Link is the exclusive character) and its an OK port of the game (the gamecube controller sucked for playing that game though). On the Wii you have Castlevania Judgement (which was kind of meh, though not as terrible as the internet would have you believe) and the pretty decent Capcom vs Tatsunoko. Finally there are the Super Smash Brothers games (Melee and Brawl) which are pretty fun.

For Shmups you have a couple options: Ikaruga was released on the Gamecube. There are a couple of shooting collections available for the Wii as well as a port of the Monkey King shooter (an adaption of the old SMS Cloud Master game).

There are also some puzzle/adventure game options. for Gamecube, Odama is kind of weird but amusing. Zach and Wiki is a way under-rated adventure type game. There is also Little King's Story which is pretty cool.

I'd be remiss if i didn't mention the Wii VC as well, which can get you access to a number of SNES, NES, Genesis, NEO-GEO, N64, and TG-16/CD games. Generally the emulation is pretty good. This way you have access to Mario RPG, and Paper Mario. You also can get Lords of Thunder (TG16CD) and Sin & Punishment (N64).

I guess what I'm saying is getting a Wii gives you the most options over all. just make sure to pick yourself up the Nunchuck extensions and very definately the classic controller extension. it makes playing a lot of games way easier. It probably also wouldn't hurt to pick up a couple of Gamecube controllers.



After that (or if you decide no), I'd go with the TG-16 and its library. not going to go into a lot of detail, but the TG-16's library holds up well against the Genesis and SNES, and while it is on the expensive side, taken as a whole will be less expensive then the SNES simply due to lesser volume.

I guess the obvious choice for you would be the PC Engine, mano.
Lots of different games to explore and discover, in all genres imaginable. Try to get a Turbo Duo for ease of access to the CD material, which is IMO the crown jewel of the system (moreso than the Sega CD is to the Mega Drive, let's say).

snes, for the library.

PCE, for the library.



Seriously, if you love the Genesis/Mega Drive, then the PC Engine is next best thing.

As this thread shows, the PC Engine is full of superior/improved/extended/unique versions of games, with lots of versions of obscure and not-so obscure titles.

You'll also find lots of unique games, that either are or were very original, or do something in a way that stands out from similar examples. Stuff like (Ai) Cho Aniki, Kiaidan 00, Gekisha Boy, Download (2), Sapphire, Hana Taka Daka, Star Parodia, Kabuki Itouryoden, Vasteel, etc.

For every PCE game with flat backgrounds, but shouldn't, -there is one full or parallax. An endless amount of amazing redbook soundtracks and lots of nice adpcm sound samples. Many CD games also feature the kind of variety in tile/sprite artwork that you don't often find in cart games, especially SNES games.

And if you like Sega games, the PC Engine has lots of them. :)

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Originally Posted by Kamahl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDLP6FZWq-w

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Looks like Virtual-Turbo never figured out how to use the options. :P

Original Xbox, Wii: mod them for great homebrew. Also Dreamcast too has a good homebrew scene. All three have good libraries too. ;)

Good point! If Barone is interested in exploring the homebrew scene, he may want to consider purchasing a newer system that will allow him to enjoy a larger library of games.

Personally, I would recommend the SNES/Super Famicom. If you enjoyed the Megadrive, you need should explore the SNES library of games. Afterall, you cannot have the Ying without the Yang. :p