So Backbone Entertainment...

So, I found out about an upcoming collection today headed for PS4, Xbone and PC - The Disney Afternoon Collection. Basically 6 Disney games, including DuckTales 1+2, Chip N Dale 1+2, TaleSpin and Darkwing Duck, bundled with extras. Now the reason for me creating this thread is surprising not to tell you guys about it - it's about the guys who are behind the collection, Backbone Entertainment.

They handled collections in the past, but went quiet for a few years after news they might be going under due to staff layoffs, hence my surprise to see them back doing this collection. Quick google search reveals, they also did the Megaman Legacy Collection back in 2015.

Now the reason for this thread - I hated Backbone. But I'm interesting in this collection. I found their ports and emulation downright nasty, esp their Genesis emulation on the 360. Going back, and re-reading threads back from 2012 when news of them laying off staff spread, particularly this one on Neogaf, shows I'm not alone in my opinion of them being incompetent.

Most of my 'hate' from them stems from their 360 offerings - namely, the Mega Drive/Genesis. Their PS2 collection was pretty good, but had poor sound emulation, but I let that slide, because I had experience with a homebrew PS2 Genesis emu which also suffered audio issues, so chaulked it up to hardware limitations. When I got their upgraded Megadrive 360 collection, and put it on, I got really angry when that too suffered from audio problems. Now this is from memory, so I could be wrong, but I think I'm right, but I remember reading somewhere they basically ported their PS2 emulator straight to the PS3 & 360, and made zero efforts to correct it. Seeing as both suffer from the same issues, I believe it.

Then a couple of years later, I bought Sonic 3 & S&K off XBLA, to find it's the same story. Poor emulation, only this time they butchered the games by removing the title screen and replaying it with their own menu. S3's save feature, complete with being able to replay the game from any level, removed for no reason. Also, there's severe input lag across all their Genesis efforts. Sonic Generations also had Sonic 1 unlockable, and it's downright nasty. Emulation was handled by these clowns. Funny thing? Sonic 1 was removed for the PC release, with it being an exclusive for the console releases. I wonder why...

Long winded post aside, I don't think much of this dev. Anyone have any opinions of them or want to share other collections they ported, they butchered?

If it's a physical release like the Megaman collection, I'll be buying this without a doubt. PS4 most likely.

[EDIT] Regarding your other question:
If indeed they are the ones who made the PS2 Sonic Mega Collection, I happen to think it was pretty good. But only retrospectively. Until just a couple of weeks back, it was the only way to enjoy the Game Gear Sonics in a respectable visual resolution.

QuickSciFi, is there any physical release you do not buy.

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Originally Posted by Thief

QuickSciFi, is there any physical release you do not buy.

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Yes. I haven't bought Mass Effect: Andromeda.

https://media.giphy.com/media/jYAGkoghdmD9S/giphy.gif

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Originally Posted by QuickSciFi

If it's a physical release like the Megaman collection, I'll be buying this without a doubt. PS4 most likely.

[EDIT] Regarding your other question:
If indeed they are the ones who made the PS2 Sonic Mega Collection, I happen to think it was pretty good. But only retrospectively. Until just a couple of weeks back, it was the only way to enjoy the Game Gear Sonics in a respectable visual resolution.

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No, I'm pretty sure the PS2 (and Xbox) ports of Mega Collection were handled in-house by Sega themselves. The PS2 collection I was referring to was Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Collection.

I wasn't familiar with them until you pointed them out. I just figured that the Mega Man collection was a Capcom thing. But, yeah, I can see they have done a lot of ports and works on franchised releases (like movie franchises, or handheld extensions of console games and things of that nature).

But I gotta admit, the selection of NES Disney games is looking pretty fantastic. I loved all those cartoons bitd. And I have fond memories of playing Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers. Retrospectively, I can see myself enjoying all the other ones as well. I think I got my copy of the MegaMan collection for like $20. Not too shabby, IMO; since I never got to afford any of the Megaman games bitd (even until now). So all 6 of the OG titles for that price was a great deal for me personally. If they manage to do something like this again in physical format, you betcha I'll be getting myself a copy. Then again, they have done a lot of PSN and XBLA stuff. So, who knows?

Not cool, QuickSciFi. Andromeda has multiplayer. And I hear some are really actually enjoying single player. I say must buy. Plus I could teach you the ways of multiplayer and online socialism.

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Originally Posted by Thief

Not cool, QuickSciFi. Andromeda has multiplayer. And I hear some are really actually enjoying single player. I say must buy. Plus I could teach you the ways of multiplayer and online socialism.

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I would buy it once it's like $5-$10, and many many...many many patches from today. Which will likely occur by the Holidays, no doubt. As for that other nonsense you spewed-forth, I will forgive the putridness of your typing fingers as you have already mentioned your hands are sore from playing with a DS4.

But back on topic:
@Jackster,

I watched RGT85's video on this not long ago and didn't quite know what to make of it. I just dismissed it as some sort of cartoon re-syndication or something. I didn't even know it had to do with a re-release of all 6 NES games. I'm definitely excited, though.

People are bitching about this game won't come out on the Switch or the 3DS

Those 6 Games were first on a Nintendo Platform

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Originally Posted by QuickSciFi

@Jackster,

I watched RGT85's video on this not long ago and didn't quite know what to make of it. I just dismissed it as some sort of cartoon re-syndication or something. I didn't even know it had to do with a re-release of all 6 NES games. I'm definitely excited, though.

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Yeah, so am I, I'm just a little worried given Backbone's track record. Also props for mentioning RGT85, he makes good videos. One of the underrated channels on Youtube.

Uhh, that's Darkwing Duck NES and not TG-16, right?

A couple of examples that I can think of are:

On Capcom Classics Collection Volume 1 on the PS2 the colors of Ghouls N' Ghost are much darker than the arcade orginal.

Also on the Sega Genesis Collection on PS2/PSP there is an annoying sound issue in Phantasy Star 4 were the music is still playing during the victory jingle.

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Originally Posted by Gogogadget

Uhh, that's Darkwing Duck NES and not TG-16, right?

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It's the NES one.

^For me a purchase would be more about getting all these games I still don't own on the NES all at once (same as with the MegaMan Legacy Collection). And trophy support is also a nice addition. ;)

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Originally Posted by The Jackal

Yeah, so am I, I'm just a little worried given Backbone's track record. Also props for mentioning RGT85, he makes good videos. One of the underrated channels on Youtube.

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Yeah. RGT85 has good content.

I’m getting the Disney Afternoon Collection as well, mainly for Ducktales 2 and Chip N’ Dale Rescue Rangers 2 since those are the only games in the collection I don’t already own, and nowadays getting the carts of either game is really expensive. I almost forgot about the added trophy support. It's a nice bonus.

Same for me. It'll be the only legal way to own those two without selling my organs. I'll still wait for a sale, though.

MegaMan Legacy was a better effort from Backbone, and I'd expect the same seeing as this is going to be another six NES game Capcom release. We'll get some artwork, leaderboards, and replays... but no on-line co-op. Same old graphics with a scanline option. Nothing new. Nothing special. Not as lazy as they used to be, but still pretty lazy.