Alien 3: Genesis vs SNES

I was a pretty big fan of the Genesis version of Alien 3 back in the day, and it's one of the games that I've spent a good amount of time with recently.

However, after watching footage from the SNES build, I'm actually pretty amazed. Without dredging up the tired old "Genesis vs SNES" argument, I would have to say that in this case, the SNES version looks and sounds a lot better than what Genesis owners got, and it looks like it controls a bit better, too.

And yet I've read reviews in the past that basically said that the Genesis version is ultimately the better game. I've never even seen the SNES version in action until now, so obviously I've never played it - can someone who has played both *objectively* confirm or deny this?

SNES version is indeed having more stuff, but it does not play better, it just looks good and sometimes sounds better and that's all.

The SNES version has more depth for sure and a bit more variety - but the MD version is IMO more fun. It feels more 'arcady' - a bit better suited for a quick blast. The only thing which does my head in about the MD version is those ladders. Ladders, ladders, ladders. Do you think there's enough fucking ladders?

In fact I did a comparison of these 2 games for my myspace blog - so here is a more 'comprihensive' comparison...

(Taken from my myspace blog dated 20th May 2008)

Alien 3

Now, Alien 3 is a bit of a departure from my previously compared games, as even though both games share the same title and are based on the same film (albeit with a somewhat creative licence), they are made by different developers, were released nearly a year apart, and, in terms of game-play, are completely different. So why am I comparing 2 games that only feature minor elements in common? Well, we wouldn't want this feature to be 9-1 to the SNES now, would we :D

On a serious note, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed both of these titles and they are great in their own ways, but as the film Highlander said – "There can only be one!" So which is it?

Round 1 – Visual

MD – The MD game generally sports a sort of 'cartoon' look throughout, and in fact reminds me in some ways of the old arcade machine based on Aliens. The graphics are bright and colourful and everything looks rather nice. It's hard to believe that this is by the same team responsible for the God-awful MD version of Mortal Kombat. Animations are smooth, explosions are big and in-your-face, and the aliens do look impressive, even if there are only like, 4 of them. And that's the problem in general – with the exception of the backgrounds, everything begins to look samey after a while.

A solid effort though.

SNES – The first thing that strikes you is how much darker and more moody this game is. It can be quite hard to see at times – having the added effect of increasing the tension somewhat. Everything looks more polished here too – the aliens look awesome (and there's loads of different types too), and the animation on Ripley is also of an extremely high standard (even if her jumping animation looks rather strange).

The MD game is great, but the SNES game is better.

Winner - SNES

Round 2 – Audio

MD – I just need to say one thing here. The music in this game is AWESOME! Yes the first area music seems pretty bland, but once you get passed that it just gets better and better. And not only are they great tunes, but they are also of an extremely high quality too, and for once in an MD game – actually sound like real instruments (esp the piano). The SFX are functional but nothing special.

SNES – Urrghhh – the music is horrible! Ok – so it may suit the mood and be of good quality technically, but to me, it's just generic boring noise and after a while you tend to not notice. Or care. The SFX sound oddly muffled, although the alien hisses are quite impressive.

What's this - the MD beats the SNES in a sound category? Something's not right here – shame on you B.I.T.S and LJN…

Winner – MD

Round 3 - Game-play

MD – This is the only category where the 2 games actually share some common ground. Both involve blasting the crap, rescuing hostages, LOTS of fucking ladders and more blasting the crap. This version leans toward a more arcade experience however. Anyone who's played Virgin's The Terminator will find this a very similar experience indeed. Its just level after level of increasingly difficult missions where you rescue hostages before the time limit expires, with the occasional 'just kill everything' mission, and the customary boss every 3 stages. While this structure may seem tiresome now, it wasn't at the time, and deep down it's actually a highly entertaining game.

SNES – This version, however, is more mission based. You start off in a central hub, and access missions from a computer, which can range from anything from rescuing hostages to repairing leaks in pipes. It is certainly a lot more diverse, but the problem with this structure is the repeated back-tracking involved. This game also suffers from an affliction that I hadn't noticed until recently, but which an awful lot of SNES games suffer from (looking at YOU Sparkster), which is the dreaded infinite spawning enemy syndrome. Even though this game looks more impressive, this 'affliction' destroys the immersion somewhat.

So then, which has the better gameplay? This is entirely down to personal taste. If you like exploring your game worlds and like having multiple different objectives to complete, then you have to go for the SNES version. It's also massive – taking an age to get through. Thank God for passwords then…

However, if you are more into a traditional style of run 'n' gun games and prefer to blast everything in sight with minimal thought involvement, you have to go for the MD game. It's nowhere near the size or complexity of the SNES title, but then if it were it would just turn into a boring slog by the end. As it is it's length is just right.

An extremely large portion of me wanted to say that the SNES game is better. It's certainly more polished and has much, MUCH more depth. But the thing is this. I prefer arcade games – it's what I grew up with. It's why I love the X-Box Live arcade. And if I had to play a version of Alien 3 tomorrow – I'm afraid it would be the MD version, because, at the end of the day, it's just more fun. And that's the most important thing.

Wow - wall of text ;)

I never played the SNES version but it looks like it would control better. Seems like an entirely different game actually, although I think the Genesis version already was one of Acclaim's very best games.

Edit: Didn't notice above in-depth comparision.

Thanks, Mamba!

However, while I do like the music from the Genesis version, I thought the music from the SNES game sounds awesome (in that clip at least).

snes version sucks

stay with the megadrive version more fun

and where my review by the way

The sound in the SNES version is absolutely AWFUL.

The Video Game Critic prefers the Mega Drive/Genesis version. I'd say he's an arcade style gameplay fan too.
SNES Review
Mega Drive/Genesis Review

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

The sound in the SNES version is absolutely AWFUL.

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Oh well. I really like that track that's playing in the clip.

I don't think any of the three tracks played in the clip sound awful or bad even, but perhaps they are helped by being played on emulator (I've heard SNES music sounds better then).

I used to rent Alien 3 for the SNES all the time, and the music sounded great to me back then.

I've always disliked the semi-"realistic" type of graphics that quite a few SNES games seem to have. Almost like many things are digitized and stop-motion animated and I really can't stand it. There are only a few games that can get away with digitization, and I'm not saying that these are necessarily digitized but rather the games make an attempt to look lifelike and in my opinion look cheep.

Like
Donkey Kong Country
Killer Instinct
Alien 3


I just think the animations look stiff and everything just looks cheap...I dunno.

Kinda like Silhouette Mirage...the graphics are horrific in that game.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zebbe

I don't think any of the three tracks played in the clip sound awful or bad even, but perhaps they are helped by being played on emulator (I've heard SNES music sounds better then).

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No the music in the game sounds exactly like in the above clip on a real SNES. The thing is - the music is good technically (the military style drumming in particular) but after playing the game for hours and hours (and trust me - it goes on for ages) the music really begins to get on your nerves. Trust me - it does.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tanegashima

I just think the animations look stiff

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I think thats more to blame on the Snes then on the game, the Snes could be notoriously slow with certain games,

Thats probably why most Sega games play better, because the Console is just faster.

the Snes & Megadrive should have had a baby, gaming could have been saved!

The music sounds like it's trying to be all dramatic or something. Like a movie.