I recommend Samurai Shodown

I just picked this title up at Gamers today for 4 bucks. What a beautiful fighter for the Genesis! Obviously it doesn't hold a candle to the Neo-Geo version but graphically for the Genesis it's really top rate. The backgrounds are rich and diverse, the characters are large and detailed, and the animation is pretty smooth. The music is really great too. Couple all this with responsive controls plus fun gameplay and you've got a really good fighter for the Genesis. :D I'm glad I decided to pick this up because for the longest time I was on the fence about this one.

Yup, it's the best Neo Geo port on the MD by far, if you ask me. It captures both the look and the feel of the original game very well, and it's an impressive game for the MD in its own right. I still need to pick this one up some time.

Its a very impressive port indeed, would have been even better had they managed to include Earthquake.
(because come on, he might suck as a character but he's huuuuuuuge)

And i still don't understand why they couldn't put Earthquake in the Sega CD version,

That would make for a great article for the site btw.. "Lazy Sega CD & 32X upgrades"

I love this game. Love the whole feel and setting. Really captures that 90s fighter feel.

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Originally Posted by NeoVamp

Its a very impressive port indeed, would have been even better had they managed to include Earthquake.
(because come on, he might suck as a character but he's huuuuuuuge)

And i still don't understand why they couldn't put Earthquake in the Sega CD version,

That would make for a great article for the site btw.. "Lazy Sega CD & 32X upgrades"

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Probably because Earthquake vs Earthquake would cause some flicker ;)
(well, they could reduce his size to compensate)

The Genesis port of SS is definitely an admirable effort. 24 MEGA POWER (the max cart size that SoJ and Japanese developers were willing to use, SSF2 not included) and all. I feel as if the developers of the port (Saurus? System Vision?) attempted to squeeze every last drop out of the Genesis in trying to port the game, and that they did. The port utilizes the Genny's full resolution (albeit w/borders, every other Capcom/SNK fighting game port on Genesis used the low res mode WITH borders), and most notably emulates the giant sprites and backgrounds of the original Neo version faithfully (some more than others, Galford's stage anyone?). For the casual fan who played SS1 on the arcades here and there, this port was as good as gold, even with Earthquake missing.

Due to the 24 MEGA POWER limitation however (the SNES port, in comparison, was 32 MEGA POWER), more than just a few sfx were missing. Most notably, every character lost an attack or two (attack, NOT special move) due to animation cuts, which really altered the gameplay. The big sprites and backgrounds often brought the Genesis to its knees, with regular slowdown during gameplay. Sounds would randomly be cut off as well. The Genesis' rendition of the classic SS music is awfully quiet and devoid of bass and backing instruments. Still, I like it regardless, even over the SNES version's crappily re-mixed, tin-can sounding music & sfx.

Earthquake wasn't included in the Sega versions because his sprite was to tall, and overcame the Genesis & Sega CD's sprite per scanline limitations, or something like that. He was included in the SNES version because the sprites in that port are so friggin' tiny its ridiculous.

I still find myself coming back to Genesis SS. Interesting alternative to the Neo version and impressive showcase of the Genesis hardware. It was one of the last high-profile releases for the Mega Drive in Japan; released on the same month that the Saturn was. After 1994, Treasure was pretty much the only (worthwhile) third-party developer producing games for the console in Japan.

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Originally Posted by Aarzak

He was included in the SNES version because the sprites in that port are so friggin' tiny its ridiculous.

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Japanese Programmer : We'll have to cut Earthquake from the port Mr Director, he's just too big.

Mr Director : ... MAKE EVERYBODY ELSE SMALLER!

Japanese Programmer : BRILLIANT!! O_O

I saw this at Value Village about a month ago for Super Nintendo for $2.99.I later checked some reviews [the Video Game Critic gave the Genesis version a D] and played it on Console Classix.
I thought it was worth picking up despite the Video Game Critic's review, but when I went back of course it was gone at $2.99.
I looked around at some other places and found it again for a few dollars more and got it and am glad I did. I think it's one of the better fighting games.

nice, I am trying to get all of the SNK Genesis ports. I ahve FF 1 and 2. need to get Samurai Shodown and World Heroes (ADk game yes, but ADK was like a off-branch).

oh and to topic poster, try out fatal Fury 2, I think you'll be impressed.

For the love of Zebbe's cocky avatar, don't spend a dime on "World Heroes". It is a horrid port of a mediocre-at-best game. The only SNK Genesis port developed in the U.S (by the short-lived "Sega Midwest" division). Whatever little gameplay the original Neo game had was destroyed on the Genesis port. It plays about as good as a pre-SFII fighting game.

I do admit however, that, like Samurai Shodown, it reproduced the original's graphics faithfully. But that's about it.

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Originally Posted by Aarzak

For the love of Zebbe's cocky avatar, don't spend a dime on "World Heroes". It is a horrid port of a mediocre-at-best game. The only SNK Genesis port developed in the U.S (by the short-lived "Sega Midwest" division). Whatever little gameplay the original Neo game had was destroyed on the Genesis port. It plays about as good as a pre-SFII fighting game.

I do admit however, that, like Samurai Shodown, it reproduced the original's graphics faithfully. But that's about it.

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I'll still get it if I find it cheap, I'm working on getting all Genesis fightes.

For what its worth I owned the 3DO port of Samurai Shodown as a kid and played it religiously with my friends, we never used Earthquake, he was an impressive character but pretty dull to use for the most part as he was so slow, I'm sure there are people out there that do like him though, just saying that a lot of people would never have used him anyway.

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Originally Posted by Aarzak

The Genesis port of SS is definitely an admirable effort. 24 MEGA POWER (the max cart size that SoJ and Japanese developers were willing to use, SSF2 not included) and all. I feel as if the developers of the port (Saurus? System Vision?) attempted to squeeze every last drop out of the Genesis in trying to port the game, and that they did. The port utilizes the Genny's full resolution (albeit w/borders, every other Capcom/SNK fighting game port on Genesis used the low res mode WITH borders), and most notably emulates the giant sprites and backgrounds of the original Neo version faithfully (some more than others, Galford's stage anyone?). For the casual fan who played SS1 on the arcades here and there, this port was as good as gold, even with Earthquake missing.

Due to the 24 MEGA POWER limitation however (the SNES port, in comparison, was 32 MEGA POWER), more than just a few sfx were missing. Most notably, every character lost an attack or two (attack, NOT special move) due to animation cuts, which really altered the gameplay. The big sprites and backgrounds often brought the Genesis to its knees, with regular slowdown during gameplay. Sounds would randomly be cut off as well. The Genesis' rendition of the classic SS music is awfully quiet and devoid of bass and backing instruments. Still, I like it regardless, even over the SNES version's crappily re-mixed, tin-can sounding music & sfx.

Earthquake wasn't included in the Sega versions because his sprite was to tall, and overcame the Genesis & Sega CD's sprite per scanline limitations, or something like that. He was included in the SNES version because the sprites in that port are so friggin' tiny its ridiculous.

I still find myself coming back to Genesis SS. Interesting alternative to the Neo version and impressive showcase of the Genesis hardware. It was one of the last high-profile releases for the Mega Drive in Japan; released on the same month that the Saturn was. After 1994, Treasure was pretty much the only (worthwhile) third-party developer producing games for the console in Japan.

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Just lazy programming. The SCD was capable of scaling but they didn't bother to put it in. And Wrestlemania the Arcade was missing 2 of if biggest characters on the SNES version.

I had a lot of fun with the Genesis version of SS when I had it. The huge characters and the gameplay are what really stood out. Ahh good times!

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Originally Posted by Da_Shocker

Just lazy programming. The SCD was capable of scaling but they didn't bother to put it in.

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It's not what you think. Scaling on the SegaCD, be it sprites or whole BG's - is very limiting. Games written around it, can look pretty good. Porting is a whole 'nother issue. Unless you like 6 FPS and screen tearing. Cause that's what you're going to get. And they could have added Earthquake in the SegaCD version, but that's not going to stop him from 'cause sprite flicker or drop out. Like I said, you'd have to redrawn/scale him a bit smaller or just put up with the sprite drop out/flicker (either) when it happens.

This has already been discussed in another thread. Why doesn't the SegaCD ports of SS have scaling since the SCD can do scaling. The answer boiling down to if you liked less colors and low frame rate scaling with screen tearing.

Could have been worse, they could have pulled a Famicom Pirate port on us with Earthquake.

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/312/image4za.png

Its alright, a lot of us used to think that the SCD & 32X, with their superior hardware, should've and would've been capable of much more, but thanks to Tom Athiest and co., we've found that they have several flaws and bottlenecks which prevent them from doing so. :D Ironic how the Genesis itself was the biggest bottleneck.

The Genesis port was done by a talented developer, Saurus. Shock Troopers is probably their best original game.

The copyright says Saurus, but according to CRV, the Genesis port was developed by System Vision.

Strangely enough, I guy I worked with last night brought this game up . He said that the SNES and Genesis versions sucked compared to the Neo Geo version.

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Originally Posted by Aarzak

The copyright says Saurus, but according to CRV, the Genesis port was developed by System Vision.

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Do you have any information on System Vision? What other games have they developed?

I think System Vision is part of Saurus (who were eventually merged into SNK), according to System16 (http://www.system16.com/hardware.php?id=869&page=11) the Neo-Geo game Ragnagard was developed by both Saurus and System Vision.

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Originally Posted by Chris

Strangely enough, I guy I worked with last night brought this game up . He said that the SNES and Genesis versions sucked compared to the Neo Geo version.

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Yeah, but this is pretty much exactly the same as saying Street Fighter Champion Edition sucks compared to the arcade version, sure, but it doesn't stop it from being a good version of the game, in fact, in some aspects the Samurai Showdown port to MD turned out better than the Street Fighter ones had.

The SNES version on the other hand is nearly as big a drop in quality from the Mega Drive version, as the Mega Drive version was from the arcade.

i feel like the snk neo geo games were converted quite nicely considering the inferior genesis hardware

I'm still pissed that we never got Art of Fighting 2,
I mean they managed to port it to the SFC so why not to the Sega CD?

And i still don't like that they went CD exclusive with some of those games,
I would have loved to have had a cart version of Fatal Fury Special.

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Originally Posted by GameUser-16-32-128

I had a lot of fun with the Genesis version of SS when I had it. The huge characters and the gameplay are what really stood out. Ahh good times!

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Why do you have to dis our awesome city of Philadelphia?!
: (

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Originally Posted by jesus.arnold

Yeah, but this is pretty much exactly the same as saying Street Fighter Champion Edition sucks compared to the arcade version, sure, but it doesn't stop it from being a good version of the game, in fact, in some aspects the Samurai Showdown port to MD turned out better than the Street Fighter ones had.

The SNES version on the other hand is nearly as big a drop in quality from the Mega Drive version, as the Mega Drive version was from the arcade.

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I was just quoteing him, and just thought it was ironic that he started talking about this game not long after I read this thread.

So, would you recommend I buy the Genesis version, even if I already have
the SNES version, I saw it at at least 2 game stores recently, can't remember the price though.




What do you think about the 3DO version, [ think the Video Game Critic likes this one.]
I don't have a 3DO, just curious.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chris

I was just quoteing him, and just thought it was ironic that he started talking about this game not long after I read this thread.

So, would you recommend I buy the Genesis version, even if I already have
the SNES version, I saw it at at least 2 game stores recently, can't remember the price though.

What do you think about the 3DO version, [ think the Video Game Critic likes this one.]
I don't have a 3DO, just curious.

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If you own the SNES version then throw it in the bin.

Out of the original mainstream ports the 3DO version was probably the best, its actually quite close to the expensive for the time Neo Geo AES version.

The worst thing about the Mega Drive version is probably the music, which is now very sparse, though the sound effects are actually quite good, both music and sound effects on the SNES version are terrible

The Mega Drive version is missing one character and has a fixed aspect (the original version auto zoomed in and out) but looks quite nice for the system and plays pretty well all things considered, the animations are however simplified, instead of using different animations for weak and medium punch for instance, they occasionally use the same animation for both, but just slowed down for the more damaging version, these changes are character specific with some characters losing a kick animation whilst others lose a punch animation so I think they were probably careful of which animations they cut for each character.

The SNES version has terrible sound across the board, it also loses the zooming effect but unlike the Mega Drive version (which is fixed at a Street Fighter 2 style aspect) the SNES version fixes the aspect zoomed out making the sprites very small, the sprites on the SNES version look like crap and the SNES version loses even more moves causing it to play very inaccurately and make it unbalanced, its also quite choppy and unresponsive. It does have all the characters though.

Here's some pictures I just nicked from Hardcore gamer's site

Original Arcade

http://www.sega-16.com/forum/picture...&pictureid=580

Genesis

http://www.sega-16.com/forum/picture...&pictureid=581

SNES

http://www.sega-16.com/forum/picture...&pictureid=582

He should have really taken the SNES one at the same size.
: \

That IS the same size. SNES is 256x224, Genesis is 320x224.

This is what they look like with borders added and resized to 4:3 image ratio (640x480 resolution in this case):

Neo Geo:
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/1...mshoneogeo.png

Mega Drive:
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/652...omegadrive.png

SNES:
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/7966/samshosnes.png

There really is no competition here...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chris

Strangely enough, I guy I worked with last night brought this game up . He said that the SNES and Genesis versions sucked compared to the Neo Geo version.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chris

I was just quoteing him, and just thought it was ironic that he started talking about this game not long after I read this thread.

So, would you recommend I buy the Genesis version, even if I already have
the SNES version, I saw it at at least 2 game stores recently, can't remember the price though.


What do you think about the 3DO version, [ think the Video Game Critic likes this one.]
I don't have a 3DO, just curious.

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The Sega CD is the best version available of Samurai Shodown. While naturally the Neo Geo MVS/AES version is the original version and the most technically advanced, the scaling is really distracting and having to press A+B or C+D to do the fierce attacks is really annoying. The 3DO is closest to the original Neo Geo version, but still has the scaling, which is nothing more than a distracting tech demo. If you want to play Samurai Shodown, the Sega CD version is the way to go. The Genesis version is close, but there is more slowdown than there should be.

Devil N: Your aspect ratio is a bit off. If the source image is 320x240, then it should be scaled to 576x480. If the SNES or Genesis or whatever pic isn't XXXx240, then *pad* it to 240 before scaling up. If you don't pad first, you don't get the correct ratio. I don't know for sure what the dot clock is for the Neo Geo, but I suspect it's the same as or a hair close to the Genesis (half the max dot clock of NTSC). These systems aren't running square pixels ;)

Interesting pic comparison between the NG and the MD. Looks like they scaled the sprites down a hair. Just barely. Weird. Also looks like the snes is using the 2bit tilemap for the status window stuff. Does the cliff not scroll separately from the water in any version? On the snes, it looks like it would - but not so on the Genesis pic.

Thanks for the information everybody, I'm just starting to get into fighting games, and I guess since I have'nt played a ton of them, I don't really know yet what a really quality fighting game is.


I'm gonna check out the Genesis version on Console Classix if they have it and compare it to the SNES version.
I know Console Classix dosen't have Neo Geo, 3DO or Sega CD

I need to get this, World heroes,Art of Fighting, Mk2,Mk3,UMK3 and TMNT:TF to finish my fighting games on genesis.

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Originally Posted by Aarzak

(albeit w/borders, every other Capcom/SNK fighting game port on Genesis used the low res mode WITH borders).

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Fatal Fury doesn't have borders.

From my recollection, Fatal Fury 1 doesn't have borders, but it runs in the low-res mode.


FF2 however, runs in the low-res mode AND has borders on top, ala the early betas of the unreleased SFII: CE for Genesis. It allowed the Genesis to run bigger sprites (almost the size of the Neo original) than the SNES port, but they still didn't look as good as the Neo original (lacked color and detail), and in the case of characters such as Andy and Big Bear, had different animations unique to the Genesis version. Some backgrounds were noticeably stripped down. As far as the gameplay goes......plays very differently than every other version of FF2/FFS. Really noob-friendly and BROKEN.

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Originally Posted by Aarzak

From my recollection, Fatal Fury 1 doesn't have borders, but it runs in the low-res mode.

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yeah, I only noticed as I've actually been playing it for the past coupla' weeks, not a bad game when taking into account that it was in development around the same period as Street Fighter II and didn't get the benefit of experience all the later games coming after SFII got. From what I've played of it the SNES version of the 1st game is far worse, running with borders, relatively bad music, appaling sound effects (when you die in the SNES version you kinda' sound like Zoidberg from Futurama) a bit more unresponsive feeling, bad limitations on the multiplayer mode, no line switching, there's some characters missing from the Mega Drive version though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aarzak

FF2 however, runs in the low-res mode AND has borders on top. It allowed the Genesis to run bigger sprites (almost the size of the Neo original) than the SNES port, but they still didn't look as good as the Neo original (lacked color and detail), and in the case of characters such as Andy and Big Bear, had different animations unique to the Genesis version. Some backgrounds were noticeably stripped down. As far as the gameplay goes......plays very differently than every other version of FF2/FFS. Really noob-friendly and BROKEN.

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Yeah, I have heard that FF2 was worse on Mega Drive, by broken game play do you mean the MD version has loads of cheap juggling? the 2nd game is pretty rare here in the UK (maybe non-existant) so I've not played the Mega Drive version before, but it does seem to have its fans out there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chris

Thanks for the information everybody, I'm just starting to get into fighting games, and I guess since I have'nt played a ton of them, I don't really know yet what a really quality fighting game is.


I'm gonna check out the Genesis version on Console Classix if they have it and compare it to the SNES version.
I know Console Classix dosen't have Neo Geo, 3DO or Sega CD

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ahem, roms, i mean, you really don't know where to get ROMs?

PM me, I'll show you where to get Neo Geo, 3DO, Sega CD, and just about anything else you can imagine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jesus.arnold

yeah, I only noticed as I've actually been playing it for the past coupla' weeks, not a bad game when taking into account that it was in development around the same period as Street Fighter II and didn't get the benefit of experience all the later games coming after SFII got. From what I've played of it the SNES version of the 1st game is far worse, running with borders, relatively bad music, appaling sound effects (when you die in the SNES version you kinda' sound like Zoidberg from Futurama) a bit more unresponsive feeling, bad limitations on the multiplayer mode, no line switching, there's some characters missing from the Mega Drive version though.

Yeah, I have heard that FF2 was worse on Mega Drive, by broken game play do you mean the MD version has loads of cheap juggling? the 2nd game is pretty rare here in the UK (maybe non-existant) so I've not played the Mega Drive version before, but it does seem to have its fans out there.

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FF1 is definitely better on Genesis; the SNES version is an absurdly slow dog. (One of the few SNES games with LOADING TIMES!)

As I already mentioned, Genesis FF2 has significantly altered gameplay mechanics. Many special moves hit twice, when they hit only once in all other versions. Its very difficult to even do a simple combo, whereas its possible in all other versions. And with a hidden "dip switch" code, you can even enable juggling like in that video I embedded. Its a whole different beast, gameplay-wise.

The soundtracks for Genesis FF1 & FF2 were great interpretations of the originals though, and make great use of the Genesis' limited sound hardware. They were handled by Aspect (famous for being the developer behind the Game Gear Sonic games), and not whoever developed those ports.