Examples of loading times in cartridge games

[Aarzak]

Midnight Resistance has pretty bad pauses during gameplay to load new sections. I believe the arcade version even had this problem.

The Genesis port of MR was a sloppy effort overall, with occasional slowdown and flicker abound. Last I recall, the coin-op didn't stop at several points in levels to "unfurl" new sections. Very bad usage of 8 MEGA POWER.

[Joe Redifer]

Genesis version has MUCH better sounding music, though.

[17daysolderthannes]

I always found the execution of the "Deer Hunter" games to be funny.

You have to buy a game to simulate sitting on your ass waiting for deer to show up.

lol, truth


If you're going to have load times, might as well get the Sega CD version of Mickey Mania, at least the load times are worth it for that version.

[Aarzak]

Better yet, import or pirate the obscure PS1 version of MM, released only in Europe a good while after all the other versions. It contains the SCD versions' Redbook soundtrack and slightly better graphics than all of them.

[Aarzak]

Genesis version has MUCH better sounding music, though.

Indeed. Though they also both share the main character's laughable 2-frame animation. Seriously, it reminds me of those old Tiger LCD games.

[havok666]

Last I recall, the coin-op didn't stop at several points in levels to "unfurl" new sections. Very bad usage of 8 MEGA POWER.

I just fired it up in MAME, and it does exactly the same "loading" sequence as the Genesis version.

And here is some proof. A review from the December issue of ZZAP!64 from the year 1989.

"One question: why doesn't the game put the graphics on the screen BEFORE you move down into new regions? It looks most unprofessional, moving into a blank screen and then having to wait for the graphics to 'catch up'".

Source: http://www.solvalou.com/subpage/arca...ce_review.html

Although I love Data East, I'll admit that most of their games were sloppy, unoriginal and buggy. Their music composers were some of the best.

[Aarzak]

I stand corrected. Overall, MR was one weird-ass Contra clone. What's up with the many buzzsaws and cogs and whatnot that you have to mow down? And indoor helicopters?

[Slave]

Pebble Beach gave me an about 4-second please wait when I did a quick game begin.