Ports gamers prefer over arcade originals

[1983parrothead]

Usually most films started in theaters and people enjoy that as much as at home or on the go. But between arcades and any personal platforms from consoles to PCs to LCD-based to cartridge-based handhelds, people mostly prefer console gaming from what I've seen in average.

Perhaps the most notable example of a port favored far over the original arcade version is the very prominent North American NES Contra mainly because of nostalgia, longer playthrough, fun with guns before FPS genre dominated American gaming, and most gamers back then were introduced to the Konami Code in it. Although Gradius on NES started it, most gamers got bored of 2D scrolling shmups since shortly before Namco introduced Pac-Man and Midway localized it in North America. American gamers even preferred it over the more detailed and more arcade faithful Famicom version due to the title screen sliding in during startup.😠

Other home ports I can think of that most gamers usually prefer over arcade originals are Altered Beast and Golden Axe on MD/GEN, Road Blaster as Road Avenger on MCD/SCD, UN Squadron on SFC/SNES, Soul Calibur on Dreamcast, Cotton on Sharp X68000, most Toaplan arcades on MD/GEN, Strike Gunner STG on SFC/SNES, etc., etc.

Here is an interesting YouTube playlist from Retro Core titled "Battle of The Ports" videos with the uploader describing each port how they function:

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjnUa-_dnEnOMQCg61rwbUqM75P-ko9Yd

[spanky]

I prefer the SNES version of Turtles in Time to the arcade one. The arcade version does have 4 player and better graphics, but I really like the additional content in the SNES game. I actually played the arcade game much later than I had played the SNES one and was shocked that it was missing the Technodrome level, as well as Slash, Bebop and Rocksteady. It's definitely better than that terrible remake from a few years back.

Tekken 3 for the PS1 was considered an incredible port at the time. It looked really good and had all kinds of extra stuff. On paper it sounds superior to the arcade but I know hardcore fighting game fans are particular about minor gameplay/balance changes.

[lurker]

Jun 30, 2018 13:09:56 GMT -5 spanky said:

I prefer the SNES version of Turtles in Time to the arcade one. The arcade version does have 4 player and better graphics, but I really like the additional content in the SNES game. I actually played the arcade game much later than I had played the SNES one and was shocked that it was missing the Technodrome level, as well as Slash, Bebop and Rocksteady. It's definitely better than that terrible remake from a few years back.

Tekken 3 for the PS1 was considered an incredible port at the time. It looked really good and had all kinds of extra stuff. On paper it sounds superior to the arcade but I know hardcore fighting game fans are particular about minor gameplay/balance changes.

Though the arcade version has a portion of the actual Pizza Power song.

[JoeQ]

I think Atomic Runner Chelnov for Mega Drive is generally considered the superior version.

[toei]

Jun 30, 2018 13:09:56 GMT -5 spanky said:

I prefer the SNES version of Turtles in Time to the arcade one. The arcade version does have 4 player and better graphics, but I really like the additional content in the SNES game. I actually played the arcade game much later than I had played the SNES one and was shocked that it was missing the Technodrome level, as well as Slash, Bebop and Rocksteady. It's definitely better than that terrible remake from a few years back.

Tekken 3 for the PS1 was considered an incredible port at the time. It looked really good and had all kinds of extra stuff. On paper it sounds superior to the arcade but I know hardcore fighting game fans are particular about minor gameplay/balance changes.

I feel like the impact of the hits is more felt in SNES Turtles in Time, too. The arcade version has weak sound effects for that, and maybe the visual cues aren't as clear (I'm not sure about that part, it's been a while). Staying with Konami, I think SNES Sunset Riders is the best version. Gameplay just feels smoother and more refined.

I agree with Altered Beast, but not Golden Axe. It's much easier to stay on the beasts in the arcade, so the game is generally more fun. The additional Genesis level wasn't really necessary, and the meta ending was cooler.

I'll add Combatribes. The arcade version is too frustrating, especially in single-player, because you're always getting swarmed with enemies and you can't do anything. The SNES version may feature simplified stages, but it's more balanced and fun. I also prefer Double Dragon 2 PCE-CD to DD2 Arcade, though it's very different.

Also Turbografx-16 Splatterhouse. The character walks too slowly in the arcade original and you can barely hear the music. And Rolling Thunder 2 is better on Genesis. Again, tighter gameplay, more balanced enemy placement, additional content...

[ommadawnyawn2]

Solomon's Key NES
Life Force NES
Wonder Boy SMS
Shinobi SMS - In some ways
Mercs MD (original mode)
Rampart NES (Konami JP ver.) - In some wys
Chiki Chiki Boys MD - In some ways
Final Fight MCD - Besides graphics
Virtua Racing DX 32X - In some ways
Hyper Duel SAT

Die Hard Arcade/Dynamite Deka PS2
Boulder Dash NES - Not sure if it's an arcade port

SimCity SNES - PC port
Ys 1 & 2 Complete/Eternal - PCE CD port I think
Xak SNES - MSX port
Snatcher MCD - PC-88/MSX port
Bionic Commando GB - More of its own game but yeah
Exhumed/Powerslave SAT - PC port
Mega Man 8 SAT - PS1 port

[toei]

Jun 30, 2018 14:04:23 GMT -5 ommadawnyawn2 said:

SimCity SNES - PC port
Ys 1 & 2 Complete/Origins - PCE CD port I think
Xak SNES - MSX port
Snatcher MCD - PC-88/MSX port

None of these were arcade games, though.

[ommadawnyawn2]

I do mention that, though.

[wyrdwad]

Also, Ys Origin is a completely different game from Ys I & II, and not a port (though it has ports now, but they're basically just straight ports from PC to console). And Ys I & II Complete isn't technically a port from PCE CD, since the PCE CD version was also a port -- the game originally released on PC88.

And yeah, strange to bring the game up at all, since this is a topic specifically about arcade ports...

-Tom

[ommadawnyawn2]

Origins was a typo.

Well, it's sort of halfway to a remake with its overhauled movement and combat as well as graphics but same quest/puzzle design, layouts and overall mechanics. But I think the music was the same? IIRC it had an option for the earlier FM music as well.

More strange to have two people immediately start whining about it but I edited the post to avoid confusion. Happy? 

[wyrdwad]

Jun 30, 2018 14:18:59 GMT -5 ommadawnyawn2 said:

Well, it's sort of halfway to a remake with its overhauled movement and combat as well as graphics but same quest/puzzle design, layouts and overall mechanics. But I think the music was the same? IIRC it had an option for the earlier FM music as well.

Not from the PCE version, no. In fact, IIRC, Complete didn't have any alternate music options at all. The later version, Chronicles, did have an option to play the music from the PC88 original, however, as well as from the prior Complete remake. But the PCE version was developed by Hudson, and the redbook music arrangements supplied by Hudson, so that version of the soundtrack was not available for Falcom to use.

Ys I & II is just confusing sometimes.

More strange to have two people immediately start whining about it but I edited the post to avoid confusion. Happy? 

I meant no offense! Since this topic is specifically called "Ports gamers prefer over arcade originals." I figured you'd misread the topic title or something, but then saw your response, and was just... confused, is all.

-Tom

[ommadawnyawn2]

Right. It is, yeah! Sorry, I was a little on edge from an earlier argument I guess.

I was going through some lists on my site and figured I might as well include some non-arcade ports I prefer too while we're speaking of ports.

[wyrdwad]

Izall good! Easy to be on edge from earlier arguments in 2018. This is the year of anger, after all.

On topic, my arcade experience has always been a bit limited, but... frankly, I prefer the NES version of Marble Madness to the arcade original, if only because it uses a D-pad instead of a trackball. I know that's sort of the reverse of the usual line of thinking -- most people say the trackball has never known a more suitable game than Marble Madness -- but quite frankly, I hate trackballs, and I find the game a lot more fun and easier to play (and less gross to touch!) on my NES than on a crappy ol' trackball controller in an arcade somewhere. Especially considering how often trackball controllers fail!

-Tom

[starscream]

Jun 30, 2018 14:04:23 GMT -5 ommadawnyawn2 said:

Boulder Dash NES - Not sure if it's an arcade port

From what I've seen, it seems to be based on the original computer game with some nicer presentation (e.g. it has an overworld). Confusingly, there are three different arcade versions of Boulder Dash, two of which are based on the original and another one is a different game, which was released in the same year as that NES version.

[ommadawnyawn2]

Interesting, I'll have to try that Data East version.