IrishNinja
Member
oh man i love the collages in these things cause the games do look legit fun
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Sega Genesis/MegaDrive Appreciation Thread: Alien Storm > Golden Axe
- Thread starter IrishNinja
- Start date
oh man i love the collages in these things cause the games do look legit fun
spazchicken
Member
Made a color reduction mockup of what Seiken Densetsu 3 might look like running on the Genesis. Brought it down from 88 to 48 onscreen colors by having background tiles and sprites share more elements, and applying some strategic dithering.
that looks nice, dang
IrishNinja
Member
so a buddy at a local shop got a complete copy of Punisher, the great port of a great arcade game and shut your mouth sixteen bit title, trading in a few things i didn't want for it & getting it for a song! super happy bout that.
that just leaves repro copies of sega channel stuff (i'm not going after that), Centy (i really enjoyed it but this one would have to fall off a truck) and the longshot title, MUSHA
bummed his shop had a loose cart of Gain Ground that i missed though, ive got a case for that one & everything!
that just leaves repro copies of sega channel stuff (i'm not going after that), Centy (i really enjoyed it but this one would have to fall off a truck) and the longshot title, MUSHA
bummed his shop had a loose cart of Gain Ground that i missed though, ive got a case for that one & everything!
blast processed
Member
Do what you have to for Musha.
IrishNinja
Member
i joked with a fellow gaffer that i'd trade my PS4 for his CIB MUSHA, and he considered it
i really love PT, but maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan
davidwhangchoi
Member
how much is Musha, 349?
Bar81
Member
You would have been scamming him...
IrishNinja
Member
yeah, he's a great dude too, so i tried not to bring it up again...but having grown up playing that at a friend's house, man is it tempting
Bar81
Member
You have to find a way to get MUSHA though. Best shmup on the genny and #3 all time for me (only better are rayforce/layer section and esp ra.de).
IrishNinja
Member
i truly do, my friend's dad growing up had it & it was literally the first SHMUP i spent time trying to get better at, like not casually like space invaders but i wanted to learn some patterns & see later levels.
i loved that game and was so, so sad when rebuying genesis games like 4 years back to see that it was one of the more expensive ones...and it's only gotten worse. but i need a legit copy one day, you're right.
Question time, Genesis/MDgaf. 
I'm trying to find out whether or not is safe to buy NTSC (Genesis) versions of natively European games, as well as certain PAL-only titles, to be played on an NTSC Japanese console, through a Game Genie converter.
On the one hand, I've always assumed that an NTSC port of PAL game would only restore its correct speed, then I've read this, about the Genesis version of Shaq Fu (from HG101):
Now I wonder, is this going to be an issue with every Genesis release of Ocean/Psygnosis/Core Design/whatever else EU developer title?
On the other hand, did anyone here ever try playing PAL International Superstar Soccer on an NTSC system? I'm aware there are PAL optimized games which won't run fine/at all on US/Japanese/modded consoles, but I didn't find anything about that specific title.
Thanks in advance guys. ^_-
I'm trying to find out whether or not is safe to buy NTSC (Genesis) versions of natively European games, as well as certain PAL-only titles, to be played on an NTSC Japanese console, through a Game Genie converter.
On the one hand, I've always assumed that an NTSC port of PAL game would only restore its correct speed, then I've read this, about the Genesis version of Shaq Fu (from HG101):
Now I wonder, is this going to be an issue with every Genesis release of Ocean/Psygnosis/Core Design/whatever else EU developer title?
On the other hand, did anyone here ever try playing PAL International Superstar Soccer on an NTSC system? I'm aware there are PAL optimized games which won't run fine/at all on US/Japanese/modded consoles, but I didn't find anything about that specific title.
Thanks in advance guys. ^_-
ResidentDante
Member
Owning an Everdrive and having changed from a PAL Mega Drive to a Genesis (you can use the same power adapter for both by the way) have made me test quite a few games back and forth.Question time, Genesis/MDgaf.
I'm trying to find out whether or not is safe to buy NTSC (Genesis) versions of natively European games, as well as certain PAL-only titles, to be played on an NTSC Japanese console, through a Game Genie converter.
On the one hand, I've always assumed that an NTSC port of PAL game would only restore its correct speed, then I've read this, about the Genesis version of Shaq Fu (from HG101):
Now I wonder, is this going to be an issue with every Genesis release of Ocean/Psygnosis/Core Design/whatever else EU developer title?
On the other hand, did anyone here ever try playing PAL International Superstar Soccer on an NTSC system? I'm aware there are PAL optimized games which won't run fine/at all on US/Japanese/modded consoles, but I didn't find anything about that specific title.
Thanks in advance guys. ^_-
Codemasters games are also on the PAL only list, at least for some of their titles.
Int. Superstar Soccer runs fine without putting any regional settings, on Everdrive at least, on my Genesis, I guess it does run the game faster. But the Genesis speed will probably be the correct one as the game was made for a NTSC Mega Drive I'm guessing.
Another weird PAL/NTSC find I did btw, using the orginal PAL released cartridges:
Sonic 1 & 2 PAL run fine on a Genesis at correct.60hz speed, Sonic 3 region locks you, but sticking it in a S&K cartridge lets you play it on a Genesis again, even though they are all PAL and the Sonic 3 cartridge features a region lock.
This just got me to start Shining Force, finally. Beat Shining in the Darkness with the club back in january, so im doing this in release order - about 25 years later.
davidwhangchoi
Member
i need this game!!!
That's great, thank you!
I should definitely get an Everdrive... Too much procrastinasting. Even for this kind of pre-purchase tests, color-hacks and as Mega CD bios loader only, it should be well worth the price.
ResidentDante
Member
Definitely! I can test out some other PAL only games on the Genesis if you want me to on the Everdrive, just list them here.
Another great thing about the Everdrive: It runs Master System games too, so you basically have a huge library to test out there too!
You're super kind, thanks.
For now, ISS is the only PAL title I want to buy for my collection. I've read other threads on other forums, about the quirks you can run into, if you want to play PAL games on an NTSC system - 50/60hz compatibility issues, region locks etc. - so I'm pretty much aware of every major inconvenience.
I don't know if the Everdrive can force 50hz on an NTSC Genesis/MD - seems very unlikely - but yeah, would've been great to test something like PAL 50hz Shaq Fu vs. NTSC-U 60hz Shaq Fu, and see if it's true that a PAL native game may run weird, even if it got an official release in the US or Japan.
For now, ISS is the only PAL title I want to buy for my collection. I've read other threads on other forums, about the quirks you can run into, if you want to play PAL games on an NTSC system - 50/60hz compatibility issues, region locks etc. - so I'm pretty much aware of every major inconvenience.
I don't know if the Everdrive can force 50hz on an NTSC Genesis/MD - seems very unlikely - but yeah, would've been great to test something like PAL 50hz Shaq Fu vs. NTSC-U 60hz Shaq Fu, and see if it's true that a PAL native game may run weird, even if it got an official release in the US or Japan.
ResidentDante
Member
You're super kind, thanks.
For now, ISS is the only PAL title I want to buy for my collection. I've read other threads on other forums, about the quirks you can run into, if you want to play PAL games on an NTSC system - 50/60hz compatibility issues, region locks etc. - so I'm pretty much aware of every major inconvenience.
I don't know if the Everdrive can force 50hz on an NTSC Genesis/MD - seems very unlikely - but yeah, would've been great to test something like PAL 50hz Shaq Fu vs. NTSC-U 60hz Shaq Fu, and see if it's true that a PAL native game may run weird, even if it got an official release in the US or Japan.
Yeah, the region setting you can do per ROM on the Everdrive is only for skipping the region lock out I believe. Streets of Rage 2 for instance needs the specific region ROM to run, but the Everdrive bypasses this with the region choice and thus I could play the Jap. version on the Genesis!
Mega Games collection 1-3 released for PAL also don't run properly on the Genesis, the actual cartridges give a messed up picture typical for running PAL on NTSC machines and the roms on Everdrive also run the same.
Laevateinn
Member
I played Ranger X. Overall, it was a short, chaotic game with great presentation but awkward controls. I had fun but won't replay it with any regularity. I would have loved this game as a kid though.
Cool. I hope you like it. Try to delay promoting a little bit but don't overdo it. You should also save stat-boosting items for after you promote.
Cool. I hope you like it. Try to delay promoting a little bit but don't overdo it. You should also save stat-boosting items for after you promote.
So my Hyperkin Premium Genesis controller came in:
This thing is great! Played through Gunstar Heroes this morning, and it performed excellent, no problems with diagonal shooting, and the buttons are very responsive. They're a bit "clicker" than the Genesis 6-Button OEM controller, and the plastic feels a bit cheaper, but otherwise it's a great alternative, and will be my go to controller considering my old Sega 6-button is broken!
This thing is great! Played through Gunstar Heroes this morning, and it performed excellent, no problems with diagonal shooting, and the buttons are very responsive. They're a bit "clicker" than the Genesis 6-Button OEM controller, and the plastic feels a bit cheaper, but otherwise it's a great alternative, and will be my go to controller considering my old Sega 6-button is broken!
sixteen-bit
Member
I wonder if you could swap out the membranes and PCB into a OEM 6 button controller. I have one with a dead board.
You have no idea how relieved I am to hear you say thatSo my Hyperkin Premium Genesis controller came in:
This thing is great! Played through Gunstar Heroes this morning, and it performed excellent, no problems with diagonal shooting, and the buttons are very responsive. They're a bit "clicker" than the Genesis 6-Button OEM controller, and the plastic feels a bit cheaper, but otherwise it's a great alternative, and will be my go to controller considering my old Sega 6-button is broken!
I found the same as well, that somehow the plastic casing feels "cheaper", but otherwise the controller itself feels really good and solid. Considering the clusterfuck that is their latest multi-console (the one that stole code), I was pleasantly surprised.
Now considering buying a USB version of the same pad as well, will be handy for emulation on the Pi.
I reckon you probably could. The molds feel so similar to one another, I'd have to guess (without pulling them apart) that they're basically the same layout internally.
And if not, they're honestly worth having as a main controller, they feel that good.
Mega Man X2 (108>52 colors)
Chrono Trigger (86>42 colors)
MMX in general is definitely the hardest out of all games I've attempted so far to color reduce. The graphics/art style is very tiny and compact which doesn't lend itself as well to dithering and there are lots of wildly differently colored elements on the screen. I've never even much liked the way the level artwork looks in those games TBH and perhaps those are the reasons why.
Chrono Trigger (86>42 colors)
MMX in general is definitely the hardest out of all games I've attempted so far to color reduce. The graphics/art style is very tiny and compact which doesn't lend itself as well to dithering and there are lots of wildly differently colored elements on the screen. I've never even much liked the way the level artwork looks in those games TBH and perhaps those are the reasons why.
Alright, here's how I imagine a potential Street Fighter Alpha 2 port would work on the system visually.
The 64 color limit on the Genesis works by using 4 separate 16 color palettes (15 with transparency), where each tile can pick any of these 4 palettes, but they can't mix and match colors between different palettes freely.
The first background layer has an entire 16 color palette dedicated to it. The second layer for the foreground has about half a palette dedicated to it, while the other half has some yellow/red/brown, blue and black and white gradients mainly meant for generic objects like effects, projectiles and UI, but these can also be shared by the level art if they are a good fit, like the yellow stripes and red chains here. The remaining 2 palettes are dedicated completely to each character sprite.
The 64 color limit on the Genesis works by using 4 separate 16 color palettes (15 with transparency), where each tile can pick any of these 4 palettes, but they can't mix and match colors between different palettes freely.
The first background layer has an entire 16 color palette dedicated to it. The second layer for the foreground has about half a palette dedicated to it, while the other half has some yellow/red/brown, blue and black and white gradients mainly meant for generic objects like effects, projectiles and UI, but these can also be shared by the level art if they are a good fit, like the yellow stripes and red chains here. The remaining 2 palettes are dedicated completely to each character sprite.
IrishNinja
Member
that hyperkin looks sharp! shame it's clickier, never a fan of that myself
are you the dude putting these out at sega-16 as well? great work man!
are you the dude putting these out at sega-16 as well? great work man!
Flizzzipper
Member
I just picked this up recently. It's the first shmup I remember playing and the genre clicking for me and really enjoying it. Going to be my game this weekend.
sixteen-bit
Member
I just picked this up recently. It's the first shmup I remember playing and the genre clicking for me and really enjoying it. Going to be my game this weekend.
cool setup with the DD prints in the background!
RoryDropkick
Member
I just picked this up recently. It's the first shmup I remember playing and the genre clicking for me and really enjoying it. Going to be my game this weekend.
Nice. This game had an interesting jazz fusion arranged OST that they were giving away as a prize back in the day. I found a copy of it at a flea market back in '94.
IrishNinja
Member
agreed, i just have em on my sega shelf but frames are way classier! also, enjoy the game, man
Piston Hyundai
Member
How does the Genesis six-button compare to the Saturn's? I've only ever had one of these for six-button games, and there aren't really enough of those for me to seek out another.
davidwhangchoi
Member
Ranger X looks so clean! Nice grab =)
I just picked this up recently. It's the first shmup I remember playing and the genre clicking for me and really enjoying it. Going to be my game this weekend.
Shin Johnpv
Member
Sagaia's box art is fucking awesome!
I spent some time today and played through Golden Axe. Short and sweet, and much easier than I remember. Unless you get stuck being juggled between two skeletons, it's pretty easy to get through a lot of the enemies by spamming the running charge attack. Likewise the running jump attack is super OP against the bosses: poor Death Adder never stood a chance!
I like how a lot of the bosses seem to have beer inspired names (at least, according to the "Cast" translations by SOA): Malt, Hop, and Bitter!
I like how a lot of the bosses seem to have beer inspired names (at least, according to the "Cast" translations by SOA): Malt, Hop, and Bitter!
Flizzzipper
Member
Thanks. I love the prints and look forward to new ones with each release. I have a few others on another wall.
I've almost completed Insector X, working on the final push during the last level. The difficulty ramps up big time on the final stage. It does the weird thing of making the enemies more difficult the more power ups you get. I started just leveling up to the double red lasers and picking up speed power ups. I can breeze through most of it doing this. You kind of need the power ups on the last level to mow down the big waves of enemies though. It makes for a very forgiving game because dying has little consequence. I like it.
Laevateinn
Member
I know absolutely nothing about Insector X but its title is great and its box is cool. I'm probably going to buy a copy on my next payday.
Same with Sagaia.
Same with Sagaia.
davidwhangchoi
Member
Different game, that's Insector X
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opp! i meant Insector,,, was up too late =P
Flizzzipper
Member
The Bomber Raid box is interesting because I don't believe the SR 71 was even a bomber and it isn't even remotely close to the plane you fly in the game.
Laevateinn
Member
I have the Golden Axe PCB. The AI is completely broken. All they do is stand parallel with you swinging. It really sucks. The Genesis version is way better.
eXistor
Member
It really is, my copy is in just about mint condition too; the manual is perfect and there's even one of those Master System ad posters still inside. Got it for 20,-. Decent deal I think. Haven't played it yet btw, don't even know if the actual game is even any good, but I want more Darius games so this was a no-brainer.
Laws00
Member
I just picked this up recently. It's the first shmup I remember playing and the genre clicking for me and really enjoying it. Going to be my game this weekend.
saw one of my favorite instgrammers men_gunners play it. He got me interested in buying it last year i think
Yup, great track. I love how bouncy and happy it is compared to the rest of the game.
Good to know. Sega really did a great job with all their early Arcade ports: Golden Axe, Alien Storm, Altered Beast... They all seem to play as good, if not better on the Genesis/MD than their arcade counterparts.
blast processed
Member
Completed Contra Hard Corps this morning. This game has been my main focus for the past 2 weeks. I normally play as Fang, because, well....werewolf. But I found Brownie to be easier and I enjoyed using his weapon selection. This game is really great and I wish more people would give it a shot instead of just say its hard as hell. Same for Adventure of Batman & Robin.
Anyway...
Anyway...
sixteen-bit
Member
Awesome! Congrats.
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
Has there ever been a modernish wireless controller for the Genesis that doesn't use line-of-sight technology like infared? Bluetooth preferred, but I'm sure RF would work fine. I really want to be able to play my Genesis, which sits in a cabinet with doors. Not having to leave the door open with a fat wire across the living room would be nice.
If not, seems like a big hole in the aftermarket retro scene. I wish 8bitdo would just get on making a bluetooth wireless knockoff of the Genesis 6-button pad, with retro receiver for the real hardware.
If not, seems like a big hole in the aftermarket retro scene. I wish 8bitdo would just get on making a bluetooth wireless knockoff of the Genesis 6-button pad, with retro receiver for the real hardware.
socksfelloff
Member
I belive krikkz is working on something for Genesis!
https://twitter.com/krikzz/status/823979526850039810