Comments 968

Re: Zelda II Has Been Ported To The SNES

RetroGames

@KingMike The official 16-bit versions were terrible though, unfortunately. So I'd rather take a direct port of the NES game and just have some talented SNES artist update to 16-bit colours (and they can add an MSU! audio option too if that exists). Job done.

Re: Here's Super Castlevania IV On The Sega Genesis / Mega Drive

RetroGames

@sdelfin The palette would definitely be an issue if you want it to actually look the same as the original. It could get a decent approximation to the casual observer though, just obviously with less colours, likely more dithering, and a slightly more contrasting and garish look due to the greatly reduced colour gamut.

But, get Pyron on it and I'm sure he'll do the best possible job.

Like I said though, if the goal is just to get a decent enough representation of a game from one system on the other, it's possible to do that with basically every console of that generation to varying degrees.

Even the humble PC Engine could do most of what you see in the typical Genesis and SNES game, if you are cool with less background layers and overlapping parallax in 99% of cases, no proper transparency effects, probably the most basic impersonation of any Mode 7 stuff, potentially increased sprite flicker, etc.

I think it would be a very interesting experience to port the main Castlevania game from each system to the others, making sure to actually do the best possible job and even push each port to get the most out of its new home in some of the ways that make sense and are pretty standard for that respective console, and see what results we'd get.

Re: Here's Super Castlevania IV On The Sega Genesis / Mega Drive

RetroGames

@bryce951 There's certainly some things in X that couldn't be done on Genesis, such as the lovely semi-transparent fire in the very first level that also uses three proper fully-overlapping background layers for example, at least not without some pretty big visual/aesthetic compromises there. I expect most of the game would be pretty standard to port across though.

But Yoshi's Island did use the FX2 chip on SNES, so I guess it would be fair of Genesis to use the SVP chip in that case if a port were ever to be attempted. I'm sure it could do a basic version of the game even without the SVP chip, but then quite a lot of the cool rotation and scaling sprite effects and such would definitely be compromised in that case. And there's still some cool transparency effects in that game that just wouldn't look anywhere near as good on Genesis, and some levels with three proper overlapping background layers, smooth backdrop colour gradients, use of the windows, and so on.

This is one of these things like I said above, where it's possible to port almost any game from one console to the other for the large part, if you're just going for the obvious core elements with maybe some compromises here and there to get an approximation of the original. So it doesn't really prove much as far as I'm concerned.

What would be far more interesting to me--if we're going down the whole port to prove a point route--would be to see whatever game ported across and then stuff added to it that actually wasn't/isn't even possible on the other system. I think then people would start to understand what makes each console unique and special.

If that's the aim, I would love to see some Genesis games ported to SNES like that for sure.

I can, for example, imagine Bloodlines getting ported across, and then someone going in and improving the colours throughout so it looks just orders of magnitude prettier, adding in proper transparency effects like on that level with the water reflecting the scenery and when it rises up through the level too, adding in more overlapping background layers and added parallax to every level, making the HUD properly overlaid rather than in an opaque bar, adding in Dolby Surround sound to every tune and sound fx, taking full advantage of the SNES' controller for some really cool mapping there, and so on.

Now that's something that would actually capture my imagination and impress me personally. Although, I imagine it would upset a whole lot of people if it ever did happen, because then it would be real and undeniable.

Re: Here's Super Castlevania IV On The Sega Genesis / Mega Drive

RetroGames

@Hexapus I agree regarding childish name calling and console wars stuff, which there has been a lot of in recent times, especially initiated by one set of fans in particular in my experience. Although, calling someone a fanboy is about as tame as it gets and an actual dictionary term, so I'm not sure we should be banning its use or people who use it.

And to that point and to be completely fair, a port of this game to Genesis really only exists for one reason in my opinion. So, I guess certain reactions are just an expected response to these kinds of needless exercises trying to prove by demonstration some long-irrelevant system vs system argument. This is just what such motivations breed.

Imagine the reactions if, for example, someone started a port of Bloodlines to SNES right now, and maybe even added in more colours, proper transparency, additional background layers, Dolby Surround sound, improved SNES controller button mapping, a "move player faster [to the point of clunkiness]" option just because, etc. . . .

And, to be honest, I don't think he will see it through to the end, if the end is a complete port of the SNES game to Genesis with everything up to the same level of quality across the board as the original, with nothing missing and the only changes being things that literally had to be adapted to work on Genesis.

But, it's an interesting example showing you can basically port anything from one console onto the other, which is true of really any systems of that era when just quickly ripping assets and getting the core basics down while ignoring the finer details that are more specific to each system.

Very realistically, you could even port basically any Neo Geo fighter to PC Engine for example, if you don't mind losing some background layers and additional particle effects and seeing some sprite flicker and so on.

Re: Doom II Comes To The SNES, Thanks To Fans

RetroGames

@MysticWangForce Yeah, for me, PlayStation Doom is still my favourite version of the game. The Aubrey Hodges soundscape just makes it something different from the PC and other versions, and it's more "Doom" than any other version imo. Also, even though mouse and keyboard is the way to go now, that PS1 control scheme really delivered. A great version of the game for its time, and one that still absolutely holds up today too.

Re: Iconic Issues: Mean Machines Issue Zero

RetroGames

Mean Machines was about as good as it got with gaming magazines imo.

I used to and wish I still had all the physical issues for nostalgia's sake, but at least I have digital versions of them all now. Dunno about Issuse Zero now that I think about though. . . .

PS. That Issue 15 with the awesome autostereogram Super Mario Bros. 3 cover and Issue Zero included is just special.

PPS. It's crazy how long it took before the SNES and its games properly started turning up, despite it being promoted since the first issue.

Re: Meet The Solo Dev Whose Sega Rally Tribute Could Become An Official Sequel

RetroGames

"The other only title outside Sega IPs I'd love to work on would be a next-gen remake of WipEout 2097. Same music, same gameplay, just a bump in the graphics. Again, the Over Jump Rally formula in action."

Oh, my God, yes!

Just like the situation with Sega and it doing modern versions of its beloved IPs, I don't think anyone has truly captured that classic WipEout/WipEout 2097/WipEout 3 look and feel in any of the modern versions. They keep over designing the course details, especially how much markings and details are on the actual track part, to the point that all the new more "realistic" versions actually look less realistic and more artificial than ever imo. In racing, especially if you're going at hundreds of miles per hour, it's sooo important to be able to visually read the track at a glance. The newer games completely screw that aspect up, with all these weird random textures and holes and reflections and transparencies and colours and whatever on the track surfaces.

If you can make a modern 2097 on par with your Over Jump Rally game, I'd be all over that.

And, again, VR support, please.

Re: Meet The Solo Dev Whose Sega Rally Tribute Could Become An Official Sequel

RetroGames

It kinda says something though, when one dude can do a better job on a new "Sega Rally" game than the whole of Sega.

And, honestly, I'd apply that thinking so almost every new version of a classic Sega IP in recent times. With Sonic Mania being easily better than anything Sega has churned out in that franchise is decades imo.

PS. VR support at some point, please.

Re: Poll: What Do You Think Of Jo's New Look In Perfect Dark?

RetroGames

Here's a genuine question: Will she put on any makeup at any point in the game?

Woman often actually do that, especially if they're trying to use their feminine ways and sexuality to appeal to, distract, and manipulate men in the kinds of situations that I fully expect an agent type character like Joanna Dark to find herself in at times. Even if they're just attending posh dos or going out for a nice meal and stuff, they do indeed tend to put on some makeup and get all dressed up to look their best. It's really perfectly normal stuff that literally multibillion dollar industries are based on.

Because, no offense, but this person ain't gonna be distracting anyone.

I guess she will be totally cool for blending into a crowd without anyone giving her a second look though, or infiltrating a modern university and fitting right in with the average person there.

But, just to double check, because I might have missed some development blog on this where they've specifically said they're trying to update the character for a modern audience: She is still being portrayed as a hetronormative hetrosexual biological women who uses she/her pronouns and is totally cool with using her female sexuality to get her way in certain situations in the field as just one of her non-violent methods of infiltration and so on, yes?

I mean, it wasn't made explicit in the original game that this was what she was doing as I recall, but her look, outfits, demeanour and so on certainly gave an impression of the type of character she was, which is one who knows exactly what she's doing and is fully aware of how to use every tool in her box to get her way. And, much like classic James Bond's unapologetic masculinity and oozing of sexual charm and such, which he used to great effect on multiple occasions, she certainly didn't seem afraid to dress up and play the part in the first Perfect Dark game.

https://youtu.be/qnfiilL_Clk?si=HdQl7aRaoD_qQjrV&t=1046

https://youtu.be/qnfiilL_Clk?si=dRRIebm3CA9JwUae&t=1477

Note: I just realised that this version of Joanna Dark I linked has a very [young] Victoria Beckham look about her.

So, yeah, I genuinely want to know if this Joanna Dark is going to, dare I say it, sex it up at any point in the game.

Re: Anniversary: The Super Game Boy Is 30 Years Old

RetroGames

This free online tool that lets you rather easily add your own created borders to Super Game Boy games is rather awesome:

https://x.com/marc_robledo/status/1756017924286845403

Make it even more fun replaying these games in modern times.

Here are a couple of example images people have created with it:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GJs6GpeXEAAIacp?format=png&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GKfaaR8XIAAxlq0?format=png&name=medium

Re: Poll: What Do You Think Of Jo's New Look In Perfect Dark?

RetroGames

Not a fan. She has a bit too much of a masculine shape to her face that doesn't work for me. I think it's maybe in her jaw and chin or something.

I'm not sure why so many modern artists don't seem to understand what makes a classically beautiful and more universally aesthetically appealing female face and form and such. Or, if they do, they're certainly not creating that as often these days imo.

If she looked more like say Gillian Anderson from the first few seasons of the X-Files, I think that look would work perfectly for this character:

https://c.tenor.com/vETcjT5HmSgAAAAd/tenor.gif

But I think this new design would fit much better into a game like The Last of Us 3 or something.

Re: First Marvel Super Heroes, Now Samurai Shodown's Earthquake Lands On Sega Genesis

RetroGames

Of course, @AJB83, when it looks just a little too good to be 100% entirely true:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yvjGcdmhZc&lc=UgxEhGyd5YhNkq-g0zV4AaABAg (look at the comment this links to, which should be at the top)

Still, if we ignore the inevitable sprite flicker that's accidently been hidden here, it's basically showing exactly what's possible on Genesis.

Either way, these Earthquake demos on both Genesis and SNES are very impressive.

Re: Review: Epilogue GB Operator - A Handy Tool For Game Boy Collectors

RetroGames

So, while the GB Operator is cool, I think the SN Operator one will be even better and makes more sense for me personally too.

Obviously, GB/GBC/GBA games were really meant to be portable. And, as cool as it is to see them on a big screen, it's obvious they really weren't made for that, so it doesn't feel quite like the right place for them for me. The SN Operator is kinda ideal for me though, since I currently use my PC as the main device connected directly to my TV for basically everything anyway. So, if I plugged in the SN Operator then I would be playing real SNES games via a tiny and very slick-looking device directly on my 50" 4K TV while sitting back and chilling on my sofa.

I already have a hacked SNES Mini [with extension cords for the controllers] that does what I need brilliantly digitally anyway, but using the SN Operator seems like a really cool way of being able to do the same thing with physical cartridges and without having to buy some big clunky clone box or an old yellowed original SNES console that's probably nearing it retirement, which just makes it a little more magical. And the idea of seeing the carts there in that little stand like some kind of SNES statues to admire really makes me smile.

Right now I have a single physical SNES game in my house, which is a brand new but opened French copy of F-Zero--it's one of the ones that was recently discovered had been sitting in some warehouse in storage for decades--and I kinda love the idea of buying the SN Operator as a little display stand for it that also lets me actually play it too, since I don't have a real SNES or any clones systems either.

Might get the wife to buy me this as a birthday present or something.

I like it.

Re: Mega Man 3 Has Been Ported To The SNES, And You Can Play It Now

RetroGames

@PKDuckman Now that these NES game are converted to run directly on SNES, that's exactly what any rom hacker could do. It just takes someone going in and adding the extra colours as they please. Basically, they're now ready to be "All-Star-ified". Someone will probably do it at some point (both the extra colours and quick weapon switching), but it has to start somewhere, and infidelity is doing all the hard groundwork there. I give him major kudos for that.

Re: Action Epic 'Black Jewel Reborn' Is Coming To Classic Sega And Nintendo Consoles

RetroGames

@MARl0 Yeah, that's not a great first impression when playing any new [or old] SNES game.

Definitely agree that attack/action should be Y and jump B, just like on all the very best SNES games of this type.

I presume this will be getting fixed in a newer build, but it's not a great sign that they'll truly be getting the most out of the SNES to be honest if they don't even understand those basic things out the gate.

Hopefully the final result is at least a solid port of the Genesis game [with some cropping] if nothing more. I guess for now that's about the best we should expect. And that's quite disappointing really. But hopefully the situation will improve over time on SNES.

Either way, I'm happy SNES is at least getting another proper new commercial indie/homebrew game. That I will always welcome.

Re: Action Epic 'Black Jewel Reborn' Is Coming To Classic Sega And Nintendo Consoles

RetroGames

Happy to see and hear the SNES version is still coming along.

Edit: I just tried the SNES demo and there's some ways to go:

It's just a couple of levels, there's no more colours than on Genesis, there's no use of transparency anywhere, the third background layer hasn't been used for anything at all, you can tell that some elements have been quickly adjusted to fit the smaller horizontal resolution on SNES and haven't been entirely optimized to look as good as they can in the smaller screen space, the controls aren't mapped correctly, and so on.

They've mentioned there's a newer build, and I think there's probably still quite a bit of development time left on the SNES build, so I'd definitely like to seem them use that time to really polish things up and ideally add a few extra details and flourishes to make that version feel properly at home on SNES.

I wish them all the best in their endeavours.

Re: Chromatic Is A FPGA-Based Game Boy From Palmer Luckey

RetroGames

I'm not entirely sold on the design (mainly the fatter bottom part), and I wasn't even that interested in this system in general (all these clones systems and so on aren't usually my thing)--until I watched the video and saw it was Palmer Lucky who's making this (and that's a good thing).

Re: Here's A First Look At The SN Operator, Your Next Essential SNES Accessory

RetroGames

Still looking very slick.

It would be so cool if we could somehow get brand new re-releases of basically all the major SNES titles in physical boxed cartridge form to go alongside something like this, so you could purchase this and new games and know you'd have something that would be future proof for maybe the next 20+ years or whatever.

The original SNES games are all mostly in crap condition--more the boxes and stuff than the actual cartridges I guess--so, for someone like me, it's a bit off-putting to have such a slick new bit of physical hardware but only old shabby games to plug into it. It's also a hassle just getting them now anyway, because of the whole collector's scene and prices being bloated to unreasonable levels and such.

I just like both my physical games and console hardware to be in basically new condition and reasonably priced.

Re: Ever Wondered What The Symbols On The PlayStation Controller Really Mean?

RetroGames

If the circle and cross are yes and no, I presume that means circle is yes and cross is no, so, shouldn't the cross be red and the circle blue (or actually green makes more sense here). I'd have had the triangle be blue, the square is fine as pink, the circle green and the cross red. I personally think that would make more sense. But it is what is is.

Re: The Making Of: The Wizard - An Oral History Of Nintendo's Hollywood Debut

RetroGames

@norwichred I don't know about other people, but I really don't want any of that crap in what is supposed to be a feel good nostalgic article about a beloved kids movie. Something one or more of the actors did outside of this movie is not related to why we're here reading about the making of The Wizard. I've had enough with people in modern times constantly turning everything into some serious reality-check "news" bulletin character hit piece or whatever. Save that kind of stuff for your endless crusades on all those "social" media platforms and the like. A simple dedicated retro gaming website celebrating all things retro gaming is not the place for it. For Christ's sake.