Arcade games that were better on consoles

[DaytonaUSA]

I figured this would be fun. Think of arcade games where the game was actually worse in the arcade than its home console port. It doesn't have to mean graphically. Could also be gameplay wise.

 

Some ones off the top of my head.

 

Contra: Super C (same game) played much better than the arcade game and looked better to boot. The arcade had a horrible color palette that looked washed out and bland. And its controls were sluggish in comparison to the nes counterpart.

 

Roadblasters: Granted it looked better in the arcade and on the Genesis, I thought the game had a better pace and controlled better on the nes.

 

Lastly, Ninja Gaiden: while it had better graphics in the arcade, the play style was horrible compared to the more platformer-like NES title. Both are hard as nails but that seems to be where the similarities end.

[iesposta]

I hate arcade Millipede.

I love 2600 Millipede.

 

The opposite for centipede. Love the arcade version.

[Pixelboy]

I've always preferred Zaxxon on ColecoVision, because the scrolling on skill level 1 (on the CV) has a better pace, even though it's technically choppy. In the arcade version, the scrolling is so fast that you feel like you're a kamikaze pilot desperately trying to keep up with the action. It should be noted that the scrolling is faster on ColecoVision at higher skill levels, but the scrolling pace is still more manageable.

[Austin]

TMNT: Turtles in Time (SNES) - From a graphics and audio perspective the arcade version is superior, however, it has way too many enemies on screen to be manageable for a single player. The combat also feels more like you are slicing air the whole time (just like the original TMNT arcade game did). The SNES version had a much more solid hit detection system that made you feel like you were really in control when you attack enemies.

 

1943 (NES) - The arcade version is a good game, but it gets repetitive as you progress farther and it becomes absurdly difficult. The NES version is a more manageable experience no thanks to the permanent upgrades you can find along the way, and the charge shot helps too. Password saving helps a lot as well.

[VectorGamer]

Space Panic (ColecoVision)

Mouse Trap (ColecoVision)

Looping (ColecoVision)

 

All three just seem more polished than the arcade version.

[Rybags]

Spelunker on arcade was somewhat of a turd. Original Atari 800 version the best IMO. A case of mainly home releases then ported to the arcade, console version was on the NES.

 

Klax - arguably better on the Amiga although the concept originated there, the arcade game was done shortly followed by the home ports.

[ledzep]

I think probably a lot of the early arcade games (late '70s especially) were probably as good or better on home consoles. I always preferred the Atari 2600 Space Invaders to the arcade. I know the graphics weren't quite as good but I liked the extra game play options. Same goes for PONG and Canyon Bomber. I also prefer the Atari 5200 of Space Dungeon to the arcade version. My friend and I would play that for hours, one of us the pilot, the other the gunner. Much easier to do that sitting on a couch or floor than standing at the arcade cabinet.

[+Gemintronic]

Athena wasn't fair on the NES but at least I could get past the first few enemies.

 

Strider on the NES wasn't better but equally good.. it's just a completely different game.

 

Bionic Commando (NES) had alot more depth and I prefer its soundtrack.

[retroillucid]

 

- Contra NES

 

- Blades of Steel NES (or it's pure nostalgia?)

[DaytonaUSA]

- Contra NES

 

- Blades of Steel NES (or it's pure nostalgia?)

 

Blades of Steel had an arcade release??? I'll have to check that out!

 

And yeah, Contra was a POS in the arcade. I played that when I was young after playing the NES version to death and was sorely disappointed in what was being presented to me, lol.

[Cynicaster]

 

 

NES Contra. The arcade game is cool too, but for me, the NES edges it out.

 

Lynx Klax. Best version of the game, IMO. I love the arcade game, but it's too damn hard.

 

NES Ninja Gaiden. Strictly speaking, I don't think this is a port, because it's a completely different game.

 

Atari 2600 Space Invaders. Ok, so maybe nostalgia is influencing this pick, as it was the first video game I ever played in my life.

 

Atari 2600 Kaboom. Ok, not a port, but more fun than the arcade game it cops from (Avalanche).

 

NES Punch Out. Little Mac > Green Wireframe Guy

 

Genesis Altered Beast. This one is hardly worth mentioning because I think the game is shit, but I find the Genny version slightly less shit.

Edited May 20, 2014 by Cynicaster

[Nebulon]

Frenzy in the arcade is good.

 

Frenzy on the ColecoVision is a total blast!

[DaytonaUSA]

The wireframe guy in Punch Out was actually kinda cool . Felt like you were doing the fight, and not someone else .

[pablum]

Golden Axe - Sega Genesis: Looks and plays very similarly to the arcade with an extra level and a more fitting ending than the fourth wall breaking comedy end of the arcade version. Also has a fun challenge mode where you fight increasingly more difficult waves of enemies.

 

Ghouls n' Ghosts - Sega Genesis: Its not too different from the arcade, but there's one important alteration. You can change the direction you're firing while ducking down. It gives you a significant edge to win in some sections where you're pinned down.

 

Bionic Commando - NES: An incredible game that had little in common with its arcade counterpart other than the bionic arm play mechanic. Its so good I don't even bother with the arcade version.

 

Contra & Super C - NES: Great home ports that are speedier and have tighter controls than the arcade games. I still play both the NES and arcade games.

[schuwalker]

I agree w/ a lot of posters here on the NES version of Bionic Commando.

 

Another notable for me was the NES version of Rygar. I liked the way the NES version was laid out - ability to gain weapons et al. The arcade version was basically a side scrolling slasher....