SMS -- Too bad it didnt do better stateside...

[Cybergoth]

The thread should be properly titled "SMS -- So bad it didnt do better stateside...".

 

Well Ok, its probably rather most games that are bad, not the system itself

 

BTW: Where's all those legendary "European" games? The only good ones I can think of are "Chuck Rock 2" and the Tecmagic titles. Other than that I really challenge anyone to try out some of the trash that U.S. Gold, Virgin, Image Works, Domark and others dumped on us in emulation: Out Run Europa, Superman, Back to the Future II anyone? Make sure to have a barf bag ready...

[thomasholzer]

Here's an old FAQ I found (incomplete), includes many excellent Euro only titles on SMS for sure (New Zealand Story, Star Wars, CJ Elephant, Buggy Run, Lucky Dime Caper, Land of Illusion, Ottifant, Xenon 2, Cool Spot etc...):

 

 

A = America

Au = Australia (Ozisoft)

B = Brazil (Tec Toy)

C = Canada (Sega of Canada)

E = Europe (Sega of Europe)

EC = Europe "Classics" version. Sega re-released some of their titles

with different packaging (same game, though), entitled "Classics". Much

like they did in America with "Sonic", "Streets of Rage" and others.

G = Germany

J = Japan (Sega of Japan)

N = Netherlands

 

 

 

A Turma Da Monica; Tec Toy; B

Ace of Aces; Sega; Au, B, E

Action Fighter; Sega; Au, A, B, E, N

Action Pack (Shinobi, The Ninja and Kung-Fu Kid); Tec Toy; B

Addams Family; Acclaim; Au, E

Aerial Assault; Sega; A, Au, B, E

After Burner; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Air Rescue; Sega; Au, B, E

Aladdin; Sega; Au, B, E

Alex Kidd: High Tech World; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Alex Kidd: Lost Stars; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Alex Kidd: Miracle World; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Alex Kidd: Shinobi World; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Alf; Sega; A, E

Alien III; Arena; Au, B, E

Alien Storm; Sega; Au, B, E, N

Alien Syndrome; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Altered Beast; Sega; A, Au, B, E

American Pro Baseball (Reggie Jackson Baseball); Sega; Au, B, E

American Pro Football (Walter Payton Football); Sega; Au, E

Andre Agassi Tennis; Tecmagik; Au, B, E, N

Arcade Smash Hits; Virgin; Au, E

Arch Rivals; Acclaim; E?

Arcus Odyssey; ?; ?

Arial: Little Mermaid; Tec Toy; B, E

Assault City; Sega; Au, B?, E, N

Assault City; Sega; Gun; B?, E

Asterix 2: Secret Missions; Sega; Au, B, E

Asterix and the Great Rescue; Sega; Au, B, E

Asterix; Sega; Au, B, E

Astro Warrior/Pit Pot; Sega; Au, E

Astro Warrior; Sega; A, B

Ayrton Senna GP; US Gold; Au, B, E

Aztec Adventure; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Back to the Future II; Image Works; Au, B, E, N

Back to the Future III; Image Works; Au, E

Bank Panic; Sega; Au, B, E

Basketball Nightmare; Sega; Au, B, E

Batman Animation; ?; ?

Batman Returns; Sega; GG Version; Au, B, E, EC

Battle Out Run; Sega; B, E

Battletoads in Battlemaniacs; Tec Toy; B, E

Black Belt; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Blade Eagle; Sega; 3D; A, Au, B, E

Bomber Raid; Activision; A, Au

Bomber Raid; Sega; E

Bonanza Bros.; Sega; Au, B, E, N

Bram Stoker's Dracula; Sony Imagesoft; E, N

Bubble Bobble; Sega; Au, B, E, N

Buggy Run; Capcom/Sega; B, E

Buster Douglas Boxing; Sega; A, E

California Games II; Sega; Au, B, E

California Games; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Captain Planet; Sega; E

Captain Silver; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Carmen World; Tec Toy;B

Casino Games; Sega; A, Au, E, N

Champions of Europe; TecMagik; B, E

Championship Hockey; US Gold; E

Chapolim; Tec Toy; B

Chase HQ; Sega; Au, E, N

Choplifter; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Chuck Rock 2; Virgin; Au, B, E

Chuck Rock; Virgin; Au, B, E

CJ Elephant Fugitive; Codemasters; E

Cliffhanger; ?; ?

Cloud Master; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Columns; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Cool Spot; Sega; Au, E

Cosmic Spacehead; Codemasters; Au, E

Crash Dummies; Acclaim; Au, B, E

Cyber Shinobi; Sega; Au, B, E

Cyborg Hunter; ????; E

Cyborg Hunter; Activision; A, Au, B

Daffy Duck in Hollywood; Sega; Au, B

Danan, the Jungle Fighter; Sega; Au, B, E, N

Dead Angle; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Desert Speedtrap; Sega; GG Version; Au, B, E

Desert Strike; Sega; Au, B, E

Dick Tracy; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Die Hard 2; ?; ?

Dino Basher; Codemasters;

Donald Duck: Lucky Dime Caper; Sega; GG Version; Au, E

Donald Duck 2: Deep Duck Trouble; Sega; Au, E

Donald Duck boxed set (contains both games & a t-shirt); Sega; E

Doraemon; Sega; J

Double Dragon; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Double Dragon 2; Sega; E

Double Hawk; Sega; Au, E, N

Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine; Sega; GG Version; Au, B, E

Dragon Crystal; Sega; GG Version; Au, B, E, N

Driving Pack (Super Cross, Super Monaco and World Grand Prix); Tec Toy; B

Drop Zone; Codemasters; E

Dynamite Duke; Sega; Au, B, E, N

Dynamite Dux; Sega; Au?, E, N

Ecco the Dolphin 2: Tides of Time; Sega; GG Version; B

Ecco the Dolphin; Sega; GG Version; Au, B, E

Enduro Racer; Sega; A, Au, B, E

E-Swat; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Excellent Dizzy Collection; Codemasters; E

F-1; Sega; Au, B, E

F-15; ?; ?

F-16 Fighting Falcon; Sega; Card; A, Au, B, E

F-16 Fighting Falcon (F-16 Fighter); Sega; Cart; Au

Fantastic Dizzy; Codemasters; Au?, E

Fantasy Zone II; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Fantasy Zone; Sega; A, Au, E, N

Fantazy Zone: The Maze; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Fargius No Jyakoutei; Sega; J

Ferrari Grand Prix Challenge; ?; ?

Fire & Forget 2; Sega; E

Fire & Ice; Sega; B

Flash; Sega; E

Flinstones; Sega; Au, E

Forgotten Worlds; Sega; Au, B, E, N

G.B.Esportes Rad.; Tec Toy; B

Gain Ground; Sega; Au, B, E

Galaxy Force; Activision; A, Au, B, N

Galaxy Force; Sega; E

Game Box Esportes; Tec Toy; B

Gangster Town; Sega; Gun; A, Au, B, E

Gauntlet; US Gold; Au, B, E

George Foreman's KO Boxing; Flying Edge; Au, B, E

Geraldinho; Tec Toy; B

Ghost House; Sega; Card; A, Au, B, E, N

Ghost House; Sega; Cart; Au, E

Ghostbusters 2; ?; ?

Ghostbusters; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Ghouls 'N' Ghosts; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Global Defense; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Global Gladiators; Sega; Au, B, E

Global Golf; ?; ?

G-Loc; Sega; Au, B, E

Godfather; ?; ?

Golden Axe Warrior; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Golden Axe; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Golfamania; Sega; Au, B, E, N

Golvellius; Sega; A, Au, B, E

GP Rider; Sega; GG Version, Au, B, E

Great Baseball; Sega; A, E

Great Basketball; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Great Football; Sega; A, E

Great Golf; Sega; A, Au, E, N

Great Ice Hockey; Sega; A, E

Great Soccer; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Great Soccer; Card; Sega; G

Great Volleyball; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Hang On/Astro War.; Sega; A, Au, E

Hang On/Safari Hunt; Sega; A, Au, E

Hang On; Sega; Au, E

Hang On; Sega; Card; Au, E

Heavyweight Champ (Buster Douglas Boxing); Sega; Au, B, E

Heroes of the Lance; U.S. Gold; Au, B, E, N

Home Alone; Sega; ?

Hurricanes; ?; ?

Impossible Mission; USGold; Au, B, N, E

Incredible Hulk; Kixx; E

Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade: The Action Game; USGold; Au, B, E, N

James Bond 007: The Duel; Domark; Au, B, E, N

James Pond 2: Robocod; USGold; Au, B, E, N

Joe Montana Football; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Jungle Book; Virgin; Au, B, E

Jurassic Park; Sega; GG Version; Au, B, E

Kenseiden; Sega; A, Au, B, E

King's Quest; Parker Bros.; A

Klax; Sega; Au, E

Kung Fu Kid; Sega; A, Au, B, N, E

Laser Ghost; Sega; Gun; Au, E

Lemmings; Sega; Au, B, E

Lemmings 2; ?; ?

Light Corridor; ?; ?

Light Force; ?; ?

Line of Fire; Sega; Au, B, E (Has an undocumented 3-D mode!)

Lion King; Virgin; Au, B, E

Lord of the Sword; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Mahjong?? (with bunny girls:); Sega; J

Mak Jong; Sega; J

Marble Madness; Domark; Au, E

Marksmanship/Trap Shooting/Safari Hunt; Sega; Gun; E

Marksmanship/Trap Shooting; Sega; Gun; A, Au?, B, E

Master Chess; Sega; Au

Master Games 1; Sega; E

Master of Darkness; Sega; GG Version; Au, B, E

Masters of Combat; Sega; Au, B, E

Maze Hunter; Sega; 3D; A, Au, B, E, N

Maze Hunter 2; ?; ? (I'm fairly certain this was NOT released)

Mercs; Sega; Au, B, E, N

Michael Jackson Moonwalker; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Mickey Mouse: Castle of Illusion; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Mickey Mouse: Land of Illusion; Sega; Au, B, E

Micro Machines; Codemasters; Au?, E

Miracle Warriors; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Missile Defense; Sega; 3D; A, Au, B, E

Monica Castle Dragao; Tec Toy; B

Monopoly; Sega; A, Au, E

Monster Maker; Sega; J

Montezuma's Revenge; Parker Bros.; A, Au

Montezuma's Revenge; ?; ?

Mortal Kombat 3; ??; B

Mortal Kombat 2; Acclaim; GG Version; Au, B, E

Mortal Kombat; Acclaim; GG Version; Au, B, E

Ms. Pacman; Sega; Au, B, E

My Hero; Sega; Card; A, Au, B, E, N

My Hero; Sega; Cart; Au, E

NBA Jam; Acclaim; GG Version; E

New Zealand Story; Tecmagik; Au, E

Ninja Gaiden; Sega; GG Version; Au, B, E

Ninja, The; Sega; A, Au, E

Olympic Gold: Barcelona '92; USGold; Au, B, E, N

Operation Wolf; Sega; Au, B, E, N

Ottifants; Sega; B, E

Out Run Europa; Sega; Au, B, E

Out Run; Sega; 3D; Au, B, E

Out Run; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Pac-Mania; TecMagik; Au, E

Paperboy; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Parlor Games; Sega; A, Au, E

Pengo; Sega; E

Penguin Land; Sega; A, E

PGA Tour Golf; US Gold; Au, E

Phantasy Star; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Pitfighter; Sega; Au, B, E

Populous; Tecmagik; Au, B, E, N

Poseidon Wars; Sega; 3D; A, Au, B, E

Power Strike II; Sega; Au, B, E

Power Strike; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Predator II; Sega; Au, B, E

Primal Rage; Sega; B

Prince of Persia; Domark; Au, B, E

Pro Wrestling; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Psychic World; Sega; Au, E, B, N

Psycho Fox; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Putt & Putter; Sega; GG Version; Au, B, E

Quartet; Sega; A, Au, E, N

R.C. Grand Prix; Tengen; A, Au, B, E

Rainbow Islands; Sega; Au, B, E

Rambo 3; Sega; Gun; A, Au, B, E

Rambo First Blood II (Secret Command); Sega; A, Au, B

Rampage; ????; E

Rampage; Activision; A, Au, B

Rampart; Domark; Au, E

Rastan; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Reggie Jackson Baseball (American Baseball); Sega; A

Ren & Stimpy: Quest for the Shaven Yak; Tec Toy; B

Renegade; Sega; Au, B, E

Rescue Mission; Sega; Gun; A, Au, B, E, N

Road Rash; USGold; Au, B, E

Robin Hood; Virgin; E

Robocod; Sega; Au, E

Robocop 3; Acclaim; Au, B, E

Robocop Vs. Terminator; Sega; GG Version; Au, B, E

Rocky; Sega; A, B, E

R-Type; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Running Battle; Sega; Au, B, E

Safari Hunt; Sega; Gun; A, E

Sagaia; Sega; Au, B, E

Sapo Xule; TecToy; B

Scramble Spirits; Sega; Au, B, E

Secret Command(o) (Rambo First Blood II); Sega; Au, B, E

Sega Chess; Sega; Au, B, E, N

Sensible Soccer; Sony Imagesoft; Au, E

Shadow Dancer; Sega; Au, B, E

Shadow of the Beast; Tecmagik; Au, B, E, N

Shanghai; Sega; A, Au, E

Shinobi; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Shooting Gallery; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Simpsons: Bart Vs. the Space Mutants; Flying Edge; Au, E

Simpsons: Bart Vs. the World; Flying Edge; Au, B, E

Simpsons: Krusty's Funhouse; Flying Edge; Au, B, E

Slap Attack; ?; ?

Slap Shot; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Smurfs, The; Tec Toy; B, E

Sonic Chaos; Sega; Au, B, E

Sonic Spinball; Sega; Au, B, E

Sonic the Hedgehog 2; Sega; GG Version; Au, B, E

Sonic the Hedgehog; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Space Gun; Sega; Au, E

Space Harrier 3-D; Sega; A, B, E

Space Harrier; Sega; A, Au, E

Special Criminal Investigation; Sega; Au, E

Speedball 2; Sega; Au, E

Speedball; Virgin/Image Works; Au, E, N

Speedy Gonzales (Cheese Cat'astrophe starring); Sega; Au, B, E

Spell Caster; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Spider Man (Return of the Sinister Six); Sega; Au, E, B

Spider Man (Vs. Kingpin); Sega; A, Au, B, E

Spiderman Vs. X-Men; Acclaim; E

Sports Pad Football; Sega; A, Au?, E

Sports Pak 1 (Great Volleyball, World Cup Italia '90 and Wimbledon);

TecToy; B

Sports Pak 2 (Surf and BMX from Cal. Games); TecToy; B

Spy Vs. Spy; Sega; Card; A, B, E

Spy Vs. Spy; Sega; Cart; Au, E

Star Wars; USGold; Au, B, E

Streets of Rage 2; Sega; GG Version; B, E

Streets of Rage; Sega; GG Version; Au, B, E

Strider II; USGold; Au, B, E, N

Strider; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Submarine Attack; Sega; Au, B, E, N

Summer Games; Sega; Au, B, E

Super Cross; Tec Toy; B

Super Kick Off; USGold; Au, B, E

Super Monaco GP; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Super Monaco GP 2 (Ayrton Senna GP); Sega; A, E

Super Off Road; Sega; GG Version; Au, E

Super Real Basketball; Sega; E

Super Smash TV; Sega; Au, E

Super Space Invaders; Domark; Au, E, N

Super Tennis; Sega; Card; A, E, G, N

Super Tennis; Sega; Cart; Au, E

Superman; Virgin; Au, B, E

T2: Arcade Game; Acclaim; Au, E

T2: Judgement Day; Acclaim; Au, E

Tazmania; Sega; GG Version; Au, B, E

Tecmo World Cup Soccer; Sega; Au, E

Teddy Boy; Sega; Card; A, B, E, N

Teddy Boy; Sega; Cart; Au, E

Tennis Ace; Sega; Au, B, E

Terminator; Virgin; Au, B, E

Thunder Blade; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Thunderblade 2; Sega; E, N

Time Soldiers; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Tom & Jerry; Sega; GG Version; Au, B, E

Transbot; Sega; Card; A, B, E, N

Transbot; Sega; Cart; Au, E

Trivial Pursuit; Domark; Au, E

Ultima IV; Sega; Au, E, B, N

Ultimate Soccer; Sega; Au, B, E

Vigilante; Sega; A, Au, B, E

Walter Payton Football (American Pro Football); Sega; A, Au

Wanted; Sega; Gun; A, Au, B, E

Where in The World is Carmen San Diego; Parker Bros.; A, Au, E

Wimbledon II; Sega; Au, E

Wimbledon; Sega; Au, E, B

Winter Olympics; USGold; Au, B, E

Wolfchild; Virgin; Au, B, E

Wonderboy III: Dragon's Trap; Sega; A, Au, E, N

Wonderboy in Monsterworld; Sega; Au, E, N

Wonderboy Monster Land; Sega; A, Au, E, N

Wonderboy; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Woody Pop; Sega; Card; ??

World Class Leaderboard; USGold; Au, B, E

World Cup Italia '90; Sega; Au, B, E

World Cup USA '94; Tec Toy; Au, B, E

World Games; Sega; Au, B, E

World Grand Prix; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

World Soccer; Sega; Au, E

World Tournament Golf; Sega; B, E

WWF Steel Cage Challenge; Acclaim; Au

WWF Wrestlemania; Acclaim; Au

Xenon II; Virgin/Bitmap Bros.; Au, E, N

X-Men; Sega; E

Y's; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Zaxxon; Sega; 3D; A, Au, B, E, N

Zillion II; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Zillion; Sega; A, Au, B, E, N

Zool; Sega; Au?, E

Edited October 3, 2007 by thomasholzer

[Cybergoth]

Here's an old FAQ I found (incomplete), includes many excellent Euro only titles on SMS for sure (New Zealand Story, Star Wars, CJ Elephant, Buggy Run, Lucky Dime Caper, Land of Illusion, Ottifant, Xenon 2, Cool Spot etc...):

 

They all suck beside the Tecmagik title.

[PressureCooker2600]

You hurt my feelings.

 

Keep all the SMS-hate to yourself.

[8th lutz]

Here's an old FAQ I found (incomplete), includes many excellent Euro only titles on SMS for sure (New Zealand Story, Star Wars, CJ Elephant, Buggy Run, Lucky Dime Caper, Land of Illusion, Ottifant, Xenon 2, Cool Spot etc...):

 

They all suck beside the Tecmagik title.

I played Xenion 2 and I can tell you that is a very good shooter. I might be be to much a shoot'em up fanboy though.

 

Gauntlet is a great sms title. It is a good arcade Conversion.

 

You might just have some different tastes in videogames then I do.

 

Not all Euro sms games are bad and this is from a North American Nes Owner.

Edited October 3, 2007 by 8th lutz

[Cybergoth]

Keep all the SMS-hate to yourself.

 

I don't hate it. I actually have over 100 games for it. Most of them just suck, that's the plain and simple truth. For every Phantasy Star, Chuck Rock 2, Golden Axe Warrior, Fantasy Zone or other good game there's another 10 that suck.

 

I played Xenion 2 and I can tell you that is a very good shooter. I might be be to much a shoot'em up fanboy though.

 

Gauntlet is a great sms title. It is a good arcade Conversion.

 

Xenon 2 is to be played on the Miggy or ST and Gauntlet just sucks by itself, any version

 

You might just have some different tastes in videogames then I do.

 

Of course.

 

Not all Euro sms games are bad and this is from a North American Nes Owner.

 

I didn't say so. The trash ratio is just higher.

[thomasholzer]

Keep all the SMS-hate to yourself.

 

I don't hate it. I actually have over 100 games for it. Most of them I suck playing, that's the plain and simple truth. For every Phantasy Star, Chuck Rock 2, Golden Axe Warrior, Fantasy Zone or other good game there's another 10 that I suck at.

 

 

That's what you really meant to say!!!

Edited October 3, 2007 by thomasholzer

[PressureCooker2600]

Well stated.

[Cybergoth]

That's what you really meant to say!!!

 

If I want to say something, I just say it.

[Atarifever]

The thread should be properly titled "SMS -- So bad it didnt do better stateside...".

In much the same way that great TV shows often do bad because they are too good for TV. TV viewers (who are mostly retarded) find complex shows to be "icky". Similarly, your typical NES fan basically, has no taste in games or ability to play anything that is challanging. Thus, SMS games may seem "bad" to people who grew up blowing into carts. Note: I think blowing into carts causes the loss of some brain cells over time, which leads to even more NES love.

Edited October 4, 2007 by Atarifever

[Cybergoth]

In much the same way that great TV shows often do bad because they are too good for TV. TV viewers (who are mostly retarded) find complex shows to be "icky". Similarly, your typical NES fan basically, has no taste in games or ability to play anything that is challanging. Thus, SMS games may seem "bad" to people who grew up blowing into carts. Note: I think blowing into carts causes the loss of some brain cells over time, which leads to even more NES love.

 

This is the kind of arguments coming from people that have none. I have yet to find a SMS game that is too challenging for me to play. In fact I find most of them too easy or lacking content and depth. For example did I finish SMS Ghouls'n'Ghost the day I received it. Try that with Ghosts'n'Goblins on the NES

[NE146]

I liked the SMS Shinobi more than the Genesis Shinobi sequels. The Genny Shinobis are good but not great, IMO.

 

It was the best port of the arcade version, too.

I totally agree. SMS Shinobi holds up very well to this day

 

As someone who excitedly bought SMS Shinobi since I was a fan of the arcade game, I'll tell you what I thought back in the day: It was just allright... the biggest dissapointment being that you couldn't rapid fire shurikens just like in the arcade. And that was a big part of the game to me!

 

Anyway, with patience I perservered through the game and found it to be good. Real good. But to truly be "Shinobi" you needed the rapidfire

[Atarifever]

In much the same way that great TV shows often do bad because they are too good for TV. TV viewers (who are mostly retarded) find complex shows to be "icky". Similarly, your typical NES fan basically, has no taste in games or ability to play anything that is challanging. Thus, SMS games may seem "bad" to people who grew up blowing into carts. Note: I think blowing into carts causes the loss of some brain cells over time, which leads to even more NES love.

 

This is the kind of argument coming from people that have none. I have yet to find a SMS game that is too challenging for me to play. In fact I find most of them too easy or lacking content and depth. For example did I finish SMS Ghouls'n'Ghost the day I received it. Try that with Ghosts'n'Goblins on the NES

I'd move out of my glass house if you're going to be saying stuff like this. What's your "argument" again?

[Cybergoth]

I'd move out of my glass house if you're going to be saying stuff like this. What's your "argument" again?

 

Regarding what?

[PressureCooker2600]

Regarding how the ghost of the SMS will now destroy you!!!!!!!

[Cybergoth]

Regarding how the ghost of the SMS will now destroy you!!!!!!!

 

Ghost House is another SMS game that sucks really bad, while we're at it

[PressureCooker2600]

Ghost House is another SMS game that sucks really bad, while we're at it

 

BLASPHEMER!!!

 

You dare to taint the legacy of one of my favorite SMS games....

 

I'm getting my torch ready, there's going to be an old-fashioned witch burnin' tonight.

[+FujiSkunk]

My take: The SMS has slightly better graphics and slightly worse sound than the NES.

 

The SMS can handle a few more on-screen objects, but really both systems turn into flicker fests when having to deal with a lot of movement. Witness Choplifter on the SMS and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the NES, just to give two examples. However, where the SMS really trumps the NES is in its color selection. There are some basic colors the NES just can't do, like yellow, while the SMS has a palette of bright, vibrant colors that better suit the typical Japanese games found on both systems. The best example is Fantasy Zone. The game is very well done on both systems, but on the SMS it just looks prettier.

 

The NES's sound hardware allows for a little more bass to make it into the music, and that makes all the difference. Compare Bubble Bobble between the two systems and you'll hear what I mean. I'm not including the Sega Mark III in this comparison, because even though it has better sound hardware than the NES, not every game supports it, and only the Japanese market really got to see the Mark III.

 

Otherwise, the systems are close enough that programmer quality and effort usually determines which system has the better game. For games released on both systems, Double Dragon and Paperboy are better on the SMS, but Marble Madness and Bubble Bobble are better on the NES.

Edited October 4, 2007 by skunkworx

[Video]

Here's an old FAQ I found (incomplete), includes many excellent Euro only titles on SMS for sure (New Zealand Story, Star Wars, CJ Elephant, Buggy Run, Lucky Dime Caper, Land of Illusion, Ottifant, Xenon 2, Cool Spot etc...):

 

Holey F*cking S*it dude! I never new the thing had so many games (what, it was like 90 ish in the us...right?) This thing may have more games than the NES did.... (actually, I have no clue how many the nes has, but I have over 100 different titles, and most of those suck too, I think people look at both systems with rosey glasses really, yeah, Zelda and Mario ruled, Sonic and Phantasy zone ruled, but for all those, you had like 50 'blow chunks' and 'eat barf' games to balance them out)

[Cybergoth]

You dare to taint the legacy of one of my favorite SMS games....

 

I've seen people claiming they like Skeet Shooting, so I have no problem imaging that even Ghost House has a fan or two. Not sure about SMS Galaxy Force though

 

Otherwise, the systems are close enough that programmer quality and effort usually determines which system has the better game.

 

Considering the graphics hardware by the plain specs only, the SMS is actually much better than the NES. There's only very few titles showing that though. One example that shows what the SMS hardware was really capable of would be "Chuck Rock 2".

 

I think people look at both systems with rosey glasses really, yeah, Zelda and Mario ruled, Sonic and Phantasy zone ruled, but for all those, you had like 50 'blow chunks' and 'eat barf' games to balance them out)

 

Exactly what I'm saying.

 

Since this issue was raised, I think worldwide total numbers would be like 600-800 unique NES games vs. 200-250 unique SMS games, though that may vary from country to country. In Germany for example the numbers were basically equal, since we had almost all SMS titles, but roughly just a third of the NES library available.

[Artlover]

Considering the graphics hardware by the plain specs only, the SMS is actually much better than the NES. There's only very few titles showing that though. One example that shows what the SMS hardware was really capable of would be "Chuck Rock 2".

I think that is exactly right. My opinion is pretty much the same. While the SMS is better by the numbers, of what I've played (maybe a dozen games), none of them really stood out for showing off the superiour hardware. More often then not, the difference was so minimal it was irrevelant for comparison.

[BydoEmpire]

Regarding how the ghost of the SMS will now destroy you!!!!!!!

Ghost House is another SMS game that sucks really bad, while we're at it

A lot of people say that, but I really loved it back in the day. I need to reacquire that one to see if everyone else is crazy, or if I my taste in games was just bizarre.

[thomasholzer]

Here's an old FAQ I found (incomplete), includes many excellent Euro only titles on SMS for sure (New Zealand Story, Star Wars, CJ Elephant, Buggy Run, Lucky Dime Caper, Land of Illusion, Ottifant, Xenon 2, Cool Spot etc...):

 

Holey F*cking S*it dude! I never new the thing had so many games (what, it was like 90 ish in the us...right?) This thing may have more games than the NES did.... (actually, I have no clue how many the nes has, but I have over 100 different titles, and most of those suck too, I think people look at both systems with rosey glasses really, yeah, Zelda and Mario ruled, Sonic and Phantasy zone ruled, but for all those, you had like 50 'blow chunks' and 'eat barf' games to balance them out)

 

 

Exactly, out of the 2000+ NES gaming library worldwide (according to German magazine N-Zone), you maybe have 100 good games, 200 tops. It's the same with every system. You could ask the question: Shame the NES didn't do better Europe-side, as in UK the management/pricing/distribution (done by Mattel) and game releases were really bad beyond belief. Sega, on the other hand, got it all perfect with the SMS, especially the advertising and the pricing which is very important to UK'ers.

Edited October 5, 2007 by thomasholzer

[PressureCooker2600]

A lot of people say that, but I really loved it back in the day. I need to reacquire that one to see if everyone else is crazy, or if I my taste in games was just bizarre.

 

You're not crazy. I loved it back then and still do today. I love the music, the graphics, the characters, the gameplay. Very addicting and I could never get all the way to the final vampires because it gets hard fast. Still need to try and beat it someday. And don't listen to Cybergoth, this game is NO Skeet Shooting.

[Cybergoth]

Exactly, out of the 2000+ NES gaming library worldwide (according to German magazine N-Zone),

 

Maybe when asked politely they will add the missing 1.200+ titles here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NES_games

 

you maybe have 100 good games, 200 tops. It's the same with every system.

 

In a fair world maybe, but not regarding a SMS / NES comparision. Sega had no chance against the combined "game designing might" of Nintendo, Capcom, Konami/Ultra/Palcom, Square, Enix, Hudson, Namco, Rare, Irem, LucasArts and others. With that it's just natural that the NES had a better hit/miss ratio.

 

Also, especially in the 80's, Sega weren't the greatest game designers to begin with. Their ususal superior hardware / hydraulic backed arcades like Afterburner, G-Loc, Galaxy Force, Space Harrier, Out Run, Thunderblade immediately revealed their terribly shallow game design when squeezed onto a plain 8-Bit machine. They also failed of proper downgrading most of their other designs like Golden Axe or Streets of Rage to the little machine, with the two excellent Sonic titles being a major exception.

 

You could ask the question: Shame the NES didn't do better Europe-side, as in UK the management/pricing/distribution (done by Mattel) and game releases were really bad beyond belief.

 

Nintendo also entered the European market rather late.

 

Sega, on the other hand, got it all perfect with the SMS, especially the advertising and the pricing which is very important to UK'ers.

 

I think UK programmers also were eager to work with it, since it was Z80 backed like their beloved speccy