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Post by Ex on Mar 7, 2019 15:10:36 GMT -5
10. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | Master System | 1992
"Sonic the Hedgehog 2" is a platformer developed and published by SEGA for the Master System in 1992. Once again the Master System version is very different compared to the Genesis version. The differences are too numerous to list, but a few highlights include a lack of a playable Tails, mine cart riding and hang gliding, no spin dash, and entirely exclusive level concepts. In this "Sonic 2", Dr. Robotnik has kidnapped Tails, and Sonic must rescue him. To get the true ending, Sonic must collect all the Chaos Emeralds first. Good luck finding those Chaos Emeralds, I never saw the first one. Despite being very different than the Genesis version, the SMS version of "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" manages to come much closer to the Genesis Sonic "feel". In this way, SMS "Sonic 2" is a noticeable improvement over SMS "Sonic 1". Here Sonic actually gets to run sometimes, including dashing through bonafide loops. There are fast moving sequences of pipes as well. Even better, when Sonic gets hit in this version, up to five safety rings will erupt - compared to SMS "Sonic 1"'s paltry single ring. The controls here are more responsive as well than the previous SMS entry, and hit boxes have improved dramatically. Strangely bosses in this game are all robots, Sonic never fights Robotnik himself. Or perhaps Sonic only fights Robotnik after he claims all Chaos Emeralds and can access the secret final stage? I don't know.
+Strong graphics and audio for 8-bit.
+You can spin bounce across water!
+Lots of level variety and unique challenges.
+Enemies are more numerous, motile, and more dangerous.
+Hang gliding and mine carts is kinda cool.
-No spin dash.
-Zones' Act 3 sections still have no rings.
-No checkpoints in levels.
-Spikes, spikes, and more spikes.
-Water physics still suck.
"Sonic the Hedgehog 2" on Master System is decent platformer in its own right. I'd certainly recommend it to both platformer and Sonic fans. I also should mention that the SMS "Sonic 2" is considerably more difficult than the Genesis version. I can appreciate the new ideas that SEGA implemented into this version of the game. A lot of effort was put into the presentation, and I imagine getting Sonic to run upside down through a loop was tricky given the hardware. While SMS "Sonic 2" is not without its rough edges, overall it's a big improvement over the first SMS series entry. Ex's time to beat: 45 minutes Ex's rating: 7/10
- As far as Sonic entries left on Master System I haven't played yet: I will likely give all of those a try before the end of this month. But for the moment, I've had enough SMS Sonic. I plan to try some other stuff next.
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Post by Sarge on Mar 7, 2019 15:12:46 GMT -5
I was thinking about Recca myself. Definitely a fast-paced game. I also think stuff like The Guardian Legend or most of Compile's shooters ( Zanac, Gun-Nac) are willing to throw a lot of stuff at you. There's also Crisis Force, but I think I remember a fair amount of slowdown in that game. It looks really impressive, though, and has some amazing tunes. As far as platformers, Bucky O'Hare comes to mind. I'd argue that Vice: Project Doom is also pretty fast, although it is cut from the Ninja Gaiden cloth as well. Metal Storm moves quite quickly as well. Ex: Good beat. I didn't even know that the others had Master System ports; I'd assumed they were Game Gear-only (and they probably were here in the States).
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Post by Ex on Mar 7, 2019 15:17:28 GMT -5
I didn't even know that the others had Master System ports; I'd assumed they were Game Gear-only (and they probably were here in the States). Yeah past Sonic 1, the rest of the SMS Sonic games were not released in the USA. They were still released in English though, via Europe and South America. The SMS versions have much better fields of view than the Game Gear versions. I wouldn't bother with the GG versions personally.
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Post by toei on Mar 7, 2019 15:19:42 GMT -5
I was thinking about Recca myself. Definitely a fast-paced game. I also think stuff like The Guardian Legend or most of Compile's shooters (Zanac, Gun-Nac) are willing to throw a lot of stuff at you. There's also Crisis Force, but I think I remember a fair amount of slowdown in that game. It looks really impressive, though, and has some amazing tunes. As far as platformers, Bucky O'Hare comes to mind. I'd argue that Vice: Project Doom is also pretty fast, although it is cut from the Ninja Gaiden cloth as well. Metal Storm moves quite quickly as well. Ex : Good beat. I didn't even know that the others had Master System ports; I'd assumed they were Game Gear-only (and they probably were here in the States). That was pretty much Compile's trademark, so I'm not surprised. I'll try these out eventually. I'm especially interested in The Guardian Legend. Re: 8-bit Sonic, a lot of people seem to be saying that Triple Trouble is the best, but that's a Game Gear exclusive. Sonic Blast and Chaos are supposed to be the worst. When we do a GG month, maybe I'll play Triple Trouble.
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Post by Sarge on Mar 7, 2019 17:25:03 GMT -5
Even though The Guardian Legend throws a lot at you (and has trademark NES flicker), it's also more forgiving than most shooters, since you have a life bar and the mild RPG elements involved.
If you hate the overhead exploration segments, you can skip them and play as a pure shooter using the password "TGL".
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Post by Ex on Mar 8, 2019 1:45:11 GMT -5
I tested about seventy Master System games tonight, phew. I found quite a few I'd like to put more time in, and possibly beat. I have a few games to list for you guys that you might like. If you've already played or talked about these yourselves, sorry it's 1:45AM and I can't remember everything. For the two other board members cool enough to play Master System: Sarge Battletoads in Battlemaniacs Deep Duck Trouble Starring Donald Duck The Incredible Hulk Ultima IV - Quest of the Avatartoei Lord of the Sword Bomber Raid Submarine Attack Wonder Boy in Monster World
Personally I've got a lot of options to weigh, and I'll start cracking on the next one tomorrow... er, later today.
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Post by toei on Mar 8, 2019 5:50:41 GMT -5
Lord of the Sword is just bad, sadly. I put some time into it last month. And I've played the other Wonder Boy games already. They'd be good recs for Sarge if he hasn't played them, though. I'd say just skip Monster Land.
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Post by Sarge on Mar 8, 2019 11:47:59 GMT -5
I tried some Golvellius myself last night, and holy hanna, those enemy patterns are cheap. Apparently you need to do some grinding to get stuff to up your max gold and life, rinse and repeat. I'm... not sure why this is considered a good game yet, honestly, because it feels quite unfair in all the wrong ways. If anyone hasn't played Wonder Boy and the Dragon's Trap, I highly recommend it. I'd probably be willing to say its the best I've played on the system. I did play on the remastered version, which actually pretty much plays exactly like the original game, and that even let you swap to the SMS style on the fly. Ex: I beat Deep Duck Trouble a couple of years back, and it was pretty fun. I looked, and apparently I only gave it a 6.5? I remember it being a little better than that.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2019 12:22:47 GMT -5
I dare any of you guys to give Street Fighter II for the Master System a fair shot. It's a Brazil-only port and it was released in 1997. Need I say more?
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Post by Sarge on Mar 8, 2019 12:28:14 GMT -5
I'm sure it's quality.
(I probably will now that you've suggested it.)
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