16 bit'ers: Bonk, Mario, Sonic: Who Did You Like Best? [Archive]

Ascending Wordsmith

04-03-2003, 09:26 AM

Let's take a trip backwards to the days of 16-bit systems. As you know, the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and the Turbo Grafx-16 were the systems that offered us the enjoyment of 16 bit (or two 8 bit CPU's) games. Each of these systems had a designated mascot; one had an adventurous chubby Italian plumber, one a sleek cocky blue hedgehog, and the last a courageous little Neanderthal with a head of steel.

***Put aside the capabilities and game libraries of their respective systems.

Based on character design, personality, and unique abilities, which of these three do you like best? I'll vote and post later.

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:UGgXA_loNjQC:remix.overclocked.org/images/games/bonk.gif http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:g1reRvpKi4cC:www.businessweek.com/1997/02/art02/bw0266.gif http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:Jeyo-6X1EfgC:www.grudge-match.com/Images/sonic.gif

jaydubnb

04-03-2003, 10:15 AM

Mario, IMO, offered the most bang and variety during the 16bit era...all of the games in the seriers were of classic or just missed being classic status. Bonk is my second favorite, although a distance behind Mario. Bonk's Adventure and Revenge are twoof my fave games, but Bonk 3 and Air Zonk lacked some "oomph" (too bad that Bonk RPG was never completed). Sonic is a distant third...decent games, but there never was much gameplay, IMO.

digitalpress

04-03-2003, 11:08 AM

Though he's a distant third in terms of number and variety of games, Bonk is my favorite by far of these three. Still makes me laugh to see him climb a wall with his teeth or have his head erupt like a volcano after consuming the leg of beef. Awesome character, I wish they'd bring him back.

Boboduo

04-03-2003, 04:38 PM

Look at my avatar and take a wild guess!

maxlords

04-03-2003, 10:13 PM

Hate to admit it but I'd pluck that plumber's suspenders any day :D

Ascending Wordsmith

04-03-2003, 10:34 PM

I'll cast my vote for Bonk as well. Hell, I've got all but three of his games ever made. I even bought the caravan version. I like Bonk because he and his games were more on the cartoonish side. If you've ever played Bonk's Revenge, you understand what I mean. Mario is my second fav of the three. I grew up on Mario Bros. (not Super Mario Bros.) to see him take on Koopa and the Koopa Kids was great. Super Mario Bros. 3 is his best adventure. Sonic is a good character. Everything about him seems to be put together well. But for some reason, I don't like him nearly as much I like Bonk or Mario. Go figure.

ashbourn

04-03-2003, 10:52 PM

It is close but I would have to say sonic. Sonic 2 and 3 have to be some of the best games.

Ronfar

04-04-2003, 01:20 AM

I picked Bonk. To be honest I didn't really like the games. But you have to love a big headed caveman who eats a piece of raw meat and goes ballistic. It's like prehistoric mad cow.

Bighab

04-04-2003, 01:29 AM

Mario baby :D Mario Bros.3 is still one of my al-time favourite games.

Kroogah

04-04-2003, 02:11 PM

I picked Bonk. To be honest I didn't really like the games. But you have to love a big headed caveman who eats a piece of raw meat and goes ballistic. It's like prehistoric mad cow.

LOL

I'm going to start a punk band and name it Prehistoric Mad Cow. ^_^

Six Switch

04-04-2003, 03:53 PM

Sonic is the man! 8-)

Ronfar

04-04-2003, 04:34 PM

simonbelmont7

04-04-2003, 04:34 PM

barely edging out sonic is mario in my book. STILL the ALL TIME GREATEST game is Super Mario AllStars for SNES, how can you go wrong with some many great games on one cartridge? ya cant...
Mark

Arqueologia_Digital

04-05-2003, 12:11 AM

Obviously Sonic!!!!!!

zektor

04-05-2003, 12:20 AM

I chose Mario. Don't get me wrong, I think Sonic is kick ass, but I grew up with Mario....where was Sonic when Mario's chick was in trouble? If he were around then, maybe HE could have hooked up with her :)

Vice Guy

04-05-2003, 03:37 AM

barely edging out sonic is mario in my book. STILL the ALL TIME GREATEST game is Super Mario AllStars for SNES, how can you go wrong with some many great games on one cartridge? ya cant...
Mark

I agree Mark. I own Super Mario All Stars and I picked it up along with the system for dirt cheap at a thrift shop.

However, when it comes to the 16 bit eras, I had a Sega Genesis(recently got a SNES...never seen a TG16) and Sonic ruled in my opinion. It was more about fun factor with those games..not actual gameplay.

Mario still wins in the gameplay department though.

I kinda like Mario 2 better though..it's kinda trippy to play.

RetroYoungen

04-05-2003, 07:46 PM

Maybe it's just me, but a hedgehog running through walls, grabbing rings and repeatedly beating a madman and his mechanical cohorts? Sounds like a little blue pimp, to me. Too bad he started to suck in 3D... I still voted for him. LOL

Neb

04-05-2003, 08:44 PM

It took me a while, but I finally chose Mario.

I got a Genesis before I got a SNES, and I loved Sonic. But when I finally bought a SNES, I played Super Mario World and Super Mario All Stars for countless hours. Bonk was totally out of the question though- I actually played his TG16 game for the first time... 2 weeks ago O_O !

However, if I had to pick the best character based on the games out today, my choice would be different. Sonic is becoming more cocky and annoying, and Mario is becoming more... uhh.. childish. When does a full grown plumber sound like Mickey Mouse??? x_x Therefore... BONK!

Epicenter

04-07-2003, 04:22 AM

Super Mario World was fun, and so was Mario 1/3, and 2 (JP) for the Famicom/NES, but after that, ugh. I haven't enjoyed a Mario game since they went 3D. The Sonic games are still fun in 3D though! :)

Daniel Thomas

04-07-2003, 04:38 AM

As much as I tried, I could never understand Bonk. The little guy has charm, that's for sure, but he's stuck in these generic side-scrollers. I have to agree with Joe -- I want to see a new Bonk game.

Sonic almost made my vote. Even though the basic idea of Sonic hasn't changed since day one, it's a terrific idea, and the Genesis Sonic games (1, 2, CD, 3 & Knuckles) got better and better. I'll put Sonic 3 & Knuckles against just about anyone, anytime. That means you too, Sonic Adventure!

That means my vote goes to the shroom-eating everyman we all love. Just think about the '90s games: Mario 3, Super Mario World, Yoshi's Island, Super Mario 64. Toss in Mario Kart, and there's no competition. These games are the reason I have emulators on my computer, distracting me from my work. Damn you, Mario!

dreamcaster

04-07-2003, 09:32 AM

I voted for Sonic - simply because he's just the embodiment of cool, and his games rock to boot!

Mario is a close second - he goes to show that even an overweight middle-aged guy with a dead-end job can still be a hero. And in terms of game design, Mario's adventures were always far more challenging than Sonic's outings. While Sonic's games were cool and heaps of fun (split screen mode - oh yeah baby...), they never provided the challenge of Mario's games.

But, this is a contest over who's the best character, and Sonic wins hands-down, spikes up, or whatever....

Bonk doesn't even come into it - NEC never released their wanna-be 16-bit console here in Australia - as a result I've never played his games - plus he kind reminds me of B.C. Kid...

Kid Fenris

04-07-2003, 10:50 AM

I'll vote for Bonk, just because I like to root for the underdog. I'll never understand why NEC went with Keith Courage as their first pack-in instead of Bonk's Adventure.

It'd be nice if Red worked Bonk into their next Sakura Wars game, don't you think?

Videogamerdaryll

05-12-2003, 02:25 AM

Mario: The jolly plumber with magical suspenders!

All day.. X_x

Drexel923

05-12-2003, 11:59 AM

Mario for me. There hasn't been a Mario game made that I didn't like. I'll agree Sonic is cool and his game are fun but I always found that his games became too stale after a while. Bonk was also fun but he's got nothing on the other too.

miaandjohnrule

12-01-2003, 08:17 PM

I've always loved Mario but I've been getting into Bonk alot lately. And Bonk needs some respect too.

Neonsolid

09-22-2004, 11:48 PM

Gone.

Black_Tiger

10-08-2004, 11:39 PM

Bonk.

He's a carnivorous Caveman who climbs walls with his teeth, spins through the air, bonk's shit with his giant head and goes ape-shit after eating too much BBBQ(the extra B is for BYOBB).

Although I really was mature and 'tolerant' enough at the time of the 16-bit console wars, I still went and drew one of the those political cartoons that you used to find in employee lounges(ie: a frog with a smirk on his face screwing a distraught beaver in the ass with the caption: Quebec's idea of a united Canada).

It was a character-model perfect line drawing of Sonic humping a bent-over Mario whose pants were down to his knees. Sonic was looking at you with his trademark wink but instead of shaking his finger, he was giving you the thumbs-up(his other hand rested on one of Mario's cheeks). Mario had both his arms at right angles, gloves clenched in fists with his trademark bright-eyed enthusiastic open-mouth smile.

The caption read: They're both fags.

Of course it's horrible even though I was just a kid, but my two best friends at the time were a Nintendo fan and a Genesis fan.

I had to put into perspective for them.

Ed Oscuro

10-08-2004, 11:42 PM

The Belmonts. You can't beat these guys - they appeared on consoles by all those manufacturers!

Ed Oscuro

10-08-2004, 11:43 PM

The Belmonts. You can't beat these guys - they appeared on consoles by all those manufacturers!

Edit: I would've been happier if I didn't read the post that bumped this topic.

THANK YOU METABOLIFE!

NintendoMan

10-08-2004, 11:47 PM

By far my fav. 16biter, as well as my fav. everything biter is MARIO.
He is my favorite mascot, but some of my vote I guess was because of me liking his games more, ALOT MORE!!!!!!
SONIC next, then BONK in a far last.

classicb

10-08-2004, 11:51 PM

The Belmonts. You can't beat these guys - they appeared on consoles by all those manufacturers!

Edit: I would've been happier if I didn't read the post that bumped this topic.

THANK YOU METABOLIFE!

LOL

I went with Sonic only because were talking 16 bit here and Sonics 16 bit games were great. I only got a turbo grafx within the last year or else I might have voted for Bonk. What a great character. Still a blast to play in todays world. Mario is good too but comes in third with me. Bonk is a really close second only nuged out by childhood memories of a blue blur.

CartCollector

12-20-2004, 12:17 AM

I voted for Mario. I beat both Super Mario Worlds 1 and 2 and had a great time, to boot. Though the only Sonic games I've played are Sonic Heroes (boo!) and Somari (hiss!) and I've never seen a TG-16 in my life. So I guess I'm not qualified to vote.

Too late. :D

whoisKeel

12-20-2004, 12:29 AM

mario. i'm a bit biased tho, i grew up on mario and a bit of sonic, tho never bonk. i've played bonk, and it just seems a bit slow paced to me. (are we comparing bonk's adventure to super mario world?)

sonic's alright, but i can always bust out some smw or smb3 and have fun...i have to be in the mood for sonic or bonk. they're all good tho.

JesterDev

12-20-2004, 06:04 AM

I voted Mario cause he says no to crack. :) Bonk comes in a close second.

oohh! ATHF is on! :eek 2:

Ernster

12-20-2004, 08:00 AM

Iv'e always loved Mario games, SMB will always be my favourite game ever. I will never forget all the Mario memories I have playing on the NES with my friends and will never forget seeing Super Mario 64 for the first time, it looks amazingly beautiful to this day.

Mario may not be the strong figure he use to be, but my Nintendo hater friend who has recetly bought a GC (sine its now as cheap as a game), loves his sports games and his "Mario type games". LOL

As far as sonic, Iv'e never been a big fan, his all speed and no substance.

max 330 mega

12-20-2004, 08:23 AM

i guess out of the three i would have to go with sonic, if we were talking 8-bit here i would have had a harder time because my favorite bonk game ive played is for NES and mario bros. and mario 3 are also two of my other favorite platformers.
Since this is the 16 bit wars we are speaking about, if you would have put Blues Journey for neo geo as a choice, that would have been my vote hands down, i love that game far more than any mario, bonk, or sonic game.

Cauterize

12-20-2004, 08:24 AM

this poll is too hard :(

GrayFox

12-21-2004, 11:00 PM

Heh, no matter what, I'd vote for Sonic. I love the Sonic, what can I say.

It is based on the character though, not the games, and that easily goes to Sonic no matter what. Of course, my opinion :P

slip81

12-31-2004, 05:08 PM

Sonic was always my fave, I love going insanely fast through the levels in an almost combo like fashion. I never played Bonk, though I've been meaning to for a while.

XxMe2NiKxX

12-31-2004, 05:17 PM

Tails. Sonic is, in all acutality, Tails' bitch. Of the three, Sonic, only because he's Tails' bitch.

chrisbid

12-31-2004, 06:50 PM

this is only supposed to be on 16 bit games, mario only had one full original 16 bit adventure, sonic had 5 with Sonic 3 being the only letdown (though put together with S & K makes it great)

i see a lot of posts talking about SMB 3 and SM64, :P to you

Bloodreign

01-02-2005, 01:55 AM

I go with Mario first since I got to play his games quite a bit, Bonk second because my friend owned a TG-16 and I'd always play that game just bonking the hell out of enemies with his head, and Sonic last. While Sonic's games were cool, I just could never get into him, my friend owned a Genesis and we'd play MK or X-men a lot on it, he owned no Sonic games though.

Ed Oscuro

01-02-2005, 03:20 AM

Hmm, I'm surprised I haven't updated my post (thanks Blood! :D ) to reflect that I really, REALLY like Bonk now. Mario's really cool, too (playing Super Mario RPG right now, go figure), but Bonk does...all those crazy things.

I could go on forever. Basically, Bonk kicks ass.

Sonic? Eh. He's speedy and stuff, yay.

sabre2922

01-05-2005, 02:55 AM

I luv em all but my fondest memories out of the 3 is playing Sonic on my ALL-POWERFUL NEW 16-BIT SYSTEM THAT WAS THE GENESIS! :evil: what a great christmas that was :D

drewbrim

01-06-2005, 09:59 PM

Look at my avatar and take a wild guess!

nuff said

RCM

01-06-2005, 10:54 PM

Sonic is the best! Mario is pretty neato too but I dig his 8 bit adventures more. Never got into Bonk.

THE ONE, THE ONLY- RCM

GLASSJOE

01-08-2005, 10:10 AM

Mario

Damaramu

01-25-2005, 12:42 AM

Had the most fun with the Sonic games when I was younger. Sonics got my vote. :rocker:

blue lander

01-25-2005, 12:03 PM

If I judge them just on their 16 bit games (pretending for a moment that the TG-16 is 16 bits), I'd have to go with Bonk. Bonk's revenge is probably my favorite 16 bit platformer. Besides the graphics being completely insane, exploring levels always felt like fun rather than a chore. They were always exactly long enough so that I didn't get bored. I can't stand Bonk III, and the SNES Bonks were boredom incarnate. Second place would go to Sonic, I loved his Genesis games. Sonic is not only a showcase of what the Genesis is capable of, it's fun as hell to boot. None of the Genesis Sonic games were that bad, although I think I prefer the second one best. Mario comes in last, I just never could get into Super Mario World. Back then, it just felt like Super Mario 3 with better graphics. It didn't take things to the next level like Sonic did.

Now if you're talking about ALL their games rather than just the 16 bit ones, the order would be reversed. Mario has great games across all generations. The latest Sonic games haven't been that hot, but the only new Bonk game that's come out lately was the remake of Bonk 1 on the Gamecube. Fun game, but I'd like to see a brand new Bonk on the GBA or DS.

Ed Oscuro

01-25-2005, 12:27 PM

There was only one SNES Bonk, you mean the import right? I've the guide...it LOOKS like it should be lots of fun, more than the first one. I'll take a look soon.

blue lander

01-25-2005, 12:33 PM

There's a fan localization of Super Bonk 2. While it was better than Super Bonk, I thought it suffered from the same major problems. It wasn't anywhere near as good as Bonk's Adventure or Revenge.

Ed Oscuro

01-25-2005, 12:35 PM

Got it (yeah, ran across that one recently)!

Push Upstairs

01-25-2005, 04:34 PM

I voted Sonic.

I have never played a Bonk game so i cannot comment on those.

The Sonic games (to me) always had a larger story that was mentioned very little so that the focus could be on gameplay. Sonic games were less about stopping some madman numerous times and really more about saving the environment. I had always felt that trying to save nature from mechanization and pollution was a far more noble cause.

As for Mario. Since this is a 16-bit only poll i cannot base my vote on Mario 3 but only Mario World. I like Mario World, but it felt too much like "Super Mario 3: DX" than a full on mind blowing sequal. Jumping from Super Mario 1 to Super Mario 3 was a large leap, massive even. Suits, powerups, each world having its own look...this is what makes SMB3 the great game that it is. SMW really kind of did everything that SMB3 did...except with more colors and Yoshi. I guess my expectations for SMW were that if you could do such great things in SMB3 on the NES...then SMW should be just be even more grand and epic since its on an more powerful system.

Ed Oscuro

01-25-2005, 04:40 PM

Hey, don't forget SMW2: Yoshi's Island, and I suppose one could argue SM: RPG as well (but that would be cheating).

Push Upstairs

01-25-2005, 11:53 PM

I consider "Yoshi's Island" to be a Yoshi game and not a Super Mario brothers game so it doesn't count.

I have never called this game "Super Mario World 2" it has always been "Yoshi's Island".

Falcon

01-29-2005, 09:05 PM

Mario. Everybody is most likely going to choose the character that they have the most memories with, and the character that they remember most which brought them lots of fun, and to me that would be Mario since I was really young when I got this game for SNES and I have many memories of that plumber :-P

Unagi_the_metriod

02-02-2005, 06:14 PM

i'm gona have to say sonic because i think and react to fast for the other games so naturally sonic is the best pick for me

Slate

02-11-2005, 05:30 PM

Sonic gets my vote. Mario will always be special.. But i haven't played bonk , So i can't speak for him.

drwily008

02-14-2005, 08:42 PM

Itsa me!!! You know who! MARIO!!

Half Japanese

02-14-2005, 10:59 PM

I went from NES to Genesis, so I got to experience Mario and Sonic. Both of those games were pretty good but I was introduced to the goodness of Bonk last year and even without the attached nostalgia, he whips Mario and Sonic any day of the week. I didn't get to experience the Bonk games in their prime, but looking back and asking myself which I'd rather play, Bonk wins hands down.