How do the different ports of The New Zealand Story compare?

[j_factor]

I couldn't find any comparison anywhere. It was ported to a lot of systems and I've always wondered which was best. I'm sure the FM Towns and/or X68000 version is arcade-perfect, but I'd like to know about the less obscure versions. I vaguely remember being told that the SMS version was somehow better than the Mega Drive version, but I could be mistaken (I'm also interested in the PC Engine version, and maybe Amiga). Anybody know?

[BetaWolf47]

I've really only played the NES, SMS, Mega Drive, C64, and Arcade versions. Really, it's all about taste.

The NES version, titled "Kiwi Kraze", is rather impressive for the system. Most of the music is intact, the controls are spot-on, and the gameplay is all there. It's a much better port than Bubble Bobble. The only thing that was lost in translation is the graphics. The color is less distinguished, having gained some sort of Kirby-style coloring.

The SMS version is just as good as you'd expect. Everything was ported rather well. The only issue is that the music is dead awful. Since this matters more to me than graphics, I prefer the NES version over this.

The Mega Drive version is a bit odd. It's a near-perfect port, albeit with the FM music from the sound processor of the Mega Drive. What really makes this interesting is, IIRC, they changed the level design up a bit. Yeah, MD owners got a bit of a treat in this one.

The C64 version is just like you'd think. It's one level below the NES version, music, graphics, physics and all.

So, oddly enough, none of them are completely accurate. The MD version would be there if they hadn't modified the levels at all.

[Bloodreign]

I believe the Mega Drive version was based on New Zealand Story Extra/New Zealand Story 2 (not an actual sequel, just a redux like Rainbow Islands Extra), both of these are the same, both both have different level designs from the original TNZS.

[Leo_A]

I didn't realize there was an extra version like they did for Rainbow Islands.

Is it worth picking up?

[Jehuty]

The NES version, titled "Kiwi Kraze", is rather impressive for the system.

The pal version has its original name intact. I always thought the end level birdcage opening animation was better in the NES version than the arcade.

[PapaStu]

There is also a version for the Nintendo DS. I've got it, but have yet to play it. I do see it pretty regularly in the Target 'cheap games' aisle for something like 9.99 or 14.99.

[delafro]

Here's a short article that has some information about different ports of New Zealand Story, from the guy who did TSR's NES Archive:

http://magweasel.com/2009/11/13/the-new-zealand-story-taito-september-1988/

[j_factor]

There is also a version for the Nintendo DS. I've got it, but have yet to play it. I do see it pretty regularly in the Target 'cheap games' aisle for something like 9.99 or 14.99.

I've heard that Taito's "Revolution" series of DS remakes are pretty bad.


Here's a short article that has some information about different ports of New Zealand Story, from the guy who did TSR's NES Archive:

http://magweasel.com/2009/11/13/the-new-zealand-story-taito-september-1988/

Hmm, not a lot of detail, but thanks. It seems I should get both the Mega Drive version and something else.

The only thing I could learn from Youtube was that the Mega Drive version doesn't have very good sound, and the PC Engine version has terrible sound. The Amiga version sounds pretty good.

[awbacon]

I have it for the PC Engine...decent port, but some of the hidden places are apparently missing from the PC Engine copy

Fun game though...and an insanely addicting song (much like Bubble Bobble...damn Taito makes some catchy game music)