Are there any versions of Genesis games that are better then the SNES verision? [Archive] - Page 2

pepharytheworm

05-16-2010, 11:26 PM

Right off the bat I remember the Snes version of Lethal Enforcers was censored.

I remember sega and nintendo both censored, women badguys were taken out.
I found what nintendo censored was rather minor. But I can see how it might bother some.

Larcen Tyler at Gamefaqs wrote -When you got hit, originally your screen would flash red, and a red bullet hole or knife wound (depending on what hit you) would appear. In this one, the wounds are white, and the screen flashes green (in two player, the screen flashes on the side corresponding to the player who got hit.) Sort of looks like glass being shot out.

-When you shot an enemy, they would fall backwards (or do something similar) and then flicker for a moment before disappearing. In this one, they wouldn't fall backwards, but they would still flicker and then vanish, only they would do so in the position that you shot them in.

-Shooting an innocent bystander or one of your own police comrades would result in a penalty of one life, and after every stage, if you earned any kind of promotion, you would get a demotion for however many innocent victims you shot. In this one, it's more like you're shooting AT them (or even wounding them if you will.) You will receive a penalty, but they don't die. It's more like being given a warning for shooting at an innocent.

-One of the missions dealt with a group of criminals who were attempting to smuggle illegal contraband into the country (OK, drugs, if you will!) Since drugs were a no-no by Nintendo, Konami apparently worked out a deal so that the smugglers were now illegal arms dealers.

Neil Koch

05-16-2010, 11:35 PM

The "Chinatown Assault" level was re-named to "Downtown Assault" - some of the stores and other background graphics were altered.

I have a couple of comparision screen shots here:

http://hkfilm.net/vidgame/lethal.htm

nebrazca78

05-17-2010, 12:44 AM

Pit Fighter, Fatal Fury, and Robocop vs Terminator are better on Genesis, though in RvsT case, kinda different games. Prob has more to do with matter of opinion, but I liked Stargate and Judge Dredd more on Genesis also.

Pit-Fighter and Most of the Neo Geo ports. Everything else better on the genesis only shares the same title only and a lot of times ported by different companies or is heavily debatible, better gameplay but worse visuals and/or sound or vice versa. No one can debate Pit-fighter. Everything else ported by the same companies is almost always better on SNES.

Pit-Fighter is like night and day, the SNES version is garbage. Genesis Pit-Fighter is one of my all time favorites, I still pull it out after having beaten it over and over again. Still haven't beat it on level 8 or whatever the highest level is though.

Both are still pretty bad, though, and 32X Doom is missing the rear monster graphics, missing levels, missing monsters, runs in a window and has no way to save. It does look okay but the problems are crippling.

I'd still take it over the SNES version though, because in addition to having many of the same problems and its own inadequacies something about the blurry, muddy graphics and the way the screen moves gave me severe eyestrain and made me seasick. Only FPS that's ever given me that problem.

I thought the 32X version's graphics were passable but that it was the most playable 16-bit version. To me it even played waaaay better than the Saturn version which had a laughable framerate at times. It was only bettered by the Playstation version which had equal control and great graphics. I've never played the Jaguar release but I can only imagine the rage I would feel after having to use that crap controller. No amount of graphical prowess can make that version the best. The best use for the Jaguar controller is as a meteor hammer to destroy the Jaguar console itself.

Off the top of my head, games that I remember being better on the Genesis:

Mortal Kombat

I can see liking MK1 better on the Genny but MKII on the SNES was excellent and much better than any other Genesis version of MKII. I thought it had better graphics than the Genesis and 32X versions plus control that was just a little tighter than either of those. Plus with the MK button configuration the SNES controller doesn't screw you over like it does when you try to play Street Fighter.

Sega CD version > Genesis >>>>>> SNES

I've never played the Genesis or SNES versions of Fatal Fury but if the Sega CD version is better than those then they must be pretty bad.

Everything buzzes? That's a new one to me. Different revisions of the Genesis hardware differ in the quality of audio output. Perhaps you have one of the shitty ones.

Unlike the SNES, the version of Genesis you have makes a drastic difference concerning audio. If you have a shit motherboard in your Genesis the audio sounds bad almost no matter what. Anyone who thinks Genesis audio is crap may want to check and make sure they have a good version of the system before passing judgement. It should also be noted this goes for video output as well. Also using emulators is a poor method to use when listening to Genesis music and sound effects.

I personally think the audio of both Genesis and SNES have strengths and weaknesses ranging from the hardware (I'm not talking about the motherboard revisions but the general specs) to the composers to the actual programming itself. I like them both and have heard fantastic audio from both. They are both really good at different things and I like to take each game comparison on a case by case basis.

tomaitheous

05-17-2010, 01:05 AM

Wow, this perfectly illustrates the SNES's sound capabilities over the Mega Drive.

Not really. That just shows off a bad technical composition on the Genesis hardware. Sadly, a common thing in the later part of the Genesis' life. It's capable of more than that.

Pit-Fighter is like night and day, the SNES version is garbage. Genesis Pit-Fighter is one of my all time favorites, I still pull it out after having beaten it over and over again. Still haven't beat it on level 8 or whatever the highest level is though.

I'm not a pit-fighter fan, but I would think any version of the arcade game would be garbage ;)

allyourblood

05-17-2010, 01:15 AM

Sega Genesis, rock n racing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvvgYFio4Jk

SNES rock n roll racing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-T1liu5ag0&feature=related

The Genesis version sounds horrible!

This is exactly what I was talking about earlier. When emulating certain realistic instruments (guitar being the absolute biggest offender), the Genesis suffers big-time. You want guitar samples, you gotta go with the SNES. What's most surprising is that the organ track sounds better on the SNES than the Genesis, which is just lazy programming on behalf of whoever did the music for the Genesis. FM synthesis excels at organ sounds as its architecture lends itself to it quite well.

And I'll say this for the SNES: it must have been much easier to program music for. No borrowing pre-programmed patches from past projects; crispy GM samples ready to go! By 90s standards, a lot of the organic sounds were downright serviceable. But for me, there were two significant downsides to it, and these are precisely why I generally prefer the sound of the Genesis over the SNES:

Sparse (if any) multisampling. Multisampling means you record several samples of a sound at several pitches, and in the gaps between these samples you either speed up the nearest sample or slow it down, depending on what note is played. If the original multisamples are too far apart, playing notes in between results in an unnatural sound that suffers from the "chipmunk effect" that we're all so familiar with. Pitch your voice up or down and you either get that high pitched chipmunk sound or a ridiculously beefy slow-mo effect. Not pretty when applied to horns or strings, or, certainly worst of all, guitar.

My other issue is that because the SNES relied almost entirely on its wavetable for music, the same samples were used ad nauseum for all of its games: Like the guitar, bass and drums of Rock n Roll Racing? Well, get ready to enjoy the identical sounds in Uniracers, Star Fox, Mega Man X, X2, X3, Battletoads/Double Dragon, Biker Mice from Mars, Desert Strike, and dozens of others.

Certainly the Genesis was guilty of this as well; developers using the same sound "engine" for multiple projects, and not always to great effect. But because Genesis music is programmed "from scratch", I find the mixes to be more even, and less abrasive, despite the metallic properties of FM synthesis. Amp envelopes were almost always more varied on the Genesis which resulted in more fluid music without the staccato jolts found in so many of the more "rockin'" SNES tracks. Developers who bothered to massage the Genesis' four operators were able to elicit wonderful filter sweeps, giving uniqueness and motion to sounds that could evolve and change over time.

Nowadays, what I notice most between the two platforms is bass. Anyone who has heard the original Streets of Rage's Stealthy Steps with their subwoofer cranked knows the Genesis to be the business when it comes to 16-bit bass. Tight, punchy kick drums for rock and pop, but completely capable of distorted electro drums as well (like the bonus stage from Cool Spot, which to me is what that track was always supposed to sound like).

Both killer systems, each with lots of great music, but my heart and ears will always belong to the Genesis. :)

Rob2600

05-17-2010, 01:37 AM

Both killer systems, each with lots of great music, but my heart and ears will always belong to the Genesis. :)

Play through Super Castlevania IV, Batman Returns, The Legend of the Mystical Ninja, and Donkey Kong Country on the SNES and let me know if the Genesis can produce better sounding music.

pepharytheworm

05-17-2010, 01:44 AM

Play through Super Castlevania IV and Donkey Kong Country on the SNES and let me know if the Genesis can produce better sounding music.

Better sound is in the eye (or ear) of the beholder. I generally think the snes's sounds sound better, but if you want that awesome 80's sci-fi or techno synth sound the snes couldn't compete with the Genesis. i will give the genesis that bass is better on it, it rumbles my speakers.

dreamcaster

05-17-2010, 01:55 AM

Not really. That just shows off a bad technical composition on the Genesis hardware. Sadly, a common thing in the later part of the Genesis' life. It's capable of more than that.

I have yet to be presented with a Mega Drive game with music/sound that has impressed me (the only exception to that would be the Streets of Rage series).

kupomogli

05-17-2010, 02:51 AM

Phantasy Star 2 has great music on the Genesis. The sound is actually really clear. A lot of Genesis games have muffled sound with certain types of instruments, included Phantasy Star 4, but it's done well on Phantasy Star 2.

Here's the battle music. It helps that it's got such a good upbeat battle music. Takes away from how boring it is to grind when you need to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sX85w0_5_M&feature=PlayList&p=7150189DE4C80415

But yeah. The Genesis sound quality just blows compared to the SNES on pretty much every multiplatform title I've played. You've got games with great soundtracks for the equipment it's being played on, such as Bloodlines, Phantasy Star series, Sword of Vermilion, Sonic the Hedgehog, etc, etc, but when it comes to just comparing it to a lot of music on the SNES it still isn't as good.

Mobius Climber mentioned the FF Mystic Quest music. Really good music. The battle music, boss music, Dark King battle, and Doom Castle are some of the best music tracks to be found on any game on the SNES though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjT0PCv-cnA Battle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORMeyEOmQaQ Dark King
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZYTLUk7Nwk Doom Castle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ0KilHkxFk Boss music

Red Baron

05-17-2010, 03:42 AM

I'm with the crowd who's been a bit put off by Genesis music sounding slightly screechy or tinny or otherwise having lower-quality samples, like that Rock 'n' Roll Racing example.. The Turrican example sounds nice, but it'd be one of the first cases I've personally where a Genesis version sounded blatantly better.

Perhaps I just haven't been playing the right games..?

In any case, there's a lot of examples where I didn't even know some games had another version, such as not knowing Zombies Ate my Neighbors had a Genesis version, or Pit Fighter having an SNES version.

I think I generally go along with the majority opinion though that when the SNES/Genesis versions are two blatantly different games, the Genesis tends to get the better deal. Games like Jurassic Park and Shadowrun come to mind.. Although in the case of Aladdin, I think the SNES one is just as good.

In the case where it's the same game, it's hard to say.. Somehow I liked the SNES EWJ's controls better, and thought the Genesis version's graphics and music(except for maybe the animation) wasn't quite as nice.

j_factor

05-17-2010, 04:23 AM

Wow, this perfectly illustrates the SNES's sound capabilities over the Mega Drive.

Not really, it sounds like crap by the system's own standards.

This is exactly what I was talking about earlier. When emulating certain realistic instruments (guitar being the absolute biggest offender), the Genesis suffers big-time. You want guitar samples, you gotta go with the SNES.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwODPjCR6iI&fmt=18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW7w0AUtiWE&fmt=18 - bass guitar

tomaitheous

05-17-2010, 04:46 AM

This is exactly what I was talking about earlier. When emulating certain realistic instruments (guitar being the absolute biggest offender), the Genesis suffers big-time. You want guitar samples, you gotta go with the SNES.

I heard some decent SNES guitar samples, but I've also heard some pretty fake-ass sounding samples as well (being the majority).

A few games pulled off guitar sound pretty well on the Genesis. Vapor Trail is one of them (the sound track is even better on the Genesis than on the arcade) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSssZMGDozU and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IDvmCibcuA

I have yet to be presented with a Mega Drive game with music/sound that has impressed me (the only exception to that would be the Streets of Rage series).

Well, depends on what specifically you're looking for, to impress you. If you looking for a Genesis game to sound like a SNES game, then you totally have the wrong idea. I personally think there are tons of great/awesome tracks for the Genesis out there (old stuff and recent tracked stuff). Most SNES stuff sounds cheesy nowadays, with a few exceptions (notably orchestral stuff). I think the only large advantage the SNES really has nowadays, is that even bad compositions don't hurt your ears the way bad FM can. Most bad snes compositions are just forgettable. Not so on the Genesis, and I think it gets a bum rap for that.

dreamcaster

05-17-2010, 04:59 AM

I think at the end of the day, my opinion is going to end up coloured by the fact I just plain don't like the Mega Drive/Genesis.

Oh yes...I went there.

j_factor

05-17-2010, 05:22 AM

I heard some decent SNES guitar samples, but I've also heard some pretty fake-ass sounding samples as well (being the majority).

A few games pulled off guitar sound pretty well on the Genesis. Vapor Trail is one of them (the sound track is even better on the Genesis than on the arcade) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSssZMGDozU and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IDvmCibcuA

Well, depends on what specifically you're looking for, to impress you. If you looking for a Genesis game to sound like a SNES game, then you totally have the wrong idea. I personally think there are tons of great/awesome tracks for the Genesis out there (old stuff and recent tracked stuff). Most SNES stuff sounds cheesy nowadays, with a few exceptions (notably orchestral stuff). I think the only large advantage the SNES really has nowadays, is that even bad compositions don't hurt your ears the way bad FM can. Most bad snes compositions are just forgettable. Not so on the Genesis, and I think it gets a bum rap for that.

I highly agree with this post.

Here's one SNES game that does hurt the ears: Paperboy 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLrcbgiqqTk&fmt=18) (skip to 0:25). Good god. Also it doesn't seem to have ANY voices, usually considered a strong suit for the SNES. The Genesis version is better in every way.

kupomogli

05-17-2010, 07:15 AM

Final Fantasy 5 has a lot of realistic guitar sounds. Although like tomaitheous stated some do sound fake.

Here's kind of the main thing why the SNES Is much better with audio, other than the fact that it has a much assortment of sounds it seems.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PkNirSetQc

This is the last boss music on Final Fantasy 5. Skip to 1:50, then listen up to 2:25. Atleast four different sounds are playing at once. Most Sega games have two sounds playing at a single time. I've possibly heard three before but I doubt it.

On most games when the Sega Genesis does play more than one sound it sounds kind of bad as well. Think Castlevania Bloodlines and the fire whenever killing the hell hound. Attempting to emulate a fire sound and probably too many sounds were used at once causing a screech.

megasdkirby

05-17-2010, 08:41 AM

Ys III for Genesis IMHO is better than the SNES version. Especially the music.

100% agreed. Plus the SNES version seemed a bit more cheap (as in cheap deaths/difficulty) than the Genesis version. Genny verson seemed more "balanced" and it's music was miles better.

I'd still take it over the SNES version though, because in addition to having many of the same problems and its own inadequacies something about the blurry, muddy graphics and the way the screen moves gave me severe eyestrain and made me seasick. Only FPS that's ever given me that problem.

I prefer the SNES version only due to it's awesome music. It was tediously slow, graphics looked all blurry and garbled. Good game on it's own right, though. I prefer the PSOne version, then the Jaguar version.

On the subject of comparing music, here's a comparison that was brought up on another board I post at. It's a tune that was used in both Mega Turrican and Super Turrican (which isn't strictly relevant to this thread, as they're different games, but...)

Genesis version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdY4EKAcW4Q&fmt=18)
SNES version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6gW975XDwA&fmt=18)

The SNES version isn't offensive to the ears or anything, but compare the two. The percussion has much less force on the SNES; it sounds like little taps instead of drums. And that section that begins at 0:40 sounds great on Genesis, but on SNES you can barely hear it. Genesis has a fuller, richer, "louder" sound.

Ah, yes. Super/Mega Turrican. How I love these games, specially it's music! One of the best I've heard on any 16 bit game. From the two, although they are both fantastic, I would have to choose the SNES version. It sounds better to me than on the Genesis. I feel the Genesis was too "high pitched" than on the SNES version, if that makes any sense.

Sega CD version > Genesis >>>>>> SNES

Agreed once more. The Sega CD version was THE definitive version over EWJ compared to the other two consoles. The others are also fantastic, but I felt the SNES version was slower than the Genesis/Sega CD versions. I did not notice any noticeable differences between the Sega CD and PC versions, as they both played the same to me.

Rob2600

05-17-2010, 11:03 AM

Stellar examples of SNES music:

EarthBound:
Pokey Means Business (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZRyJDOVRlk)
Winters (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiGfjOLF_j0)

Super Castlevania IV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjuSIUKdnjA

The Legend of the Mystical Ninja:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HkyAiV4Kbc

Batman Returns:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vw3QcVfB3I

Donkey Kong Country series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z29Mh80JiQ
Aquatic Ambiance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDvKwSVuUGA)
Lockjaw's Saga (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EupDdEbSjM)

Not really, it sounds like crap by the system's own standards.

I disagree. The SNES version of "Born to Be Wild" sounds better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwODPjCR6iI&fmt=18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW7w0AUtiWE&fmt=18 - bass guitar

These songs sound pretty good, but the samples are low quality and distorted. There's an annoying, fuzzy sound to them. Impressive for the Genesis though.

Here's one SNES game that does hurt the ears: Paperboy 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLrcbgiqqTk&fmt=18) (skip to 0:25). Good god. Also it doesn't seem to have ANY voices, usually considered a strong suit for the SNES. The Genesis version is better in every way.

Paperboy 2 is awful, no matter which platform it's on. And you're right, that "music" hurts.

Check out this interview with Mike Dietz, he worked on the different versions of Earthworm Jim and he prefers the Genesis version compared to the SNES version.

Mike Dietz: I much prefer the Genesis version over the SNES, because the SNES was more limited than the Genesis in the number of sprites you could have on screen at any one time.

I thought the SNES could handle more sprites than the Genesis?

Genesis:
maximum onscreen sprites: 80

SNES:
maximum onscreen sprites: 128, a maximum of 32 per line, up to 64x64 pixels large

Zebbe

05-17-2010, 04:00 PM

Read again: "on screen at any one time." i.e. what you currently see on screen when you actually play, not the entire game in itself. This has to do with the superior processing power of the Mega Drive/Genesis.

Ze_ro

05-17-2010, 04:05 PM

I'm really surprised that only a few people mentioned sports games. Sports games were, by far, the number 1 reason to own a Genesis back in the days. It was widely accepted that just about every sports game was far superior on the Genesis, even though the SNES version usually looked slightly better due to colour depth.

I guess no one really plays old sports games much these days... but here in Canada, people still argue over the merits of NHL 93 vs. NHL 95... and it's always the Genesis versions they're talking about.

--Zero

tomaitheous

05-17-2010, 04:06 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PkNirSetQc

This is the last boss music on Final Fantasy 5. Skip to 1:50, then listen up to 2:25. Atleast four different sounds are playing at once. Most Sega games have two sounds playing at a single time. I've possibly heard three before but I doubt it.

I don't hear anything special in that. It's rather generic/common sounding for the snes. If I was gonna pick something to show off the SNES, it sure as hell wouldn't be that. As for the "sounds", there are plenty of Genesis composition that have up to four different "instruments". FM is pretty flexible and can make a variety of instrument sounds (including a kazoo! I dislike the kazoo sound though). Saying most Genesis compositions have two "sounds" at a time is pretty ignorant. I think your bias has clouded your ability to distinguish between such things. Or something. I mean, seriously - how can you come to that conclusion? Probably haven't played much Genesis, would be my guess.

Not really, it sounds like crap by the system's own standards.
I disagree. The SNES version of "Born to Be Wild" sounds better.

You disagree? You think that Genesis rendition is up to par? You're nuts. You need to go back and listen to more Genesis sound tracks. Unless you're misunderstanding what he said (he didn't say the Genesis rendition was better than the SNES, just that it was subpar compared to other Genesis technical compositions).

I thought the SNES could handle more sprites than the Genesis?

Genesis:
maximum onscreen sprites: 80

SNES:
maximum onscreen sprites: 128, a maximum of 32 per line, up to 64x64 pixels large

Max sprites onscreen doesn't count for much. But that number means more to the SNES than the Genesis, because the SNES is only limited to two sprite sizes per screen, where as the Genesis is much more flexible and uses any (or all) of its sprite sizes onscreen. So the SNES benefits are very specific to a situation, otherwise the Genesis flexibility gives it the upper hand in more practical situations. Also, 64x64 sprites are practically useless (and wasteful). The PCE can do 32x64, but 99% of the time it's doing 32x32 sprite size like the Genesis max sprite size.

j_factor

05-17-2010, 04:19 PM

This is the last boss music on Final Fantasy 5. Skip to 1:50, then listen up to 2:25. Atleast four different sounds are playing at once. Most Sega games have two sounds playing at a single time. I've possibly heard three before but I doubt it.

On most games when the Sega Genesis does play more than one sound it sounds kind of bad as well. Think Castlevania Bloodlines and the fire whenever killing the hell hound. Attempting to emulate a fire sound and probably too many sounds were used at once causing a screech.

This is the most bizarre thing I've ever heard. The Genesis audio hardware has a total of 10 sound channels. Shitloads of games have more than "two sounds playing at a single time". What the hell? And that track is okay, but nothing special.

Ah, yes. Super/Mega Turrican. How I love these games, specially it's music! One of the best I've heard on any 16 bit game. From the two, although they are both fantastic, I would have to choose the SNES version. It sounds better to me than on the Genesis. I feel the Genesis was too "high pitched" than on the SNES version, if that makes any sense.

That doesn't make any sense. Can you comment on the section that starts at 0:40? To me it sounds really bad on SNES... you can barely hear it, it's so muffled. It's frustrating to listen to, like an 80s indie record with a poor mix.

I disagree. The SNES version of "Born to Be Wild" sounds better.

Of course the SNES version sounds better, but you can't possibly disagree with what I said, unless you haven't heard many Genesis games.

These songs sound pretty good, but the samples are low quality and distorted. There's an annoying, fuzzy sound to them. Impressive for the Genesis though.

That... really sounds like you're just making stuff up.

I thought the SNES could handle more sprites than the Genesis?

Genesis:
maximum onscreen sprites: 80

SNES:
maximum onscreen sprites: 128, a maximum of 32 per line, up to 64x64 pixels large

It technically allows a larger number of sprites, but in practice, the Genesis is much better with a large number of sprites. The SNES has other technical limitations.

pepharytheworm

05-17-2010, 04:39 PM

tomaitheous

05-17-2010, 04:42 PM

pepharytheworm

05-17-2010, 04:53 PM

And what is that going to show? Cross development games are probably the worst thing to compare against. A game developed to the strengths of the system, is a much better case to judge against or for.

How? Its like comparing Heavey Metal to Pop your way. Everyone will have there own taste. I know cross platform song are generally the worst but people can still tell which sounds like a better conversion.

My way its comparing the same song plus this thread is about better versions not which system had better songs. I am trying to stay on topic, while still discussing sound. I find sound and music part of what makes a better version. Along with gameplay and visuals of course.

j_factor

05-17-2010, 05:03 PM

Alright thats enough, we all have our own preferences no point in telling others their opinions are wrong. Maybe I missed it but has anyone shown music of both sytems that are pratically the same song. I listed one from Rock n Roll racing. I would like to hear other people's music they thought was better than the others version and please only exact same songs from the exact same game and same development team.

I did post an example with Turrican. I think that's a valid approach to comparing, as long as that's not the only thing you're looking at. The example you gave just so happens to be a terrible example for Genesis. If the SNES version didn't exist, I would still point it out as a Genesis game with poor sound.

What I find interesting is that the name of the thread title alone is saying that most games are better on the SNES. I have been on several forums and have seen this topic over and over. Not once I have I seen a thread title called "Are there any versions of SNES games that are better than the Genesis version?"

I don't think I've ever seen a thread with the same title as this one either. I think the majority of games between the two are better on Genesis. I posted a pretty large list earlier. Music isn't the only factor, of course.

tomaitheous

05-17-2010, 05:06 PM

How? Its like comparing Heavey Metal to Pop your way. Everyone will have there own taste. I know cross platform song are generally the worst but people can still tell which sounds like a better conversion.

No it isn't. :smash: You're original statement suggests superiority of one systems audio over another and drawing a conclusion based X comparison. Not what game(s) have better sound tracks. If that's not what you meant, you should be more clear (I mean, making such a statement when the focus of the thread has shifted to audio vs audio hardware and not game vs game. For a large chunk of this thread).

pepharytheworm

05-17-2010, 05:15 PM

Earthworm Jim intro/ New Junk City Genesis music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqbzRwrZZ5k
A lot clearer with some bumping bass

Earthworm Jim intro/ New Junk City SNES music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUeU_bGd8H0&feature=related
Adds some cool new sounds but generally I like the Gens version better.

Earthworm Jim - What the Heck genesis music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klWM-vGD5vw
This one sounds like there is a woomping noise. Its cool to hear the opening on Genesis, voices garbled

Earthworm Jim - What the Heck SNES music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTYphI4LJa0&feature=related
this time I like the SNES version better, doesn't sound like elevator music though.

Street Fighter II Genesis Ken Stage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaaFg0V2-yw
Of all the Street Fighter songs to me this one really shines on the Genesis

Street Fighter II SNES Ken Stage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYqyJiizxwY
Again some cool sounds added but I don't like the woomping sound on the snes this time

Mortal Kombat Genesis Title Player Select
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4PyskgK2XU
more faithful to the arcade music. But I ultimately like the SNES better because of the cool sounds added like the gong

Mortal Kombat SNES Title Player Select
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLShhxspKvE

pepharytheworm

05-17-2010, 05:23 PM

No it isn't. :smash: You're original statement suggests superiority of one systems audio over another and drawing a conclusion based X comparison. Not what game(s) have better sound tracks. If that's not what you meant, you should be more clear (I mean, making such a statement when the focus of the thread has shifted to audio vs audio hardware and not game vs game. For a large chunk of this thread).

Thats why I asked for examples because I personally haven't played all cross platform games on both systems. Just Because I generally like ones sound over the other doesn't mean every song I find better on the SNES, please read my post again if you thought this. People were discussing Rock n Roll racing and I own both and find the genesis port weak and music was part of it and several agreed thats why I mentioned sound. I personally would like people to show me some strong songs that outshine the SNES versions and vice versa.

allyourblood

05-17-2010, 05:45 PM

I personally would like people to show me some strong songs that outshine the SNES versions and vice versa.

I think you posted two very nice examples, yourself. While some might prefer the sound of the SNES versions, which is fine, the Genesis version of Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat are clearly more faithful to the arcade's original soundtrack. The lead melody in MK is clearly quite synthetic, but the SNES version went for more of a shakuhachi sound (or whatever it's called). And in Ken's stage for SFII, the Genesis version is almost a dead ringer for the arcade! Not sure where the SNES' guitar came from.

As for the Earthworm Jim tracks, I like both versions, but for different reasons. They all sound good to me.

j_factor

05-17-2010, 06:38 PM

Jungle Strike opening: Genesis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4KLRp6QGjQ&fmt=18), SNES (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcVsRZnaiCs&fmt=18). Once again the SNES version sounds awfully soft.

PresidentLeever

05-17-2010, 07:05 PM

MK on SNES sounds very muffled in that example, but the percussion is pretty good.

Here's a track that I think sounds better on SNES, Turtles in Time/Hyperstone Heist - Sewer Surfin':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsQ9bcN61N4
SNES: Great percussion, strong and full sounding leads, and the guitar is actually pretty decent. Sounds pretty tight and dynamic overall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugE5l01KG5s&fmt=18
MD: Pretty good bass, but rather thin and whiny sounding lead synths. Some scratchy percussion elements. The SNES's better stereo capabilites are also pretty obvious here if you have a listen in headphones. I do like the opening arpeggios better here though, more noticeable and crisp.

j_factor

05-17-2010, 07:18 PM

That's a good example, that sounds great on SNES. Actually the Genesis verson of that game overall, while not bad, feels lazy.

Push Upstairs

05-17-2010, 08:23 PM

Super Castlevania IV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjuSIUKdnjA

Batman Returns:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vw3QcVfB3I

I'll agree that Castlevania sounds nice, but Batman Returns? Most of the "orchestrated" music uses instruments that make the game come off as bland SNES music. That game also is an example of why I believe the SNES can't do bass.

Toss some dude on the ground and any "thud" lacks punch. SMW exhibits this as well. Bullet Bills launching & the fireworks at the end lack fullness, they sound flat.

TMNT isn't a good comparison, I feel Konami half assed "Hyperstone". That and "Turtles in Time" is a better game overall (being more arcade accurate)

123►Genei-Jin

05-17-2010, 08:27 PM

Since I like both systems this post is in no way a comparison by any means, just wanted to post some of my favorite tracks from both systems.

Snes
Axelay - 06 Colony (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSH3ilAMgJw&feature=related)
Battletoads in Battlemaniacs - Dark Tower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK9bDBj3ruM&feature=related)
Actraiser - Blood Pool/Casandora (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsefax53YP0)
Actraiser 2 - Tortoise Island & Altheria (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A9HnnrKfOo&feature=related)
Contra 3: The Alien Wars - Level 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w6Iog3WfvE)
Cool Spot - Off Da Wall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJeoQqzmZ5U)

Genesis
Battle Mania Daiginjou - Smoking Head (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdS10RRkFvI&feature=related)
Castlevania Bloodlines - The sinking old sactuary (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9KyV4zrdvE&feature=related)
Phantasy Star 4 - Laughter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFgpWnamW_M)
Streets of Rage 3 - The Poets II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYMJBMak1D4&feature=related)
Eternal Champions - Midknight Stage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5RuvRfp59A&feature=related)
Thunder Force IV - Daser Boss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IezoAHKQuY)

j_factor

05-17-2010, 08:39 PM

Streets of Rage 3 - The Poets II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYMJBMak1D4&feature=related)

This is the most underrated soundtrack of all time IMO. Here's another great track from it: "Fuze" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7XPSVtAhuo&fmt=18). I love the section that starts at 1:06, it reminds me of drum & bass.

Push Upstairs

05-17-2010, 08:56 PM

I could never get enough of this BK3/SOR3 track

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li6ve507X3c "The Poets"

Astrocade

05-17-2010, 09:52 PM

Personally, I have no dog in this fight being that I love the SNES and the Genesis equally. I've never really considered one or the other to have superior graphics or sound; it all depends on the game.

I can say this in favor of the Genesis though. Listening to a clip on youtube or a snippet captured through emulation just isn't the same as having your Genesis plugged into an actual stereo that is (1)decently set-up, (2)playing back in genuine 2 channel stereo, and (3)having speakers that can actually move some bass.

If I was just going by the majority of the posted examples, I would feel that the SNES had better sound. But if you play them both back through a hi-fi set up, the Genesis has usually much more resonant bass and a "warmer", less synthetic sound compared to the SNES. The best way I can describe the two is that the Genesis is the equivalent of the analog disc- warm, better rounded, and with a punchy bass. The SNES reminds me of the earliest CDs; crystal clear, but almost to a fault.

Rob2600

05-18-2010, 10:07 AM

Batman Returns? Most of the "orchestrated" music uses instruments that make the game come off as bland SNES music. That game also is an example of why I believe the SNES can't do bass.

I disagree. Fast-forward to some of the other songs in that video. They sound great to me...and when hooked up to a nice stereo system, there's plenty of bass.

I think the best example of SNES bass though is Donkey Kong Country.

Jungle Strike opening: Genesis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4KLRp6QGjQ&fmt=18), SNES (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcVsRZnaiCs&fmt=18). Once again the SNES version sounds awfully soft.

Yes, but we all know EA was very lazy on the SNES, so of course its SNES music is going to sound like garbage.

megasdkirby

05-18-2010, 10:21 AM

That doesn't make any sense. Can you comment on the section that starts at 0:40? To me it sounds really bad on SNES... you can barely hear it, it's so muffled. It's frustrating to listen to, like an 80s indie record with a poor mix.

As stated previously, it doesn't make any sense, since I was trying to find the correct way to explain it. For some reason, it just sounds better, but I can't pinpoint how or why. I just prefer it over the Genesis version.

Now Earthworm Jim...I do prefer the Genesis version as it sounds much better than it's SNES counterpart. The SNES version sounds weird.

I don't know if this comparisson has been made, but here is a track from Thunderforce III Genesis (or Thunderspirits for the SNES):

Genesis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXfGEgLfO-k

SNES: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glr4eldvneI

Both sound great, and some portions sound better on the Genesis than on the SNES (reverse is also true on some sections). So which is better? Depends on the person really, but I prefer the Genesis version.

Rob2600

05-18-2010, 10:40 AM

Absolutely no comparison here. The SNES music blows the Genesis music away.

NBA Jam Tournament Edition title music - Genesis (skip to 0:25):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsqh9kpHzTM

NBA Jam Tournament Edition title music - SNES:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKe4xeKXJPA

fahlim003

05-18-2010, 11:17 AM

I don't know if this comparisson has been made, but here is a track from Thunderforce III Genesis (or Thunderspirits for the SNES):

Genesis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXfGEgLfO-k

SNES: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glr4eldvneI

Both sound great, and some portions sound better on the Genesis than on the SNES (reverse is also true on some sections). So which is better? Depends on the person really, but I prefer the Genesis version.

This comparison demonstrates while music might be on par or better for one system over the other the rest of the game doesn't hold up. Thunder Spirits while decent cannot hold a candle to the original, with all the slowdown, new stages, and overall easier difficulty (if that can even be true since original TF3 is somewhat easy to begin with). There is more to this discussion than simply music.

Zebbe

05-18-2010, 12:23 PM

Another Thunder Force III/Thunder Spirits comparison:

Thunder Force III:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjRqKRYeF1A&feature=related

Thunder Spirits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha8ConKpBLI

pepharytheworm

05-18-2010, 01:16 PM

I find it funny when someone posts a song clearly better, then another someone post, "Thats cause they did a poor job". "It was always a bad port" "bad example thats poor by the systems own standards" Who cares if it lazy, thats what we are here to discuss which had a better port, and if they did a poor job we'll then you have your answer as which is a better port, at least whatever aspect is discussed. So no needing to make excuses for the snes and genesis, how about answers instead.

The early 90's are gone no point continuing the war. No need for people to get so defensive, one bad port doesn't mean your system sucks.

Rob2600

05-18-2010, 02:25 PM

I find it funny when someone posts a song clearly better, then another someone post, "Thats cause they did a poor job". "It was always a bad port" "bad example thats poor by the systems own standards" Who cares if it lazy, thats what we are here to discuss which had a better port, and if they did a poor job we'll then you have your answer as which is a better port, at least whatever aspect is discussed.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I find comparing EA's games a waste of time. We all know EA was very lazy on the SNES, therefore most of its games were better on the Genesis. This is common knowledge. Let's move on and compare other company's games instead.

Gameguy

05-18-2010, 02:50 PM

Absolutely no comparison here. The SNES music blows the Genesis music away.
There was some video on youtube that compared the music between Buster Busts Loose on the SNES and Buster's Hidden Treasure on the Genesis and the Genesis version was better. I'm not sure where the video is but I'll try to find it, both games had their own version of the TV show theme so it was easy to compare the two versions together.

Rob2600

05-18-2010, 03:00 PM

There was some video on youtube that compared the music between Buster Busts Loose on the SNES and Buster's Hidden Treasure on the Genesis and the Genesis version was better. I'm not sure where the video is but I'll try to find it, both games had their own version of the TV show theme so it was easy to compare the two versions together.

Cool, I'm interested to hear it.

By the way, I was referring to the music in NBA Jam Tournament Edition, not Genesis vs. SNES music overall:

Absolutely no comparison here. The SNES music blows the Genesis music away.

NBA Jam Tournament Edition title music - Genesis (skip to 0:25):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsqh9kpHzTM

NBA Jam Tournament Edition title music - SNES:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKe4xeKXJPA

kupomogli

05-18-2010, 03:12 PM

Another Thunder Force III/Thunder Spirits comparison:

Thunder Force III:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjRqKRYeF1A&feature=related

Thunder Spirits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha8ConKpBLI

The Genesis track sounds better in my opinion.

Kiddo

05-18-2010, 03:14 PM

I'm not really sure what exactly I can contribute to this thread, except for some ideas here n' there.

To begin, I've been trying to think of some games which may have not had their music compared yet.

strangely enough, an example I thought of right now is "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" and so I was able to pull out the Title song from MMPR: the Movie in both SNES and GEN formats. I don't think the games were exactly the same on both consoles, but they shared the obvious theme song;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AViq17Y_qw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pn4zMpAZnk&feature=related

One thing I'll always remember the MMPR games for is how they actually had some pretty intense/hard/heart-pumping music on the SNES, considering how seemingly difficult it is for me to recall SNES games that are like that - I'm not necessarily a music expert per se, but SNES music tends to sound more symphonic in nature, which work for a lot of the games SNES did, but didn't have the head-banging nature of classic NES sound.

The second thing I thought of was... Langrisser, for some reason. :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pllWgqsOqvI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg7a8Fe7d3s&feature=related

Probably because I know a fan, lol. But yeah, I find comparing the music on the SFC Der Langrisser and MD Langrisser 2 interesting because... well, Langrisser music is nice. Yeah. ^^;

And the last idea I thought of would be maybe looking at fan-chiptune scene for some stuff. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the neat Mute City or Storm Eagle Megadrive mixes I know are going around, and I don't really know much on SNES fan-music scenes, so I just went for the first thing I could nab, and found Illusionary Dance;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWT7YLR4BbE&feature=related

Which I guess one could compare to the SNES "Dracula X" version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REyIzJvQ_qc&feature=related

Rob2600

05-18-2010, 07:50 PM

I just went for the first thing I could nab, and found Illusionary Dance;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWT7YLR4BbE&feature=related

Which I guess one could compare to the SNES "Dracula X" version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REyIzJvQ_qc&feature=related

The Genesis version sounds horrible and annoying. The SNES sounds great.

Kiddo

05-18-2010, 09:35 PM

Hence why I wanted to find the Mute City and Storm Eagle Megadrive mixes on Youtube. Those sounded a lot better. :(

I've been digging through for some things on 8bitcollective, though.

http://8bitcollective.com/music/DalekSam/Mega+Man+X3+-+Blizzard+Buffalo+%28Genesis%29/

http://8bitcollective.com/music/CosmoBuggi/Neon+Tiger+MegaDrive+Genesis+Remake/

On the other end, this is about the closest I could find in terms of fan-SNES music;

http://8bitcollective.com/music/HyperGrav/Smooth+Criminal+%28SNES+cover%29/

Push Upstairs

05-18-2010, 10:10 PM

I disagree. Fast-forward to some of the other songs in that video. They sound great to me...and when hooked up to a nice stereo system, there's plenty of bass.

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

I owed "Batman Returns" on the SNES, I've heard the songs. I have my SNES hooked up to the same stereo I have my Genesis hooked up to. Bass on the SNES sounds artificial and flat.

If I was going to try and talk someone into liking the SNES for its soundchip, "Batman Returns" is not the Konami game I'd bother playing. "Turtles in Time" is.

shinobimusashi

05-19-2010, 12:40 AM

I can't speak for anyone else, but I find comparing EA's games a waste of time. We all know EA was very lazy on the SNES, therefore most of its games were better on the Genesis. This is common knowledge. Let's move on and compare other company's games instead.

I agree with this post, EA refused to tone down their softwares for the nes in the 8 bit generation. EA was clueless for a long time as to how to develope quality titles for the snes, where as with the genesis they reverse engineered it early on in order to navigate around sega's liscensing policies. The first John Madden Football looked and played great for its time(1990), fast forward one year and the port for the freshly launched snes looked almost like an 8 bit game with a downright horrid framerate.

i dont think the poor electronic arts ports were due so much to the snes performance rather than the fact that they just had alot to learn about the snes hardware. the ports of madden 94 and 95 were starting to catch up on the snes but were still better on the genny. madden 95 on the genny was liscenced by the nflpa so the players names are in the game for the first time in the franchise however, the snes port is missing the players names. madden 96 on the snes is a great football game and it was apparent that ea had figured the hardware out, just as it was going out the door.

the sega genesis is my favorite console ever, but i gotta go with the snes port of street fighter II. the music is much better and the animations seem better to me, and stone me now but i prefer to play it with the snes controller(nostalgia, just doesnt feel right on the genny pad to me)

j_factor

05-19-2010, 01:06 AM

The only problem with that attitude is that EA made a pretty damn significant number of games. In a thread titled "Are there any versions of Genesis games that are better then the SNES verision?" it seems pretty silly to say "oh yeah, most of EA's games, but everyone knows that, let's not talk about those".

kedawa

05-19-2010, 01:14 AM

Oh, you beat me to the punch.
The EA games are relevant to the topic.

tomaitheous

05-19-2010, 01:30 AM

What about Spiderman: Arcade's revenge? I'm not sure if the tracks are even the same, but the SNES version is damn impressive (well, most of the tracks). The Genesis version sounds like they didn't really even try. As far as the actual versions go, I have no clue (only like the musics, not the game).

05-19-2010, 01:59 AM

Let's move on and compare other company's games instead.

On the subject of sound, were there ever any cross-platform titles by the same development team(s) that had equal experience and expertise on both consoles?

I mean, can you honestly think of a composition that is nicely rendered solely due to hardware technicalities and not programming knowledge?

Taking that into consideration, I really can't think of any, but I'm not enough of an audiophile to give an accurate answer.

Rob2600

05-19-2010, 10:01 AM

On the subject of sound, were there ever any cross-platform titles by the same development team(s) that had equal experience and expertise on both consoles?

I mean, can you honestly think of a composition that is nicely rendered solely due to hardware technicalities and not programming knowledge?

Taking that into consideration, I really can't think of any, but I'm not enough of an audiophile to give an accurate answer.

It seems like some developers chose the Genesis as their primary platform and then quickly ported their games to the SNES. And other developers chose the SNES as their primary platform and quickly ported their games to the Genesis.

So, half the cross-platform games look and sound great on the Genesis, but not so much on the SNES...and vice versa. Instead of comparing game-by-game, we can save time by figuring out which developer favored which platform. For example, EA favored the Genesis, so it's safe to say EA's Genesis games are a bit better overall than its SNES versions.

Likewise, Konami favored the SNES, so it's safe to say Konami's SNES games are a bit better overall than its Genesis versions. Of course, there are also developers who only supported one console, like Square and Enix on the SNES.

I just think it makes more sense to make a list of which developers were better on which console.

MachineGex

05-19-2010, 10:40 AM

Zebbe

05-19-2010, 11:14 AM

Another track:

Mega Man X3 Intro on Genesis/Mega Drive, made by a fan using instruments from licensed G/MD games:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUwg-n1GgOo

Original SNES version by Capcom:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ukxh9Ra5oQ&feature=related

pepharytheworm

05-19-2010, 11:22 AM

What this topic needs is a list of all the games that were made for both systems and then we all can vote for each game. That way we have a running list of all the games and a general census of what people feel is the best version for each game.

I am too tired too make a list, why don't you start. It should be two lists though. One for ports, and another for versions. Aladdin is not a port but a different game so it would be in the version list, since both are still a version of Aladdin. Some would be hard to say like TMNT IV/TMNT MP since they are remixed ports pretty much.

tom

05-19-2010, 12:48 PM

What is also true that Sega made far better games for the Megadrive than Nintendo for the SNES.

Icarus Moonsight

05-19-2010, 02:05 PM

All I can say as far as the music tangent goes is; I very much want to use a Genesis to produce music with... where I'd never even consider using an SNES. Anything special or unique that the SNES does, a 15 year old POS computer can do better, and even more. The Genny is special. Anyone that isn't into electronic music or the instruments involved would probably not understand or care about this though. Allyourbase seems to understand, maybe along with a few others in the thread. Have you heard the genny pump out TB303-esque synth basslines? For a piece of late 80's consumer tech, it's insane to even guess at how it does them so well. It's best features were mostly pushed aside or was dreadfully underutilized by most of the game makers that produced cross-platform games.

Not to say that the SNES is bad or lacking for it's music, far from it. There are some great pieces produced on the platform (ActRaiser 2 being forefront at mind and a longtime favorite of mine). But the Genny takes too much shit on this front from people who don't even know why they don't like what they say they don't like. "Genesis sound sucks!" It's a meaningless bromide when left merely at that.

The truth is many of the folks that integrated the music for games back then were not musicians. They were designers, engineers, technicians or dabblers for the most part. The sound generation system of the Genesis is an actual synth instrument, not merely a score sheet playing pre-generated tones/voices (SNES MIDI/Sampling). They could take a piece of sheet music and copy it over to the SNES and insert some preset/default samples or MIDI instrument voices to it (they'd do this for the Genesis port/version in many cases too, with disastrous results - synth presets). One had to 'play' the Genny to get anything as good or better (than the SNES) out of it. The output quality depended on the talent and ability of the person working it. The SNES sound system was just more accessible, better results for less effort and knowledge, but that came with more limitations on expression, where the Genny, in the right hands, had much fewer. It's just that many didn't take the time to do it or didn't know how.

I throw these out for some examples, first is a non-port SNES/Gen comparator and the second is a sample of the TB303 stuff I mentioned.

Castlevania IV Track on Genny - Simons Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI7f5Wb2DAM) - I prefer this version, though I like them both.
FM 303 Drum&Bass - Contra HC: JB303 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ2y-5lGHbQ)

Ack! Forgot about the OP... I usually take Genesis versions over the SNES, but not always. I'm more lenient on graphics than anything else, as long as it's not god awful in the difference, I'm alright. I grade gameplay and control the harshest. As for the rest, mostly, I'm more interested in the version that has more going for it, all around. In most cases, for my taste, it swings toward Gen. Sunset Riders is one I swing SNES on, but then again, who doesn't? LOL

Nintega Grafx-16

05-19-2010, 02:16 PM

Proof that sometimes Genesis does what Nintendon't :)

Lightening Force/Thunder Force IV - Stage 8 BGM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhi_bK1bH4U)

Rob2600

05-19-2010, 03:05 PM

Castlevania IV Track on Genny - Simons Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI7f5Wb2DAM) - I prefer this version, though I like them both.
FM 303 Drum&Bass - Contra HC: JB303 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ2y-5lGHbQ)

That Genesis version of "Simon's Theme" sounds thin, grating, and lacks bass. The SNES version from Super Castlevania IV sounds much better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KqUbTi6jN8&fmt=18

I see your point about the Genesis synth chip being flexible and powerful...but, many of the examples of Genesis music I've heard sound either thin, shrill, scratchy (low-res distorted samples), or all of the above. I've heard a few examples of Genesis music that sound impressive, but it's almost always 1980s-sounding synth pop. You seem to be a big fan of that genre, so of course, you're going to love it and lean toward the Genesis.

On the other hand, I'm not a fan of that genre, so that type of music gets old fast to me. I think to myself, "Wow, that's all the Genesis audio chips can do? It's a one-trick pony...not very versatile."

Whereas with the SNES, I've heard very nice-sounding orchestrated music (Super Castlevania IV, Chrono Trigger, ActRasier, etc.), rock music (Rock 'n' Roll Racing, Street Fighter II, etc.), funk and new age music (F-Zero, Pilotwings, etc.), plus songs with vocals (Clay Fighter title screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY8OZKPtWWQ&fmt=18)), so the SNES comes across as being more versatile and powerful to me.

Of course, there's some horrendous music on the SNES - there's horrendous music on the Genesis, too - but in the right hands, I'm more impressed with SNES music than I am with Genesis music. Keep in mind, I'm more impressed with a nicely orchestrated piece (e.g. the Super Castlevania IV cave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNPz77g5Xyk&fmt=18), Batman Returns Arctic World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fugecNjZ-Y&fmt=18), or the Yoshi's Island credits music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV8PCuLQ-v0&fmt=18)) than I am with a techno synth piece (e.g. your Contra: Hard Corps link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ2y-5lGHbQ), very thin and repetitive).

The first time I played my SNES in 1991, I immediately noticed how much more realistic the music sounded compared to the NES and Genesis. For the first time, I was hearing real instruments instead of chip tunes. Now don't get me wrong, I love and appreciate good chip tunes, but the SNES audio chip was unlike anything I'd ever heard before in a home video game. I was blown away by the music in Super Castlevania IV (realistic strings, flutes, organs, bass guitars, French horns, timpani, etc.), but found the music in Sonic the Hedgehog to be more of the same old chip stuff...even though it was done well. The SNES sounded so much more advanced to me and still does in many cases.

Icarus Moonsight

05-19-2010, 03:42 PM

Yeah, in midi/samples vs a tone generator for real-life-sounding instruments, it's simply no contest. SNES will do it much better because it was better designed where you can use a midi voice or chunk a snippet of the actual (mic) captured voice of the instrument and modulate it to any pitch required and replay the sample with just a time and pitch reference. The Genesis can do it also, but not anywhere near as well. Notice the tendency of SNES ports human voice samples to be worlds better than Genesis to see the practice. Same for guitar and symphonic/orchestral instruments. However, If you are wanting to change the oscillator freq, waveform, attack, decay, brightness, or drop, open or close an envelope or filter (have total control over the generated sound, within the specs) you want a Genesis over the SNES. It's a give and take, with the entailed win-some and lose-some. Samples can take up quite a bit of ram too. Where the data array ram required for the synth settings is minimal by comparison.

I changed the video link, because it was a bad capture of Simons Theme. Reference cans seems to help too for the 'lack of bass'. They do sound flat/thin through PC/laptop speakers. LOL

Proof that sometimes Genesis does what Nintendon't :)

Lightening Force/Thunder Force IV - Stage 8 BGM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhi_bK1bH4U)

Thanks you for that link! Forgot about LF... That's going on my mp3 player stat! :D

Sorry, please excuse the music nerds... We can't help ourselves. :o

Rob2600

05-19-2010, 04:12 PM

Proof that sometimes Genesis does what Nintendon't :)

Lightening Force/Thunder Force IV - Stage 8 BGM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhi_bK1bH4U)

As I've written before, that song is impressive for the Genesis, but it sounds distorted and fuzzy overall. I know it's supposed to be a distorted electric guitar, but the entire song sounds too overdriven...and/or the guitar samples are too low-res.

Does the actual game sound like that or is it just a poorly recorded, clipped audio track in the YouTube video?

fahlim003

05-19-2010, 04:21 PM

As I've written before, that song is impressive for the Genesis, but it sounds distorted and fuzzy overall. I know it's supposed to be a distorted electric guitar, but the entire song sounds too overdriven...and/or the guitar samples are too low-res.

Does the actual game sound like that or is it just a poorly recorded, clipped audio track in the YouTube video?

Thank youtube, I hear quite a bit of distortion compared to the original soundtrack. Otherwise, one of the best on Genesis, music-wise to be sure.

Icarus Moonsight

05-19-2010, 04:26 PM

The mp3 mediafire link is in the description. Might want to give that a try. I noticed quite a difference. Only thing that my ear is expecting and missing is better defined cymbals on the drum track... But you have the distorted metal 5ths guitar, bass and the lead synth already along with bass drum, snare and tom fills that shine over the wispy cymbals. Still, it's impressive...

Damn, I'm going to have to say sorry twice arn't I? LOL

Rob2600

05-19-2010, 04:37 PM

SNES EarthBound heavy metal music "Pokey Means Business" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grQkblTqSMs) (skip to 0:53) vs. Genesis Lightening Force/Thunder Force IV heavy metal music Stage 8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhi_bK1bH4U). Which one sounds better?

If you are wanting to change the oscillator freq, waveform, attack, decay, brightness, or drop, open or close an envelope or filter (have total control over the generated sound, within the specs) you want a Genesis over the SNES.

Yes, but that type of stuff is mainly used in synth pop and techno. So on the Genesis, you can have awesome electronica or poorly orchestrated music. That doesn't seem like much flexibility to me.

TMNT IV: Turtles in Time (Alleycat Blues (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3l5v-QQF40&fmt=18) and Sewer Surfin' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH-lLbHbG-A)), EarthBound (Battle Against a Weird Opponent (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN1fHNIRY7c&fmt=18), Battle Against a Machine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eas_KpK2Lpg&fmt=18), and Sky Runner (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7JOXfAsxTkY&fmt=18)), and NBA Jam Tournament Edition (title screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKe4xeKXJPA&fmt=18)) are examples of SNES synth/electronic music. I'm sure there are better examples, but these are the ones I know of.

Overall, in the right hands, I think the SNES can pull off a wider variety - and better sounding - music than the Genesis.

Samples can take up quite a bit of ram too. Where the data array ram required for the synth settings is minimal by comparison.

Well, the SNES does have quite a bit more RAM than the Genesis.

Thank youtube, I hear quite a bit of distortion compared to the original soundtrack. Otherwise, one of the best on Genesis, music-wise to be sure.

Thanks for clearing that up and confirming my suspicions. I downloaded and listened to the MP3 file and the sound quality is better than the YouTube video, but it still has that shrill, grating, annoying Genesis tone to it. The song is impressive overall, but piercing.