NES vs. Commodore 64 versions of games!!!

[treismac]

What Commodore 64 games do you prefer to their NES counterparts?

Here is the game that spawned this thread:

I just received the Famicom cartridge (tape/whatever) version of Yie Ar Kung Fu through eBay. I use to love both the arcade version and the Commodore 64 version. Owning the C64 version, that was the definitive version for me, and, quite honestly, the Famicom/NES version just does not compare. The super high jumping is neutered, the colorful backgrounds are traded for a drab black dojo, the NES version has half of the amount of bosses, and, perhaps worst of all, the glorious Commodore 64 music chip isn't cranking out the tunes!!! So as not to completely bash the Famicom version, they did add a bonus stage on the Famicom version and the character design could easily be argued to be graphically superior. Still, it is not enough. The feeling just ain't right.

So, what Commodore 64 versions of a game do you prefer to the NES version?

[treismac]

*I apologize to any and all higher powers for double posting this thread. After a good few seconds of half-baked deliberation, I decided that this thread would probably do *cough* "better" in the Classic Computer Gaming section.*

What Commodore 64 games do you prefer to their NES counterparts?

Here is the game that spawned this thread:

I just received the Famicom cartridge (tape/whatever) version of Yie Ar Kung Fu through eBay. I use to love both the arcade version and the Commodore 64 version. Owning the C64 version, that was the definitive version for me, and, quite honestly, the Famicom/NES version just does not compare. The super high jumping is neutered, the colorful backgrounds are traded for a drab black dojo, the NES version has half of the amount of bosses, and, perhaps worst of all, the glorious Commodore 64 music chip isn't cranking out the tunes!!! So as not to completely bash the Famicom version, they did add a bonus stage on the Famicom version and the character design could easily be argued to be graphically superior. Still, it is not enough. The feeling just ain't right.

So, what Commodore 64 versions of a game do you prefer to the NES version?

[Satoshi_Matrix]

The only one that comes to mind is Robocop 3. The C64 version has this AMAZING titlescreen muisc that is the epitome of awesome chiptunes. Just listen and jam out to this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6PEHdQJbO8

[treismac]

Just listen and jam out to this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6PEHdQJbO8

Awesome. I've heard this before on youtube, although I've never seen, much less played, the game. The way the C64 (sic) mimicked the screeching electric guitar from the '80s is a thing of incomparable beauty indeed.

[Flack]

I know this is a generic response, but I would say any RPG that involved text. I don't know what it is, but games like Wizardry and Bard's Tale on the NES never looked right to me.

[Amon_Re]

Never owned a NES but I did own a C64... Those were the days... Gyruss would be another example I guess, the NES version looked better, but lacked the the challenge of the Arcade/C64 version. Sure, they added bosses and such and other extras, but I still prefer the C64 version.

Oh, and the music on the C64 was AWESOME.

[BlastProcessing402]

The Ultima ports on the C64 are a lot better than the NES versions, but the C64 still aren't the best versions around. Some games are just meant to be played with a keyboard, and these are some of those games.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I wonder what happened to the post I made last night? Oh well, I'll post it again.

The C64 is a much less capable system than the NES, so its hard to think of any games that are on par, let alone superior on the C64. That said, there were a few games made for both in which the Famicom version is inferior. The game that comes to mind when I think that way is Robocop 3.

The C64 has this outstanding titlescreen theme that is easily one of my favorite chiptunes ever. There's an NES version of the same track, but the SID chip just belts out a better chiptune than the 2A03.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6PEHdQJbO8

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

The C64 is a much less capable system than the NES, so its hard to think of any games that are on par, let alone superior on the C64.

I wouldn't call the C64 MUCH LESS CAPABLE. It's a very capable 8 Bit computer with all sorts of great in-built capabilities.

Off the top of my head there were a few games that I recall preferring on the C64...

Three Stooges
Defender of the Crown
Ivan Stewart's Super Off Road
Maniac Mansion
Donkey Kong (had all the arcade levels)
Winter Games
World Games
California Games
Impossible Mission II

I'm sure there were plenty of others, in the prime of both systems I was gaming extensively on both and I can recall doing plenty of comparisons that came away with c64 being the winner.

[cityside75]

I had my C64 out a couple of weeks ago and my son and I played some M.U.L.E. together on it. Last weekend, he wanted to try it again after the C64 was back in the closet so I pulled up the NES version on an emulator. What a huge letdown. Even my 8-year old son kept commenting about all of the things missing.

Love this topic by the way...something different!

[treismac]

I wonder what happened to the post I made last night?

It's right here:
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158204

I apologize, Satoshi san! I reposted this thread from the Classic Gaming board to the Classic Computer Gaming board because I thought it was better suited there. Your original post is still there.

Sorry!!! :oops:

[treismac]

As far as Capcom games are concerned, I remember 1943 and Commando being much cooler on the Commodore 64. The graphics just look so sterile and dead on the NES in comparison. Also, hitting the space bar for the grenade on Commando is awesome rather than inconvenient. Trust me. It makes the attack way more eventful that way.

Would it be throwing salt into the wound to mention the music difference? Rock this theme song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDAhixO2t5w)!

[treismac]

Can a mod please marry this thread with the one in Classic Computer Gaming? Sorry about this.

[Rickstilwell1]

I just hope nobody ever says Renegade because the C64 port was horrible and sluggish when compared to the NES version. Even the SMS version feels kind of weird when compared to the NES version.

On Donkey Kong... but the C64 version is so hard compared to the NES version. It's a bit less forgiving even on the first level.

[k8track]

Gyruss and Boulder Dash.

[Amon_Re]

Gyruss and Boulder Dash.

I second Gyruss. Sure, the NES version has bigger, more colorfull sprites and even 'end bosses', but those end bosses didn't fit the game imho.

Also, the SID kicks the NES's soundchip arse.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Boulder Dash.

Wait, have you seen the incredible NES version? Its one of the best versions of Boulder Dash ever. I don't know how anyone could prefer the C64 version. Can you explain your reasoning?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

http://www.funnypicturesofcats.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/funny-pictures-of-cats-dot-info-349.jpg

MERGIFIED!

(and since there were more responses in Classic Gaming, I figured that's the place it wanted to live.)

[thegamezmaster]

I like both and have both. Myself I go with the game that I like better on both systems.

[Tempest]

I wouldn't call the C64 MUCH LESS CAPABLE. It's a very capable 8 Bit computer with all sorts of great in-built capabilities.

Off the top of my head there were a few games that I recall preferring on the C64...

Defender of the Crown

The NES version of Defender of the Crown was WAY too easy because of the extras they added. When your home castle was attacked you defended it with a crossbow shooting mini-game rather than a regular battle screen, but because of the way it was set up you could easily beat it without ever getting hit (it was a little slow and there were only a few spots where the soldiers popped up). So you could easily leave only one soldier to defend your home castle and never have to worry about it.

The joust scene added a second part where you fought with morning stars and was fairly easy as well. If you lost the jousting part (which was still ungodly hard) you could easily beat the morning star part and win the event (you only had to win one or the other IIRC). So even a character with bad jousting skills could easily win. This made it super easy to grab other peoples land and max out your fame.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

The NES version of Defender of the Crown was WAY too easy because of the extras they added. When your home castle was attacked you defended it with a crossbow shooting mini-game rather than a regular battle screen, but because of the way it was set up you could easily beat it without ever getting hit (it was a little slow and there were only a few spots where the soldiers popped up). So you could easily leave only one soldier to defend your home castle and never have to worry about it.

The joust scene added a second part where you fought with morning stars and was fairly easy as well. If you lost the jousting part (which was still ungodly hard) you could easily beat the morning star part and win the event (you only had to win one or the other IIRC). So even a character with bad jousting skills could easily win. This made it super easy to grab other peoples land and max out your fame.

Yes. While I'd have to pick the Amiga version (or maybe the GBA version) as my favorite, the NES version has a few things about it that make it less preferable.

I mean, it's not terrible, it's just has a few things in there (like what you described) that break the strategy elements.

[old_skoolin_jim]

C64 versions I've prefered over their NES ports:
Ghostbusters
Maniac Mansion
Ultima 4, 5
Tower Toppler
and I actually haven't played the NES version, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say The Last Ninja was probably better on the 64 too. If not for the gameplay then for the music! ;)

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I just received the Famicom cartridge (tape/whatever) version of Yie Ar Kung Fu through eBay. I use to love both the arcade version and the Commodore 64 version. Owning the C64 version, that was the definitive version for me, and, quite honestly, the Famicom/NES version just does not compare. The super high jumping is neutered, the colorful backgrounds are traded for a drab black dojo, the NES version has half of the amount of bosses, and, perhaps worst of all, the glorious Commodore 64 music chip isn't cranking out the tunes!!! So as not to completely bash the Famicom version, they did add a bonus stage on the Famicom version and the character design could easily be argued to be graphically superior. Still, it is not enough. The feeling just ain't right.

Regarding this.

Yeah. Yie Ar Kung Fu is a classic, no doubt, but it's one of those sad stories of never got a great home version until we reached an era where the arcade rom was easily ported.

BOTH the C64 and NES/Famicom versions of the game are pretty dreadful re-imaginings. There's even a sequel on the C64 which expands the universe of weapon wielding opponents but even that is lackluster.

I think the earliest home version that was any good was in the Saturn/PS1 era where it showed up on a few Konami arcade collections.

[treismac]

http://www.funnypicturesofcats.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/funny-pictures-of-cats-dot-info-349.jpg

MERGIFIED!

(and since there were more responses in Classic Gaming, I figured that's the place it wanted to live.)

Thanks!!!

[WoodyXP]

I preferred Dungeons & Dragons games on the C64.. The Last Ninja games also got butchered on the NES.. so I prefer the C64 versions of those as well.

[treismac]

There's even a sequel [of Yie Ar Kung Fu] on the C64 which expands the universe of weapon wielding opponents but even that is lackluster.

The MSX version of Yie Ar Kung Fu II looks much better than the Commodore 64
version. See for yourself:

C64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs_whB89RiA) vs. MSX (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7B71UYhe6YU)

[Satoshi_Matrix]

The Commodore 64 had one of the greatest game clones of all time, the Great Giana Sisters. I almost like it more than Super Mario Bros.

Here's my review of it in case any of you guys missed it.
http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/the-great-giana-sisters-and-giana-sisters-ds-review/

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

The MSX version of Yie Ar Kung Fu II looks much better than the Commodore 64
version. See for yourself:

C64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs_whB89RiA) vs. MSX (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7B71UYhe6YU)

Yeah, but it's still that strange aesthetic of the home versions.

Nothing beats the real arcade game.

[Drixxel]

Yeah, but it's still that strange aesthetic of the home versions.

Nothing beats the real arcade game.

I, for one, love the Famicom version of Yie Ar Kung Fu (and it's faithful recreation on the Konami GB Collection Vol. 3). Admittedly, nostalgia and/or conditioning may come into play, as it is the first form of the game I was exposed to, but I dig the stark black backdrop, the character redesigns and just generally how it plays. The arcade original doesn't do it for me in the same way.

[Thrillo]

The NES version of Defender of the Crown was WAY too easy because of the extras they added.
The NES version is too easy? That game always kicked my ass when I was a kid, I guess I just never got the hang of the wonky controls.


Never owned a NES but I did own a C64... Those were the days... Gyruss would be another example I guess, the NES version looked better, but lacked the the challenge of the Arcade/C64 version. Sure, they added bosses and such and other extras, but I still prefer the C64 version.

Oh, and the music on the C64 was AWESOME.
Have you played the FDS version of Gyruss? It makes great use of the FDS soundchip.

So one trend I've noticed between C64 and other versions of a given game is that the C64 version usually has better music but by far the least sounds; sometimes there's almost none at all. And if the game is an arcade port, the music is usually completely different than the arcade version. Ghosts N' Goblins is an example that comes to mind. Don't get me wrong, C64-style music is great, but if I'm playing a port I expect basic sounds and music that's at least somewhat based off the original version. In the end I guess C64 programmers were just trying to play to the system's strength though.

[j_factor]

Space Harrier, while not exactly great on either, is much more playable on C64.

[Sanriostar]

C64 Ghostbusters, Archon 1, M.U.L.E., Spy-vs-Spy 1. The C64 Bubble Bobble also has the BB songs done via the SID, so that's a fun bonus.

[Amon_Re]

Bubble Bobble! I lost countless hours on that one.... <3

[NeoZeedeater]

If it originated as a computer game, then chances are it's better on C64. Even when the graphics are more detailed on NES, something's usually off. Archon's a good example. It's more advanced looking on NES but the designs lack the charm and the game is slower paced.


and I actually haven't played the NES version, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say The Last Ninja was probably better on the 64 too. If not for the gameplay then for the music!
It's better on C64 in every aspect: music, art, and control. It's also Last Ninja 2 despite lacking the "2" in the title on NES.

[treismac]

Space Harrier, while not exactly great on either, is much more playable on C64.

Have you ever played Remember's crack of Space Harrier where they combine both the Sega and Elite versions of the game? It's worth a look.

[Neb6]

[QUOTE=Satoshi_Matrix;1871705]I wonder what happened to the post I made last night? Oh well, I'll post it again.

The C64 is a much less capable system than the NES,


Despite the raw hardware stats, when comparing actual game quality, the NES and the C64 are pretty closely matched.

On an 8-bit history angle, the book "Commodore: a company on the edge" has some very interesting information about the relationship between the C64 and the NES.