SNES vs. 32X Doom

[c0ldb33r]

I was just playing 32x Doom, then played some SNES Doom via emu

Which do most people think is a better version?

I generally like the 32x graphics more, but the SNES seems to have some graphics that the 32x one is missing (especially apparent in the first level, the 32x one looks so empty!)

BTW, sorry if this is an old topic, I searched and found nothing.

[Neo Rasa]

I prefer the SNES version by far. The overall speed is slower but more consistent. The music is FAR superior, more sprites are present (for the enemies as an example, only the facing front sprite exists for any monster in 32X Doom). In addition the SNES version not only has more levels (twenty-two compared to the fifteen on the 32X port), but the levels included are more accurate to the original game than most any other port.

[fishsandwich]

Yeah, the SNES version is surprisingly good considering the hardware... it's just cool to see it running on 16-bit hardware.

The 32x COULD have run a PC-perfect port of DOOM running full-screen with all the levels and enemies at a great frame rate and with nice graphics but it's been said time and time again that 32x DOOM just didn't get enough development time. It was an important launch title and it seems it was pushed to retail too soon. The music wouldn't have been as good as that in the SNES game but everything could have been perfect.

If the 32x could do fine, fine games like Virtua Fighter and DarXide then it could certainly have done something less complex like DOOM.

Coulda Shoulda Woulda

[c0ldb33r]

Can you save on the SNES version? That's something that really pissed me off about 32x doom. I don't want to play the whole game in one sitting!

[cyberfluxor]

In addition the SNES version not only has more levels (twenty-two compared to the fifteen on the 32X port), but the levels included are more accurate to the original game than most any other port.

Most any other port, meaning excluding the PSX version? I haven't played all the way through the PS port but it seemed 100% on par with every little thing, but I never compaired it right against the PC version at the same time so can't be too sure.

[Neil Koch]

I couldn't play the SNES version for more than a couple of levels - the slow frame rate gave me a headache.

[tornadostormxl]

Snes is the best

[Retsudo]

Can you save on the SNES version? That's something that really pissed me off about 32x doom. I don't want to play the whole game in one sitting!
Nope you couldnt save on the Snes version.

The first time I ever played Doom was on the Snes. I got so used to it, by the time it came out on the PS1, I thought the PS1 graffix looked weird. After playing the PS1 version for a while, I couldnt go back to the Snes.

And I remember spending a whole Saturday playing Snes Doom because their were no saves and no level skip.

[Sothy]

Id say SNES version is equal to 32x version... they both got problems. The 3do version is Horrendous. The Jaguar version is hella good.

[suppafly]

The 32x version is MUCH BETTER. The framerate version is better too!

The snes version doesnt even have textures in the floor and in the nuke...

[c0ldb33r]

I'm absolutely stunned neither version allows you to save.

Doom is not fun played all at once! :(

[Neo Rasa]

Actually Doom 32X should let you begin a game on any of the fifteen included levels whenever you want (similar to the "Start At Wave ___" option on man older arcade games). Doom ports and saving DO NOT MIX. Even the very unique Doom 64 only lets you save the passwords so that you can enter them more quickly. NONE of the old ports save system/control settings ever, it's pretty bizarre.

3DO version is bad but has some really nice remixed music (though the Saturn/PSX ambient version is really good too).

cyberfluxor: The PSX/Saturn versions are both good ports (though the Saturn version is inexcusably choppy at times) but several of the levels are pared down in size. The structure of what's present is almost flawless but there are rooms/secrets/etc. that are flat out missing. They are also severely lacking in the enemy department (the Arch-Vile being completely absent as an example), with less enemies present overall in many of the "busier" rooms and so on. Many of the sound effects are also missing from the original. The actual order of the levels is also drastically different on many of the ports.

The SNES version runs the worst of these ports (except maybe the 3DO/Saturn) but somehow it really is very, VERY accurate to the PC original's level design. It's a miracle of programming that it runs at all I guess.

That Jaguar version is the best overall but even it uses the PSX/Saturn levels and therefore isn't QUITE perfect.

Of course the port on the XBox included with Doom 3 Collector's Edition and Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil destroy all of these.

[j_factor]

I'm no fan of the 32x version of Doom, but I found the SNES version to be completely unplayable. It runs at like five frames per second! The framerate was so bad that it affected my ability to control. I was always overturning because the framerate was too low to be able to properly judge things.

The 32x version is more playable, but the fact that it's missing 1/3 of the levels is pretty inexcusable. Fuck that.

I really liked the Jaguar version.

[starsoldier1]

The Jaguar version was excellent but it sucked that it didn't have any sound. I really liked the music in the SNES game but that's all I liked about it though.

[MarioMania]

I didn't like the SNES Version, even know I'm a Doom fan it's slow...My Fav Doom on a System is the Saturn & PSX, I want to get the Japanese Version of Doom on Saturn it has better Framerate

[lordnikon]

Being a launch 32X owner, I have been playing 32X Doom forever. So, I am very partial to the title. However when it comes to games in general, framerate is extremly important to me. I hate games that pump out pretty screenshots but have a horrible framerate. Performance should be #1 priority. Just look at a game like Killzone on the PS2. That game would have run so much better if the developers could put their 3D modeling wangs away, and drop the damn poly counts to improve the framerate. That being said 32X Doom is better than SNES Doom.

[MegaDrive20XX]

First version of DOOM I played was the PC Demo back in the day. Yet my first home port of it was on the Jaguar. The day I got it, I kept trying to turn up the speakers, I couldnt hear anything! Then I realized...NO BGM! (Until you finished the level)...who made that decision? silly people

32X version Vs. SNES? tough call...I do remember the SNES has some of the sweeter levels that were missing in the 32X game.

PSX/Saturn port, pretty nice SFX updates by far, but the funky techno neon colors on pools of lava, acid pools, and fireballs from the enemies were the only thing that made me go 'Huh?" Yet sadly there is a few favorite levels I liked that are missing in this game. Not much, but stuff from DOOM II especially.

Back on topic, I'd say 32X version of doom to get a solid feel of the game in it's true look. SNES game is still badass, but good lord, it's like watching a cartoon made out of red finger paints at times when the action gets too heavy for you.

Final DOOM PSX, damn I loved this one when it came out, simply to have MASTER LEVELS DOOM II, which were some really ingenious levels designed compared to that of Final Doom's TNT and Plutonia expansion paks. I think the reason why I like it so much, is Master Levels was something I passed up many times, yet now that I have the real PC edition of Master Levels...I keep messing with it ever so often, those WADS mix and match so easily. Playing NIN on some level called "Tooth" was pretty neat I'd say

[Neil Koch]

Was the SNES version censored? I didn't really play it that much, but I seem to recall some of the gore being cut down and a lot of the "demonic" stuff (upside-down crosses) being removed.

[MegaDrive20XX]

that's right it was, the pentagrams were removed

[exit]

I remember getting far into the SNES version and just gave up towards the end. In one level I was getting shot at and (from what I could tell) there wern't any enemies around.

[fishsandwich]

Anyone remember the ad campaign for SNES Doom? It was damned effective... one lone red ant completely and totally surrounded by an army of black ants on a white background.

Found it...

http://dtabuteau.free.fr/doom3/doom_sn_ad.jpg

[c0ldb33r]

Anyone remember the ad campaign for SNES Doom? It was damned effective... one lone red ant completely and totally surrounded by an army of black ants on a white background.

[image removed]
That's an excellent ad! :D

[digitalpress]

From best to worst:

The XBox Doom 3 version of classic Doom is the best. It's like playing Doom and Doom 2 on the best possible computer of that time. Or playing it on a computer today.

Not very far behind it, the PlayStation versions, Doom and Final Doom. So many levels. Superb frame rate.

Not too far behind that, the amazing N64 version, which takes a lot of chances by changing things up, but I really like the changes - it's like Doom "Remix".

Before all of those, the best console version of Doom was on the Jaguar. Super smooth but missing in-game music (you only got to hear it between levels for some strange reason).

Next, the GBA version of Doom is remarkably accurate to the PC version.

The 32X version is next, seriously flawed with a forced border (!) and no save game options.

The SNES version just behind that, the first version of Doom that I ever played and thought... "this really sucks".

The abomination of a port on the 3DO comes dead last. What the hell? Worst framerate and muddy graphics.

[attilathehun]

I was just playing 32x Doom, then played some SNES Doom via emu

Which do most people think is a better version?

I generally like the 32x graphics more, but the SNES seems to have some graphics that the 32x one is missing (especially apparent in the first level, the 32x one looks so empty!)

BTW, sorry if this is an old topic, I searched and found nothing.I played the real versions. Snes doom is the worst. I bought the 32x with doom for $30 at Kmart. The 32x doom is definitely one of the better ports out there.

Oldschool Doom Rankings
1. PC
2. Playstation
3. 32x
4. Jag
5. Doom 64(yeah more rounded defined shapes, but they are ghosts)
Doom64 A major disappointment.
6. Saturn
7. 3do
8. SNES

[retroman]

The SNES version is a choppy Pixalaited mess...

[cityside75]

The SNES version was the first version I owned. I own most of the different versions now, and I pretty much agree with the general assessment of the SNES version, and its shortcomings.

I'm not positive, but I think that the SNES version is probably the lowest resolution of the bunch. The graphics kind of resembled the low-res option on the PC where everything got super blocky. They also adjusted the shot accuracy in the SNES version to account for the slop in the graphics and frame rate. If you are pointing in the general direction of an enemy you'll usually hit him.

However, I think it speaks to the strength of the game itself that even with those shortcomings, when playing it at night with headphones on, it still scared the crap out of me...

[Neo Rasa]

Yeah, the audio capabilities of the hardware are what really make that port next to the level accuracy. Plus it has the Cyberdemon and Spider Mastermind which are missing from the GBA port, with one or both missing from may of the other ports as well. Persistantly updated auto map, you can cycle through the weapons while paused. If the framerate itself were smoother I'd consider it one of the best porting jobs ever given the hardware available. Also while it lacks coop, it does have a scaled down split screen death match that again several versions are just outright missing.

If I had to rank the ports myself (personally the most important factors to me are the level and enemy placement accuracy, the controls/control options, and the sound):

First off, what's available on the XBox is effectively flawless (though the running speed is SLIGHTLY faster than in the original PC games, that's the only difference one could noticeably pick up on even after some extensive play time).

After that?

Playstation/GBA
Saturn
Jaguar
SNES
32X
3DO


Doom 64 is a totally different beast that I don't think should even be considered among the ports. I personally I think it's a great Doom game with better level (and MUCH better sound design) than anyone gives it credit for. The music is an obvious precursor to the "heartbeat of the machine" type stuff seen in the Silent Hill games, Doom 3, etc. While I doubt it directly influenced any of these, it was a change that works remarkably well (and this is coming from someone who ALWAYS has some Doom I / II music queued up on his playlist).

[c0ldb33r]

Playstation/GBA
Saturn
Jaguar
SNES
32X
3DO

Wow I never knew anything about the 3DO version before. What's the deal? Why does everyone hate it? It can't really be worse than the SNES/32X versions can it? Or is it just a case where the game didn't live up to the hype?


Doom 64 is a totally different beast that I don't think should even be considered among the ports. I personally I think it's a great Doom game with better level (and MUCH better sound design) than anyone gives it credit for.
I also love Doom 64. The levels are great, and the graphics are pretty good, once you get past the fact that it's a 2D game that everyone expected should be a 3D game. I do find it a little wonky using the n64 controller though.

[theshizzle3000]

The SNES version is the best next to the PC version. And plus the cartridge is red so that makes it all the more sweeter.

[fishsandwich]

Wow I never knew anything about the 3DO version before. What's the deal? Why does everyone hate it? It can't really be worse than the SNES/32X versions can it? Or is it just a case where the game didn't live up to the hype?

The 3DO port is appalling for several reasons...

1. BORDERS. Kind of like the 32x version except YOU GET TO CHOOSE THE SIZE OF THE BORDER. The smaller the border, the better the frame rate. Looking for the best frame rate? You have to shrink the action window down to the size of a deck of cards. And you can. There's even a code you can put in for two additional sizes... almost full-screen and true full screen. The fact that they were removed as a normal option and only accessable with a code should tell you something about the frame rates.

2. Which leads to the next reason... frame rate! The frame rate for the biggest action window is amazingly bad... slow, jerky, and pretty much unplayable. You can get a better frame rate by shrinking the action window down but by that point you might as well be playing the GBA version.

3. The 3DO is capable of more. The 3DO has some decent FPS games (I said DECENT) and it could have managed a much better port of DOOM that what was ultimately released.

The Saturn got screwed, too... Duke Nukem and Powerslave showed that the Saturn could do a FPS with considerable speed, detail, and grace. I understand the Japanese version of DOOM runs much better than the one that was released in the States.

[walter_J64Bit_]

This is where the 32X's Doom is the WINNER :rocker: the SENS Doom is so gay :villagepeople: I can't stand that large pixel :bareass: that id/Nintendo calls Doom.

[shopkins]

I was frustrated by some of the limitations of the 32X version, but I have to say I liked it a little better than the SNES version. To this date, the SNES game is the only 3D game that's made me feel sick, and it also gave me this horrible cross between a headache and eyestrain. I felt like I was going to go blind.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Yeah, the audio capabilities of the hardware are what really make that port next to the level accuracy. Plus it has the Cyberdemon and Spider Mastermind which are missing from the GBA port, with one or both missing from may of the other ports as well. Persistantly updated auto map, you can cycle through the weapons while paused. If the framerate itself were smoother I'd consider it one of the best porting jobs ever given the hardware available. Also while it lacks coop, it does have a scaled down split screen death match that again several versions are just outright missing.


GBA DOOM = A Jaguar DOOM port. It's the same game, same amount of levels (23) except the main difference is GBA supports 4 player Deathmatch via link cable...while Jag DOOM just has system link for 2 players. Also it is missing Spectres (Invisible Demons).

As for DOOM 64's soundtrack...it's the exact same one used in PSX DOOM

[c0ldb33r]

GBA DOOM = A Jaguar DOOM port. It's the same game, same amount of levels (23) except the main difference is GBA supports 4 player Deathmatch via link cable...while Jag DOOM just has system link for 2 players. Also it is missing Spectres (Invisible Demons).
So is the GBA Doom also missing music?

[Neo Rasa]

GBA DOOM = A Jaguar DOOM port. It's the same game, same amount of levels (23) except the main difference is GBA supports 4 player Deathmatch via link cable...while Jag DOOM just has system link for 2 players. Also it is missing Spectres (Invisible Demons).

Actually they both have twenty-four single player/coop levels, though the GBA port has eight extra deathmatch levels that are not in any other version of the game. In addition what's odd about it is that many of the GBA quirks are inherited from the Jaguar game, yet there are some very subtle modifications to some of the levels (strategically placed object to block the view of an area to lower the amount of things that have to be drawn at a time, etc.) while still keeping these quirks



As for DOOM 64's soundtrack...it's the exact same one used in PSX DOOM


No it definitely is not. At all:

http://www.doom2.net/~doomdepot/music.html

The PSX/Saturn soundtracks definitely go for a more chilling feel but it's totally different music from what was composed and put into Doom 64. Both are really great though if you ask me. The PSX/Saturn soundtrack has a few individual songs in it that I think blow away most other Doom music, but I like the overall tone of the N64 one more.


The 3DO version has really nice remixes of several of the classic PC Doom songs but everything else about it. Arg.

c0ldb33r: It's missing several songs but most of the major pieces are there (similar to the SNES port in that respect).


Personally I rank the GBA so high due to the quality of its Doom II port.

[sabre2922]

I remember being very impressed when DOOM SNES was first released that they actually got the game to work on the sloooowdown 16-bit system.

Luved the red cart (US version) and the music was better than all the other console ports of that time until the PSX and the N64 versions.

OH DOOM 64 LUVED it and it is still my favorite N64 game to this day.

Ive never understood why some hated on Doom 64 back in the day, other than the control (N64 controller? yea) it was SOLID in everyway.

The graphics were much improved ,great level design, the music was good and it had a great "atmosphere" to it.

[VintageVGMR]

I played the Pc version of Doom back in the day. Let me say that the SNES version was just plain pitiful.

I have it right now and and don't like it much at all.

Slow Frame Rate

Terrible Graphics compared to other games on the system.

I rarely ever listen to the music on any games I play. I find it distracting. I like the sound effects and ambient noise.

I listen to music when I want to listen to music. And that doesn't count when I am playing a game.

Doom 64 is leaps and bounds better. My only problem is in the early levels I have to cheat.

There is the Button you have to push and then run and get the Blue or Red Key. I can never get to it in time. :(

[MegaDrive20XX]

GBA DOOM = A Jaguar DOOM port. It's the same game, same amount of levels (23) except the main difference is GBA supports 4 player Deathmatch via link cable...while Jag DOOM just has system link for 2 players. Also it is missing Spectres (Invisible Demons).
So is the GBA Doom also missing music?

Nope, just a few tracks

[MegaDrive20XX]

GBA DOOM = A Jaguar DOOM port. It's the same game, same amount of levels (23) except the main difference is GBA supports 4 player Deathmatch via link cable...while Jag DOOM just has system link for 2 players. Also it is missing Spectres (Invisible Demons).

Actually they both have twenty-four single player/coop levels, though the GBA port has eight extra deathmatch levels that are not in any other version of the game. In addition what's odd about it is that many of the GBA quirks are inherited from the Jaguar game, yet there are some very subtle modifications to some of the levels (strategically placed object to block the view of an area to lower the amount of things that have to be drawn at a time, etc.) while still keeping these quirks



As for DOOM 64's soundtrack...it's the exact same one used in PSX DOOM


No it definitely is not. At all:

http://www.doom2.net/~doomdepot/music.html

The PSX/Saturn soundtracks definitely go for a more chilling feel but it's totally different music from what was composed and put into Doom 64. Both are really great though if you ask me. The PSX/Saturn soundtrack has a few individual songs in it that I think blow away most other Doom music, but I like the overall tone of the N64 one more.




PSX & N64 mood and feel of the BGM is essentially the same or try to be, but I do agree the PSX game is more dark. However, the sound effects for the N64 are from the PSX

As for the GBA/Jaguar DOOM....just pretty much what I said earlier, except that it has some extra multiplayer deathmatch levels. Yet speaking from just the single player mode, it's essentially the same. Except the GBA plays the BGM unlike the Jag

[GreatSoren]

The 32x version is MUCH BETTER. The framerate version is better too!

The snes version doesnt even have textures in the floor and in the nuke...

So graphics are all that matters, huh? Well, I liked the SNES version better, you know why? MUSIC! Wanna know why music matter more to me than graphics? Music compliments the graphics! Music helps create an atmosphere graphics can't do on its own! OK, you do have music in the 32X port, I'll grant you that. But to me, music with some volume in it creates a better atmosphere than a viking chorus farting! But, if you're just in it for the game, 32X is better, if you're in it for the experience (like me), the SNES kicks 32X's ass.

[E Nice]

One thing I found missing in this revived thread was that no one mentioned the sfx quality for the SNES and 32X versions. When you fired with the machine gun the SNES port would just stutter the sound effect.

[sheath]

I think I have posted this before, but I did a Doom Map 1 comparison video earlier (http://www.gamepilgrimage.com/content/doom-comparison) this year. It includes the PC (Dosbox), Jaguar, 32X, PS1, 3DO and Saturn Jpn versions.

Overall I would say that 32X Doom is a much better game than SNES Doom. 32X Doom is one of the fastest versions, has great sound effects and average music on real hardware. SNES Doom is a special engine without floors or ceilings and still runs too slow, bad sound effects and music only SNES fans could love. SNES Doom does have more levels than 32X Doom and more of the PC version's textures than any of the other console adaptations.

[SpaceHarrier]

SNES Doom is a special engine without floors or ceilings and still runs too slow, bad sound effects and music only SNES fans could love.

Ok, I'm a SNES fan, so I won't argue too much with this point, but you gotta admit the 32x Doom port farted out some of the worst music ever to grace the console.

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

Of course, I agree the 32x port is better as it's more playable (smooth framerate). I am still kind of amazed any version of Doom could run on the SNES, fx chip or not!

What was the 3DO's excuse for such a poor port? That system seemed more than capable..

[sheath]

The 32X fart joke was created by poor emulation videos and potentially some bad Model 2 Genesis sound output. Over a Model 1 or quality Model 2 Doom 32X sounds much much better (http://www.gamepilgrimage.com/content/doom-32x-soundtrack) than youtube videos imply.

Believe me, if it sounded like farts to me back in the day I would have been laughing every time I played it. ;)

I can only explain the 3DO version by means of bad porting or short development time. The glitches featured in my comparison video at the start point to the later more than anything else. Still, the 3DO game is quite playable, in some ways more than the SNES game.

[Magnum]

I love love love the music from the SNES version. The first level music is especially killer.

[retroman]

i have both, and yes the Snes version does have more levels, but the graphics and frame rate are bad compaired to the 32x verson...i give the nod to the 32x one

[Ze_ro]

The SNES and 32X versions are both pretty damn awful. They're just missing far too many features. I played the hell out of the Jaguar version, but it's missing a lot of stuff too.

The PC version really is the way to go.

--Zero

[Emuaust]

The SNES and 32X versions are both pretty damn awful. They're just missing far too many features. I played the hell out of the Jaguar version, but it's missing a lot of stuff too.

The PC version really is the way to go.

--Zero

While I see this statement as true, being a pc gamer and all I always thought the PSX versions of Doom where great, oh and to add, the 360 ports are great too.

[Ze_ro]

It's also worth pointing out that one of the best features of Doom was in user-made levels and mods. These days, people expect games like Skyrim to have mods, but being able to make your own levels with your own graphics was a huge thing back then, and led to some amazingly well-done level sets (and a shit-ton of absolutely terrible ones).

None of the console versions got any of that of course. It's nice to see this functionality in some of the more recent source ports, like on Dreamcast, Wii, GP2X, PSP, etc.

--Zero

[kedawa]

I thought Final Doom for PS1 had some fan made maps.

[chrisbid]

and music only SNES fans could love.


what a fantastic statement. the snes's use of digitized baritone horns disguised as guitars always bugged me.

woah woah woah woah wo-wah-wah woah woah woah woooooah

[Peonpiate]

I thought Final Doom for PS1 had some fan made maps.

The whole game was mostly fan made stuff that ID bought and then called their own.

As far as the snes and 32x versions go, they are both pretty bad but I think the 32x is worse since they could have done alot more with it. SNES never had high hopes for a great port to begin with, and yet we got something that did resemble doom out of it. If the devs messed with the FX chips more they probably could have made it better than it was and surpassed the 32x release [which is not saying much].

The Jag version is the best of the three easily. Only thing it lacks is music and the missing Spider boss. 32x could have resembled it if more time was put into it but they didn't.

[Drixxel]

what a fantastic statement. the snes's use of digitized baritone horns disguised as guitars always bugged me.

woah woah woah woah wo-wah-wah woah woah woah woooooah

Haha, yeah. People might get a laugh calling the music from 32X Doom "farty" but the guitar sound in SNES Doom is flatulent in its own right. Having listened through some of the tracks on the page sheath linked to, 32X Doom sounds passable under ideal conditions.


First version of DOOM I played was the PC Demo back in the day. Yet my first home port of it was on the Jaguar. The day I got it, I kept trying to turn up the speakers, I couldnt hear anything! Then I realized...NO BGM! (Until you finished the level)...who made that decision? silly people

It's a cryin' shame, really, because the music you hear during the level transitions is pretty killer. It seems a possibility that the folks handling the Jag port encountered some audio performance issues that couldn't be adequately resolved. I'm reminded of Iron Soldier where you're given two options for in game audio, and neither is ideal. You choose either music with handicapped sound effects or no music with all sound effects. Really, it has to be some sort of technical issue as it's hard to imagine that Jag Doom was genuinely intended to be silent.

[Thrillo]

I remember reading a chat a year or two ago with one of the developers of the Jag port, and he confirmed that the reason for the lack of music was due to a lack of bandwidth for it on one of the Jag's buses.
I wonder why the 3DO version has such an incredible low framerate, as the game really isn't playable because of it. And this was the system which was developed for 3D from the ground up! I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out that a beta version was mistakenly sent to the pressing factory for the production run, since that's what the game feels like.

Out of all the '90s ports, I like the PSX version the best. It had most (all?) of the levels, full animations, a solid framerate, and silky-smooth control. Heck, it even had colored lighting, something the PC version didn't have. The only issue is that it doesn't feel like the PC original due to the completely different music and sounds, and the slightly faster running speed. That's not really a bad thing though since it basically feels like an updated "remix".

[kedawa]

The one cool thing about the 32X version is that the lack of depth shading makes it possible to see enemies at great distances, even if they appear as nothing but a couple of flickering pixels. This allows you to snipe enemies easily from clear across the level.

[c0ldb33r]

I remember reading a chat a year or two ago with one of the developers of the Jag port, and he confirmed that the reason for the lack of music was due to a lack of bandwidth for it on one of the Jag's buses.
I find that really surprising. I mean, you'd think music and sound effects would be pretty basic.

[Ze_ro]

I remember reading a chat a year or two ago with one of the developers of the Jag port, and he confirmed that the reason for the lack of music was due to a lack of bandwidth for it on one of the Jag's buses.

I call shenanigans on that. There are plenty of games that play music while pushing far more complicated 3D graphics than Doom does. A more likely reason is that Atari was pressuring them to release the game as fast as possible and they just didn't have time to figure out how to do it properly.

So many Jaguar games were rushed... it was a real shame, because some of them could have turned out so much better with just a few extra months of work.

--Zero

[Drixxel]

For all of the criticism against it (poor frame rate, low resolution, etc), SNES Doom does bear the unique honour of being the first console port to be granted a lengthy enough time in development to bring together as complete and polished a version of the game as could be reasonably expected of the hardware. 32X and Jaguar Doom - both undercooked to varying degrees. Of course, we're talking a matter of two months before SNES Doom was trumped by the release of PSX Doom. Within that narrow starting criteria, though, the SNES port holds at least one distinction.

[sheath]

what a fantastic statement. the snes's use of digitized baritone horns disguised as guitars always bugged me.

woah woah woah woah wo-wah-wah woah woah woah woooooah

Keep in mind, I am not trashing the SNES version. I played it almost to the end back in the day and own it complete today. It has more wall texture maps from the PC version than any of the original console ports.

SNES Doom is also very slow, slower than the 3DO version, and I cannot stand the music. I hear what you hear when those SNES tunes play the way Youtube fans hear farts when they hear emulated 32X music.

[A Black Falcon]

For all of the criticism against it (poor frame rate, low resolution, etc), SNES Doom does bear the unique honour of being the first console port to be granted a lengthy enough time in development to bring together as complete and polished a version of the game as could be reasonably expected of the hardware. 32X and Jaguar Doom - both undercooked to varying degrees. Of course, we're talking a matter of two months before SNES Doom was trumped by the release of PSX Doom. Within that narrow starting criteria, though, the SNES port holds at least one distinction.
Even the PSX version uses the Jaguar level maps, not the more PC-accurate SNES maps (so like the Jaguar it has no crushing ceilings, for instance), and doesn't have the episode breakdowns and end texts, between-level area map, or Spider Mastermind, though... the SNES has a few things even over the PSX one. :) Now, of course it wins far more categories overall, but it's not a total victory.

As for SNES v. 32X, I think that one's an easy victory for the SNES. Sure, the 32X has better graphics and a higher framerate, but in every other category, from levels (5 more) to music (great on SNES, bad on 32X), to screen size (the SNES viewing window is a few pixels larger, I believe, or at least it looks like it is), to level maps, to enemy types, to lighting... it's no contest! Oh, and the SNES has better controls as well.

I will admit that the SNES does make a few changes to the level designs -- most notably, the partially see through grill mesh areas are gone -- but apart from that it's pretty much exact, which is quite unlike the Jaguar version and its ports (32X, 3DO, PSX, Saturn, GBA), all of which have simplified level maps.

On that note, the lighting really is worth mentioning. Was it the Jaguar that first made the enemies glow brightly, so that you can see them clearly in any light, ruining the effect of having enemies sneak up on you in the dark (and of course then it made it even worse by getting rid of crushing ceilings and areas where the lights change, too!)? If so, the 32X cloned that, and it's really quite lame in comparison to the much more PC-accurate SNES version. The enemies aren't all in spotlights, the lights change, crushing ceilings are there... if only it didn't have five removed stages, and had an actual save system, it'd be amazing. As is, it's still a quite impressive port.

[MarioMania]

Why when you Pause in the SNES version the music restarts??

[Polygon]

I call shenanigans on that. There are plenty of games that play music while pushing far more complicated 3D graphics than Doom does. A more likely reason is that Atari was pressuring them to release the game as fast as possible and they just didn't have time to figure out how to do it properly.

So many Jaguar games were rushed... it was a real shame, because some of them could have turned out so much better with just a few extra months of work.

--Zero

I would agree. Doom doesn't take much to run. I played it on a P1 75MHz and I had a friend that played it on a 386 and it never had issues. When it can play games like AVP I don't buy that. The Jaguar was a great piece of hardware but the software fell short because Atari rushed everything.

For me, I can't stand to play any of the ports. I rarely get rid of games but I had it for my Jaguar, SNES, and 32X. I still have it for the 32X but I'll never play it, figure I mind as well sell it too. That's because if I want to play Doom or any of the other early ID titles I just fire up my old DOS machine and play them.

If I had to pick between the two, I would say it's sixes. You just have to pick which downfalls annoy you more. I would call them even. If only the Jaguar version had music.

[Black_Tiger]

As for SNES v. 32X, I think that one's an easy victory for the SNES. Sure, the 32X has better graphics and a higher framerate, but in every other category, from levels (5 more) to music (great on SNES, bad on 32X), to screen size (the SNES viewing window is a few pixels larger, I believe, or at least it looks like it is), to level maps, to enemy types, to lighting... it's no contest! Oh, and the SNES has better controls as well.

Even for this site, I am still very surprised by the logic being used to champion the Nintendo version of a game. The graphics don't matter... except for any of the ways the SNES version could be considered better. The frame rate may be terrible in comparison... but the SNES version has "better controls". Sure, the SNES version is a pixelated mess compared to the 32X version... but the "viewing window is a few pixels larger".

It really is an "easy victory"... for the 32X port, not the SNES version. The SNES game is still amazing considering the platform, but performance proportionate to the hardware is not the same as game versus game. What if the 3DO port had 1000 levels and CD renditions of every version of the Doom soundtrack ever made? Would it be the best version of Doom, PC included?

[A Black Falcon]

Even for this site, I am still very surprised by the logic being used to champion the Nintendo version of a game. The graphics don't matter... except for any of the ways the SNES version could be considered better. The frame rate may be terrible in comparison... but the SNES version has "better controls". Sure, the SNES version is a pixelated mess compared to the 32X version... but the "viewing window is a few pixels larger".

It really is an "easy victory"... for the 32X port, not the SNES version. The SNES game is still amazing considering the platform, but performance proportionate to the hardware is not the same as game versus game. What if the 3DO port had 1000 levels and CD renditions of every version of the Doom soundtrack ever made? Would it be the best version of Doom, PC included?

What? The much more accurate level designs, the world map in between levels (it helps set the scene), the original story texts, the VASTLY superior music (seriously, the 32X music is pretty pitiful in comparison, while the SNES music is great), five additional levels, better controls... these things matter! On that last note, yes, having sidestep on shoulder buttons is an advantage over having it on face buttons, and the SNES controls are better otherwise as well. The 32X version is hurt by the Genesis not having two shoulder buttons and by having to have 3-button compatibility as well. Normally I prefer the 6-button Genesis controller to the SNES one, but not for this game.

There's really nothing better about the 32X version except for graphical detail and framerate, and those two things are not even remotely enough to make up for the huge number of problems it has. Oh, and it's nice that the 32X version has level select for any of the 15 main levels, so you don't have to pretty much play it through without turning off the console like you do with the SNES. But overall, it's a pretty disappointingly weak effort. If it actually had the third episode in it it wouldn't be quite as bad, but it doesn't.

... Oh, and the SNES certainly has worse graphic detail and framerates, but you get used to the SNES graphics and framerates, so the game plays just fine. It just doesn't look quite as nice. As for the 3DO version, I haven't played it, but based on what I've seen of it I'd say the SNES version has higher framerates than that one at the same window size... graphics aren't as good of course, but still, that's not a good comparison. The SNES version IS entirely playable, and the framerate, while somewhat low, is fairly stable. Can you really say either of those things are true on the 3DO, unless you seriously reduce the window size?

Oh, and the SNES version may have a somewhat low framerate, but it's probably got a higher framerate than any of the Super FX 1 games (Star Fox, etc)... of course it's not using polygons and has a better chip in it, but still, it was nice to see a "3d" Super FX game with an actual playable framerate. I don't find Star Fox, Vortex, or Stunt Race FX particularly playable thanks to their single-digit framerates, but Doom is better.

[sheath]

Doom 3DO is perfectly playable as well, it doesn't take long to get used to the framerate at the second or third to largest screen size (which is still MUCH higher resolution than the cartridge games). The SNES game has to be doubling pixels from something in the 100xXXX resolution range, you can't see any character detail until they are almost on you. If we are going to argue about things we can get used to, I can get used to the 32X version's mediocre soundtrack, much less the 3DO's, much more easily than the SNES version's low framerate, slow gameplay, warble soundtrack and low resolution.

I cannot in any way see how the SNES game can be declared "best" in any area. It is a novelty at best in comparison to its contemporaries.

[Black_Tiger]

It is a novelty at best in comparison to its contemporaries.

That sums it up perfectly. :) I'm still glad that it was made, even if I'd already experienced Doom 32X before I got to play it. I love the novelty of seeing consoles doing neat things.

[Drixxel]

I love the novelty of seeing consoles doing neat things.

On that note, wouldn't a Genesis port of Wolfenstein 3D have been a cool sight? It was a game that, like Doom, was making the rounds on the consoles of the day. Unlike Doom, however, the 3DO and Jaguar ports are arguably better than the original. Zero Tolerance demonstrated that something of a Wolf 3D nature could work on the Genesis, it's a pity that the console was rarely pushed in that direction.

[Gameguy]

On that note, wouldn't a Genesis port of Wolfenstein 3D have been a cool sight? It was a game that, like Doom, was making the rounds on the consoles of the day. Unlike Doom, however, the 3DO and Jaguar ports are arguably better than the original. Zero Tolerance demonstrated that something of a Wolf 3D nature could work on the Genesis, it's a pity that the console was rarely pushed in that direction.
There was a port of Duke Nukem 3D on the Genesis/Mega Drive in Brazil, but it wasn't really that good compared to the original version.

[Drixxel]

Yeah, Tec Toy's port of Duke Nukem 3D is something of a turd but it showed potential. The game enjoys a playable frame rate and the window size is respectable. There's never really much action on screen at any given point but the engine seems to be reasonably capable.

I just clued in to the fact that there's a homebrew Wolf 3D port for 32X, looks pretty dang accurate. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEf9SuRuRZM

[j_factor]

There's also Bloodshot. The actual game is shit but it's decent technically.

[Edmond Dantes]

Never really saw the point of playing a console port of Doom.

[sheath]

That sums it up perfectly. :) I'm still glad that it was made, even if I'd already experienced Doom 32X before I got to play it. I love the novelty of seeing consoles doing neat things.

That's why I own it. At the very least it gets the honor of showing what the SNES was absolutely capable of with the Super FX2 add-on chip. I can only imagine the speculation there would be today if SFX-2 Doom didn't exist. ;)

[kedawa]

That's why I own it. At the very least it gets the honor of showing what the SNES was absolutely capable of with the Super FX2 add-on chip. I can only imagine the speculation there would be today if SFX-2 Doom didn't exist. ;)
I'm not sure if Doom is really a good yardstick for measuring the performance of the FX2 chip, since it's a port of an existing game rather than something built from the ground up for the hardware, but it definitely answers the question 'Could it handle Doom?'
The answer is 'Just barely.'

[sheath]

I'm not sure if Doom is really a good yardstick for measuring the performance of the FX2 chip, since it's a port of an existing game rather than something built from the ground up for the hardware, but it definitely answers the question 'Could it handle Doom?'
The answer is 'Just barely.'

It appears to be a ground up rewrite for the SNES SFX-2, from the lack of floors to the texture details that were missing from the other console ports, to the music. The color count is even relatively high for SFX games. I don't think it is unfair at all to say that Doom maxed out the SFX-2 chip in every practical way.

Granted, the chip might have been better suited for flat shaded polygons overlayed on SNES backgrounds, or for assisting effects in a 2D game like Yoshi's Island, but those ideas hardly push the capabilities.

I personally consider this proof positive that on cart chip expansions were never going to reach the level of a true console add-on like the Sega CD or the 32X. Even an early SNES CD-ROM spec would have turned out a better Doom adaptation.

[A Black Falcon]

Doom 3DO is perfectly playable as well, it doesn't take long to get used to the framerate at the second or third to largest screen size (which is still MUCH higher resolution than the cartridge games). The SNES game has to be doubling pixels from something in the 100xXXX resolution range, you can't see any character detail until they are almost on you. If we are going to argue about things we can get used to, I can get used to the 32X version's mediocre soundtrack, much less the 3DO's, much more easily than the SNES version's low framerate, slow gameplay, warble soundtrack and low resolution.

I cannot in any way see how the SNES game can be declared "best" in any area. It is a novelty at best in comparison to its contemporaries.

First, complaining about the SNES soundtrack is utterly bizarre. It's got an amazing soundtrack that sounds impressively close to the PC original's. Apart from a couple of missing songs it really couldn't possibly be much better.

Slow gameplay - Yeah, it is a bit slow, but I don't mind and don't think it hurts the game. The same goes for the framerate, it plays fine once you get used to it. On another note the loss of circle-strafing does bother some people, but the 32X doesn't have it either and I never did that much anyway.

Low resolution - It is true that everything is blocky on the SNES (SNES Doom is the ugliest looking version of Doom), but I could always make out enough details to matter -- if something's moving in the distance it's an enemy and I should probably shoot at it, and you can tell the different enemies apart too. So yeah, it is an issue, but not a game-breaking one.