Has there ever been a handheld game better than the console/arcade version?

[DaBargainHunta]

Wasn't sure if this should go in Classic or Modern, but with a rich history of classic handhelds, I decided the topic worked best here.

Anyway, as the topic says, has there ever been a handheld game that was better than its console/arcade counterpart?

[Cirrus]

Yeah, that's a really good question. I can think of a few examples where it is debatable. Gunstar Super Heroes is really good. Certainly the Castlevania games for the DS are fantastic, and better than MANY of the console Castlevanias (if not all of them).

But you're not talking about games from a series, but actual cross-platform games released at the same time, right? If so, Astro Boy for the GBA is your answer. The PS2 release was a real stinker, and the handheld is one of the best games ever made. Does that count?

[Mayhem]

Tetris?! :p

[DaBargainHunta]

Yeah, that's a really good question. I can think of a few examples where it is debatable. Gunstar Super Heroes is really good. Certainly the Castlevania games for the DS are fantastic, and better than MANY of the console Castlevanias (if not all of them).

But you're not talking about games from a series, but actual cross-platform games released at the same time, right? If so, Astro Boy for the GBA is your answer. The PS2 release was a real stinker, and the handheld is one of the best games ever made. Does that count?
I'm talking more along the lines of the same basic game for multiple systems. For example, Paperboy (arcade/NES/handhelds, etc.). Now, I'm not saying Paperboy is an example of a game that was better on a handheld - I just arbitrarily threw that name out there. Truth be told, I've never even played the handheld version. ;)

On a side note, I personally didn't mind Astro Boy on the PS2.

[theshizzle3000]

This is one of those cases were it really depends on the persons views, because I know quite a few people who enjoy playing Super Mario Bros on a handheld over the actual system simply for mobility. I personally believe in the nostalgia of playing on the older system, but again it is just an opinion.

[CreamSoda]

I would say GTA:LCS for PSP. It has an awesome and highly enjoyable multiplayer mode. While the PS2 version is missing it altogether.

[fishsandwich]

Lots of NES and SNES games received updates on the GBA that are superior to the console games.

[itobandito]

well this didn't come out at the same time but Double Dragon for the GBA I think is better than the arcade/nes versions.

[chicnstu]

Lots of movie based games get better scores on handhelds.

http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrankings/itemsearch.asp

http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrankings/itemsearch.asp

http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrankings/itemsearch.asp (.1 less than GC version)

[Ed Oscuro]

Certainly the Castlevania games for the DS are fantastic, and better than MANY of the console Castlevanias (if not all of them).
Is you smokin' crack?

Anyway: Operation C is damn good. It's not really a "handheld version" of any other game, though, and since it's closest to Super Contra it wouldn't be fair to say it's better (while really good, it's not better than Super Contra, in my view).

[Ze_ro]

Both Rampage and Xenophobe on the Lynx allow up to 4 players simultaneous, while the arcade versions max out at 3.

--Zero

[diskoboy]

I've heard the GBC version of Galaga is better than the arcade version.

I have yet to find this out for myself, but I find it highly unlikely.

And it's weird - I was gonna start a similar topic. But my question was going to be how many times has a home version of a game been better than it's arcade counterpart.

[frap]

I'd have to give a nod to the Atari Lynx version of Klax.

I'd rather play the Lynx version than the Arcade, NES, or TG-16 version.

-frap

[Cantaloup]

I can think of a few, all for the Lynx:

Rampart: I think the digital control is much better than the track-ball control for placing the pieces.

Xenophobe: It uses the full screen and the controls aren't as awkward.

S.T.U.N. Runner: Was any home version besides the Lynx one any good? Even the one on Midway Arcade Treasures 3 has frame rate issues.

Rampage, Roadblasters, A.P.B., and Klax were also great on the Lynx.

[staxx]

Gradius 2 for the PC Engine (better intro, extra level and clearer music than the Arcade)

Gradius 3 for the PS2 (you can turn off the lagging that was found in the arcade, plus the infamous cheat works)

Ninja Warriors Mega CD (had arranged soundtrack and a funny intro...ZTT anyone)

Final Fight GBA (had cut scenes added)
Final Fight Sega CD (voice intro and better music)

[petewhitley]

Astro Boy on PS2 and GBA are really two quite different games. I wouldn't necessarily count those. Nor would I count the movie based handheld titles, which are generally vastly different. I would make a line in the sand at any game that was 3D on a console and then 2D on a handheld. Just not the same game IMO.

Liberty City Stories is a perfect example I think though. Virtually exact same game, just better options on the PSP and it looks better on the resolution of the PSP. Some of the Nintendo released 2D SNES to GBA ports are arguably better on the GBA than they were on the SNES as well.

[RegSNES]

I think the GBA version of Super Mario World is better than the SNES version. Call me lazy but I like being able to save after any and every level and the fact that Mario & Luigi are no longer plattelet swaps. Oh and horaay for not shrinking when you have the Feather and Fire Flower power-ups.

Final Fight One may not be as good as Final Fight on Capcom Classics Collection vol. 1 in terms of being a 100% accurate port but it has all 6 levels, all 3 playable characters and I dig the extras like rapid punch and Alpha Cody and Alpha Guy.

NES Classic Series Castlevania on the GBA. It has a save feature, end of story.

[bangtango]

Is you smokin' crack?

Anyway: Operation C is damn good. It's not really a "handheld version" of any other game, though, and since it's closest to Super Contra it wouldn't be fair to say it's better (while really good, it's not better than Super Contra, in my view).

It is a good one. That game was a damn sight harder than ANY of the NES Contra titles, even though you start out with the rapid fire machine gun (as far as I can remember). In fact, I'd like to find that again someday since my old copy was traded or sold somewhere along the line.

[bangtango]

I've heard the GBC version of Galaga is better than the arcade version.

I have yet to find this out for myself, but I find it highly unlikely.

And it's weird - I was gonna start a similar topic. But my question was going to be how many times has a home version of a game been better than it's arcade counterpart.

I've never played the GBC version of Galaga but it is safe to assume it can't beat the NES version of Galaga. That port was a masterpiece. Some people don't like it but I always felt it was as good, if not better, than the arcade. It is one of the few NES games I'd never sell.

[Tron 2.0]

To fans it's consider better then snkp and capcom take on it.

http://www.neo-geo.com/reviews/ngpc-reviews/svc-ngpc/svcpc.html

[Poofta!]

i think all the snes ports to the gba are better than their originals, except of course r-type.

i really really like xmen legends 2 for psp, simply cause the game doenst make me wanna stay in front of hte tv and play it, but on a partable its heaven

[Damaramu]

I really dig Shining Force on the GBA. Gives you a glimpse of how the series could have looked if ported to the SNES back in the day. Awesome music!

[eric nintendo]

To fans it's consider better then snkp and capcom take on it.

http://www.neo-geo.com/reviews/ngpc-reviews/svc-ngpc/svcpc.html

Gotta agree with you on that one, as a fighting fan (and SNK/Capcom fan) the NGPC version of the Vs. series is definitely the best one. It's very balanced and fun (I like the other iterations of the series as well, but the arcade versions aren't nearly as balanced).

Plus the NGPC has perfect controls for a handheld fighting game. I can't play the fighters on other systems because the handheld controls are so unwieldy.

[danielscheil]

I hate Ristar on the Genesis...
but on the Game Gear it's realy cute and funny
d'ont ask me why... it is so !

[stuffedmonkey]

Lumines on the psp beats the Xbox 360 version..

[Ackman]

I know a friend who thinks that the gba double dragon is better than any other double dragon I think he's smoking crack

apparently the gba version of final fight is tops because you can play as cody and guy SFA3 style : )

but that's more of a gameplay thing

[Drixxel]

*thread resurrect*

Having been recently digging into my Game Boy backlog, I've been mulling possible candidates for that interesting accolade of superiority over their console/arcade counterparts.

Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge
This one's easier to compare to the console original than the other Game Boy Mega Man games as, rather than being a mashup of robot masters from two of the NES games, it borrows 4 bosses from the first Mega Man alone and maintains the barebones play mechanics of the original. There's not really much in the way of content or level design shared by the two games beyond that, aside from the presence of the same general stage hazards (lots of ladders and electrical pulses for Elec Man, slippery platforming for Ice Man, etc.). Altogether, if feels like a fresh, if not completely new, installment and the simple passwords keep the surprising difficulty in check. It really is a fun and authentic Mega Man experience and one that I personally prefer to Mega Man's first NES outing.

Elevator Action
The Game Boy version is an easy choice over its arcade/NES forebearers. I love plain ol' Elevator Action with its uniquely sleepy pace but this handheld installment is rather awesome. A lot has been tweaked for the better here - the spruced up graphical detail and rotating arsenal of weapons are a lovely evolution and, on top of that, the gameplay is faster and the control is more fluid. The future would see Taito jazz up the mix further but Game Boy Elevator Action is a rad update and, in my opinion, a better game than the original.

[WelcomeToTheNextLevel]

Most Sega Genesis games, if you're lucky enough to own a Nomad.

[Ackman]

So are we comparing basic vanilla ports with a few added extras? Or something like this:


I hate Ristar on the Genesis...
but on the Game Gear it's realy cute and funny
d'ont ask me why... it is so !

Man that is awesome! Don't know how I missed this post.

[Collector_Gaming]

lemmings is alot better on the PSP

[Sunnyvale]

well this didn't come out at the same time but Double Dragon for the GBA I think is better than the arcade/nes versions.

The NES version, absolutely. The arcade... I'd have to disagree. I've yet to see a port of Double Dragon that was even close to the bad-ass arcade game it was.

[Leo_A]

I don't think the SuperNes ports I've played on the GBA from Nintendo are superior. While they often have a few nice additions (The Dragon Coin collecting in Super Mario World, for instance), they're usually minor at best and are a poor trade off for inferior audio.


Liberty City Stories is a perfect example I think though. Virtually exact same game, just better options on the PSP and it looks better on the resolution of the PSP.

I only own Vice City Stories on both platforms (I just own the PS2 version of Liberty City Stories).

But comparing those two games, I have far better control on the PS2 build, a resolution that appears higher, an improved frame rate, increased draw distance, and decreased load times.

[Doonzmore]

Polaris Snocross on the Game Boy Color is better than the PS1/N64 versions.

[shinobimusashi]

I really dig Shining Force on the GBA. Gives you a glimpse of how the series could have looked if ported to the SNES back in the day. Awesome music!

No way, your joking right? The Genesis original looks so much better. I didn't like the changes that were made to the GBA port.

Super Hang On in the Sega Arcade Gallery for GBA has better controls than the Genesis version. Unfortunately the music doesnt sound as good, and it lacks the career mode, but much better gameplay.

[Aussie2B]

Quest: Brian's Journey is basically a GBC version of Quest 64, and it's a much more competent game than its 3D counterpart. Still pretty unremarkable, though.

[Drixxel]

I hate Ristar on the Genesis...
but on the Game Gear it's realy cute and funny
d'ont ask me why... it is so !

There is something to be said for Ristar on Game Gear. While I don't feel it's superior to the Genesis original, this port does extremely well on the handheld. That Ristar is naturally a slower paced platformer saves on motion blur, making it infinitely more playable than the Sonic ports. Plus, it just looks dang pretty on Game Gear - everything's as detailed and high colour as you could hope for.

[JSoup]

Is you smokin' crack?



Even if he was, I'd still agree with them. I've always found the Metroidvania style of play appealing, with each of the DS titles being better and doing it better than the last.

[Hawksmoor]

In keeping with a lot of the Lynx-themed responses, I'm going to say Todd's Adventure in Slime World. It's also the only game that I know of that was ported FROM the Lynx to a console (Genesis). The Lynx version of Toki is also my favorite by far.

[Swamperon]

No way, your joking right? The Genesis original looks so much better. I didn't like the changes that were made to the GBA port.



Yes! Though I like some of the re-designs, especially Tao's, I prefer the bolder Genesis version. Also the GBA port replaces the awesome Town Battle (better known as Circus Battle) theme with the lacklustre Ship Battle Theme in many places. Ugh.

I was actually quite tempted to buy the Alice in Wonderland game for the DS. The art really appealed and it looks like a fun, quirky platformer. Haven't played it yet but apparently it's quite good for a movie-based game.

Sonic Colours (DS) is just as good as the Wii version.

[Baloo]

Tetris?! :p

I dunno, Magical Tetris Challenge (IMO the best incarnation, then comes Tetris DS) was released in arcades ;)

But it sure does beat out the Atari original!

[R.Sakai]

The AstroBoy games that came out for the PS2 and GBA. The GBA one was killer.

[kupomogli]

BoF and BoF2 were better on the GBA than the SNES. Graphics slightly better on the SNES, GBA version has run button and experience and gold is double. Same with the GBC version of Dragon Warrior 1 and 2, except the SNES version has much better graphics and sound(I'd rather have double exp than better graphics.)

Final Fantasy 5 is the only port on the GBA that has no lag whatsoever, not really noticeable difference in sound quality, graphics, etc. Plus it has the bonus dungeon.

Final Fantasy 4(SNES/PSX) and FF4 The After Years(Wii.) Final Fantasy 4 Complete Collection. That is all.

[savageone]

I'd agree Double Dragon Advance is better than the arcade game. All the added moves are a joy to use. I'd go so far to say it is one of the best games on the GBA. There is an even newer update for iOS that looks nice but I can't be bothered to deal with touch screen controls. Many GBA versions were better than the originals, but it's kind of a stretch when these games were made decades later.

After reading this topic I've been trying to think of something from the GB/GG. It's kind of funny that nothing comes to mind. Handheld ports from that time were more about the novelty of having the game on the go and they definitely were not better than the console/arcade versions. Sure there are a lot of great handheld games that shared the same name as a console/arcade game but many times they were different enough that you couldn't really call them the same game, apples and oranges kind of thing.

[bangtango]

To me, Super Mario Bros Deluxe is a greatly improved version of NES Super Mario Bros.

There was also a TMNT game released for multiple systems a few years ago, of which the GBA version was reportedly the best.

[j_factor]

Maybe I'm just weird but I preferred the handheld version of Super Return of the Jedi (both GB and GG) over the console version. The console version has a lot of unnecessary crap, which was trimmed in the handheld version.

[retroguy]

I would say Super Mario 64 for the DS. The N64 version is great and all, but having multiple characters and starting with Yoshi instead of Mario added a whole level of strategy that the original game lacked. Plus there's all those extra stars for the folks who could run through the original game in their sleep, which is nice.

[Leo_A]

I would say Super Mario 64 for the DS. The N64 version is great and all, but having multiple characters and starting with Yoshi instead of Mario added a whole level of strategy that the original game lacked. Plus there's all those extra stars for the folks who could run through the original game in their sleep, which is nice.

The problem with that is the lack of an analog stick.

While I thought the d-pad worked well for it, there was no doubt that the lack of an analog stick was holding it back (Didn't stop me from getting 150 stars and unlocking all the minigames, though).

Some considered it all but unplayable with the d-pad. And those awful optional touch screen controls were useless.

[Shinobi]

I think thr GBA has alot of great releases that are improved ( Double Dragon Advance, Shining Force, Final Fight, F Zero, Donkey Kong Series, Super Mario Series, New Elevator Action, New Puzzle Bobble, Pocky & Rocky with Becky etc )