NES games with very different GameBoy versions?

[deadtech]

I was wondering if any of you folks could list some (all?) of the NES games that also had GameBoy versions that were quite different from the originals. I know many NES games got versions on GB, but I am mostly looking for info (good/bad?) on any games that may be different enough on GB to warrant a purchase.
Thanks for any help folks!

-deadtech

[Jibbajaba]

Casltevania games, Kid Icarus, Batman, Super Mario Land games, Zelda...

The vast majority of GB games are not ports of NES games.

Chris

[MegaDrive20XX]

as far I recall

Gargoyle's Quest 2 had some differences


GBA then has

Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland (Aka a remake of Kirby's Adventure for NES)

I can't really remember any ports, except if you include SNES, then you got a number of those

[tededfred]

are the GB mega mans the same?

[Ridley30]

As far as I can recall, the gameboy versions of Megaman were not the same, but I think they had some of the same bosses, just "re-mixed". Also, Kirby and Bionic Commando were definately different, as well as...shit, was Double Dragon released, and was it different?

[Jive3D]

the GB megaman games used 'Bosses' from the NES games but game them slightly different to totally different levels. Most of the games started you out against only 4 'robot masters' instead of the typical 8. Still great games unto themselves. That guy with the sword in megaman 1 GB always destroyed me.

[NeoZeedeater]

Balloon Kid(Balloon Fight sequel), TMNT(it didn't originate on NES but it sort of counts), Wizards n Warriors, Metroid II, Donkey Kong(this version is completely unique and awesome).

was Double Dragon released, and was it different?

Yes, I remember it being closer to the arcade's style and playing better than both the NES and SMS versions.

[rbudrick]

A lot of you are mentioning sequels and stuff that are different...that doesn't really count...of course those are different!

One game that comes to mind that was way different that its NES (and arcade, for that matter) version is Ninja Gaiden. But then again, it may have had a sub title making it a pseudo sequel, so it may not count either.

Mega Man is the only one off the top of my head that had the same name and was slightly different.

-Rob

[TheRedEye]

Balloon Kid(Balloon Fight sequel), TMNT(it didn't originate on NES but it sort of counts), Wizards n Warriors, Metroid II, Donkey Kong(this version is completely unique and awesome).

PROTIP: Balloon Kid was given a new face and released on the Famicom as Hello Kitty World.

[ubersaurus]

Boy and his Blob was different, as was Blaster Master.

[klausien]

Boy and his Blob was different, as was Blaster Master.

I think the Blaster Master title was a Bomberman game in Japan.

[Ed Oscuro]

Gargoyle's Quest 2 had some differences

Here's something I learned from Dire 51: There's a Red Arremer game on the Game Boy, and there's Makaimura Gaiden. Different games. I've never been quite sure (I should do something about that via emu...) but I believe Makaimura Gaiden is = GQ2. Red Arremer II is the name of GQ2 on the Famicom though. See why I'm confused? Now, as for the U.S., there has never been a GQ2 on the Game Boy. It's Japan-only, whatever the title is.

Operation C. DEFINITELY. Big differences, for the better too! It's nice to have it play substantially different from Super C (I like the rockets/flying boss near the very end, damn cool!)

As for Super Mario Land, as has been stated it's completely different from SMW or SMB. It's a cool game too! Same deal with Ninja Gaiden Shadow (whoever it was that made it) as compared with the original Ninja Gaiden. Yay.

Back to Capcom, there's a Ghosts 'n Goblins on the GBC. The thing about this one is that really not much was changed and this isn't a good thing considering the screen is smaller; critters offscreen still will divebomb you! Oops, but hey, nobody plays this game to beat it, right? ;D

I can also vouch for Double Dragon on the GB, as I've got that cart. If I was forced to play DD, that's probably the version I'd choose (well, despite having had the SMS cart, I haven't played it, and I think my copy rightfully belongs to someone else now!)

[Jorpho]

I think the Blaster Master title was a Bomberman game in Japan.

Yes, Bomber King Jr. IIRC. A different NES Bomber King game was also released in NA under a different title, but I forget what, exactly.

Here's something I learned from Dire 51: There's a Red Arremer game on the Game Boy, and there's Makaimura Gaiden. Different games. I've never been quite sure (I should do something about that via emu...) but I believe Makaimura Gaiden is = GQ2. Red Arremer II is the name of GQ2 on the Famicom though. See why I'm confused? Now, as for the U.S., there has never been a GQ2 on the Game Boy. It's Japan-only, whatever the title is.

Eh? GQ2 GB got quite a spread in Nintendo Power back in the day, if that means anything. Isn't Makaimura Gaide GQ1 and Red Arremer GQ2?

[ArnoldRimmer83]

Yes, Bomber King Jr. IIRC. A different NES Bomber King game was also released in NA under a different title, but I forget what, exactly.

Robowarrior, published by Jaleco.

[Ed Oscuro]

Eh? GQ2 GB got quite a spread in Nintendo Power back in the day, if that means anything.

Unfortunately, nothing ever came of it, or else you saw a Gargoyle's Quest 2 ad and got the two mixed up. Well, a number of things could've happened actually and since I don't have the ad handy I couldn't tell you. All I know is that GQ2 was NES only here in the states.

Now according to VGMuseum and GameFAQs, Makaimura Gaiden is its own game without a US counterpart release, sources lead me to believe it's essentially GQ2 (VGMuseum specifically names it as such) on the Game Boy (GameFAQs lists the counterpart to GQ2 as Red Arremer II, which is rather unusual so I'll be checking out the games), and Red Arremer is Gargoyle's Quest.

So to make a chart:

Gargoyle's Quest = Red Arremer (GB)
Gargoyle's Quest 2 = Red Arremer II (FC/NES)
Makaimura Gaiden = port of Red Arremer II, no U.S. counterpart. (GB)

Interesting, no?

Also, the first Maximo was originally intended to be an N64 game. Interesting to see how some N64 games went to the GC while others went to the PS2.

[Jorpho]

Eh? GQ2 GB got quite a spread in Nintendo Power back in the day, if that means anything.

Unfortunately, nothing ever came of it, or else you saw a Gargoyle's Quest 2 ad and got the two mixed up.

Well, if that's really the case, there's got to be a completed English review copy of it out there somewhere. I distinctly remember what I saw; I believe it was in the same issue that covered Kirby's Pinball Land. (I less distinctly remember questions about it in Counselor's Corner.)

Does Capcom not have an official list of its published games?

[Ed Oscuro]

Don't believe me, eh? The game wasn't released - if it was, well, surely you could find me a copy! ;D

[Aboliax]

Hey, I've got Makaimura Gaiden complete if you want me to describe it or anything, oddly I've never played GQ so I can't tell you if its a port or anything.