My thoughts: All 4 versions this week are excellent, but there are some interesting differences between them. Firstly I am going to go with my least favourite version, which is the NES. Yes it has great music, but the washed out graphics look bland and uninteresting compared to all the others. Next worst is the Master System, which has excellent visuals but the sound isn't quite so great. Then we have the Mega Drive as the runner-up, which actually has different level design to the others (apparently matches the arcade prototype) but this makes it a lot harder and it can be a bit frustrating at times. My winner is the PC Engine, because I think it is excellent in every single category and I really can't find a single fault. Final ranking - NES > Master System > Mega Drive > PC Engine
New Zealand Story has indeed many ports. Here we have to compare two 8-bit consoles (NES, SMS), a 16-bit one (SMG) and a hybrid of 8 and 16-bits (PCE). Sounds fair to me! NEC PC Engine: It could have more inspiring graphics, but the audio works really well for the system. It seems to be reasonable and very near to the arcade original. It moves very smooth and the resolution is generous. Nintendo NES: The color usage is the weakest of them all, but the graphics aren't bad. The audio is marvelous, though. Very inspiring work coming from the original developers, Taito. Sega Master System: A rich color wash if compared with the other two, very near to its sibling, Mega Drive. The audio is the weakest point, though, sounds grating in the highest beeps. It's one of those games that could be benefitted if there was the chance of putting the FM Sound. But it's not bad at all. It was originally made for the European market, and rightfully done. Sega Mega Drive: To me, the best of the bunch. The opening music didn't work well that much, but the soundtrack improves when entering the game. It shows to me that Taito made their best effort to me in it, because of the main processor proximity between the Mega Drive and the arcade. The graphics are great, indeed. They could be more inspiring in the sound chip, though. The NES worked better to me in this factor. Final judgement: They are all very well done for their respective consoles. But I feel that the Mega Drive's port worked better. In 2nd place, I'll put the PC Engine because of its balance overall. Master System's 3rd place and NES in 4th. If we could join SMS' graphics and NES' sounds, that'd be perfect!
@@Ruudos Thanks for the correction! I tested them all today and realized I was unfair with this version. I think the NES version plays even better than the SMS, so I think NES should get third place instead of fourth. Software Creations perfectly matched the playability of the original arcade and was better than TecMagik.
@@TheLairdsLair I still think the Mega Drive is the best port here because, despite its initial difficulty, it plays really well. Also, it's more an original creation in terms of recreating its game design and challenges than a simple arcade adaptation. So, my new ranking is SMG > PCE > NES > SMS.
I think I said it in another comment, but the Mega Drive is actually the same as the original Japanese version of the arcade game that Taito then tweaked for the final worldwide release to the version we all know and love.
Always in the mood for some Friday 4-Play. 😁 Such a cute, fun and quirky game. I have played all of them many times and find enjoyment with each one. Of course we have the common situation of the NES with it's not so great visuals but wonderful sound and it's direst competitor, the SMS, having the exact opposite. They each have their charm though. Then we get the best of both worlds with the upgraded Genny and PCE ports. I've always thought it strange how this particular game didn't seem to get as much attention here in the US that it really should have.
Had a copy of New Zealand Story for my Master System and it was one of a select few cartridges from PAL region that would not work on an NTSC system, graphics would just be a garbled mess. A James Bond PAL game was the only other Cart I had that had the same issues - all other PAL carts would run fine.
I’m really not sure if I’ve seen or played this game ever, so this is more of a vote just on what I saw on the video. The NES might be my fav just because it looked like someone took the time on this port. It appeared to play smoothly and the music might be my fav of the four. Of the 16 bit (ish) machines this seems to be more of a pc engine specialty. I’d put SMS in last just because I liked the music the least
In fact, if the Master System had a comparable sound to the NES i dont think a single multiplatform game would have been better on NES, every other game ive played NES only beats MS on sound alone (plus the controller, which is not the fault of games)
@@A.Person...Maybe... Master System version of this only has better graphics. There's more stuff missing from the arcade game compared to the NES version and the first boss battle doesn't even take place inside the whale. Plus Master System is brutally difficult giving you no continues at all, the NES version at least gives you a few continues.
My thoughts: All 4 versions this week are excellent, but there are some interesting differences between them. Firstly I am going to go with my least favourite version, which is the NES. Yes it has great music, but the washed out graphics look bland and uninteresting compared to all the others. Next worst is the Master System, which has excellent visuals but the sound isn't quite so great. Then we have the Mega Drive as the runner-up, which actually has different level design to the others (apparently matches the arcade prototype) but this makes it a lot harder and it can be a bit frustrating at times. My winner is the PC Engine, because I think it is excellent in every single category and I really can't find a single fault. Final ranking - NES > Master System > Mega Drive > PC Engine
New Zealand Story has indeed many ports. Here we have to compare two 8-bit consoles (NES, SMS), a 16-bit one (SMG) and a hybrid of 8 and 16-bits (PCE). Sounds fair to me!
NEC PC Engine: It could have more inspiring graphics, but the audio works really well for the system. It seems to be reasonable and very near to the arcade original. It moves very smooth and the resolution is generous.
Nintendo NES: The color usage is the weakest of them all, but the graphics aren't bad. The audio is marvelous, though. Very inspiring work coming from the original developers, Taito.
Sega Master System: A rich color wash if compared with the other two, very near to its sibling, Mega Drive. The audio is the weakest point, though, sounds grating in the highest beeps. It's one of those games that could be benefitted if there was the chance of putting the FM Sound. But it's not bad at all. It was originally made for the European market, and rightfully done.
Sega Mega Drive: To me, the best of the bunch. The opening music didn't work well that much, but the soundtrack improves when entering the game. It shows to me that Taito made their best effort to me in it, because of the main processor proximity between the Mega Drive and the arcade. The graphics are great, indeed. They could be more inspiring in the sound chip, though. The NES worked better to me in this factor.
Final judgement: They are all very well done for their respective consoles. But I feel that the Mega Drive's port worked better. In 2nd place, I'll put the PC Engine because of its balance overall. Master System's 3rd place and NES in 4th. If we could join SMS' graphics and NES' sounds, that'd be perfect!
Similar to me, except I find the Mega Drive version too hard so rank the PC Engine in first place.
NES version was done by Software Creations and the soundtrack is by Tim Follin.
@@Ruudos Thanks for the correction! I tested them all today and realized I was unfair with this version. I think the NES version plays even better than the SMS, so I think NES should get third place instead of fourth. Software Creations perfectly matched the playability of the original arcade and was better than TecMagik.
@@TheLairdsLair I still think the Mega Drive is the best port here because, despite its initial difficulty, it plays really well. Also, it's more an original creation in terms of recreating its game design and challenges than a simple arcade adaptation. So, my new ranking is SMG > PCE > NES > SMS.
I think I said it in another comment, but the Mega Drive is actually the same as the original Japanese version of the arcade game that Taito then tweaked for the final worldwide release to the version we all know and love.
That NES music !!! Love it !!!!
Always in the mood for some Friday 4-Play. 😁 Such a cute, fun and quirky game. I have played all of them many times and find enjoyment with each one. Of course we have the common situation of the NES with it's not so great visuals but wonderful sound and it's direst competitor, the SMS, having the exact opposite. They each have their charm though. Then we get the best of both worlds with the upgraded Genny and PCE ports. I've always thought it strange how this particular game didn't seem to get as much attention here in the US that it really should have.
I'd say PC Engine, but it's a close one. Master System really impresed me.
Great choice NEC better colour coordination
Had a copy of New Zealand Story for my Master System and it was one of a select few cartridges from PAL region that would not work on an NTSC system, graphics would just be a garbled mess. A James Bond PAL game was the only other Cart I had that had the same issues - all other PAL carts would run fine.
I’m really not sure if I’ve seen or played this game ever, so this is more of a vote just on what I saw on the video.
The NES might be my fav just because it looked like someone took the time on this port. It appeared to play smoothly and the music might be my fav of the four. Of the 16 bit (ish) machines this seems to be more of a pc engine specialty. I’d put SMS in last just because I liked the music the least
You're missing out, it's a great game.
Sound: NES, everything else Megadrive (genesis) for me, although Master System graphics need a shout-out for being almost as good as MD version 👍
In fact, if the Master System had a comparable sound to the NES i dont think a single multiplatform game would have been better on NES, every other game ive played NES only beats MS on sound alone (plus the controller, which is not the fault of games)
@@A.Person...Maybe... Master System version of this only has better graphics. There's more stuff missing from the arcade game compared to the NES version and the first boss battle doesn't even take place inside the whale. Plus Master System is brutally difficult giving you no continues at all, the NES version at least gives you a few continues.