Master System VS Genesis - 20 Games Compared
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ส.ค. 2021
- I really enjoy doing cross generation compare vids and this one was great fun to make. I took 20 games that appeared on both the Master System and Genesis and compared them. How did the 8-bit hardware do?
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Opening "Sega" jingle is from Astal for the Sega Saturn.
Ending Music during the credits is from Batman for the Sega Genesis.
SLX Logo
By: Jan Neves
TH-cam Page - / jan3d
Intro by Evan S.
portfolio.tsestudios.com/
Episode Notes:
1. Captured on the Mega SG.
2. I had an old series called Genesis Era Master System Games, but here I wanted to compare them directly so you could see them side by side the entire way.
3. Part 2 may include just 10 games so I can show each one longer.
4. Many of these games are still very affordable and play just fine on an American SMS.
5. I actually made this episode well over a year ago. I just needed to finish up the little details.
6. Big thanks to Evan for the new intro. His website link is above if you want more information about him! - เกม
Love the new intro SLX
Good to hear.
It's awesome! Looks so professional 👌🏽
I agree but I'm glad the music hasn't been altered.
@@Sum_Yousah Yes I would really miss the current music if it were changed.
I like the old intro, specially the 2d animation
I still have these 2 consoles from when I got them as a kid for Christmas.
Both still shiny and in great condition s.
Can I have one?
@@upfront864
Sentimental value is too great, lol.
Will pass them on to my kids, with all my other old consoles that also still work.
Lucky
@@Dangic23 Do remember that these old systems can be repaired when need be. You probably know already, but I'm saying that in a "just in case" notion. Capacitors sometimes need replaced.
@@101Volts
Thankfully they work great.
But thanks for the info.
Hopefully they don’t break down.
Man, you've been on an absolute tear lately, just pumping out the content. Much appreciated!
One of the very few e-beggars who actually uploads a lot of quality videos.
@@arioca It always tells a ton about a person when they decide to be an ass for no reason.
At first glance I thought the Paperboy on the right was the Master System version. I thought there would be no way the sprites were animated better and more colourful on the Master System, but there we have it.
I think it's safe to say that the 8-Bit Sega versions of Aladdin and Lion King are definitely better experiences than the Game Boy and the official NES versions.
so youd buy one just to play 2 games better?
I would never buy a Master System. But I wouldn't mind emulating the entire library for free.
Technically speaking, i do have Master System, albeit not in the original console version. However, i do have the official converters for both Mega Drive and Game Gear.
@@NewportBox100s You don't have to. 20 dollar genesis. Then buy a 20 dollar converter. Works good enough.
Rambo was better on Sega Master System than Nes
I had a US Master System as a kid and I would have been amazed to know about all the other games that existed in other regions.
Me parece que el último juego en salir de forma oficial en Estados Unidos fue el Sonic
SMS is quite an impressive system. Especially when you get to later titles. Some games didn't have any business on an 8 bit system, yet the SMS pulls it off.
Absolutely! It blows away NES graphically. I was an outcast for not getting an NES, but I didn’t care. The same scenario happened with the TG16. 😂
@@MrCumstein yes it blows the NES graphically but it's library of games are pretty forgettable definitely not as good as NES library.
@@eskanda3434 Far from forgettable my friend. You're probably saying that through an american point of view.
@@eskanda3434 I have to disagree with you on that.
You're absolutely right about the impressiveness of the later titles. Often when you see someone's list of best SMS games they don't include the last few years of games released in Europe which really pushed the system to its limits. I owned a SMS right until its end and some of these final games made the NES look like a 4-bit console :)
Great idea for an episode. Whenever there was both a 16-bit and an 8-bit version of a game I always loved it when Sega made 2 separate games from the license catering to the strengths of the hardware like in the Sonic games and Castle of Illusion games. That gave players the incentive to buy both. Sad that Sega did not do this more often.
I remember wanting Chuck Rock on the Genesis so bad. Not sure what the hell was wrong with me back then. To me, Dick Tracy on the Genesis feels like the arcade version of the Master System game, especially when you play the SMS version first.
Oh, it's Joe. The Sega Royalty comes together.
Me too. Chuck Rock sucked. Disappointed
Although I’ll miss the old Intro, the new updated one is also really AWESOME! I admire your honest yet fair take on the games you discuss!! 👍🏻
I agree
Thanks for the kind words.
@@SegaLordX thank you for inspiring me as a small aspiring content creator here on the platform. Can’t wait to see what you tackle next!
He's the best!
@@SegaLordX Did my research find sms did 2 Million in united states alone...so technically it really wasn't a failure though yesssss it lost the war but still won in it's own way.
*GREAT TIMING! Love watching your videos in the morning with my cuppa tea or coffee! cheers* 💻👍
I love your videos man, and I'm from Brazil, and yes, here, the Master System lived up to 1995 at least, and was super popular, with many many games officially translated to brazilian portuguese, that will only happens again a few years ago with the PS4. The Mega Drive was the most successful game console at that time, the second one was the SNES. Back in 1990 it was really common to see, in a store, the Atari 2600, the Master System and the Mega Drive, together, competing, head to head (kinda) on sales. Thinking now, it was a crazy time. Thank you.
ooh new intro, I like it. I like that this is a "Part 1" so it gives me more to look forward to.
Yeah seeing it was only 'part 1' got me all excited too
This is one of the greatest channels on TH-cam for a forty five year old such as myself. I honestly look forward for these videos and watch them on the way to work. I don't hit like on any of them because I refuse to feed algorithms but I do tell people that these videos exist. Well done mate, you mate great videos.
Watching videos feeds algorithms just the same. The only way you're guaranteed to not feed algorithms is by buying an old Motorola phone capable of SMS messaging and no more beyond making calls. Other than that, you're a product just like me and everyone else here 😛
I had a master system: aztec adventure, formula 1 and alex kidd and the stars. Dunno, bittersweet experience. Still think that aztec adventure has something. Back then videogames felt like a portal to something greater. Buen video, excelentes juegos amigo.
The Aztec Adventure song is forever burned into my brain. Love it✌️
@@retrovin9269 yup, really catchy tune. I also remember it.
I remember Aztec Adventure being really difficult. I like difficult games now, not so much as an 11 year old.
@@JaimieRain Yeah, difficulty builds up pretty quick in that game. Nowadays yo coul pair it with dark souls in a gaming session. XD.
Chuck 2 looks freaking amazing. I should have picked it up back in the day. Thanks, man.
Total respect for the work you put into this video. Your general knowledge of these games and systems is honestly impressive. Kudos 👍
Love the master system videos. Keep them coming
Man... I freaking love Forgotten Worlds on the Genesis. The requirement of a 1 credit clear really tweaked the difficulty and made beating it very satisfying. I need to try that Master System version. It looks good.
Awesome new intro!! What a beautiful 3D sequence. Great idea to feature your OLD intro in the background, so no one can complain that they miss the old intro, because it's still there. Sweet 3D characters, especially I love Ecco's cameo, with lovely underwater shimmering, on the Game Gear. (At first, I was surprised that Saturn doesn't feature NiGHTS above it, and then I noticed the one screen of NiGHTS instead.)
Boy talk about a blast from the past...
I played most of those games back then, some are better than the others but it's very impressive that the SMS really doesn't fall too far.
Please keep up with the great content, man... gotta LUV those comparison videos!!!
As an adult I see how much better the master system was technically than the nes. Had Nintendo not employed development bans and sneaky tactics and had marketing been better in north America the master system should have wiped the floor with the nes
I would argue that the NES was largely successful due to Nintendos' first party games. Even if it hadn't banned third party developers from developing for a competing system the Master System still wouldn't have had games like the Legend of Zelda, Metroid, or Super Mario Bros. 3. Sega needed a killer app like Sonic to compete in Japan and North America and they didn't have one yet.
@@58jharris you make good points. I just think the master system would of been a lot more popular and alot more development would of happened if Nintendo played fair
sms needed special mappers like nes
Keep these quality videos pumping...thank you!
Another great video!! I never had a Master system growing up but got one ten years ago and really enjoyed checking out some of it's library. Very underrated system!
I always felt the SMS was graphically superior to the NES, and I still feel that way. I was an outcast amongst my friends for not getting an NES, but I didn’t care. 😂
History repeated itself when the TG16 was released, but again I didn’t care.😂
NES = 54 color palette SMS = 64 color palette.
NES = 24 total colors on screen SMS = 32 colors on screen
NES Sprites (generally) 3 colors + transparency
SMS sprites 15 colors + transparency
With math/data as your guide it's no opinion it's a fact.
@@JasonChapmanwoofdog Indeed. My comment sounded like I was still going on feelings even to this day.
@@JasonChapmanwoofdog the sound chip on NES was only superior piece of hardware but they also had many chips on carts to help the NES
@@eskanda3434 yeah NES knew what they were doing in the cart department fur sure(MMCs) and their soundboard. additionally though, the SMS's saving grace is the FM soundchip.
I did the same progression, SMS to TG16, before essentially switching to gaming on the PC. Still have both the consoles.
Because of you SLX, I appreciate the Sega MS now more than ever. Thank you for all the awesome content. 👌
I love your system comparison videos. I learn so much from you that I missed out on because I never owed a Master System. There are even some Genesis games I wasn't aware of that would be fun to play. BTW, the new intro is great. Glad to see you improving that every few years.
This is an excellent video! Very good to show so many side by sides and direct comparisons!
Damn, makes me REALLY miss my old system. Cursed House fire..
@starblazers1969 nah. They go for too much. I can always swing by my uncle's if I want though
Man, the MS had so much potential, just like the Saturn and 32x. Would've been cool to see them pushed to their limits
Imagine if the SMS had been supported by Capcom, Konami, Sunsoft, Data East and others.
Check out the Brazilian community. They kept the Master System going well past its prime.
I think that the Master System was indeed pushed to its limits, since games were released from the mid-80s to the mid-90s, at least in Europe and Brazil. Developers sometimes even tried too hard, like with the Mortal Kombat ports. 32X and Saturn is another story.
I think the MS was pushed to its limits, you can see that in many of the games in this episode. It kept getting games in Europe, all the way to 1994.
Making games for a console way after its release doesn't mean it was pushed to its limits, the NES has incredible third party titles much more impressive than what Nintendo themselves made for their console, specially since third parties used special chips to enhance audio, storage and visual way beyond what the console itself could do, Sunsoft is a fine example of mastering the console and making the best or more impressive games for it, Nintendo just didn't come close in this regard.
Wanna know something really interesting?
When Desert Strike was released in Spain, it was fully localized into Spanish, but only on the Master System version.
It is the first console game I remember translated in there, where translation in games were only happening for PC games.
Nice comparison video. These were the days when you could easily tell which console each version was for, unlike these days when the PS4 version looks nearly graphically identical to the PS5 version, for the cross gen ports. Cool the SMS made so many ports.
The Master System punched WAY above its weight. I'll always prefer the NES because I grew up with it, but if you look at games like R-Type, I have no doubt that the SMS was the better hardware.
Agreed, I grew up with the Master System
My only complaint about it is the pause button on the console
Well, it is at least two years newer hardware and definitely did better graphics. Not sure if I would call in better hardware overall though. The NES custom sound chip was arguably much better than SMS' "off the shelf" TI PSG and almost made up for the NES' graphics deficiencies. There's the FM add-on module for the SMS, which makes comparing the sound a lot more interesting, but it was only released in Japan. Also, the NES controllers were less janky, had a much better d-pad (mostly thank to Nintendo silly patent on cross d-pad) and had two more buttons on the controller itself, which was a rather significant advantage. Expanded capabilities via cart mappers is another one of NES' advantages.
the mapper chips ultimately put the nes ahead
New intro is legit!
Glad you like it.
I grew up with both systems, but just recently got back into both when I dove into the retro gaming scene. I’m restarting my collection, and particularly with the SMS, I’m just now coming to realize how many titles there were that I never played. Pretty cool I get to rediscover them all these years later.
The GG version of Desert Strike was massively impressive, I loved the controls of it
I love the 2d Strike trilogy. I’ll have to check out the 8 bit version of Desert Strike.
@@the_fat_ghost Skip the Gameboy version, you have to go to the subscreen to switch weapons. The GG and Mastersystem use either holding a button, or a tap. It works beautifully.
@@shabmaster7128 8 bit road rash is underrated too.
Had both consoles back in the day and love them both. I actually prefer Ghouls n' Ghosts on the SMS due to the upgrade systems despite the technical limitations.
Totally agree, love the SMS version. The upgrade system made the game easier, especially if you "cheat" and constantly die early in the game to build up to the full gold armour. It was one of the first games I got for it back in 1990-whatever it was.
I love these kinds of videos. You easily provide some of the best and most consistent retro content out there. I'm glad you've stuck with it despite the hard times. Thanks for what you do!
Awesome channel and and Awesome new intro. Every time you upload its like a christmas present! Well done sir
Greatest channel of all time. Not a clue how you do it but the content is consistently excellent and fascinating. SEGA
You really deserve the subscribers man, I been here since 50,000 and I've watched you grow. You're so consistent and I love your style. I rarely comment but man you truly deserve it. Congratulations!
My best friend had the master system growing up (I had the NES). I always enjoyed the differences. The d pad was super comfortable but that little joystick you could screw into it was useless.
*and hurt like hell but the newer pads were better*
Ah, the memories. Wanted a Megadrive (Euro guy here) as a kid but when I finally scraped enough cash together, my parents brought back a Master System ("don't complain it's a Sega!"). Disappointed at first, but I've grown to love the MS. For example, I prefer the MS version of Castle of Illusion (silly, I know, it's nostalgia). Still collecting, even the new releases like Flight of Pigarus. Great vid SLX, and cool new intro. Thanks!
In the UK the master system continued for many years after the megadrive was released.some cracking games on it. Guessing u will show road rash in ep 2 as master system version is extremely good.even manages the hills and dips
I really like the SMS version of Gauntlet. Really bright and colorful and a massive improvement over the NES version.
I don’t understand why Sega was trying to make 1:1 graphical conversions of Golden Axe and Altered beast on the SMS. The Double Dragon, Shinobi, and Streets of Rage ports are good because they shrunk the graphics and adjusted the gameplay to work with the SMS hardware.
💥
I rented Gauntlet SMS when I was about 12, I was really into RPG's, and that's what I thought I was going to be playing. I was so so so disappointed when I got home and found its really a shooter with life-metre constantly depleating.
Anyway nearly 20 years later I started playing it on emulation and I was so addicted to it, it was like crack, I'd get so far sometimes, 70 levels, game over, and start again and again, it's such a good game! different every time you play as well. I watched videos of the NES one and it looks awful in comparison.
Forgotten worlds, that game I played consecutively on the SMS even after completion.
That new intro is great! I've been enjoying your videos on lunch breaks
The SMS version of the first Streets of Rage is amazing
What an excellent video, the side by side comparisons really work - thank you!
That intro is badass, top notch stuff
The new intro is fantastic! As always, great video. Love your channel!
I had the master system as a kid, used to rent games alot and i think i played the majority of the library here in Australia. Alien storm was one of my favorite games and it was really strange playing the mega drive version years later and discovering there was a third character cut entirely from the master system version. 😂
Great video! Talking about two of my favorite systems, specially the SMS which is one of my favs to collect for. Thanks for doing this!
Great video. Would love to see a video on master system rpgs if you haven't already
Great work as per usual-I love the idea of comparing these two systems. I honestly did the same thing back in the day as I perused the Sears Wishbook catalog. The Master System is an under appreciated system, at least in the US. Looking forward to part 2! The intro is shaping up pretty slick-keep up the great work!
Really diggin that new intro, and a great video as well. It's quite impressive what the master system was able to do, I need to spend some more time with some of these titles.
Thanks for the vid and have a great weekend!
Always nice to see an SLX video in my notifications. Especially a lengthy one. 👍
1st, Love the New intro.
2nd, I didn't really get to grow up with these games, But I still enjoy hearing all about them.
I hope I get to enjoy them myself one day.
I recently passed on a Master System copy of Aladdin, but I'll probably get one if I see it again (likely as I live in England). Definitely that and Cool Spot to add to my collection.
Have you considered doing a video on how Dreamcast compared when ported to other systems (usually after the end of the Dreamcast's run) or on previous generation games enhanced on the Dreamcast. Rayman 2 and Soul Reaver come to mind straight away for them.
Love the new intro by the way, would fit in well with the Sega Megadrive and Genesis Classics game room aesthetic.
Awesome comparison video man! I love the new intro too.
I actually find myself prefering the SMS versions of a lot of these!
It’s what made these choices so interesting. The Genesis wasn’t always the clear cut winner.
8 bit is too primitive.
The girl that lived behind me had one of these. Being a girl she really wasn't interested in it so they only had three games for it. The Alex Kidd game, a lightgun game where you shot spiders and other creatures, and a tennis game. I wasn't impressed with any of them. I feel like I would have enjoyed Alex Kidd but I could never figure out how to consistently beat that first boss where you played paper rock scissors, and she never wanted to play so I didn't get much practice. Besides that, even though I was only ten she was alot more interesting than the game.
I wish the system had done better though as let's be honest, from a hardware perspective it was better than the NES. Just look at Ninja Gaiden on both systems and maybe it wasn't night and day but Sega's version clearly looks better. Nintendo just had the magic back then. They knew how to market to us and they seemed to break new ground with every game I got my hands on. Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior were two of my favorites, but had I known Phantasy Star was a thing back then I would have found a way to get an SMS for that game alone.
Did you end up marrying the girl? That would make your story even better.
@@lonewolf8667 It's not always the case of course, but back then it did seem much more boy thing to play video games.
I am a Sega fanboy and grew up with the master system, and I think it was a far better system, I come from a Sega country as well, it was the more dominant force. BUT Nintendo did have much more better games. I'm playing a lot lately on emulators and whilst the Master System had its fair share of good games, there are just more of them on NES. Fire Emblem for example blew me away when I played it, nothing like this on Master System. The FF games may be a step behind Phantasy Star, but there's 3 of them. Tecmo Super Bowl is a game i've been playing for 4 years now and not tired of, Master System had Joe Montana football which was nowhere near as good.
The reason for this though is Nintendos practices of not letting developers make games for other systems. I feel they knew Master System would have beaten them had they not done this.
You keep droping quality content man, i dont know how you find all this ideas for new videos, a saturn vs psx when?, keep the good work man!!!
And the crowd goes wild with the intro! And rightfully so, it's really cool! =)
Great videos bro, wish games were as good as they were back then when we were kids. I still dust off my good old Sega from time to time.
Master System was a little before me but damn all the games on it look awesome, compared to the NES. SEGA's success seems to using exclusively benign neglect.
great video! love these comparisons
Great vid! Would be cool to throw in the arcade comparison as well
I thought you would be showing Street Fighter 2! Great video, love this type of retro comparisons.
Really amazing video SLX!
Love that new intro man! Awesome!
Great new intro and vid keep up the awesome work!!
awesome video as always! I had Moonwalker on SMS as a kid and really liked it. Never could beat it though. That final boss was brutal!
I love that you used the Gauntlet 4 music for this video bruh! God I love that game...
Great video, can’t wait for part 2.
Its great to hear from a subject matter expert. Keep up the good work
This is one channel I'm so glad to be subscribed to.
It was mad to see both Master System and Mega Drive enduring at the same time. At one point I did see the Master Sytem and Mega Drive being sold alongside the Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation, but that was for a very short time.
Congrats on the 101K Subs.
You've been hit by (clap clap) you've been struck by (clap) a smooth porting job.
The new intro looks really professional SLX.
Good video and great intro! I was sure the Saturn would be the one next to the TV though lol!
Great episode. Agree with most of your opinions. Looking forward to part 2😃
I loved my SMS, I went from the Atari 2600 to that, it was a huge jumped. I have so many fantastic memories but its was when I saw sonic on the megadrive at my mates place, i was in shock in the difference to SMS! That game changed my life and I knew I had to get MD. As always great video. 👍
purchased a modded mega drive (UK here), your channels been great, the 1 console my m8s had that i didnt so had to get it! was shocked you didnt mention the master system sonic games both very different and playable
Moonwalker on the Master System was the only time I played the Master System growing up, over at a friend's house. Only person I ever knew who had a Master System.
Too bad, really. It had its share of good titles beyond the highly praised (with good reason) Phantasy Star. I've also wanted to try out Road Rash and Outrun on it.
Got outrun, really really want road rash for it.
Awesome intro and great video!
So many great Master System games never released in the US...I'll have to check them out! And the new intro is awesome!
Love the list...I only ever had a Master System (still going strong too) and we had all these releases here in Australia too. Last games I purchased in a store were ECCO and Populous. ECCO was....terrible.....but was surprised how much I played populous, haha....how'd they get 5000 world's on that?! Haha...love it
Yeah I'm in New Zealand and Populous was a game I constantly rented from the video store as a kid in the 90s, looovved it. They missed out on the good stuff in the U.S.
That backgroundmusic. Gotta love it. Thats Music from Gauntlet4 on the Genesis called Sortie. The whole Gauntlet4 soundtrack is great btw!
Wow! The new intro is awesome!
Nice new intro and I am hype for the Tazmania & Batman Returns in Part 2.
Dude, SWEET new intro!
Fantastic series.. I hope there's more Genesis vs SMS to come!
Awesome new intro! ❤️
I did love the master system. There was something special about it... I guess that's why it somehow is still around in Brazil
New intro. I like it, keep that one!
The original Gauntlet had no music during the game (it only played during the intro), so it wasn't "missing" in the Master System port. That was one of the many elements added to the Genesis version that was not in the arcade to begin with.
New intro is awesome!
Great introduction! 👾