Screenshot comparisons… ACTION & ACTION-PUZZLE GAMES

Are you curious about a game that has appeared on more than one console and/or platform? Enjoy. (1) Thank you! (2) Disclaimer (read me).

GO DIRECTLY TO A GAME ▶ FIND the TITLE of the game you are looking for on the ▶MASTER LIST (80+ games available…)

BROWSE BY GENRE ▼

• Home (Screenshot Comparisons)
• Action/ Action-Puzzle
• Fighting/ Beat-em-up
• RPG/ Action-RPG
• Shoot-em-ups (Vertical, Horizontal, Rail, Run-n-Gun Shooters)
• Strategy/ Simulation/ Sports

ACTION & ACTION-PUZZLE GAMES ▼

• Bomberman '94 vs. Mega Bomberman (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Bomberman '94 vs. Super Bomberman 3 (PCE vs. SFC) (+)
• Bonanza Bros. (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Bonk's Revenge (PCE vs. SFC) (+)
• Bonk 3: Bonk' Big Adventure (PCE vs. SFC) (+)
• Buster Bros. (PCE vs. SFC) (PCE vs. ARCADE) (+)
• Castlevania: Symphony of the Night vs. Dracula X: Rondo of Blood (PS vs. PCE) (PCE vs. SFC) (+)
• Chiki Chiki Boys (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Daimakaimura (Ghouls 'n Ghosts) (SGX vs. MD) (SGX vs. SFC) (+)
• Doraemon PCE (HuCARD vs. CD-ROM) (+)
• Dracula X: Rondo of Blood vs. Dracula XX (PCE vs. SFC) (+)
• Dracula X: Rondo of Blood vs. Symphony of the Night (PCE vs. PS) (PCE vs. PS) (+)
• Gain Ground (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Daimakaimura) (SGX vs. MD) (SGX vs. SFC) (+)
• Golden Axe (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Mega Bomberman (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Ninja Gaiden (PCE vs. SFC) (+)
• Out Run (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Panic Bomber (PCE vs. SFC) (+)
• Puyo Puyo (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Puyo Puyo 2 (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Rastan Saga II (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Shadow of the Beast (PCE vs. MD vs. SFC) (+)
• Splatterhouse (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Strider (SGX vs. MD) (+)
• Super Bonk (PCE Bonk's Revenge vs. SFC) (+)
• Super Bonk (PCE Bonk III vs. SFC) (+)
• Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (SGX vs. SFC) (SGX vs. MD) (+)
• Valis (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Valis III (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Valis IV (PCE vs. SFC) (+)

NOTE: Click on the "(+)" to view the original discussion at pcenginefx.com. If you notice any errors, please contact us!

CREDIT: A great big Thank You! goes out to awack for starting this project years ago and contributing hundreds (over 1,500 in total!) of in-game screenshots. To see how this project evolved (and instigated many arguments) read the original "PCE, SNES and Genesis Screenshot Comparison" discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

DISCLAIMER: These comparisons can help us appreciate the technical/artistic prowess (or lack thereof) exhibited in some games from yesteryear. Of course, screenshots alone cannot reveal a specific game's overall worth, nor should it be the sole criterion for determining the superiority/inferiority of a particular port. Indeed, many games look gorgeous in static screenshots, but suffer from choppy scrolling, poorly implemented controls, butchered music, missing content, etc.

In other words… Don't judge a game by its screenshot, you heathen.

Bomberman '94 (PCE, 1993) vs. Mega Bomberman (MD, 1994) ▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: Please consult Super Bomberman 3 (next entry) for additional comparisons (PCE vs. SuperFamicom/SNES)!

HELP: The screenshots for Mega Bomberman are flawed (saved as .jpg, by accident, from emulator). Contribute new screenshots (that match the PCE shots) today!

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Bomberman '94 (PCE, 1993) vs. Super Bomberman 3 (SFC, 1994) ▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: Please consult Mega Bomberman (previous entry) for additional comparisons (PCE vs. MegaDrive/Genesis)!

PC-Engine (PCE)	Super Famicom (SFC)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Bonanza Bros.: PCE (1992, SCD) vs. MD (1991) ▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: Originally released in arcades in 1990, Bonanza Bros. was ported to the SMS and MD the following year (1991).

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)	Mark III/Master System (SMS)

NOTE: Robo is red; Mobo is blue.

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Bonk's Revenge (PCE, 1991) vs. Super Bonk (SFC, 1994) ▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: Super Bonk (SFC) is, in many ways, an amalgam of the PCE series, especially the second and third entries (Bonk's Revenge & Bonk III, respectively). Please consult Super Bonk VS. Bonk III (next entry) for additional comparisons!

PC-Engine (PCE)	Super Famicom (SFC)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Bonk 3 (PCE, 1993) vs. Super Bonk (SFC, 1994) ▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: Please consult Super Bonk VS. Bonk's Revenge (previous entry) for additional comparisons! Why? Well, Super Bonk (SFC) is an amalgam of the PCE series, especially the second and third entries (Bonk's Revenge & Bonk III, respectively).

PC-Engine (PCE)	Super Famicom (SFC)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Buster Bros. (PCE, 1991) vs. Super Buster Bros. (SFC, 1992) ▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: The PCE title is a relatively straight port of the original 1989 arcade game (also known as Pang and/or Pomping World), whilst the SFC release is an altered/remixed version of the arcade original. PCE title retains 2–player co–operative play, which is missing from SFC release.

PC-Engine (PCE)	Super Famicom (SFC)

ARCADE: A quick comparison between the original 1989 arcade game and the PCE port is in order!

PC-Engine (1991)	Arcade (1989)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Chiki Chiki Boys: PCE (1994, SCD) vs. MD (1992) ▲

▲ Return to top

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Daimakaimura (1990, SGX) vs. Ghouls 'n Ghosts (1989, MD) ▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: NEC released a slightly beefed-up version of the PCE hardware in 1989—the SuperGrafx (SGX). Only a handful of games were released for SuperGrafx, but, thankfully, the console was backwards-compatable with the existing PCE library.

SuperGrafx (SGX)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Daimakaimura (1990, SGX) vs. Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (1991, SFC) ▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: NEC released a slightly beefed-up version of the PCE hardware in 1989—the SuperGrafx (SGX). Only a handful of games were released for SuperGrafx, but, thankfully, the console was backwards-compatable with the existing PCE library.

SuperGrafx (SGX)	Super Famicom (SFC)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Doraemon Dobita No Dorabian Nights: PCE vs. PCE ▲

▲ Return to top

TWO PCE VERSIONS OF DORAEMON: The PCE HuCARD (12.06.1991) of Doraemon holds its own compared to the slightly altered CD-ROM version (05.29.1992) released six months later. Why even bother with a CD-ROM version? Well, I suspect that it was an easy way to cash-in on the popular Doraemon license with minimal extra effort. Look below, and judge for yourself. You will notice that many, many tiles have been redrawn (some are an improvement, others are a decent variation of the original artwork).

Doraemon (1991, HuCARD)	Doraemon (1992, CD)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Dracula X: Rondo of Blood (PCE, SCD, 1993) vs. Dracula XX (SFC, 1995) ▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: The Super Famicom Akumajou Dracula XX (released as Castlevania: Dracula X in North America and Castlevania: Vampire's Kiss in Europe) is a re-mixed/re-imagined version of the superior Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo (Dracula X: Rondo of Blood) for the PCE. If the screenshots alone are not enough to stimulate your brain, then the sprite comparisons between the two games should be more than sufficient.

TRUE SEQUEL: Four years later (in 1997), Konami released Castlevania: Symphony of the Night for the PlayStation, a direct sequel to PCE's Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo (Dracula X: Rondo of Blood).

PC-Engine (PCE)	Super Famicom (SFC)

SPRITE ANIMATIONS: But wait, there is more. Let's examine the sprite animations of Richter & Company…

PC-Engine (PCE)	PC-Engine (PCE)	Super Famicom (SFC)

NO, REALLY: Many readers assume that we forgot to include some screenshots for SNES/SFC above… but, let me assure you no mistake was made. The PCE version has much more sprite animation (whereas SFC version uses some special effects, such as "dissolve" to portray the death of the bull-beast minotaur boss).

MORE SPRITE ANIMATIONS: The following examples are not necessarily as dramatic as the preceding ones, but they further reinforce one clear fact—the PCE version is not over-hyped. Konami's designers/artists really obsessed over the small details. For example, in the PCE version, each bone changes to a darker color before disapearing on the ape skeleton; the ape will also throw an elbow if you get behind him.

PC-Engine (PCE)	Super Famicom (SFC)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Dracula X: Rondo of Blood (PCE, SCD, 1993) vs. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PS, 1997) ▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: Symphony of the Night, of course, is a direct sequel to Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo (Dracula X: Rondo of Blood) for the PCE. As the comparison reveals, the PCE stands its ground against the PlayStation.

PC-Engine (PCE)	PlayStation (PS)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Gain Ground: PCE (1992, SCD) vs. MD (1991) vs. SMS (1990)▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: The full PCE title is Gain Ground SX and it features a truly gorgeous Red Book soundtrack.

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)	Mark III/Master System (SMS)

3-PLAYER CO-OP: The original arcade game was released in 1988 and supported 3-player co-operative play (a feature that was removed from all console ports). The first port of Gain Ground appeared in 1990 for the Sega Master System.

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Golden Axe: PCE (1990, CD) vs. MD (1989) ▲

▲ Return to top

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Ninja Gaiden: PCE (1992) vs. SFC (1995) ▲

▲ Return to top

PC-Engine (PCE)	Super Famicom (SFC)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Out Run: PCE (1990) vs. MD (1991) ▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: Originally released in arcades in 1986, Out Run was ported to the Sega Mark III/Master System (SMS) the following year (1987).

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)	Mark III/Master System (SMS)

NOTE: Considering the hardware and its time of release, the SMS port of Out Run is impressive.

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Panic Bomber: PCE (1994) vs. SFC (1995) ▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: Don't miss the PCE vs. NEO GEO comparison of Panic Bomber below!

PC-Engine (PCE)	Super Famicom (SFC)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Puyo Puyo: PCE (1994, SCD) vs. MD (1992) ▲

▲ Return to top

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Puyo Puyo 2: PCE (1996, SCD) vs. MD (1994) ▲

▲ Return to top

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Rastan Saga II (1990): PCE vs. MD ▲

▲ Return to top

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Shadow of the Beast (1993): PCE (SCD) vs. MD vs. SFC ▲

▲ Return to top

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD)	Super Famicom (SFC)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Splatterhouse (1990, PCE) vs. Splatterhouse 2 (1992, MD) ▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: The PCE version (1990) is a port of the original 1988 arcade game. Two years later, a sequel (Splatterhouse 2) was released for the Mega Drive (Genesis).

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

GRISLY SPRITES: A closer look at the sprite design (and frames of animation) used in each game reveals the splendidly grisly and macabre universe of Splatterhouse, an especially delightful treat for the late 1980's/early 1990's.

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

NOTE: The fourth screenshot for Super Star Soldier is missing in the original post from awack, who laments its absence.

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Strider: PCE (1990, ACD) vs. MD (1989) ▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: The PCE version features two additional, unique stages (sadly, they are mediocre, at best).

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

GOOFY SPRITES: A closer look at the sprite design (and frames of animation) used in each game reveals...

PCE (TG-16)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Valis: PCE (1992, CD) vs. MD (1991) ▲

▲ Return to top

NOTE: Interestingly, this first installment of the Valis series—Mugen Senshi Valis—was the last Valis game released for PCE (it was preceded by Valis II, Valis III and Valis IV).

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)	Famicom (FC, NES)

ABOMINATION: Sadly, the 1987 Famicom port of Mugen Senshi Valis is horrific. Spend your time with the PCE or MD versions below.

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Valis III: PCE (1990, CD) vs. MD (1991) ▲

▲ Return to top

PC-Engine (PCE)	Mega Drive (MD, Genesis)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

Valis IV: PCE (1991, CD) vs. SFC (1992) ▲

▲ Return to top

PC-Engine (PCE)	Super Famicom (SFC)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

▲ Return to top

This page is a WORK IN PROGRESS…

For the most up-to-date info, please consult the original "PCE, SNES and Genesis Screen Comparison" discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums. Thank you for visiting!