Screenshot comparisons… SHOOTERS/ SHOOT-EM-UPS

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).

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SHOOTERS/ SHOOT-EM-UPS/ SHMUPS ▼

• Aero Blasters (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• After Burner (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Air Buster (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Air Zonk vs. Super Air Zonk (HuCARD vs. CD-ROM) (+)
• Atomic Robo Kid (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Cotton (PCE vs. SFC) (+)
• Daisenpuu (Twin Hawk) (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Daisenpuu Custom (CD-ROM) (HuCARD vs. CD-ROM) (+)
• Darius II (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Final Soldier (PCE shoot-em-up series series) (+)
• Forgotten Worlds (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Hellfire (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Jim Power (PCE vs. AMIGA) (+)
• Kyuukyoku Tiger (Twin Cobra) (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Lords of Thunder (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Monster Lair (Wonderboy III) (PCE vs. MD vs. ARCADE) (+)
• P-47: The Freedom Fighter (PCE vs. ARCADE) (+)
• Parodius (PCE vs. SFC) (+)
• Raiden (PCE vs. SFC vs. MD) (+)
• Sagaia (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Space Harrier (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Soldier Blade (PCE shoot-em-up series) (+)
• Super Star Soldier (PCE shoot-em-up series) (+)
• Star Soldier Series (PCE shoot-em-up series) (+)
• Super Air Zonk (HuCARD vs. CD-ROM) (+)
• Tatsujin (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Thunder Blade (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Truxton (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Twin Cobra (Kyuukyoku Tiger) (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Twin Hawk (Daisenpuu) (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Winds of Thunder (PCE vs. MD) (+)
• Wonderboy III: Monster Lair (PCE vs. MD vs. ARCADE) (+)
• Zero Wing (PCE vs. MD) (+)

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.

Aero Blasters (PCE, 1990) vs. Air Buster (MD, 1990) ▲

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NOTE: More commonly known as Air Buster in the arcade and on the Genesis/MegaDrive port.

Sprites (PC-Engine)	Sprites (Mega Drive)

EXTRA BIT O' LOVE: Overall, the PCE and MD ports are quite similar. Before we dig into the meaty stuff (below), however, look at the images above—they suggest that the sprite animation for the PCE port may have been given just a little bit more love. That said, the Mega Drive port features some sweet, jumbo-sized bosses.

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

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

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After Burner II (1990): PCE vs. MD ▲

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

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Air Zonk (HuCARD, 1992) vs. Super Air Zonk (CD-ROM, 1993) ▲

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NOTE: The full title of the sequel is Super Air Zonk: Rockabilly Paradise and the Redbook soundtrack is weak (i.e., a schmaltzy pastiche of rockabilly, if you are being generous). But what was I expecting from a light-hearted cute-em-up? Well, I was expecting a halfway decent soundtrack, goddammit!

Air Zonk (HuCARD, 1992)	Super Air Zonk (CD-ROM, 1993)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

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Atomic Robo-Kid: PCE (1989) vs. MD (1990) ▲

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NOTE: UPL's Atomic Robo-Kid appeared in the arcade in 1988. A year later, in 1989, the PCE version was released, with the full title of Atomic Robo-Kid Special.

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

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

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Cotton: PCE (1993, SCD) vs. SFC (1994) ▲

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NOTE: The PCE version (1993) is a port of the original 1989 arcade game, thus its full title is Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams. A year later, a re-imagined version of the original arcade game was ported to the SFC, under the title Marchen Adventure Cotton 100%.

PC-Engine (PCE)	Super Famicom (SFC)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

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Daisenpuu (Twin Hawk) (1990): PCE vs. MD ▲

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NOTE: The PCE screenshots below are from Daisenpuu (HuCARD). Screenshots from the disappointing Daisenpuu Custom (PCE CD-ROM) are also available, but brace yourself, lest the tears stream down your face.

View the original PCE vs. MD discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

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

TWO PCE VERSIONS OF DAISENPUU: Look below, comrade. Surprisingly, the PCE HuCARD (12.14.1990) port of Daisenpuu thoroughly trounces the later Daisenpuu Custom CD-ROM version (07.26.1991). Q: Why is the CD-ROM game so unimpressive? A: The limited RAM available for first-generation CD-ROM games resulted in compromises in sprite animation and graphical details (tiles used for stage backgrounds, for example). It is with heavy heart that I report that Daisenpuu Custom was not the first, nor the last, CD-ROM that fared poorly against its HuCARD brethren.

Daisenpuu (1990, HuCARD)	Daisenpuu Custom (1991, CD)

BOTTOM LINE: The only reason to get Daisenpuu Custom is for its nice Red Book soundtrack. Examine the screenshots above closely and you will see precisely how the HuCARD outshines its "shiny" brother: airfield and organic cliff tiles are missing in first screenshot; paved bridge is missing in second screenshot (existing terrain tiles are recycled to create an elevated, earthen bridge in its place); simpler structures (recycled tiles) in third screenshot; missing steps, piers, ocean in final screenshot. In other words: many nuanced details are absent from Daisenpuu Custom.

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

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Darius II: PCE (1993, SCD) vs. MD (1990) vs. SMS (1992)▲

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NOTE: Known as "Sagaia" outside of Japan, Darius II first appeared in arcades in 1989.

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

MARK III: Lest we forget our beloved Sega Mark III (Sega Master System), behold the 1992 port (released only in Europe and Brazil) of Darius II.

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

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

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Forgotten Worlds: PCE (1992, SCD) vs. MD (1989) ▲

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EGYPTOLOGISTS, UNITE: After poring over the archeological records, astute researchers will attest that our investigation has, at the very least, unearthed at least one particularly interesting revelation...

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

SMS IS NOT FORGOTTEN: Europe and Brazil saw the release of Forgotten Worlds for the beloved SMS. It is a shame that SMS fared so poorly in North America, it was a great console.

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

AVE PAD 3: A special bundle consisting of Forgotten Worlds + AVE PAD 3 (a three button controller) was sold for the PCE in Japan. AVE PAD 3 allowed players to remap the RUN or SELECT button to Button III. Button III (to rotate your avatar to the left) was easier to press during frantic shoot-em-up action than the ergonomically-challenged RUN button.

FAITHFUL, BUT NO FRILLS: The PCE port (1992), despite lacking parallax scrolling and two-player co-operative play, remained faithful to the original arcade game (1988) in fundamental ways (see below)...

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

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

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

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

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Jim Power: PCE (1993) vs. Amiga (1992) ▲

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NOTE: Jim Power in Mutant Planet.

PC-Engine (PCE)	Commodore Amiga

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Kyuukyoku Tiger (Twin Cobra): PCE (1989) vs. MD (1991) vs. FC (1989) ▲

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NOTE: Kyuukyoku Tiger (1987) is a vertical shoot-em-up developed by Toaplan and is the spiritual sequel to Tiger Heli (1985). 'nuff said.

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

TASTE ALL THE FLAVORS: Old-skool shoot-em-up fans should consider playing all ports of classic Toaplan games, including the Famicom version (1989) of Kyuukyoku Tiger.

ANECDOTE: For all of its flaws, I loved the NES port of Tiger Heli (it was the first game I received with my NES in 1987). I didn't know who or what Toaplan was, but I knew I loved the formula used in their games. Flash forward more than a decade and Kyuukyoku Tiger was one of the first Japanese HuCARDs I purchased for the PCE. Enjoy your shoot-em-up journey, comrade.

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

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

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Lords of Thunder: PCE (1993, SCD) vs. MD (1995, CD) ▲

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NOTE: Known as "Winds of Thunder" in Japan.

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

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P-47: PCE (1989) vs. ARCADE (1988) ▲

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NOTE: The full title of this game is P-47: The Freedom Fighter. It was developed by Aicom, the Japanese developer who created Makyou Densetsu (The Legendary Axe) amongst many other titles familiar to fans of PCE/TG-16 (Takeda Shingen, Takin' it to the Hoop, Saint Dragon); Famicom/NES (Golgo 13, Vice: Project Doom, Astyanax) and NEO GEO (Viewpoint, Pulstar, Blazing Star).

PC-Engine (1989)	Arcade (1988)

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Parodius Da! (1992): PCE vs. SFC ▲

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NOTE: The original arcade version of Parodius Da! (1990) was followed by a Famicom port in the same year.

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

VARIATIONS ON A THEME: The Famicom version is worth playing simply to experience the alterations/hidden surprises not found in the original arcade game.

PC-Engine (PCE)	Super Famicom (SFC)

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

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Raiden (1992): PCE vs. SFC vs. MD ▲

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

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

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Space Harrier (PCE, 1988) vs. Space Harrier II (MD, 1988) ▲

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NOTE: Dempa was responsible for the PCE (and X68000) ports of Space Harrier; both ports lack the checkerboard design on the ground, employing basic horizontal lines instead. Nonetheless, the PCE port is excellent (except for the voice samples, which are utterly abominable).

OUR HERO'S POSTERIOR: Cutest ass? Clearly, the SMS sprite wins this category, hands down. Or pants down, as it were. More importantly, the PCE sprite design should pique your interest because our hero is clearly wearing slippers & socks, leaving the bare skin of his calves exposed, whilst the other sprites (especially SMS and MD) insist on clunky, goofy boots. Therefore, we must conclude that the PCE port features a BADASS, whereas the other ports feature a CUTEASS.

MORE SPRITE COMPARISONS: Yes, comrades! We have many more Space Harrier sprite comparisons awaiting you, following the screenshots below.

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

COVET THE SVELTE SPRITES: I said it before and I'll say it again...I prefer asymetrical, svelte sprites (PCE) over stout, symmetrical sprites (SMS). In fact, years ago, I took the argument further and posited that the PCE sprites were truly arcade perfect, whilst the actual arcade sprites were nearly arcade perfect. I stand by that assessment wholeheartedly. Consult the numerous exhibits below and determine where your own aesthetic fetishes lie (lay?)...

COSMIC SPORES: A cursory glance at these cosmic spores may not reveal how pathetic the symmetrical spore is. Therefore, I implore you: fasten your eyes to the image above. Let the golden-orange spores warm your soul. Savor every pixel. The SMS symmetry is unbearable! I trust you concur, comrade.

SHROOM, TREE, ROCK: All of the mushrooms are pleasant on the eye. The symmetrical (SMS) cosmic rock is an abomination, however. It looks like a prostrate turkey carcass, its cavity spread wide, dreading an unsolicited stuffing. As far as the cosmic topiaries are concerned, they are all passable, but the symmetry of the SMS design makes it look goofy, childish and sterile.

COSMIC ASPARAGUS: Comrades, this is clearly a case of gratuitious symmetry, resulting in grievous stoutness. It is, in a word, unacceptable. Pixel-perfect symmetry strikes the observer as a contrived imitation of life. A simulacrum, if you will. As if it were pre-fabricated on an assembly line. I demand natural, organic realism in my fantasy worlds, goddammit! Again, the asymmetry of PCE/ARCADE design fosters a truly organic atmosphere. The arcade design is clearly superior to all others.

STOUT HARRIER: My aesthetic fetish, summarized in a simple chart above. I prefer to spend my time with Svelte Harrier, but the Sega faithful would rather engage themselves with Stout Harrier. So be it.

View the original discussion at the pcenginefx.com forums.

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Super Star Soldier (1990) vs. Final Soldier (1991) vs. Soldier Blade (1992) ▲

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NOTE: Hudson's Star Soldier series was featured in the annual Summer Carnival competition in Japan. A total of three Star Soldier games appeared on the PC-Engine...you can compare them below. Curiously, Final Soldier was never released in North America.

Super Star Soldier (1990)	Final Soldier (1991)	Soldier Blade (1992)

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.

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Tatsujin: PCE (1992) vs. MD (1989) ▲

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NOTE: Known as "Truxton" in North America.

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

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Thunder Blade (PCE, 1990) vs. Super Thunder Blade (MD, 1988) ▲

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NOTE: The 1990 PCE port of the original arcade Thunder Blade (1987) is compared to the MD sequel Super Thunder Blade (1988).

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

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Wonderboy III: Monster Lair: PCE (1989, CD) vs. MD (1991) vs. ARCADE (1988) ▲

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NOTE: The MegaDrive (Genesis) port of this game is noble, but the PCE version (one of the earliest CD-ROM releases) features gorgeous Red Book tunes that all fans will appreciate.

As becomes immediately evident when comparing sprites above and screenshots below, the aesthetics of the PCE port is closer in spirit to the original arcade than the MegaDrive port. This is not to disparage the MD port, since the redrawn art is still very fitting for the WonderBoy universe.

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

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Zero Wing: PCE (1992, CD) vs. MD (1991) ▲

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

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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!