Sega Smash Pack GBA

[NeoZeedeater]

Has anyone played the GBA Smash Pack? I am very interested in it for Golden Axe.

I read MechDeus' review but since he hasn't played the Genesis version, I can't tell whether his negative opinion stems from not liking the game or from a butchered port.

Gamespot's review mentions Golden Axe being graphically downgraded.

Any impressions of the collection, Golden Axe in particular, would be great.

[Yoshi]

Wait... we let someone review a Smash Pack of games of which he never played the original version?

[kedawa]

Genesis Golden Axe was an average port to begin with. I don't understand why Sega doesn't port some of their classic arcade games directly to GBA instead. I especially would love to see GBA versions of games that didn't get a decent port to the 16-bit systems, stuff like Shadow Dancer, Alien Syndrome, Power Drift, Moonwalker, Beirut, Action Fighter, Revenge of Death Adder, Tough Turf, etc.

I think it's great having classic Genesis titles on GBA, but not when they're a port of a port. And why don't they release a Shinobi compilation? That would be godly.

[sleeve]

Originally posted by Yoshi
Wait... we let someone review a Smash Pack of games of which he never played the original version?

He said he had not played the Genesis version, not the original (arcade) version.

[Yoshi]

Originally posted by sleeveboy
He said he had not played the Genesis version, not the original (arcade) version.

But the Smash Pack is based on the Genesis version, therefore it is the original source of the code.

[MechDeus]

Golden Axe was the one game in that collection (or any of the Smash Packs, really) in which I never played the original version. I also have it on the Smash Pack for PC, but never touched it there either.

But Kedawa sees where I'm coming from.

Right now a roomie is borrowing my copy, and if you (NeoZeed) doesn't have it by the time he's finished I'll send you mine. Chances are I won't be playing it much. Ever.

[bahn]

I played it...have it here actually, but sent a copy to Mech for review because I am swamped. It is somewhat downgraded. In any case, I didn't care much for the game anymore...I wish the Smash Pack featured some other exciting classics.

Strets of Rage
Shinobi
Toejam & Earl

Ecco the Dolphin and Golden Axe is great and all, but these are games which I could really get excited about all over again. I am hoping that Sega will create a series of the Smash Pack. There's just too much Genesis goodness that needs to grace the GBA (though some will disagree - whatever).

Yoshi: Next time we'll send it to you

[Chojin]

Just so you guys know, they totally wiped out Ecco's soundtrack and replaced it with ONE streaming song for the entire game.

Sonic Spinball...who cares.

And I hear Golden Axe actually ended up being a blah port. The only flaw I've read about it that I can comment on is that when you reach the 1rst level boss(Those two big guys with the hammers) the sky no longer changes to that pink-ish color.I'm sure theres prob more probs if simple shit like that didn't make it in.

[bahn]

I should give my copy away as part of a Reader Review prize

[NeoZeedeater]

I disagree with kedawa about Genesis Golden Axe being an average port. It was one of the closest arcade-home ports of its time(late 1989 import, early 1990 domestic). But I agree that Sega should be trying to duplicate arcade versions on GBA rather than Genesis ones. I doubt the GBA could do perfect replicas of System 16/32 games but I would be happy with decent ports.

I hope Sega doesn't keep re-releasing American Sega(not the real Sega, IMO) games like Toejam, Vectorman, Chakan, Eternal Champions, etc. instead of the awesome Japanese-made Sega games.

The graphics in Genesis Golden Axe aren't as detailed as the arcade game but they were as good as you could expect from an early Genesis game. I would say that Genesis Golden Axe was the most graphically impressive console game upon its release.

The gameplay felt a little bit different than the arcade but it's only something a Golden Axe enthusiast would notice. I prefer the Genesis version's gameplay myself.

I'm a little disappointed with the lack of Golden Axe love at TNL since I consider it an all-time classic. The only Genesis beat 'em up I would put in the same league as it is Streets of Rage 2.

And thanks for the offer MechDeus. I don't know when I was going to buy the game since anyway since new stuff like Metroid Fusion takes precedence for me. I hope you don't think I was bashing your review. I wasn't. The review was very good.