We got about three screens in on three credits, which is appalling tbh, but the controls seemed off - you have to hold a button to slowly rotate your aim, which can't be right.  On the MD port you hold a button to fix your aim. 

So we wasted another quid on Carrier Air Wing (UN Squadron 2), and nearly got to level two.

Moot_Geeza wrote:

but the controls seemed off - you have to hold a button to slowly rotate your aim, which can't be right.  On the MD port you hold a button to fix your aim.

I was using the rotate your aim scheme on the MD version. It's quite good once you get the hang of it. Tried the other way first and found it too fiddly.

So yeah, I finished Midnight Resistance (MD). It's good fun, and the control system fudge isn't too bad at all. Some solid enemy design based around the rotating aim mechanic, and not too difficult for the most part. Hard to fault really, except it doesn't really do anything spectacular. Might see if I can get the arcade version going.

I just played the arcade version. It's not really different except there are a few more enemies on screen at a time in some points. But the control scheme is worse than the MD version, on MAME at least. The rotate buttons seemed to be assigned to z and x with no way of changing them, so I had to switch hands and couldn't get used to it. Lack of auto fire didn't help either.

They're very similar as far as I got though. Seems like it was a good conversion.

Whenever I play Mercs on MD I always run out of lives towards the end of the level with the train tracks.

Can we add the original gta to the list please? The top down ps1 game.

Me too. That's kinda why I want to play it

mk64 wrote:

Can we add the original gta to the list please? The top down ps1 game.

Sounds good, I'll probably grab the PC version (which should be dirt cheap) 'cos the PS1 version was playable but quite a lazy conversion.  I never owned it but enjoyed it when I borrowed it not long after release.

I'll sort out the new schedule tonight, I think we've got a decent amount of suggestions now.  I was thinking about playing Psycho Pinball on the Megadrive after reading an old review yesterday, so I might add a free choice pinball game wildcard.

Moot_Geeza wrote:

do a comparitive report on the two alladin games

I love this idea, cheers.

That's Aladdin on the Megadrive completed then.  Didn't start it until 9.50ish either, and save states were redundant as I racked up so many lives.  An incredible game in many ways - perhaps the most polished videogame I've ever played - but 35 minutes of gameplay is a fucking pisstake.  I remember getting this for £44.99 when it came out, and voluntarily pressing reset whilst fighting Jafar as I didn't want to complete it on my first go.  So I finished it on my second go.  I love it, it has so many nice touches (from the mouse ear extra life to to the way knives split your apples) and while it lasts I can't fault it, but it's painfully easy up until the final level and pretty short.  Those graphics and tunes though, wow.  85%

Just finished the SNES Aladdin, which I've never played before.  I thought this comparison would be a breeze, because the Megadrive version, although short, is a pretty magnificent game in many ways, I loved it as a kid, and I always thought the SNES version looked merely 'decent' (in a snooty, mine's better kind of way).  Now that I've played them both, there's really no contest when it comes to deciding the superior game, chiefly because the SNES version is three times longer.  The graphics (especially the unparalleled animation), sound effects, cut scenes and renditions of the classic tunes are all superior on the Megadrive, but the SNES version is no slouch in these departments either - it's an attractive game.  The gameplay (although markedly different) is equally good in both, but by the time you've reached Jafar's palace on the Sega version you're barely out of Agrabah in Capcom's effort, which just isn't on when you consider 16-bit games at this stage were well over £40. 

One is a simple hack 'n slash platformer, the other is a head bopper.  Both share the apple throwing mechanic, although the fruit in question is pretty scarce (non-existent?) in the latter half of the SNES game.  The magic carpet escape section is great in both games, so I can't call that, but the SNES version edges it in terms of actual platforming (specifically swinging, which is well done).  Both games are too easy, but only one can be finished in 30 minutes. 

Basically, the Nintendo game is better, because it represents far, far better value for money.  One is like Nouvelle Cuisine in a Michelin starred restaurant, the other is a hearty three course meal in an excellent country bistro pub.  This doesn't decide the console war or anything - I could always review Robocop Vs Terminator next.  87%

Another suggestion - any version of New Zealand Story.

Super Metroid is the best thing

The schedule for the rest of the year.  Apologies if I missed out any suggestions (I can't emulate Space Station Silicon Valley so I selfishly left it out). I tried to fit them all in, either on their own or in a wildcard week. 

(27/05, week): Rub Your Own Rhubarb: free choice Retro Batman week
(03/06, week): Battletoads (NES)
(10/06, week): Budget Master System Week - Action Fighter, Teddy Boy and The Ninja
(17/06, fortnight): Toki (Arcade, Megadrive, Amiga)
(01/07, fortnight): Castlevania IV (SNES)
(15/07. week): Free choice Parodius
(22/07, week): Scrolling Beat 'em up free choice
(29/07, fortnight): El Viento (Megadrive)
(12/08, week): Atari 2600 High-Score Challenge Returns
(19/08, fortnight): Yoshi's Story (N64)
(02/09, week): Rollergames (NES)
(09/09, fortnight): Actraiser (SNES, VC)
(23/09, fortnight): Grand Theft Auto (PS, PC)
(07/10, week): New Zealand story (various)
(14/10, week): Bitmap Bros free choice
(21/10, fortnight): Vectorman (MD, compilations)
(04/11, fortnight): PC Kid 2/Bonk's Revenge (PC Engine, VC)
(18/11, week): Wonderboy week
(25/11, week): Kirby week
(02/12, fortnight): Solstice II/Equinox (SNES)
(16/12, week): Fantasy Zone (MS)
(23/12, fortnight inc. Christmas break): Pinball free choice
(06/01, fortnight): Blackthorne (various)

One of the finest games ever, even though I haven't played it in years. Won't have time this week either. But anyone who hasn't played it before should make a special effort.

I can't seem to get my Super Famicom to work on my LCD, not sure what I'm doing wrong. Might try it one more time and if it doesn't work, I'll just emu it. 

Third BESTEST game ever after the best Zelda and the best Mario.

It's really almost perfect. Undermined a little by the goofy Screw Attack flying, the first proper boss is easily cracked and I'm still bugged by the narrative incoherence of the handily stashed powerups and ammo/health expansions, but it does most other things tremendously well, both for its era and today. It should've been an industrial supertemplate and hasn't been and that sucks a fuck.

"Mute, armed explorer of deadly and unknowable world" is what videogames are kinda for, especially solo.