Head-2-Head
Welcome to Head-2-Head, where we take a look at two (or maybe more) versions of the same game and see which comes out on top.
R-Type: Sega Master System vs. Turbografx-16
OK, time for complete disclosure. I was a SMS owner back in the mid-80s. Still have my original Master System, too. And one of the few things I had over my NES-owning friends was R-Type. I loved this game and played the heck out of it. I only recently came across a Turbografx-16, and one of the first games I got for it was R-Type. The series is my favorite SHMUP series of all-time, and the first game is very near to my heart.
Graphics: While some of the best graphics on the system, the SMS graphics pale in comparison to those on the TG-16. Most of the enemy sprites are considerably smaller than those on the Turbografx, and many are single-colored, compared to the multicolored sprites on the other example. The powerup icons also look markedly better on the Turbografx. One odd thing about the TG-16 version, however, is that the gamefield scrolls slightly up and down, which can be confusing when you think you're near the top or bottom of the screen only to have it scroll a couple of ship-widths. Both versions suffer from significant flicker and modest slowdown when the going gets tough. Sound: Both versions offer a beautiful soundtrack, a near draw with the slightest edge going to the TG-16. The sound effects, however, sound markedly better coming from the TG-16. Gameplay: I was surprised by how differently the games play. The Turbografx-16 version is quite a bit harder than the Master System offering. At first, I thought it was the bigger sprites leaving you with less room to maneuver, but then I realized that the SMS actually has fewer enemies! Just on the first level, there was a missile droid that was giving me trouble on the TG-16. When I switched to the SMS, I noticed it never spawned! But, while the TG-16 R-Type is more challenging, I must say they both play smoothly. Other Factors: The Turbografx-16 version of R-Type added a boss to the end of level 6, which does not feature a boss in any other version. The Sega Master System version includes an exclusive hidden level accessed from level 4. The SMS also allows additional continues through a cheat code. I am not aware of any such code on the TG-16. Verdict: Both versions are a blast to play and are must-haves for their respective systems, but the Turbografx-16 version is superior in nearly every category. |