...namely, CD and HuCard.
Since this topic spans both Japanese and American-region games, it's kind of hard to pick which forum it belongs in. But since I own mostly American systems equipped with a Kisado, it's going in the American forum. Besides, the PCE sucks, anyway.
TurboGrafx-16 or bust!
Today I was sitting at work thinking about Altered Beast (yes, this is truly how I pass the hours away) and how it was released on both CD and HuCard. Then my mental horizon expanded to include other titles that were brought out on both mediums. In the end, I was just asking myself, "Why?" In some cases the answer is more forthcoming than others.
So let's see if we can list the titles that were available on both a HuCard (I use this term loosely to include TurboChips since I can't even force myself to use that term) and CD. Also, which version is better?:
Altered Beast - Why did this game see a CD release? Does anyone know whether the HuCard or the CD came out first? Or was it a simultaneous release? Why, lord, WHY? I own the HuCard and have never played the CD but I understand the ONLY difference is the inclusion of some cutscenes. The CD version does not feature superior music, in fact, it uses the "chip" music from the HuCard. Not to mention this game will ONLY work with System Card 1.0. Why couldn't they have included the cutscenes on the HuCard and been done with it?
VERDICT: CD version is superfluous. Probably has loading delays as well. Not to mention you actually have to FIND a System 1.0 card. IMHO, the CD is a downgrade in all respects. Get the HuCard.
Bonk's Adventure
Bonk's Revenge
Bomberman - Well, this is a pretty easy one. These three were released as part of the Duo's launch 4-in-1 pack-in. The CD versions are identical to the HuCard versions. Further, they promote the CD format while at the same time saving money and material.
VERDICT: Save space in your cabinet/on your shelf-- get the 4-in-1 CD. Four AWESOME games on one CD, you can't go wrong. If you have a CD console, you're going to get Gate Of Thunder anyway. Now, if these had been individual CD releases that would be another story......
Bonk's 3: Bonk's Big Adventure - I remember when Bonk 3 CD came out. At the time, and for at least 10 years after, I always believed the CD came first and the HuCard was released later to make it more accessible to folks without the CD system (like me, at the time). I didn't even know there was a HuCard version I could get until around a year after the CD version was released. It wasn't until a few years ago I found out the HuCard actually came first, and the CD wasn't even released in Japan. Since I haven't played the CD version, I can't give a real quality verdict here. I HAVE, however, listened to the CD soundtrack in MP3 form and I have to say I actually PREFER the HuCard. Maybe because it's the HuCard I've always owned, but Bonk just doesn't seem right without the "chip" music. I understand there are also some additional bonus rounds on the CD version not found on the HuCard. I've never played these, but they'd have to be pretty special to sway me away from my beloved "chip" soundtrack.
VERDICT: There is not much of a "why" on this one as they offered enough on the CD to justify it's release. But I'm going to go with HuCard, since that's the version I've always owned & loved.
Darius - This one's not as clear cut as the first few. On one hand, we have a HuCard which is "turbo-charged" for the SuperGrafx but features inferior music. On the other, we have a version with flickery bosses but a kick-ass Dolby-enhanced soundtrack. WHY? Why did they not combine the two and release a single CD with the enhanced soundtrack AND the SuperGrafx support? Sure, the SuperGrafx doesn't have a CD deck out of the box, but neither does the TurboGrafx or PC Engine. I've never played the SuperGrafx version, but there is a copy in the mail to me as we speak. But honestly, the flickering on the bosses is not all that bad to begin with. I'm not sure it really needed fixing. They could've spent their efforts on a game a little more in need of such help, where bosses actually completely DISAPPEAR the sprite clash is so bad (*cough* R-Type *cough*).
VERDICT: I'm going to have to go with the CD here. Easier to find, cheaper, far superior soundtrack. All you lose is bosses who don't disappear before your eyes. Go for the HuCard if you have a solo SuperGrafx without a CD console. Otherwise, CD all the way.
R-Type - Ah, good ol' R-Type. Poor R-Type. Fun game with great level design, almost arcade perfect. But that damn FLICKER!! Flicker they didn't bother to fix on the CD release. Whole bosses disappear and then rematerialize right on top of you. The CD offered better quality music, but a few tunes were changed to much controversy. It also included cutscenes and an intro. It also did away with the "Credit" system and allowed unlimited continues.
VERDICT: For me, it's CD version all the way. Most importantly, I can continue an unlimited number of times. In this game, this is very much needed. That aside, I personally like most of the CD music better than the "chip" tunes despite owning and playing the HuCard for years before getting the CD. Also, perhaps the biggest one-up the CD has on the HuCard is for Japanese-region players. I think everyone knows what I mean.
Sidearms HyperDyne - I don't know much about this game. I've never owned it in any form, but there is a copy in the mail to me (HuCard) right now. I played the HuCard once a long time ago somewhere and thought it would be a cool game to get at some point. Apparently, I didn't get around to that until 2007. Must not have impressed me THAT much. Either way, this makes the verdict here a tough one. As I understand it, all the CD offers the HuCard doesn't is a alternate play mode called "Before Christ". How different this is from the regular game is beyond me.
VERDICT: I'm going with HuCard here. But since I really don't know what I'm talking about, take this one with a grain of salt. However, games released on CD that use "chip" music and don't take advantage of the larger storage medium don't impress me. Or does it actually have a redbook soundtrack? I don't even know.
Raiden/Super Raiden - I know even less about this game so I'm not even going to give it a verdict. In fact, is Super Raiden even the same game or is it a sequel along the lines of Super Air Zonk? I don't know. But I'm absolutely SURE someone here is about to tell me all about it.
Hmm. That's all I can think of. Any other dual format releases that I missed?
