Big Game Matchup SIX

[runinruder]

Way back in the TG16's early days, The Legendary Axe was the king of the TurboChips.  It received lots of praise and high scores and "Game of the Year" awards from various magazines, and NEC rode its rep for a long while, plastering huge screens of the giant Jagu in every ad they possibly could. 

Nowadays, Dungeon Explorer seems to be the chip that garners universal admiration.  And hell, with its insanely good music and sweet multi-player action, it deserves every bit of praise it gets.

But the gray-bearded Axe surprisingly wiped the floor with its more-than-respectable sequel in a recent board poll.  Now it's time to see if it can come back one more time and show Rocky Balboa style heart and might against one of the greatest HuCards around.     

I've talked plenty about both on these forums, so I'll just note that Axe is my favorite chip game and is getting my vote here, even though I love DE. 

Previous Big Game Matchups:

Air Zonk 12, Aero Blasters 5
Dragon's Curse 9, Dynastic Hero 5
Rondo of Blood 17, Lords of Thunder 11
Ninja Spirit 19, Splatterhouse 9
Super Star Soldier 15, Dragon Spirit 3

[nat]

Dungeon Explorer. It's a well-known fact by anyone that reads anything I write that DE is my favorite Turbo cartridge, ever. It might have something to do with the fact that it was the first game I spent my own hard-earned cash on back in 1990 (as opposed to being given as a gift). But while that undoubtedly plays a small part in my fondness for it, simply the fact that it's one of the greatest games ever made for the TurboGrafx elevates it above all others. The atmosphere in Dungeon Explorer is absolutely steller-- I still get chills running through some of the later dungeons while being treated to one of the best video game soundtracks of all time.

Dungeon Explorer is a grand slam in all respects, whether it be a single-player adventure, or the surprisingly well-designed multi-player mode. When I die I want to be buried in a coffin lined with Dungeon Explorer cartridges. And I mean that.

Legendary Axe is a competent contender here, but it falls short. While 99% of the sprite artwork in LA is just awesome, I find the quality of the background graphics to be inconsistent, ranging from some of the best on the Turbo to just downright average. Levels 4C and 5 are some of my favorites visually, while I find the cave levels (2 and 4B) a bit drab. I really love the gameplay in LA, no faults there. Unfortunately for LA, there is just no room for "average" in any department when going up against a title as rock-solid as Dungeon Explorer.

[Necromancer]

I voted thrice for Dungeon Explorer, 'cause it's just that damn good.  Legendary Axe is just an average platformer in my book, so DE and its kick-ass soundtrack easily mops the floor with LA and bangs its sister.

[sunteam_paul]

The music alone raises Dungeon Explorer far over LA (which I also find more frustrating).

[Joe Redifer]

This is a tough one, but I find myself playing Legendary Axe more.

[Black Tiger]

I think that Dungeon Explorer is one of the very best Turbo/PCE games. As much as I love platforming, Legendary Axe is 'only' a great Turbo/PCE game.

[Turbo D]

Dungeon Explorer easily 

[TR0N]

Legendary Axe i haven't had the chance to get dungeon explorer yet  :oops:

[nat]

How dare you.

[Keranu]

Dungeon Explorer was the immediate vote that came to my mind and I'm sticking with it.

[Turbo D]

ya, I didn't even have to think twice about it. Dungeon Explorer is that awesome 

[rag-time4]

If there was a third choice for "TurboGrafx-16 rules dude!", that would be my vote. Both of these games are classics.

[Necromancer]

Legendary Axe i haven't had the chance to get dungeon explorer yet  :oops:

Unnggh!  Did you feel that, TRON?  That was me sending you a digital kick to the crotch. 

[Neo Rasa]

Dungeon Explorer all the way, though I do probably play Legendary Axe more overall.

[ceti alpha]

Both games are awesome...obviously, but I have to put my kudos with DE. I loved Gauntlet and this game was even better. The music alone is enough to put this HuCard above the competition. And who could forget the awesome intro sequence?