PCE, SNES and Genesis, screen comparison.

[Tatsujin]

The arcade is nearly arcade perfect.

true words! but really just nearly. fo'sho!

[esteban]

SMS designs for Space Harrier are too fat.  PCE designs are too skinny arcade perfect.  The arcade is nearly arcade perfect.

I fixed that for you

You're welcome.

[nat]

The distorted perspective as a result of capturing using an emulator makes the Turbo sprites look a lot skinnier than they actually do on a TV. Yeah, they're still skinnier than the arcade, but the difference isn't as jarring as these shots would lead you to believe.

I'll forever be baffled by Joe's fondness for SMS Space Harrier. SMS Space Harrier looks like shit.

[sunteam_paul]

The distorted perspective as a result of capturing using an emulator makes the Turbo sprites look a lot skinnier than they actually do on a TV. Yeah, they're still skinnier than the arcade, but the difference isn't as jarring as these shots would lead you to believe.

I'll forever be baffled by Joe's fondness for SMS Space Harrier. SMS Space Harrier looks like shit.

You need to have grown up with it I think. I love the SMS Space Harrier, it's probably my favourite version besides the arcade, but I will freely admit that a lot of it is down to the memories it brings back. I think the SMS version was the first one I actually played, so it was my introduction to Space Harrier, which makes it that much more special to me.

[Turbo D]

I'm pretty fond of the 32x version which is pretty arcade perfect imo. =P

[ceti alpha]

If the PCE Space Harrier had the checkerboard ground I wouldn't want, or need, any other version. Aside from that, it's still an awesome port.

[Joe Redifer]

I basically agree with what SunSteam Paul said.  I like the SMS version because it is technically impressive.  While the artwork certainly isn't very faithful, the game play, for the most part, is.  You can even move left and right and the objects will start to head in the opposite direction, just like all other versions.

I disagree with what Ceti-alpha said, though.  The checkerboard background would have helped and the simple striped floor does make the PCE version look really weak, but I'd demand higher quality audio as well.  The audio in the PCE version is SHIT.  Space Harrier has great voice and especially music and it was all raped to hell by NEC Avenue driving in the wrong lane.  I actually prefer the audio in the SMS version to the PCE version.  The PCE version sounds like a broken AM radio in comparison (music, mainly).  Yes, the PCE version has more voices, but they were sampled at 1/4-bit .00001hz.  It's sandpaper to my ears.  Still, I own it and enjoy it. 

[esteban]

I basically agree with what SunSteam Paul said.  I like the SMS version because it is technically impressive.  While the artwork certainly isn't very faithful, the game play, for the most part, is.  You can even move left and right and the objects will start to head in the opposite direction, just like all other versions.

I disagree with what Ceti-alpha said, though.  The checkerboard background would have helped and the simple striped floor does make the PCE version look really weak, but I'd demand higher quality audio as well.  The audio in the PCE version is SHIT.  Space Harrier has great voice and especially music and it was all raped to hell by NEC Avenue driving in the wrong lane.  I actually prefer the audio in the SMS version to the PCE version.  The PCE version sounds like a broken AM radio in comparison (music, mainly).  Yes, the PCE version has more voices, but they were sampled at 1/4-bit .00001hz.  It's sandpaper to my ears.  Still, I own it and enjoy it. 

Hey, for the record, I still own SMS Space Harrier and play it.

REQUEST: Joe has inspired me. I know this is asking a lot, but could someone post the Space Harrier soundtracks (mp3) for each platform?

I would love to compare the Arcade, SMS, PCE, etc.

The other versions (Sega 32X, Sega Saturn) aren't as high a priority, but if someone were to make those available, it would be wonderful.

THIS IS FOR SCIENCE.

[Tatsujin]

I enjoy the Saturn SH, which is ultimately close to very very nearly arcade perfect

[sunteam_paul]

I basically agree with what SunSteam Paul said.  I like the SMS version because it is technically impressive.  While the artwork certainly isn't very faithful, the game play, for the most part, is.  You can even move left and right and the objects will start to head in the opposite direction, just like all other versions.

I disagree with what Ceti-alpha said, though.  The checkerboard background would have helped and the simple striped floor does make the PCE version look really weak, but I'd demand higher quality audio as well.  The audio in the PCE version is SHIT.  Space Harrier has great voice and especially music and it was all raped to hell by NEC Avenue driving in the wrong lane.  I actually prefer the audio in the SMS version to the PCE version.  The PCE version sounds like a broken AM radio in comparison (music, mainly).  Yes, the PCE version has more voices, but they were sampled at 1/4-bit .00001hz.  It's sandpaper to my ears.  Still, I own it and enjoy it. 

Hey, for the record, I still own SMS Space Harrier and play it.

REQUEST: Joe has inspired me. I know this is asking a lot, but could someone post the Space Harrier soundtracks (mp3) for each platform?

I would love to compare the Arcade, SMS, PCE, etc.

The other versions (Sega 32X, Sega Saturn) aren't as high a priority, but if someone were to make those available, it would be wonderful.

THIS IS FOR SCIENCE.

Check your email in a few minutes.

[Tatsujin]

it's a big shame, the game didn't came in FM, just like the Sega Master System bios v2.1 screen:


I got almost tears in my eyes, when I heard this the first time.

[esteban]

Check your email in a few minutes.

Awesome. Listening to the tunes as I type this. I love the distinctly unique vibe each version exudes. I know Joe is going to kill me, but SMS and PCE versions really hold their own compared to the arcade. I know the voice samples in the PCE version suck, but the PCE music is great, IMO. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Space Harrier has killer songs, period, regardless of the platform.

Now, if only we had the entire soundtracks to compare!

it's a big shame, the game didn't came in FM, just like the Sega Master System bios v2.1 screen:

I got almost tears in my eyes, when I heard this the first time.

Goddamn, that's beautiful, and it's via the crappy microphone on your camera! Why not make an analog recording of the that song directly from the console? (or did Black_Tiger already do this?)

Anyway, the gorgeous arrangement and sound shines through the imperfect recording .

[nat]

I basically agree with what SunSteam Paul said.  I like the SMS version because it is technically impressive.  While the artwork certainly isn't very faithful, the game play, for the most part, is.  You can even move left and right and the objects will start to head in the opposite direction, just like all other versions.

I disagree with what Ceti-alpha said, though.  The checkerboard background would have helped and the simple striped floor does make the PCE version look really weak, but I'd demand higher quality audio as well.  The audio in the PCE version is SHIT.  Space Harrier has great voice and especially music and it was all raped to hell by NEC Avenue driving in the wrong lane.  I actually prefer the audio in the SMS version to the PCE version.  The PCE version sounds like a broken AM radio in comparison (music, mainly).  Yes, the PCE version has more voices, but they were sampled at 1/4-bit .00001hz.  It's sandpaper to my ears.  Still, I own it and enjoy it. 

I disagree completely here, except for the voices....

The music in the Turbo version is still high quality; I think NEC Avenue did a great job with it for the era the game came out. As the system got older, developers figured out how to do more with the sound chip and in that regard, I think it could have been better audio-wise had the game been released later. The voices are still inexcusable, sure, but they represent a pretty minor part of the gameplay (in my opinion). The stereo treatment the soundtrack got was great, and they did an especially good job with some of the boss tracks. I prefer some of these over the arcade even.

It all comes down to personal opinion in the end, but I don't see how anyone could argue with a straight face that the SMS version is in any way superior to the Turbo version on a technical level.

[Joe Redifer]

Why not make an analog recording of the that song directly from the console? (or did Black_Tiger already do this?)

Because pointing the camera at your screen is the latest Youtube trend. Black_______Tiger did indeed already do this.  Did he die or something?


Anyway I believe I have posted this before.  it is a very brief clip of music and voices from each version in a single file.
http://www.joeredifer.com/crap/getready.mp3


The audio clips are played in this order:

Saturn
32X
TurboGrafx-16
Sega Master System
Sega Master System (Space Harrier 3D)
Genesis (Space Harrier 2)
Playstation 2

[Tatsujin]

http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/showthread.php?t=86262&page=2

Sorry PC-Eng fans I've always seen the PC- Eng as a poor mans Mega Drive

LOL