Sparkster better than rocket knight ? Seriously... Sparkster is an ok game (at best imho), but nowhere near the polish and creativity of the first one.
Play them both back to back. When I did this I found that actually Sparkster has taken the core of RK and buit on that. The is more animation complexity, the combat system is better, the levels have more structure, and the boss battles have had an overhaul. Technically, for me at least, the game is a better sequel.
@@RetroGamerBoy I think it just lacked the impact. Rocket Knight was out of left field as no one expected an original IP of that quality from Konami to Debut on a Mega Drive. The sequel was inevitable, so it didn’t have the impact the first one did. And I think in that nostalgia things get lost. I feel it’s the same with streets of Rage 3. Personally I think it’s the best game of the original 3 SOR games. Has slightly better graphics, the special move mechanic is a lot better implemented, and you could unlock a bunch of characters as you play along. It had a hidden Kangaroo before Tekken. But because it wasn’t the leap 2 was, it gets labelled worse than 2 😢
@@sloppynyuszi streets of rage 3 has a very grainy look to the graphics and a soundtrack that was a letdown from Yuko Koshiro given his previous masterpieces, but most of all I hate the missing sound effects. Quite often punches don't register as hit sounds where every hit was so impactful in streets of rage 2. Sor3 lacked a fair bit of polish and is pretty forgettable compart to the previous two games.
@@sloppynyuszi yup SoR3 is another great example. There is a "wow" factor that definitely plays into the perception games have of the titles they play.
Y'know, I've always thought Rocket Knight topped both versions of Sparkster, but I appreciate your perspective and this makes me want to replay Sparkster. Very interesting list!
Rocket knight adventure has better level design I mean sparkster is a good game and has improved in certain ways But didn't fix the most important problems like finite continues and not being able to see ending with normal mode
I thought Sparksters design had more depth, and Rocket Knights far more straight forward. But I do love Rocket Knight, it's one of my favourite games on the MD.
I was surprised when you said that the streets of rage segment was polarising. I don't think I've ever met a person who prefers the original over the sequel. Awesome video !
Phantasy Star and Rocket Knight Adventures, those are polarising. I've never played the Phantasy Star games on Genesis (only the Master System game, which is terrific) but I always read that Phantasy Star III is considered the black sheep in the series. And Rocket Knight Adventures is way more fun than Sparkster.
I bet the only thing that would determine it that way is if you prefer the soundtrack of the original since all the streets of rage games are known for incredible soundtracks 💫
its better on eu. seems usa sega fans always chose first game. many playing first stage and saying nothing like first game graphicly but thats is first stage all rest graphicly better. faster game play. music also better. like he said stages very diffrent ways and on hard diffculy even more diffrent.
On the Day 1 sales of Sonic 2: the 750,000 figure is ship-out, not sell-through. And it relates to the *combined* ship-out across the Mega Drive, Master System, and Game Gear. Sonic 2 on the Mega Drive was a sales phenomenon in the UK (the biggest launch of any 16-bit game - coming out right at the peak of the early-90s video game craze), but it didn’t shift anywhere near 750,000 units on its launch-day.
@@inceptional I agree let's burn him in a wickerman. How dare he make something that has no major bearing on anyone's lives and not get the minchure 100% correct. What a disgusting human being. Let's all unsubscribe to teach him the lesson he so clearly deserves.
Great video. I agree with the most but that awesome steampunk look of Rocket Knight excels that dull looking visuals of Sparkster easily. RN has also more variation (gameplay&sound) in my opinion. But maybe I have to revisit Sparkster again ;)
Own, played and have beaten Rocket Knight Adventures. Own, played and have beaten Sparkster. RKA had balanced gameplay and controlled well. Sparkster, despite looking better in screenshots, felt stiff and featured lopsided game design. Would rather play RKA any day of the week.
Here in Canada, we had a 6pak series including sonic, revenge of Shinobi, SoR1, super hang on, Golden axe and columns. A great budget cartridge that seems to have sold en masse. As always, continue the great work. Love the content.
Sparkster over Rocket Knight is a real controversial one, I don’t think you’ll find many people who pick it over the original. PS3 is a controversial one too, I think many people hate that game, PS4 would have made more sense. I’m surprised you didn’t say Shinobi 3 or Toe Jam and Earl: Panic on Funkotron, or even Earthworm Jim 2. My personal best sequel would be Battle Mania: Daiginjo over Trouble Shooter, but I never know whether to count the Japanese only library.
It is a controversial choice, it's got a lot of people commenting on it. Earthworm Jim, Shinobi, and Toe Jam and Earl are great choices. PS2 was an absolute disaster for me, I loved 3 and 4 was stunning.
Only one I'm surprised at is RKA and Sparkster. I still have both on cart and I started out a bit disappointed with Sparkster. I felt graphically it was worse and having the mecha battle prologue was odd given it could be skipped but I grew to think it was just as good as the original for the reasons you've listed. I agree it has a lot of upgrades to exploration and combat, but RKA had a nice risk/reward system. You could rocket pack or sword laser from a distance and be slow but safe or you could get in close and hit with your sword repeatedly and fast to decimate bosses with a higher risk of getting hit (the train boss on level 2 Is a GREAT example of this) The extra stages on higher difficulties in Sparkster were also good (as opposed to a short extra one in RKA) was great but I feel neither game is better than the other (both superior to the SNES game though)
A few sequels off the top of my head that were better than the originals: • Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II (PC) This took the _Doom-like_ formula to new heights, adding some really clever platforming and time-management puzzles; a host of upgradable Force powers (including the four neutral powers that were essential for completing some of the puzzles: Speed [run faster and iirc enemies and moving platforms were slower], Jump [hold down the jump button longer to jump higher], Push [activate switches and other controls from a distance, push back enemies and objects], and Pull [pull levers from a distance, draw in objects closer to you, disarm enemies by depriving them of their weapons]); a melee weapon [in the lightsaber] that deflects enemy projectiles (just lasers-not rockets, grenades, 'shotgun' blasts, etc.); a light-to-dark polarity system (depending on your decisions, you could become a light side Jedi or a dark side Jedi and open to yourself a correlating slew defensive and offensive force powers, respectively); and who could forget, an inter-connective tissue of affably cheesy fully live-acted cutscenes that help in large part to tell the story of the game. • Age of Mythology (PC) Although more of a spin-off than a true blue sequel, this game still managed to dwarf Age of Empires II with [at the time] impressive 3D graphics, gorgeous ethnic music, fully integrated voice acting, and multiple deities you could claim patronage to, each of whom would come with their own perks and abilities. • Strider 2 (Arcade; PlayStation) Hand-drawn sprites over CG level art is an art style I will always stan, the results here take the anime look of the arcade original to new heights. The combat remains as simple as ever but difficulty is far better balanced, and the variety in the locales and level design is more thoroughly diversified. The icing on top is an optional playable boss character that is unlocked upon completing the game once, and although he gets all the same levels as Strider Hiryu, his playstyle differs, allowing for some variety on repeat playthroughs of the game. I did want to talk at greater length about each of these games, but I tried to employ a little restraint to keep my comment short (but obviously kinda failed at that anyway as it still ended up being hella long 🤐).
Not in a million years is Sparkster better than Rocket Knight Adventures You missed the most obvious series in the video: Thunder Force. Thunder Force III was a massive improvement over Thunder Force II. Then Thunder Force IV improved on Thunder Force III again, being one of the best horizontal shmups ever
I am totally agree with: Lethal Enforces 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 2,Streets of Rage 2 and Mortal Kombat 2. Other than that: Shining Force II, Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master, Thunder Force IV, X-Men 2: Clone Wars, Road Rash II, Wonder Boy in Monster World
Wait what?! Phantasy Star III? I have never heard anyone in my life say they think Phantasy Star III was better than II and I got my Genesis in 1989. Phantasy Star III was a terrible game that forgot its roots and is very much considered the black sheep in the Phantasy line. No, the best was Phantasy Star IV by a long shot followed closely by II and I. Addendum- Mortal Kombat I-II got the ultimate shaft by the absolute worthless teams at Probe. I knew back when MK I-II were new they messed it up pretty badly. Most of the voice work was cut, backgrounds weren't right, and colors weren't great either. The first game should have been close to the arcade and we know how close now as a team of indy developers fixed it. Just like with SF2 the Genesis was not on the developers minds when creating the games for the home.
Nope I loved PS3, and hated 2. But I also looked at how all the sequel's performed technically. Graphically, and mechanically to make my list. It's also my views so they naturally won't be the same as everyone else. Dispute the poor ports MK was still a great game on the console. I don't remember feeling hard done by when I was ripping spines out😂 The fan improvements are amazing and I've got the physical versions of these as well.
@@RetroGamerBoy Hey no worries. I hope I didn't come off like a jerk as that was not my intentions. I thought your take was strange but I get it man. My issues with SF2 and MK1-MK2 on the Genesis might be an American thing. Allow me to explain... When these games came out both the companies and gaming mags of the time began spreading...well nonsense. They tried to make us believe that Probe did all they could but the Genesis was just too old and "outdated" to include all the voices for example in the two MK games. Which of course sent the Nintendo faithful on regular tirades of EGM or GamePro or whatever said it's true so therefore it is. The exact same thing can be said about Street Fighter...I mean the fact that the Genesis has the exact same Yamaha sound chip as the SF2 cabs was a clue that none of this was right. All four (MK1-MK2, SFSC2-SSF2) should have been much better than what we got. Addendum- Sorry if I seem tense...I'm running in the red right now. I live in Florida and am thinking we're getting out of dodge before Ian comes through. We will make our decision tomorrow when both sides of the freeway open up. Wherever it hits will be absolutely devastated and people are going to die unless it weakens or veers off course. For example if it stalls a few days we have a huge cold front coming that will wipe him out but it's 2 or 3 days behind him.
Hey all views are welcome here😁👍 I completely understand about MK. I was a real Sega Fanboy back in the late 80s and 90s, and despite having all the Nintendo console's I only really played Sega, and so I would not read anything pro Sega. It gave me a very shuttered view of the console wars and so ignorance was bliss. It's wasn't until the mid 90s where I started to get more into multi format gaming.
On my Sega Genesis I loved Fatal Fury, even though some things were omitted. However when Fatal Fury 2 came out on Genesis….. that was the ULTIMATE fighting game sequel. Unlockable characters, and a combo system with super moves, that is by far my favorite fighting game on the Genesis.
@@pixelperfectpaddy I agree, Fatal Fury 1 is a fun game that I still play from time to time on my Genesis. Mainly for nostalgia reasons, because it takes me back to my childhood.
@@RetroGamerBoy oh no, I’m sorry to hear that brother. I love your gaming room though, you have a multitude of systems and games. Im currently working on mine as we speak. Here’s to good gaming 🍻
Great video Mike. A little surprised you didn't include The Revenge of Shinobi and Shinobi III in your list. I love RoS for it's visual style and soundtrack but the gameplay is a little slow paced. Shinobi III brought a much welcomed increase in speed while keeping the core gameplay mechanics in tact, and introduced some awesome horse and surfboarding segments. Other games that I'd include on my own list would be: Ecco the Dolphin & Ecco: The Tides of Time X-Men & X-Men 2: Clone Wars Thunder Force II & Thunder Force III
I did have Shinobi in the list but I ran out of time to play through them. I played through all the games in the list and a few more to help form my opinions. There are some great sequels in that list. I don't have X-Men 2 yet otherwise that would have probably made it onto the list.
I did have Shinobi in the list but I ran out of time to play through them. I played through all the games in the list and a few more to help form my opinions. There are some great sequels in that list. I don't have X-Men 2 yet otherwise that would have probably made it onto the list.
good choices especially X Men. The first was fun but wow that second blows it out of the water. Though I should probably highlight Thunder Force as the second was fun and the third is one of my favorite all time shooters.
Definitely preferred Streets of Rage 2 over the original. They are both good games but 2 just felt like it was more with the times when it was released. I like Sonic and Sonic 2 but I prefer 2 over the original by a slim margin. The Revenge of Shinobi was great but Shinobi III was incredible! I loved it's updates to the melee combat as well as the horse and hoverboard levels. The platforming was fun too.
No doubt in my mind that SOR2 is the best in the series. I actually have issues with others on this list though. RKA, Golden Axe and even Phantasy Star, I preferred the original. I may be in the minority for Golden Axe and Phantasy Star. However Ive always heard the original Rocket Knight was considered the best.
Gaming is subjective. There are some truly awful games I love for reasons, and other games that are very popular that I do not like. It's the same for everyone and it's the reason we get some many different types of games.
Awesome episode Mike! 👍👍👍 You got me drooling on the Micro Machines 2. I have RC Pro AM 2 which I could play it with 3 friends via the NES satellite hub, but the 8bit graphics are not as great. 😂
Not terribly sure about Sparkster. While it could be because I didn't play it until way after its release, Sparkster just doesn't spark the joy I feel from Rocket Knight Adventures. Honestly never been fond of its overall presentation. Now, I do appreciate the jet pack charge-up being automatic. Also glad I ended up hanging on to my cartridge, given the obnoxious prices. As for better sequel, I'd say Super Mario Bros. 3 is the best retro 2D Mario; World is better mechanically, but 3 just has so much variety and overall scale.
I love Rocket Knight and I still prefer it. But I played both games back to back for the video and Sparkster is at least a technically better sequel. Some of RKA charm was because of how unique it was, and that plays into its fondness for me. Mario 3 is a great call.
I am probably 1 of few who played Sparkster before RKA and enjoyed it greatly back in the day. I’ve played RKA much later and never got into it, because of Sparksters gameplay. Maybe you should have mentioned the Shining series in this one.
LOL, When I saw the thumbnail I was like he is trolling right as that is the perfect example of how the Original is way better than the Sequel? Rocket Knight is a Masterpice and Sparkster is an ugly mess.
Interesting. I love RK but it's quite simple, Sparkster introduced more depth to levels and really ustilised the traversal mechnic. But games are subjective.👍
@@RetroGamerBoy We all have different tastes so I find it interesting when someone's opinions differ so much from my own but I remember getting Sparkster as a kid and being gutted at the totally different art style, I still liked it but did not consider it one of the greats.
To be fair, with video games sequels are usually better than the originals either because they spend more memory on them, know the system’s kinks better or are just released on a successor system. I think with video games, especially in the 90s and early 2000s it’s more rare a sequel to actually be worse. Criticism is usually that it didn’t improve enough, not that it didn’t improve.
@@RetroGamerBoy I think today as games aren’t as reliant on the latest tech it’s harder to make a sequel stand out. Which is good. Pushes designers and developers to innovate ideas not just rely on higher resolutions and higher polygon counts :)
Your narrative of Phantasy Star 2 is the opposite of what I've heard as the general consensus. I've always heard the exact opposite. That PS3 is a bad game but PS2 is a good game. I've played both without quite beating them. I think they are both good games. But considering they chose PS2 for the upcoming Mini instead of PS3, I think your opinion is a bit unpopular here.
I dunno man, Sparkster is good and all, but it's severely lacking in memorable moments compared to the original RKA. It's awfully clear that Konami put their A team on the Snes Sparkster and let the competent but less tech-savy B team handle the MD-sequel.
Interesting. I had just played both back to back recently and it inspired the video. I've always been on the RKA side of things but having played through both I felt differently. I'm not the custodian of what good, just of what I like.👍
😨? Unpopular opinion: Even if casuals prefer Sonic 2 , Sonic1 as more depth. S1 is less linear more challenging more hidden secrets. More pthways. Sonic 2 is super linear just spin dash like a scrub and you go to the last stages that are actually good. Sonic 2 was a rushed game. It looks gorgeous but definitely doesn't have the depth that Sonic 1 has. 🙄. The bosses..🤦♂ (Casuals don't know to play Sonic 1 ) In the case of Rocket Knight.. Come on.. How could the sequel be better when when original staff members left..? Graphically Rocket Knights crushes Sparkster MD. Sparkster MD looks really really bad sometimes. I was ashamed when I first saw it. At least SNES version with all it flaws , was closer to the original spirti and look good. I never seen people saying Golden Axe II was better than the original. Maybe GA III because of the moveset. But the athmosphere and graphics.. Not sure about that too Am I crazy ? 😕
On almost every game someone has said it's an unpopular choice, whist agreeing on the others😂 I guess it just goes to show that us gamers are more diverse in our tastes than we think we are.
@@RetroGamerBoy I can garanty you most of people who prefer Sonic 2 can't even finsih S1 without cheating. Sonic 1 is shorter the team was splitted To make S2 and CD. And since spin D ash people don't use Sonic advanced technique and tricks anymore 😭 Just spin dash automation and go brain dead staight forward. When all Sonic 1 tricks were forgot by casuals and mainstream , that was the beiginning of future level design problems and SEGA amnesia (on how to make a good Sonic game.) Thank god we have Mania and Frontiers to bring back pinball mechanics and physic tricks. I hope we could use half pipe tricks and Ball form momentum like in Spring Yard Zone act 2. There are so many gameplay ideas that are forgotten now because of people who think Sonic should just be ALL ABOUT speed and automation (no more exploration no more precise platforming , no more physic tricks ) I want to talk about , but This would be so long. And my English is not that great . Sonic 1 and CD are deeper than S2. But mainstream always wins 😔
@@RetroGamerBoy Or maybe Rocket knight superirity is not abvious to you cause you're a Nintendo Fan or that Megadrive is not you favourite system. So you don't pay attention to these graphical details. What's your favourite 16 bit system?
Phantasy Star 2 was definitely an improved sequel over the first game. There might not have been a lot of story beats... but before people were tearing up over Aerith, we had Nei. PS3... kinda. We finally got background for the combat.. but seemingly at the cost of decent enemy animation. But PS4 definitely brought it all together making it the best of the 4 games. Shame we never got another Phantasy Star or the Sega Ages remakes of PS 1 and 2. Panzer Dragoon 2 definitely elevates the gameplay from the first one. But Saga has to be my favourite. The task of turning an on rails shooter into a sprawling RPG? Yes please. Battle Mania (Trouble Shooter) 2... speaking of dialing everything to 11 in that game. El Viento better than Earnest Evans. At least Annet doesn't look like she's made up of tiny sausages. Rolling Thunder 2 Mystic Defender, sequel to the Master System's SpellCaster. Lunar Eternal Blue
Excellent video Mike and really good choices. SOR 2 is one of my all time favorite games but I understand people who prefer the original as it's pretty darn awesome on its own. Similar to Sonic where the first was really good but the second is just an all time classic. I'm curious to see what some others think of Rocket Knight and Phantasy Star. It's my understanding that most people prefer the original Rocket Knight (though I wonder if that might just be they're not familiar with the Sparkster) and for Phantasy Star I thought most people preferred 2 over 3 (and 4 is one of the best rpgs for any console). Keep up the great work Mike! Always enjoy your videos.
Shining Force 2 is objectively way better than Shining Force 1 (despite the fact that personally I love the 1st one for personal and subjective reasons)
Shining in the Darkness is really it's own thing, separate from Shining Force. Shining the Holy Ark on Saturn was Shining in the Darkness' proper sequel
@@RetroGamerBoy Well, I would put it in one of my favourite game of all time. I know that a lot of people criticize it, but the young me who saw the epic magic, music, atmosphere of this game loved it. But still, I agree with @Business Cat hereafter, It is in my mind a brother-kind of game, but a really different one
I can remember finishing Shining in the Darkness back in the day. I can remember having this horn thing that used to produce a Monty Python-esque giant green foot to stomp enemies in one hit...used it to cheese the "crystal oozes" on the upper levels cos they gave something ridiculous like 20000 EXP each when killed, easy way to level up!
Its a toss up between streets of rage 1 and 2 depending on the mood, and sor3 is always there to remind everyone that the first two games are masterpieces.....
I actually like Golden Axe, Streets of Rage, Rocket Knight, and Mortal Kombat more than the sequels. For me the first Golden Axe has better music and sound and you feel more the impact of your hits in the enemies, the first Streets of Rage has better music, ADAM, ambience and the multiple finals are a plus, Rocket Knight and Sparkster are so different that you just prefer one or another but for me theres no contest and at least you can play Mortal Kombat finish it and enjoy it for what it tries to do, in MK2 you arrive at the 5th oponnent and you better turn of the console because its impossible to have fun with the broken Ai. Graphics and sprite animations are not everything but opinions are different and i respect every point of view.
I always welcome others personal views and preferences. I also love all those originals, RKA is my favourite game in the series and my inclusion in the list was as technically superior game, for me at least 👍
MK vs MK2 was an even bigger improvement on my beloved SNES. All the blood and gore with better visuals and controls. MK2 on SNES is better than MD too…
I have to highly disagree with Phantasy Star 3 being better than Phantasy Star 2. I, personally, did not enjoy 3 more than 2 & most reports I hear is Phantasy Star 3 is the black sheep of the series.
@@RetroGamerBoy I loved the ideas of Phantasy Star 3, a story taking place over 3 generations with multiple outcomes & endings is an amazing idea that should be revisited, but the presentation in 3 just seemed so muddy. The saturated colors in 2 popped while the colors in 3 were so drab & muted. The character art in the cut scenes was bland compared to the anime style of 2 which just oozed personality. Also, the walk speed of the characters in 3 was so slow which made getting from one point to another take so long. I also didn't feel very attached to the character's. I don't ever hear of anyone talking about the characters of 3 but just about every PS Fan remembers Nei's death & how impactful it was. For me, 3 seemed more like it was about quantity where 2 had less but did more!
Interesting view on Rocket Knight and Sparkster, I have Rocket Knight on the MD but have never played Sparkster; due to price and the fact that everyone seemed to say it wasn't as good as Rocket Knight so I didn't bother pursuing it further. I might have to try out a rom somewhere and see what it's like, more of the same with better controls can't be a bad thing
Yup it's ruffled a few feathers, but I'm not saying I hate Rocket Knight Adventures I love it and prefer it to the sequel. But when I played through both games for the video I had to admit that Sparkster was a technically better sequel. The same way SoR3 is actually a technically better sequel then SoR2. It does not stop those games from being fan favourites.
Awesome video! MK certainly #1 with being such a huge improvement. I thought aero the acrobat might have deserved a shout and perhaps road rash I can't say for sure until I have played them thoroughly but I thought the general feeling was phantasy star 3 was worse than 2. It had more, but also less direction and more grinding? I can not wait to play these though, only played 4 properly so far and that's a masterpiece! Its made me think about what sequels were worse than their original now!
PS4 is stunning. I can only go on what I like with these lists and I think it's the same for everyone. I think PS2 is too simple and similar to the original. It's not a bad thing just not what I'd expect from a sequel. PS3 pushed the franchise forward and some of what was achieved in 3 paved the way for PS4
Phantasy Star III better than II? That’s a wild take. Most will agree IV is the best in the series, but for decades, III’s been looked as the black sheep in the franchise, not II.
I find 2 very derivative, and nothing that pushed the franchise on. Three though introduced new narrative mechanics, gameplay, and upped the visuals. Games are subjective though
I played Populous on SNES and really enjoyed it--I don't think I ever checked out Two Tribes though in any capacity. I'm missing out! Love the J-cart variants; little oddball stuff like that is fun to collect and having a fun game like MM makes it all the better to have. Absolutely adore GA2--one of Lady Laci's all-time faves as she got to play it with her dad BUT also a rare chance (back in the day) to play as a girl in a game. Sonic 2? Cool--they made a game from the movie? ha ha j/k PS series is so good. SoR yeah...that's like trying to choose your favorite child. Mine's the Dragon. lol Generally love compilation carts--but yeah, that sequel one seems to be THE choice. Rocket Knight!!! Oh man, I think I've only ever played roms of Sparkster... Remember his cameo in one of the Silent Hill games?
@@RetroGamerBoy My mistake--wrong Konami game. It was in Contra: Shattered Soldier--but the history of silly Silent Hill endings made more sense in my brain. ruclips.net/video/MrJ7zWGI9MI/видео.html
Sonic 2 is such an enjoyable game compared to sonic 1. I feel Sonic 1 suffers a bit from pacing issues, I feel like the brakes get slammed on in marble zone and then again in labyrinth zone, where as in sonic 2 the first few zones are amazing - chemical plant anyone?, And even some of the slower paced zones are fun like oil ocean zone. Sonic 2 is just much more free flowing and fun, Sonic 1 can feel like a bit of a chore even though I have great nostalgia for it.
Sonic 2 is way waaayyyyy better than sonic 1. If only they had kept the special stages and mixed them in with the new ones The spin dash made a world of difference.!!!! Game changer and wished it was there in part 1 The buddy (tails ) upped the anti And the graphics was consistent . Sonic 1 graphics had very dull moments Wish there was some elements from sonic 1 in sonic 2.. some of the stage hazards in sonic 1 was brilliant 😊
@@RetroGamerBoy the playback footage of the games you show in the video is very choppy. The playback of the footage during Sonic 1 and a few others freezes and pauses during playback at times. I’ve tested it on other devices and same thing. Not sure what’s happening or why it’s doing it.
Jet Moto 2 (Playstation) and XG2 (N64) are both much better than their predecessors. And also just amazing games in general. Metal Combat on SNES is also better than Battle Clash, the game that came before it.
That's very interesting. I was massively disappointed with 2. What I would like to see is a physical release of the text adventures for Phantasy Star 2.
This was a great list and a lot of fun to watch, however since you asked I actually do not like the original Streets of Rage... small sprits, weak set of moves for each of the characters, and the fact that each character shares the same special move is just lazy. It's a decent little game but nothing special at all, at least that is how I feel. Anyway thanks for this great video.
@@RetroGamerBoy yes definitely LoL... however I would say my favorite beat em up is Final Fight 3 followed by Vendetta. I have such a blast playing them.
While not a bad game by any means, Rocket Knight just sticks better imo Sparkster felt like a random mess in the overall design and mechanics. It wasn't as memorable for me. Now the SNES Sparkster, THAT really felt like a much better sequel to RKA on the Genesis then the Genesis sequel did.
Disagree with you on Golden Axe, the original played better than number two and felt like more of a game and was a much more fulfilling experience. SOR2 is the better game, I miss Adam from the original and the ability to call the cops and wreck havoc with the A button. Disagree with you on Sparkster, RKA is the better game, again I prefered the graphics, the animated bigger sprites, art direction and level design more, it was a much more playable game and more love went into it in my opinion, also the original has a better soundtrack. Jungle Strike is a game which is a better sequel to the original Desert Strike. Road Rash II is another that had a better sequel than the original. I want to say Earthworm Jim 2...but for some reason I can't. I like the look of Phatasy Star II more than Phantasy Star III, I haven't played through either enough so can't comment only having really played through IV.
Interesting I thought Desert Strike was better than Jungle Strike, I think you may be right that Earthworm Jim 2 was better. But this is the great thing about games. We all like different things, which mean we get more games that appeal to different people.
@@RetroGamerBoy I think Desert Strike introduced a lot of things, however Jungle Strike was more challenging, you had an array of different vehicles to use, you had more levels. (9 compared to the 4 Desert Strike had) So it was just more of a game hence why I felt it's better, but in terms of the one I like to go back to it's the Desert Strike I guess I have a strong nostalgia for it as I really felt I was at war etc. I think in variety of gameplay EWJ2 was better however in terms of challenge it was an easier game than the original. However yes different things for different people etc.
The shelves with all the toys on is from a custom shelving company called Tylko. The game shelves are from IKEA and are rack shelving that they do not make any more, and the TV setup was custom built by me. It's a simple timber frame, with a 2mm facade.
Man, that water in Two Tribes! Golden Axe II: *Finally*, I think we're the only two out there. Both Mortal Kombat 1 and 2 make me sick to my stomach on Genesis. Probe is such a shithouse developer, and both games show this exactly. Look at how great MK3 on Genesis was, with Sculptured Software at the helm and imagine how much better the entire series would have been on Genesis, SMS, GG, 32X and SCD...(just my thoughts)
Have you played the recently released MK Arcade Edition on the Genesis. It's a remaster that brings the game closer to the Arcade version. I've made a video on it.
Goodnite Mr. Mike had forgot about a few more Games that Sega Genesis had that that was better the first one. Earthworm Jim 2 and King of Fighters 2 and The king of Monsters 2 where Better then frist games 🎮
I think sequels a lot of the time are better than originals because the dev teams really want to out do themselves and its often when they go beyond just a sequel that they start dropping in quality. Take Streets of Rage 3, Sonic 3, Golden Axe 3 even on SNES Donkey Kong County 3 was a step back for example. It probably doesn't help as time has went on started in the 90s publishers always want to milk the more popular franchises even if it is a detriment to quality.
I think as you get into the twilight years of a series, the original team that created the first few games is often different and creative fatigue can set in.
@@RetroGamerBoy I agree and more often than not most of their focus is on developing for newer hardware that has just came out too. I think it's even harder now to objectively make better sequels as some games get some many releases that they at times are neither better nor worse depending on if they had most of their major bugs removed or not.
Street of rage 3 was 💩 I played 2 till the genesis melted Got a new genny with sr3 and omg .!! I tried to love it, trying to play it everyday and nothing.! Nothing .! Stuck. It was just the end of my love with streets of rage .!! And the cartridge went out the window 🪟 💨 Shinning force 2 was love😍 All those 2’s sega was firing blows at Nintendo… over whelming them with blows . I know I’m going to catch flake for this .! But I guess nostalgia is where. U Started . I never could understand the love for shinobi before shinobi 3..:I tried playing the revenge of shinning and it just left too much to be desired….I’m a ninja that walks slow and throws shurikens .. 🤮. Shinobi 3 was just wha a ninja was. Bad ass.!!!…all it was missing was the ability to slash with your sword by button command and more enemies on screen, with more life and a.I
@Dances Rainy Streets 😱 oh man.!!! I need to go try that .!!! Do you know people make a top ten list without shinning 3 being on there 😂 A lot of people dis on x/ men. But at the time it was such a huge game. Any problems it had was overlooked
I just do not prefer sparkster at all, i take your points, but graphically it was a massive downgrade and it just didnt feel as fun, the love was gone.
Sparkster is actually NOT better than the original, most (if not all) review at the time testified this fact. Also, the game graphic and style is worst than the original, fantastic, exclusive MD release. Golden Axe II is a bad copy of the original game with a fraction of the original appeal: an enjoable game itself, but absolutely not better than the original arcade conversion.
😂 I love how you right that with such conviction 👍 Gaming is subjective to tell someone that liking a game or that the game they like is not right is insane. You can disagree of course and I'd respect that. Reviews from the 90s can't be used as evidenced 😂 the amount of back handers and bribing that went on. I worked at PlayStation and there were stories of prostitute's being hired to increase scores for game or decrease a competitors 😳
Sparkster better than Rocket Knight Adventures and he didn't acknowledge anything about that being a controversial opinion?!?!?!? Does anyone have this guy's address? (that's a joke)
sparskter better should played hard. on normal game almost missing 30percent. on normal play first game seem better. combat on sparkster faster only game come close to sonic fast. ı dont know why usa sega youtubers saying first game was better. they also saying sonic 2 is best sonic which is a joke compared sonic 3 and knucles almost two size of game sonic 2. ı dont agree for mortal kombat. mortal kombat 2 ı think down espcialy now arcade patch of first game. umk3 huge step up but not mk2. my candidate be jurasic park rampage edition or lost world but dark tone of first jp game fit jp game more. ecco tides of time maybe. streets of rage 1 ı think music better and police car shot missing of secnod game huge miss. many squels not good on md batman terminator earth worm jim prience of persia michey mouse game all first game best.
Golden Axe 2 is an objectively uglier game than the original, and lacks character. I barely acknowledge it because it's so grim. Sparkster is a competent game but better than Rocket Knight? Similar to Golden Axe 2, it's 'technically' superior to its prequel but had a fraction of the care or love put into it during development.
Sparkster better than rocket knight ? Seriously... Sparkster is an ok game (at best imho), but nowhere near the polish and creativity of the first one.
Play them both back to back. When I did this I found that actually Sparkster has taken the core of RK and buit on that. The is more animation complexity, the combat system is better, the levels have more structure, and the boss battles have had an overhaul. Technically, for me at least, the game is a better sequel.
@@RetroGamerBoy I think it just lacked the impact. Rocket Knight was out of left field as no one expected an original IP of that quality from Konami to Debut on a Mega Drive. The sequel was inevitable, so it didn’t have the impact the first one did. And I think in that nostalgia things get lost.
I feel it’s the same with streets of Rage 3. Personally I think it’s the best game of the original 3 SOR games. Has slightly better graphics, the special move mechanic is a lot better implemented, and you could unlock a bunch of characters as you play along. It had a hidden Kangaroo before Tekken. But because it wasn’t the leap 2 was, it gets labelled worse than 2 😢
@@sloppynyuszi streets of rage 3 has a very grainy look to the graphics and a soundtrack that was a letdown from Yuko Koshiro given his previous masterpieces, but most of all I hate the missing sound effects. Quite often punches don't register as hit sounds where every hit was so impactful in streets of rage 2. Sor3 lacked a fair bit of polish and is pretty forgettable compart to the previous two games.
Yeah I’ve heard that Rocket Knight is clearly the better game from more than one outlet, so this is an interesting take.
@@sloppynyuszi yup SoR3 is another great example. There is a "wow" factor that definitely plays into the perception games have of the titles they play.
Y'know, I've always thought Rocket Knight topped both versions of Sparkster, but I appreciate your perspective and this makes me want to replay Sparkster. Very interesting list!
Thanks, it's interesting to see others views on this.
Rocket knight adventure has better level design
I mean sparkster is a good game and has improved in certain ways
But didn't fix the most important problems like finite continues and not being able to see ending with normal mode
I thought Sparksters design had more depth, and Rocket Knights far more straight forward. But I do love Rocket Knight, it's one of my favourite games on the MD.
I was surprised when you said that the streets of rage segment was polarising. I don't think I've ever met a person who prefers the original over the sequel. Awesome video !
Phantasy Star and Rocket Knight Adventures, those are polarising.
I've never played the Phantasy Star games on Genesis (only the Master System game, which is terrific) but I always read that Phantasy Star III is considered the black sheep in the series.
And Rocket Knight Adventures is way more fun than Sparkster.
I bet the only thing that would determine it that way is if you prefer the soundtrack of the original since all the streets of rage games are known for incredible soundtracks 💫
I prefer the original
Quit a few people prefer the original. My old game director who worked on For Honor would be quite animated when discussing why SoR1 and SoR2.
I prefer the original. Adam is better than skate, max, and roo.
Sparkster better than Rocket Knight Adventures?
Now that's a properly hot take!
You heard it here first 😅
its better on eu. seems usa sega fans always chose first game. many playing first stage and saying nothing like first game graphicly but thats is first stage all rest graphicly better. faster game play. music also better. like he said stages very diffrent ways and on hard diffculy even more diffrent.
@MrStrangermoon I'm in a PAL region, so I got the EU version..
@@unfunk ı mean on eu sega fans. eu versio of game same and slower of course. like how ecco games more popular on eu sparkster same.
Streets of rage 1 was what I got my mega drive for but when number 2 came out it beat SOR 1 hands down in every way. Awesome video Mike
Thanks Dan, yup SoR2 is a phenomenon.
On the Day 1 sales of Sonic 2: the 750,000 figure is ship-out, not sell-through. And it relates to the *combined* ship-out across the Mega Drive, Master System, and Game Gear. Sonic 2 on the Mega Drive was a sales phenomenon in the UK (the biggest launch of any 16-bit game - coming out right at the peak of the early-90s video game craze), but it didn’t shift anywhere near 750,000 units on its launch-day.
cool
That makes sense. I had trouble believing that a country with like a fifth of the population of the US outsold Sonic the Hedgehog 2 vs North America.
@@inceptional I agree let's burn him in a wickerman. How dare he make something that has no major bearing on anyone's lives and not get the minchure 100% correct. What a disgusting human being. Let's all unsubscribe to teach him the lesson he so clearly deserves.
Great video. I agree with the most but that awesome steampunk look of Rocket Knight excels that dull looking visuals of Sparkster easily. RN has also more variation (gameplay&sound) in my opinion. But maybe I have to revisit Sparkster again ;)
Gaming is subjective, and different people like different things. Some people would agree with me and others not.
I really love how the micro machine car jumps at 3:47 when you said through the roof XD
😅 I did not notice that.
@@RetroGamerBoy That was quite chuckling when I noticed that 😁
Another great upload mike, love the retro gamer boy show, number 1 for sega megadrive content ⭐
Thank you, it helps loving the actual console.
I love Phantasy Star 3 and I'm glad finally someone did it justice. It's much better than 2 and it's one of the most underrated games of Sega library!
Agreed 👍
Own, played and have beaten Rocket Knight Adventures. Own, played and have beaten Sparkster. RKA had balanced gameplay and controlled well. Sparkster, despite looking better in screenshots, felt stiff and featured lopsided game design. Would rather play RKA any day of the week.
Your a winner if you have both 👍
Here in Canada, we had a 6pak series including sonic, revenge of Shinobi, SoR1, super hang on, Golden axe and columns. A great budget cartridge that seems to have sold en masse.
As always, continue the great work. Love the content.
North America and Brazil got those as well. That was great value for money back then.
@@RetroGamerBoy I think you had it back in the uk plus second series Am I right?
Sparkster over Rocket Knight is a real controversial one, I don’t think you’ll find many people who pick it over the original. PS3 is a controversial one too, I think many people hate that game, PS4 would have made more sense. I’m surprised you didn’t say Shinobi 3 or Toe Jam and Earl: Panic on Funkotron, or even Earthworm Jim 2. My personal best sequel would be Battle Mania: Daiginjo over Trouble Shooter, but I never know whether to count the Japanese only library.
It is a controversial choice, it's got a lot of people commenting on it. Earthworm Jim, Shinobi, and Toe Jam and Earl are great choices. PS2 was an absolute disaster for me, I loved 3 and 4 was stunning.
@@RetroGamerBoy I'm not the biggest fan of PS2 myself, but I'll definitely give PS3 a fair shake on your recommendation!
Rocket Knight is my favorite 16bit game! Always has been even though I’m a snes fan over the megadrive! But sorry sparkster isn’t better
It's subjective, this is just my list. Feel free to add your top 10.
How the hell can you say that sparkster is better than rocket night Adventures!?
He is the first person I've ever heard say this . Maybe he's going off of price .
As easy as it was to make this video.
Ya on SNES!😅
@@chrisr024 Going off something but not facts lol.
I was thinking the same thing but everyone has their opinion.
Only one I'm surprised at is RKA and Sparkster. I still have both on cart and I started out a bit disappointed with Sparkster. I felt graphically it was worse and having the mecha battle prologue was odd given it could be skipped but I grew to think it was just as good as the original for the reasons you've listed. I agree it has a lot of upgrades to exploration and combat, but RKA had a nice risk/reward system. You could rocket pack or sword laser from a distance and be slow but safe or you could get in close and hit with your sword repeatedly and fast to decimate bosses with a higher risk of getting hit (the train boss on level 2 Is a GREAT example of this) The extra stages on higher difficulties in Sparkster were also good (as opposed to a short extra one in RKA) was great but I feel neither game is better than the other (both superior to the SNES game though)
Originals also have a little secret sauce in that it's the first time a player experiences the world, characters, and mechanics.
A few sequels off the top of my head that were better than the originals:
• Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II (PC)
This took the _Doom-like_ formula to new heights, adding some really clever platforming and time-management puzzles; a host of upgradable Force powers (including the four neutral powers that were essential for completing some of the puzzles: Speed [run faster and iirc enemies and moving platforms were slower], Jump [hold down the jump button longer to jump higher], Push [activate switches and other controls from a distance, push back enemies and objects], and Pull [pull levers from a distance, draw in objects closer to you, disarm enemies by depriving them of their weapons]); a melee weapon [in the lightsaber] that deflects enemy projectiles (just lasers-not rockets, grenades, 'shotgun' blasts, etc.); a light-to-dark polarity system (depending on your decisions, you could become a light side Jedi or a dark side Jedi and open to yourself a correlating slew defensive and offensive force powers, respectively); and who could forget, an inter-connective tissue of affably cheesy fully live-acted cutscenes that help in large part to tell the story of the game.
• Age of Mythology (PC)
Although more of a spin-off than a true blue sequel, this game still managed to dwarf Age of Empires II with [at the time] impressive 3D graphics, gorgeous ethnic music, fully integrated voice acting, and multiple deities you could claim patronage to, each of whom would come with their own perks and abilities.
• Strider 2 (Arcade; PlayStation)
Hand-drawn sprites over CG level art is an art style I will always stan, the results here take the anime look of the arcade original to new heights. The combat remains as simple as ever but difficulty is far better balanced, and the variety in the locales and level design is more thoroughly diversified. The icing on top is an optional playable boss character that is unlocked upon completing the game once, and although he gets all the same levels as Strider Hiryu, his playstyle differs, allowing for some variety on repeat playthroughs of the game.
I did want to talk at greater length about each of these games, but I tried to employ a little restraint to keep my comment short (but obviously kinda failed at that anyway as it still ended up being hella long 🤐).
There are some great games there. I really enjoyed playing Dark Forces 2, we played it at lunch times in the PlayStation office.
Not in a million years is Sparkster better than Rocket Knight Adventures
You missed the most obvious series in the video: Thunder Force. Thunder Force III was a massive improvement over Thunder Force II. Then Thunder Force IV improved on Thunder Force III again, being one of the best horizontal shmups ever
Hat tip to Shining Force II being better than the original too...both are great though
This was just my list, feel free to add to it or disagree with it 👍
Top quality content
Thank you kind Sir.
I heard "Sonic the Hedgehog" is the best selling game on SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive!
Yup, but Sonic two was the fastest selling.
@@RetroGamerBoy I see thanks for letting me know!
I probably liked Earthworm Jim 2 more than the original but I wouldn''t say one is better than the other.
Interesting, I thought 2 was a better game. They packed so much into that game.
I am totally agree with: Lethal Enforces 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 2,Streets of Rage 2 and Mortal Kombat 2.
Other than that: Shining Force II, Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master, Thunder Force IV, X-Men 2: Clone Wars, Road Rash II, Wonder Boy in Monster World
Ohhh some great sequels there.
Wait what?! Phantasy Star III? I have never heard anyone in my life say they think Phantasy Star III was better than II and I got my Genesis in 1989. Phantasy Star III was a terrible game that forgot its roots and is very much considered the black sheep in the Phantasy line. No, the best was Phantasy Star IV by a long shot followed closely by II and I.
Addendum- Mortal Kombat I-II got the ultimate shaft by the absolute worthless teams at Probe. I knew back when MK I-II were new they messed it up pretty badly. Most of the voice work was cut, backgrounds weren't right, and colors weren't great either. The first game should have been close to the arcade and we know how close now as a team of indy developers fixed it. Just like with SF2 the Genesis was not on the developers minds when creating the games for the home.
Nope I loved PS3, and hated 2. But I also looked at how all the sequel's performed technically. Graphically, and mechanically to make my list. It's also my views so they naturally won't be the same as everyone else. Dispute the poor ports MK was still a great game on the console. I don't remember feeling hard done by when I was ripping spines out😂 The fan improvements are amazing and I've got the physical versions of these as well.
@@RetroGamerBoy
Hey no worries. I hope I didn't come off like a jerk as that was not my intentions. I thought your take was strange but I get it man. My issues with SF2 and MK1-MK2 on the Genesis might be an American thing. Allow me to explain...
When these games came out both the companies and gaming mags of the time began spreading...well nonsense. They tried to make us believe that Probe did all they could but the Genesis was just too old and "outdated" to include all the voices for example in the two MK games. Which of course sent the Nintendo faithful on regular tirades of EGM or GamePro or whatever said it's true so therefore it is. The exact same thing can be said about Street Fighter...I mean the fact that the Genesis has the exact same Yamaha sound chip as the SF2 cabs was a clue that none of this was right. All four (MK1-MK2, SFSC2-SSF2) should have been much better than what we got.
Addendum- Sorry if I seem tense...I'm running in the red right now. I live in Florida and am thinking we're getting out of dodge before Ian comes through. We will make our decision tomorrow when both sides of the freeway open up. Wherever it hits will be absolutely devastated and people are going to die unless it weakens or veers off course. For example if it stalls a few days we have a huge cold front coming that will wipe him out but it's 2 or 3 days behind him.
Hey all views are welcome here😁👍 I completely understand about MK. I was a real Sega Fanboy back in the late 80s and 90s, and despite having all the Nintendo console's I only really played Sega, and so I would not read anything pro Sega. It gave me a very shuttered view of the console wars and so ignorance was bliss. It's wasn't until the mid 90s where I started to get more into multi format gaming.
Thunderforce IV was an improvement over Thunderforce III for me. Thunderforce IV OST is also one of my favourites from the Mega Drive days.
That is a great sequel!!
On my Sega Genesis I loved Fatal Fury, even though some things were omitted. However when Fatal Fury 2 came out on Genesis….. that was the ULTIMATE fighting game sequel. Unlockable characters, and a combo system with super moves, that is by far my favorite fighting game on the Genesis.
You're right. As a kid I played Fatal Fury 1 so much on the Mega Drive but Part 2 is better. However, Part 1 has also its charm! :)
@@pixelperfectpaddy I agree, Fatal Fury 1 is a fun game that I still play from time to time on my Genesis. Mainly for nostalgia reasons, because it takes me back to my childhood.
I completely forgot about Fatal Fury 2, maybe because it only got and Australian release on the PAL consoles.
@@RetroGamerBoy oh no, I’m sorry to hear that brother. I love your gaming room though, you have a multitude of systems and games. Im currently working on mine as we speak. Here’s to good gaming 🍻
Great video Mike. A little surprised you didn't include The Revenge of Shinobi and Shinobi III in your list. I love RoS for it's visual style and soundtrack but the gameplay is a little slow paced. Shinobi III brought a much welcomed increase in speed while keeping the core gameplay mechanics in tact, and introduced some awesome horse and surfboarding segments.
Other games that I'd include on my own list would be:
Ecco the Dolphin & Ecco: The Tides of Time
X-Men & X-Men 2: Clone Wars
Thunder Force II & Thunder Force III
I did have Shinobi in the list but I ran out of time to play through them. I played through all the games in the list and a few more to help form my opinions. There are some great sequels in that list. I don't have X-Men 2 yet otherwise that would have probably made it onto the list.
I did have Shinobi in the list but I ran out of time to play through them. I played through all the games in the list and a few more to help form my opinions. There are some great sequels in that list. I don't have X-Men 2 yet otherwise that would have probably made it onto the list.
good choices especially X Men. The first was fun but wow that second blows it out of the water. Though I should probably highlight Thunder Force as the second was fun and the third is one of my favorite all time shooters.
Great video. I love a good top 10 video from time to time thanks
My top tens are often a good indication of what I've been playing recently. 😅
Nice list Mike buddy, I know streets of rage 2 is the better game but number 1 has always been my fav, mortal kombat 2 took it to a new level 😁👍
People love the games they love. I'm genuinely torn between SoR 1&2.
Definitely preferred Streets of Rage 2 over the original. They are both good games but 2 just felt like it was more with the times when it was released. I like Sonic and Sonic 2 but I prefer 2 over the original by a slim margin. The Revenge of Shinobi was great but Shinobi III was incredible! I loved it's updates to the melee combat as well as the horse and hoverboard levels. The platforming was fun too.
Shinobi would be a great game for the list.
No doubt in my mind that SOR2 is the best in the series. I actually have issues with others on this list though.
RKA, Golden Axe and even Phantasy Star, I preferred the original. I may be in the minority for Golden Axe and Phantasy Star. However Ive always heard the original Rocket Knight was considered the best.
Gaming is subjective. There are some truly awful games I love for reasons, and other games that are very popular that I do not like. It's the same for everyone and it's the reason we get some many different types of games.
Awesome episode Mike! 👍👍👍
You got me drooling on the Micro Machines 2. I have RC Pro AM 2 which I could play it with 3 friends via the NES satellite hub, but the 8bit graphics are not as great. 😂
Micro Machines 2 is a great game. If you have not had a chance to play it I would definitely recommend it.
Not terribly sure about Sparkster. While it could be because I didn't play it until way after its release, Sparkster just doesn't spark the joy I feel from Rocket Knight Adventures. Honestly never been fond of its overall presentation. Now, I do appreciate the jet pack charge-up being automatic. Also glad I ended up hanging on to my cartridge, given the obnoxious prices.
As for better sequel, I'd say Super Mario Bros. 3 is the best retro 2D Mario; World is better mechanically, but 3 just has so much variety and overall scale.
I love Rocket Knight and I still prefer it. But I played both games back to back for the video and Sparkster is at least a technically better sequel. Some of RKA charm was because of how unique it was, and that plays into its fondness for me. Mario 3 is a great call.
I am probably 1 of few who played Sparkster before RKA and enjoyed it greatly back in the day. I’ve played RKA much later and never got into it, because of Sparksters gameplay. Maybe you should have mentioned the Shining series in this one.
There were quite a few that could have gone into the list if I had time.
LOL, When I saw the thumbnail I was like he is trolling right as that is the perfect example of how the Original is way better than the Sequel? Rocket Knight is a Masterpice and Sparkster is an ugly mess.
Interesting. I love RK but it's quite simple, Sparkster introduced more depth to levels and really ustilised the traversal mechnic. But games are subjective.👍
@@RetroGamerBoy We all have different tastes so I find it interesting when someone's opinions differ so much from my own but I remember getting Sparkster as a kid and being gutted at the totally different art style, I still liked it but did not consider it one of the greats.
Sonic 2 when it was released....Sonic Twosday. I worked in a Computer Game shop and remember it well.
I remember that 😅👍
@@RetroGamerBoy And Mortal Monday for MK II 😁😁😁
*Streets of Rage 2 is amazing fun and amazing music even better than Final Fight for a home system* ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
It's a stunning and groundbreaking game.
To be fair, with video games sequels are usually better than the originals either because they spend more memory on them, know the system’s kinks better or are just released on a successor system.
I think with video games, especially in the 90s and early 2000s it’s more rare a sequel to actually be worse. Criticism is usually that it didn’t improve enough, not that it didn’t improve.
Yup games are in a better position to get sequels that people like, when compared to films or even books.
@@RetroGamerBoy I think today as games aren’t as reliant on the latest tech it’s harder to make a sequel stand out. Which is good. Pushes designers and developers to innovate ideas not just rely on higher resolutions and higher polygon counts :)
Oh no.! There are games the sequoia are terrible compared to the original.
Ask strider
@@48hourrecordsteam45 that’s the exception, not the norm though
Your narrative of Phantasy Star 2 is the opposite of what I've heard as the general consensus. I've always heard the exact opposite. That PS3 is a bad game but PS2 is a good game. I've played both without quite beating them. I think they are both good games. But considering they chose PS2 for the upcoming Mini instead of PS3, I think your opinion is a bit unpopular here.
Luckly my choices are not based on what is popular, I like the games I like. As I'm sure its the same for you.
@@RetroGamerBoy fair enough, I just think you should narrate your videos more with the emphasis that it's your opinion and not General consensus
Hello, thanks for the video ! What is the soundtrack used for the Golden Axe segment please ? It reminds me of the demoscene tunes. Thank you !
It's Gaining Season by Lupus Nocte
I dunno man, Sparkster is good and all, but it's severely lacking in memorable moments compared to the original RKA. It's awfully clear that Konami put their A team on the Snes Sparkster and let the competent but less tech-savy B team handle the MD-sequel.
Interesting. I had just played both back to back recently and it inspired the video. I've always been on the RKA side of things but having played through both I felt differently. I'm not the custodian of what good, just of what I like.👍
😨? Unpopular opinion: Even if casuals prefer Sonic 2 , Sonic1 as more depth. S1 is less linear more challenging more hidden secrets. More pthways. Sonic 2 is super linear just spin dash like a scrub and you go to the last stages that are actually good. Sonic 2 was a rushed game.
It looks gorgeous but definitely doesn't have the depth that Sonic 1 has. 🙄. The bosses..🤦♂
(Casuals don't know to play Sonic 1 )
In the case of Rocket Knight.. Come on.. How could the sequel be better when when original staff members left..?
Graphically Rocket Knights crushes Sparkster MD.
Sparkster MD looks really really bad sometimes. I was ashamed when I first saw it.
At least SNES version with all it flaws , was closer to the original spirti and look good.
I never seen people saying Golden Axe II was better than the original.
Maybe GA III because of the moveset. But the athmosphere and graphics.. Not sure about that too
Am I crazy ? 😕
On almost every game someone has said it's an unpopular choice, whist agreeing on the others😂 I guess it just goes to show that us gamers are more diverse in our tastes than we think we are.
@@RetroGamerBoy I can garanty you most of people who prefer Sonic 2 can't even finsih S1 without cheating. Sonic 1 is shorter the team was splitted To make S2 and CD. And since spin D ash people don't use Sonic advanced technique and tricks anymore 😭 Just spin dash automation and go brain dead staight forward.
When all Sonic 1 tricks were forgot by casuals and mainstream , that was the beiginning of future level design problems and SEGA amnesia (on how to make a good Sonic game.)
Thank god we have Mania and Frontiers to bring back pinball mechanics and physic tricks.
I hope we could use half pipe tricks and Ball form momentum like in Spring Yard Zone act 2.
There are so many gameplay ideas that are forgotten now because of people who think Sonic should just be ALL ABOUT speed and automation (no more exploration no more precise platforming , no more physic tricks )
I want to talk about , but This would be so long.
And my English is not that great .
Sonic 1 and CD are deeper than S2.
But mainstream always wins 😔
@@RetroGamerBoy Or maybe Rocket knight superirity is not abvious to you cause you're a Nintendo Fan or that Megadrive is not you favourite system. So you don't pay attention to these graphical details.
What's your favourite 16 bit system?
Phantasy Star 2 was definitely an improved sequel over the first game. There might not have been a lot of story beats... but before people were tearing up over Aerith, we had Nei. PS3... kinda. We finally got background for the combat.. but seemingly at the cost of decent enemy animation. But PS4 definitely brought it all together making it the best of the 4 games. Shame we never got another Phantasy Star or the Sega Ages remakes of PS 1 and 2.
Panzer Dragoon 2 definitely elevates the gameplay from the first one. But Saga has to be my favourite. The task of turning an on rails shooter into a sprawling RPG? Yes please.
Battle Mania (Trouble Shooter) 2... speaking of dialing everything to 11 in that game.
El Viento better than Earnest Evans. At least Annet doesn't look like she's made up of tiny sausages.
Rolling Thunder 2
Mystic Defender, sequel to the Master System's SpellCaster.
Lunar Eternal Blue
There are some great sequel's there. I was so disappointed that the Saturn never got a SoR 4, Phantasy Star, or mainline Sonic. Unforgivable.
Excellent video Mike and really good choices. SOR 2 is one of my all time favorite games but I understand people who prefer the original as it's pretty darn awesome on its own. Similar to Sonic where the first was really good but the second is just an all time classic. I'm curious to see what some others think of Rocket Knight and Phantasy Star. It's my understanding that most people prefer the original Rocket Knight (though I wonder if that might just be they're not familiar with the Sparkster) and for Phantasy Star I thought most people preferred 2 over 3 (and 4 is one of the best rpgs for any console). Keep up the great work Mike! Always enjoy your videos.
These are just my thoughts. No one can say conclusively what great as gaming is so subjective.
Gunfighters was 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 ❤️
I was playing the Mega CD version last night.
@@RetroGamerBoy lethal enforcers gun fighters on sega cd .???? 😵
Eternal Champions Challenge from the DarkSide for Sega CD. Eternal champions had some flaws, I still liked it. But the sequel makes it a Sega CD must
Oh yes, I had both back in the day. I need to pick up the Mega CD version again.
Shining Force 2 is objectively way better than Shining Force 1 (despite the fact that personally I love the 1st one for personal and subjective reasons)
Where would you put Shinning in the darkness? It's a diffrent game but the first in the series.
Shining in the Darkness is really it's own thing, separate from Shining Force. Shining the Holy Ark on Saturn was Shining in the Darkness' proper sequel
@@RetroGamerBoy Well, I would put it in one of my favourite game of all time. I know that a lot of people criticize it, but the young me who saw the epic magic, music, atmosphere of this game loved it. But still, I agree with @Business Cat hereafter, It is in my mind a brother-kind of game, but a really different one
@@businesscat380 I totally agree Sir
I can remember finishing Shining in the Darkness back in the day. I can remember having this horn thing that used to produce a Monty Python-esque giant green foot to stomp enemies in one hit...used it to cheese the "crystal oozes" on the upper levels cos they gave something ridiculous like 20000 EXP each when killed, easy way to level up!
Its a toss up between streets of rage 1 and 2 depending on the mood, and sor3 is always there to remind everyone that the first two games are masterpieces.....
😂
I actually like Golden Axe, Streets of Rage, Rocket Knight, and Mortal Kombat more than the sequels. For me the first Golden Axe has better music and sound and you feel more the impact of your hits in the enemies, the first Streets of Rage has better music, ADAM, ambience and the multiple finals are a plus, Rocket Knight and Sparkster are so different that you just prefer one or another but for me theres no contest and at least you can play Mortal Kombat finish it and enjoy it for what it tries to do, in MK2 you arrive at the 5th oponnent and you better turn of the console because its impossible to have fun with the broken Ai. Graphics and sprite animations are not everything but opinions are different and i respect every point of view.
I always welcome others personal views and preferences. I also love all those originals, RKA is my favourite game in the series and my inclusion in the list was as technically superior game, for me at least 👍
Sparkster was the only one I disagree with, the SNES version maybe.💪 good list tho.
What would you replace it with?
Great video !
Thanks!
MK vs MK2 was an even bigger improvement on my beloved SNES. All the blood and gore with better visuals and controls. MK2 on SNES is better than MD too…
MK2 was an amazing game in general, and the SNES versions was one of the best ports.
Just when I though I had only a handful of additional genesis titles to purchase, you learn me about Sparkster. My poor wallet..
Agree with everything you said apart from rocket knight adventure is much better than sparkster 😀👍
Controversy is a great conversation starter. 😅
Controversy is a great conversation starter. 😅
I have to highly disagree with Phantasy Star 3 being better than Phantasy Star 2. I, personally, did not enjoy 3 more than 2 & most reports I hear is Phantasy Star 3 is the black sheep of the series.
Maybe it's an unpopular choice then. But for me I found 2 to just be a minor update to the original.
@@RetroGamerBoy I loved the ideas of Phantasy Star 3, a story taking place over 3 generations with multiple outcomes & endings is an amazing idea that should be revisited, but the presentation in 3 just seemed so muddy.
The saturated colors in 2 popped while the colors in 3 were so drab & muted. The character art in the cut scenes was bland compared to the anime style of 2 which just oozed personality.
Also, the walk speed of the characters in 3 was so slow which made getting from one point to another take so long.
I also didn't feel very attached to the character's. I don't ever hear of anyone talking about the characters of 3 but just about every PS Fan remembers Nei's death & how impactful it was.
For me, 3 seemed more like it was about quantity where 2 had less but did more!
Interesting view on Rocket Knight and Sparkster, I have Rocket Knight on the MD but have never played Sparkster; due to price and the fact that everyone seemed to say it wasn't as good as Rocket Knight so I didn't bother pursuing it further. I might have to try out a rom somewhere and see what it's like, more of the same with better controls can't be a bad thing
Yup it's ruffled a few feathers, but I'm not saying I hate Rocket Knight Adventures I love it and prefer it to the sequel. But when I played through both games for the video I had to admit that Sparkster was a technically better sequel. The same way SoR3 is actually a technically better sequel then SoR2. It does not stop those games from being fan favourites.
@@RetroGamerBoy awesome I'll give it a try so
Awesome video! MK certainly #1 with being such a huge improvement.
I thought aero the acrobat might have deserved a shout and perhaps road rash
I can't say for sure until I have played them thoroughly but I thought the general feeling was phantasy star 3 was worse than 2. It had more, but also less direction and more grinding? I can not wait to play these though, only played 4 properly so far and that's a masterpiece!
Its made me think about what sequels were worse than their original now!
PS4 is stunning. I can only go on what I like with these lists and I think it's the same for everyone. I think PS2 is too simple and similar to the original. It's not a bad thing just not what I'd expect from a sequel. PS3 pushed the franchise forward and some of what was achieved in 3 paved the way for PS4
Phantasy Star III better than II? That’s a wild take. Most will agree IV is the best in the series, but for decades, III’s been looked as the black sheep in the franchise, not II.
I find 2 very derivative, and nothing that pushed the franchise on. Three though introduced new narrative mechanics, gameplay, and upped the visuals. Games are subjective though
I played Populous on SNES and really enjoyed it--I don't think I ever checked out Two Tribes though in any capacity. I'm missing out!
Love the J-cart variants; little oddball stuff like that is fun to collect and having a fun game like MM makes it all the better to have.
Absolutely adore GA2--one of Lady Laci's all-time faves as she got to play it with her dad BUT also a rare chance (back in the day) to play as a girl in a game.
Sonic 2? Cool--they made a game from the movie? ha ha j/k
PS series is so good. SoR yeah...that's like trying to choose your favorite child. Mine's the Dragon. lol
Generally love compilation carts--but yeah, that sequel one seems to be THE choice.
Rocket Knight!!! Oh man, I think I've only ever played roms of Sparkster... Remember his cameo in one of the Silent Hill games?
What! he had a cameo in Silent Hill? Which one and where?
@@RetroGamerBoy My mistake--wrong Konami game. It was in Contra: Shattered Soldier--but the history of silly Silent Hill endings made more sense in my brain.
ruclips.net/video/MrJ7zWGI9MI/видео.html
Sonic 2 is such an enjoyable game compared to sonic 1. I feel Sonic 1 suffers a bit from pacing issues, I feel like the brakes get slammed on in marble zone and then again in labyrinth zone, where as in sonic 2 the first few zones are amazing - chemical plant anyone?, And even some of the slower paced zones are fun like oil ocean zone. Sonic 2 is just much more free flowing and fun, Sonic 1 can feel like a bit of a chore even though I have great nostalgia for it.
It was a great first game, the the sequel is stunning.
Sonic 2 is way waaayyyyy better than sonic 1. If only they had kept the special stages and mixed them in with the new ones
The spin dash made a world of difference.!!!! Game changer and wished it was there in part 1
The buddy (tails ) upped the anti
And the graphics was consistent .
Sonic 1 graphics had very dull moments
Wish there was some elements from sonic 1 in sonic 2.. some of the stage hazards in sonic 1 was brilliant 😊
Speedball 2 was an improvement over the original in every way, so that would be my pick.
That was a stunning game. I loved playing that in 2 players.
What's up with the choppy playback of your capture or the footage used for the games? Almost every one of the games you're showing is super choppy.
I'm not sure what you mean.
@@RetroGamerBoy the playback footage of the games you show in the video is very choppy. The playback of the footage during Sonic 1 and a few others freezes and pauses during playback at times. I’ve tested it on other devices and same thing. Not sure what’s happening or why it’s doing it.
have you got Gargoykes for the genesis yet ? If not, I would highly recommend that game.
Not yet, I'm completing my PAL collection first.
@@RetroGamerBoyI see, well it is a very Nice collection. And I enjoy following its growth. Good luck and happy hunting 👍
Jet Moto 2 (Playstation) and XG2 (N64) are both much better than their predecessors. And also just amazing games in general. Metal Combat on SNES is also better than Battle Clash, the game that came before it.
Some great game there. I still have Jet moto 2 and XG2
I just know that streets of rage 2 is gonna be on here 😁
It's a solid guess.
we all have are opinions but phantasy star 2 was greater than 3 in my mind and must of been in SEGA's opinion as only the first 2 got remade.
That's very interesting. I was massively disappointed with 2. What I would like to see is a physical release of the text adventures for Phantasy Star 2.
This was a great list and a lot of fun to watch, however since you asked I actually do not like the original Streets of Rage... small sprits, weak set of moves for each of the characters, and the fact that each character shares the same special move is just lazy. It's a decent little game but nothing special at all, at least that is how I feel. Anyway thanks for this great video.
So safe to say that you were a fan of SoR2 then 😁👍
@@RetroGamerBoy yes definitely LoL... however I would say my favorite beat em up is Final Fight 3 followed by Vendetta. I have such a blast playing them.
I would have selected Shining Force ! :)
Great game👍
While not a bad game by any means, Rocket Knight just sticks better imo
Sparkster felt like a random mess in the overall design and mechanics. It wasn't as memorable for me.
Now the SNES Sparkster, THAT really felt like a much better sequel to RKA on the Genesis then the Genesis sequel did.
Yup the Snes version had a lot of love poured into it.
This was a great video
Thanks 🤘😝🤘
Disagree with you on Golden Axe, the original played better than number two and felt like more of a game and was a much more fulfilling experience. SOR2 is the better game, I miss Adam from the original and the ability to call the cops and wreck havoc with the A button. Disagree with you on Sparkster, RKA is the better game, again I prefered the graphics, the animated bigger sprites, art direction and level design more, it was a much more playable game and more love went into it in my opinion, also the original has a better soundtrack. Jungle Strike is a game which is a better sequel to the original Desert Strike. Road Rash II is another that had a better sequel than the original. I want to say Earthworm Jim 2...but for some reason I can't. I like the look of Phatasy Star II more than Phantasy Star III, I haven't played through either enough so can't comment only having really played through IV.
Interesting I thought Desert Strike was better than Jungle Strike, I think you may be right that Earthworm Jim 2 was better. But this is the great thing about games. We all like different things, which mean we get more games that appeal to different people.
@@RetroGamerBoy I think Desert Strike introduced a lot of things, however Jungle Strike was more challenging, you had an array of different vehicles to use, you had more levels. (9 compared to the 4 Desert Strike had) So it was just more of a game hence why I felt it's better, but in terms of the one I like to go back to it's the Desert Strike I guess I have a strong nostalgia for it as I really felt I was at war etc. I think in variety of gameplay EWJ2 was better however in terms of challenge it was an easier game than the original. However yes different things for different people etc.
You will have to tell me about your shelving. Did you make it yourself? how? Using what?
The shelves with all the toys on is from a custom shelving company called Tylko. The game shelves are from IKEA and are rack shelving that they do not make any more, and the TV setup was custom built by me. It's a simple timber frame, with a 2mm facade.
Man, that water in Two Tribes! Golden Axe II: *Finally*, I think we're the only two out there. Both Mortal Kombat 1 and 2 make me sick to my stomach on Genesis. Probe is such a shithouse developer, and both games show this exactly. Look at how great MK3 on Genesis was, with Sculptured Software at the helm and imagine how much better the entire series would have been on Genesis, SMS, GG, 32X and SCD...(just my thoughts)
Have you played the recently released MK Arcade Edition on the Genesis. It's a remaster that brings the game closer to the Arcade version. I've made a video on it.
Actually, phantasy star 3 it's the worst of the four...
Not for me, that's why it's in the list.
Goodnite Mr. Mike had forgot about a few more Games that Sega Genesis had that that was better the first one. Earthworm Jim 2 and King of Fighters 2 and The king of Monsters 2 where Better then frist games 🎮
Ohh King of Monsters 2 is a great call.
I’d say Super Shinobi II (aka Shinobi 3 in the west) is better than Super Shinobi.
That is a good call.
Some Questionable choices here 🤠
It's only personal opinion, so not really questionable. Maybe more difference of opinion.
For me Jungle Strike was better than desert strike.
oohhh Interesting. I prefered Desert over Jungle.
I think sequels a lot of the time are better than originals because the dev teams really want to out do themselves and its often when they go beyond just a sequel that they start dropping in quality. Take Streets of Rage 3, Sonic 3, Golden Axe 3 even on SNES Donkey Kong County 3 was a step back for example. It probably doesn't help as time has went on started in the 90s publishers always want to milk the more popular franchises even if it is a detriment to quality.
I think as you get into the twilight years of a series, the original team that created the first few games is often different and creative fatigue can set in.
@@RetroGamerBoy I agree and more often than not most of their focus is on developing for newer hardware that has just came out too. I think it's even harder now to objectively make better sequels as some games get some many releases that they at times are neither better nor worse depending on if they had most of their major bugs removed or not.
Street of rage 3 was 💩
I played 2 till the genesis melted
Got a new genny with sr3 and omg .!! I tried to love it, trying to play it everyday and nothing.! Nothing .! Stuck.
It was just the end of my love with streets of rage .!! And the cartridge went out the window 🪟 💨
Shinning force 2 was love😍
All those 2’s sega was firing blows at Nintendo… over whelming them with blows .
I know I’m going to catch flake for this .!
But I guess nostalgia is where. U Started .
I never could understand the love for shinobi before shinobi 3..:I tried playing the revenge of shinning and it just left too much to be desired….I’m a ninja that walks slow and throws shurikens .. 🤮.
Shinobi 3 was just wha a ninja was. Bad ass.!!!…all it was missing was the ability to slash with your sword by button command and more enemies on screen, with more life and a.I
@Dances Rainy Streets see I never even got that far to care .! 😂
I played the mega awesome shinobi 3 and going backwards was just a suck fest
@Dances Rainy Streets 😱 oh man.!!! I need to go try that .!!!
Do you know people make a top ten list without shinning 3 being on there 😂
A lot of people dis on x/ men. But at the time it was such a huge game. Any problems it had was overlooked
Don't agree on Sparkster and not on Golden Axe either. Otherwise pretty good list.
Which ones would you have in the list
@@RetroGamerBoy How about Monaco GP2? Road Rash 2? Thunder Force 3?
I just do not prefer sparkster at all, i take your points, but graphically it was a massive downgrade and it just didnt feel as fun, the love was gone.
Fair enough. It's just my personal view. Life would be boring if we all agreed on what good looked like.
@@RetroGamerBoy It certainly would be, looking forward to the next collection video!
You lost me when you said Phantasy Star 3 was better than Phantasy Star 2
😅 At least you got a few games in.
Rocket Knight Adventure a x1000 times better than Sparkster.
A thousand! That's amazing.
Sparkster is actually NOT better than the original, most (if not all) review at the time testified this fact. Also, the game graphic and style is worst than the original, fantastic, exclusive MD release. Golden Axe II is a bad copy of the original game with a fraction of the original appeal: an enjoable game itself, but absolutely not better than the original arcade conversion.
😂 I love how you right that with such conviction 👍 Gaming is subjective to tell someone that liking a game or that the game they like is not right is insane. You can disagree of course and I'd respect that. Reviews from the 90s can't be used as evidenced 😂 the amount of back handers and bribing that went on. I worked at PlayStation and there were stories of prostitute's being hired to increase scores for game or decrease a competitors 😳
Say it's just me or the video itself are lagging the video frames?!
Lagging is a streaming issue. The sonic footage did have some issues after I uploaded it to RUclips. That's probably what you are seeing.
@@RetroGamerBoy Thank goodness that my device doesn't have this issue!
MicroMachines = Hard
Yes it is, it takes a lot of practice.
Sparkster better than Rocket Knight Adventures and he didn't acknowledge anything about that being a controversial opinion?!?!?!? Does anyone have this guy's address? (that's a joke)
Hey gaming is subjective, and without that we would not have such a diversity of games available for us to play.
Super Mario Land the 6 Golden Coins far exceeded the original Super Mario Land on the Gameboy
Agreed.
I dont think Mortal kombat should be number 1... The original is almost on par with the sequal where as SOR1 is no where near SOR2
Interesting, what would you have in first position?
Aren’t all sequels better?😛
In games there is a higher ratio of better sequels.
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest says hi 👋😂
For me it's never better than originals.
Originals come with a special something that sequels struggle to replicate. The introduction to a new world, new mechanics, and new characters.
sparskter better should played hard. on normal game almost missing 30percent. on normal play first game seem better. combat on sparkster faster only game come close to sonic fast. ı dont know why usa sega youtubers saying first game was better. they also saying sonic 2 is best sonic which is a joke compared sonic 3 and knucles almost two size of game sonic 2. ı dont agree for mortal kombat. mortal kombat 2 ı think down espcialy now arcade patch of first game. umk3 huge step up but not mk2. my candidate be jurasic park rampage edition or lost world but dark tone of first jp game fit jp game more. ecco tides of time maybe. streets of rage 1 ı think music better and police car shot missing of secnod game huge miss. many squels not good on md batman terminator earth worm jim prience of persia michey mouse game all first game best.
That's a good list of games.
@@RetroGamerBoy your japan video star crusier game infront you. you missed. english patch version rleased.
Golden Axe 2 is an objectively uglier game than the original, and lacks character. I barely acknowledge it because it's so grim.
Sparkster is a competent game but better than Rocket Knight? Similar to Golden Axe 2, it's 'technically' superior to its prequel but had a fraction of the care or love put into it during development.
Gaming is subjective, there are a lot of things that feed into what makes a great game for someone.
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it
Great video!
Thanks!