10 Games Where The Sega Master System Kicked The Mega Drives Ass

[@oldstylegaming]

Lesson learnt never make a video while watching the football.... as some have pointed out I have mistakenly put Master System Asterix in as both versions...im not gonna take down now but just take my word that the megadrive version is crap..... sorry guys

[@GeovaneSanciniSR]

watched a couple of minutes of Mega Drive's Asterix... The game looks nasty and sounds like farts.

[@mysticwandererful]

Don't bother buddy. Everyone make mistakes. we re human beings after all😄 You're doing great job

[@lmcgregoruk]

@@mysticwandererful Asterix being the first comparison shown probably made the error stand out more, I know I was struggling to see the difference. I did look up a video of Asterix on the Mega Drive to see what it's actually like now though.

[@rustymixer2886]

Sonic spinball

[@tempestfennac9687]

I bought it due to really liking the arcade game and I agree that it's terrible due to the time limits often being way too short, the very short punch range and the annoyance of having to pick up magic in a specific order to clear some levels.

[@eS._Te]

the MasterSystem was my console until 1999, couldnt afford anything else, i love it

[@GamSin1981]

I'm going to throw a spanner in the works and say Sonic was better on the SMS. I loved how the gems were actually on the level and yet you still had bonus levels as well. Furthermore, I also found some of the music was catchy on the Master System too.

[@infinityeight8705]

Sonic on the mastersystem is like the castle of illusion comparison the 16bit version is great but the 8bit version has its own unique and better elements to the gameplay - love the 8bit music for sonic and arguably should have got a mention! 👍

[@llpBR]

Add this one for your list: Ghouls and Ghosts. Buying items made the game incredible.

[@rael_gc]

This. It gives a RPG feeling to the game. Way more interesting!

[@eleanorburns8686]

Totally. Only version of this legendarily frustrating game I could win without invincibility cheats. Not to mention it fixed the useless weapons (Reasonable travel angle for the axe, the infamous torch replaced by a much better fireball, psycho cannon no longer a major debuff).

[@rael_gc]

@@eleanorburns8686 Yes! And I remember that the SMS version was the first one I've played. Then later when I got it in the 16 bits, while I liked the graphics, it felt so empty without all the items and magics.

[@eleanorburns8686]

@@rael_gc Must admit, I was never hugely impressed with the Mega Drive version. It played close to the arcade and had good sprites, but the backgrounds were far below the arcade detail level, in some cases strikingly similar to the SMS ones, just with a parallax layer. And, of course, it stayed faithful to all the worst aspects of the arcade (unfair attack waves, broken weapons).

[@Larry]

There's two versions of Klax on the Mega Drive, The Tengen version, and a completely different port made by Namco for Japan.

[@skidooshlayman12]

But how does Peter Molyneux's Populous fare on the Master System?

[@thegreathadoken6808]

Ah, Lawrence. Good evening.

[@sambagogo777]

Cool that you showed the surfing stage from California Games. Best played on Atari Lynx.

[@Longlostpuss]

The Master System always seemed more than an 8-BIT console to me, I think I read somewhere that it was actually 12-BIT. When the developers actually spent real time and effort, some of the games were visually well ahead of anything the 8-BIT NES could produce, which is leading me to think there was probably some truth to it.

[@ssg-eggunner]

it's really impossible to classify an entire machine with bits, there's many parts of a machine that can be measured in bits palette width, bandwidth, adress width, volume depth and much more

[@EuSouRCS]

Sonic on Master System >>>>>>

[@ssg-eggunner]

fr, yuzo koshiro cooked

[@rael_gc]

Fantasy Zone 2 is the best Fantasy Zone game in the series.

[@chrissawyer1484]

Batman Returns. I never knew how bad the Genesis version was because I bought the Sega CD version. Once I heard the GEMS music, I thought, "nope" and turned it off.

[@maddire2585]

Was just thinking earlier when will OSG will be doing another video and here we are :)

[@oldstylegaming]

ive been on holiday mate, will do a lot of videos now

[@professorpenne9962]

batman on the master system is really good. I like how batman powers up if you live long enough, almost like a shmup

[@cubeflinger]

Just got an oled game gear which frankly is the best way to play MS. Will be loading up all ten of these. Asterix, castle of illusion, batman returns. Fantastic. Really wish sega released FM synth but is what it is. Loving thr content OSG. Maybe longer videos?

[@SeanONeill-ef5vb]

Just loving that no matter what system you play mate, you still play a Ocean Loader tune from the C64

[@mr.milehi9883]

Didn't know there was a Batman returns for mega drive you all in Europe got way more stuff than we did in the us. It's a real pity. But still, and I'm sorry you miss your mom. Mine's been gone over 20 years you got a great channel and keep your opinions going. You're right on what you say. Doesn't matter who disagrees with you. It's tough being right about everything isn't it!? I face that challenge as well.

[@Fox8ball.]

Yooo OSG my man hope all's well sir, you always come in clutch when I'm looking for a video before bed. Thanks for the upload 💪♥️🦊🎱

[@mysticwandererful]

As we all know, more powerful hardware doesn't mean make better games. All the matter what programmers can do:) First survival horror game "Monster maze" made on ZX 81 and it's not even had a graphics chip😁😄

[@Lucasrainford]

I think the old adage says 'good graphics a good game don't always make' is pretty apt here, cool vid m8

[@MaxOakland]

Good video. I suggest fixing the blur on the game video in the future

[@oldstylegaming]

What blur?

[@MaxOakland]

@@oldstylegaming It looks a little blurry

[@retrogamerecluse]

Wow, despite being a Amiga fan-boy back in the day, I always thought the most faithful port of 'Speedball 2' was on the Megadrive. I could barely tell the difference. I'll have to give the Master System version a try 👍

[@SEGAZombie]

Thanks Paul, for letting me get involved with this video I have to say Batman returns is absolutely fantastic on the Sega master system, oh the memories of California games on the master system bitd definitely a win on the Sega 8 bit , Double Dragon is great on the SMS was so disappointed with the MD port. So pleased you enjoyed predator 2 on the sms mate it’s such an underrated game and it’s far superior to the 16bit port, still not convinced on speed ball 2 though bruv 😂 Brilliant watch mate as always and thank you so much for the shout out and the link 🧟‍♂️

[@DiacloneFx]

It seems to me that for Asterix you put the Master System video for both consoles.

[@oldstylegaming]

oh..... FFS

[@oldstylegaming]

ive pinned a comment, im not going to take down as video took ages to render with all the overlays and 2 videos at a time.... thanks for pointing that out

[@DiacloneFx]

@@oldstylegaming Yeah , it's definitely not worth the re editing. And, as you said , they really look similar, and it is pretty easy to confuse them. By the way, excellent video as usual, thanks!

[@davidmylchreest3306]

I always had a soft spot for the 8-Bit C64 version of Speedball 2. It played really well.

[@bit-ishbulldog2089]

Fantasy Zone on the Master System was created by SEGA, on the Mega Drive it was created by Sunsoft. Both very good versions. Castle of Illusion was actually on the Master System first and was the first version I played. Both very good versions. Paperboy I definitely agree with you on that one. Master System! Batman I agree too. I'm trying to think of others you'd not mentioned. Being someone that lived and breathed SEGA during the 80's and 90's and played nearly everything you can think of on these two systems I should have a list already. But it's been a long day and I'm very tired after work. SEGA Master System is my favourite system ever (mainly nostalgic reasons) I've started collecting for it again. I've nearly got all the light phaser games, just a few left to get. I'm basically collecting the early minimal art versions and light gun games, first and second year realised titles. After that white label carts. Original speed ball I have a regular label version but there is also a white label version. Still own my original mark 1 1986-7 Master System. Had it for about 38 years.

[@hammerheadms]

I agree with most of your picks, except Castle Of Illusions, and Fantasy Zone. You seem to agree that Castle Of Illusion, being two different games, is really a matter of preference. I prefer the Genesis version, but the Master System port is very good as well. However, Fantasy Zone on Genesis is a darn near arcade perfect port. I find the Master System music hard to listen to in PSG, and the lack of parallax makes the game very simplistic and unimpressive.

[@duaplex1]

Fab video and I have to agree. I grew up coning off the Commodore 64 and before that Atari. The Master System is still my favourite console to date and I still play it today.

[@ncf1]

Woah.. Speedball 2 on the Master System, Ive never played that.. but just by looking at it I can tell I think it might be to my preference, a bit more time to think and really enjoy the gameplay.. right, thats what I'll be doing today, firing up the Master System version! Thanks mate!

[@LegendaryWizball]

The Japanese version on MD is the best as it has a load of additional music tracks. Vastly better. My favourite is still the Amiga version.

[@Daimo83]

I love how master system devs were like 'we can't beat them on graphics let's just make it play good'. Triple A studio's in 2024 take note!

[@dannybursace9151]

New OSG video..yes plz!!

[@JohnnyProctor9]

Thanks for the MS recommendations, I grew up with both systems but felt that MS never really got the support or credit that it deserved...

[@Parlimant_Strifey]

The Terminator, the Master System/Game Gear game is far better then the 16-bit version.

[@paranoidgenius9164]

2 games I remember that released on the Mega Drive before the Master System ports which I was very impressed with is Streets of Rage, & Road Rash!

[@businesscat380]

Sonic 1 is often held up as being better on the Master System. Same deal as Castle of Illusion, flashier on Megadrive, but a different and meatier game on the 8-bit Different games, but Phantasy Star on Master System wipes the floor with Phantasy Star 2 & 3 and maybe even 4 on Megadrive Lemmings is surprisingly good on Master System, better than Megadrive Prince of Persia probably edges it on the 8-bit too

[@Blit-X-TVLive]

Re: Sonic 1 - By who?!

[@Atrophyed]

Nothing touches PSIV. Nothing.

[@cireza_]

Phantasy Star games are all excellent (maybe not III). I, II and IV are all different games, and super enjoyable. This comparison doesn't make much sense.

[@Beardodoomus]

What's the name of the chiptune playing in the intro? Sounds like a banger.

[@GeovaneSanciniSR]

A little correction, there IS an actual Mega Drive/Genesis version of Fantasy Zone, programmed by M2, released in the Mega Drive Mini 2 (You can find the dump of the internet), it is great. Now, for fun facts: One of the composers for SMS Batman Retuns is none other than Yuzo Koshiro (that's why there's a lot of BANGERS), and SMS Double Dragon was on of the first games made by Arc System Works, which owns the franchise now. Banger video BTW, as a brazilian, is nice to see SMS love.

[@rael_gc]

Another curious note: Yuzo Koshiro was the main developer of the Sonic 1 for the SMS.

[@merman1974]

Interesting list - I must try Speedball 2 on the Master System, I'm a big fan of the C64 version which had some tweaks that make it more fun than the original 16-bit versions.

[@Zio360]

Speedball 2 is really good on the Master System. I only had a Master System when it came out and I loved the game from playing it on my mate's Amiga, so naturally I picked it up for my humble SMS and was blown away by how well it played. I don't even think it looks that bad considering the limitations of the system. Not sure I'd go so far as to call it better than the Mega Drive version though. But I'd agree it's a much better port than you'd ever expect.

[@ryanyoder7573]

Having a pint for your mum God rest her soul she was right. Thanks for sharing.

[@dbnpoldermans4120]

Retro Gaming Lore claims that Columns is also better on the SMS I believe him

[@fred_albuquerque.mendes]

never player fantasy zone before...gave it a try on the MS after saw this video...cool game!!! 😎👍

[@Kumimono]

I actually thought the MD version of Asterix was some, costcutting version. Just plop the MS version on an MD cart, it will run, and those kids won't know any better. Profit! (I wonder if that ever happened...) But, mistakes happen. On another note, is that Rick Astley on the BBC poster in Double Dragon MS? :D

[@technickuk]

Yay, I rock! 😁 Anyway, I never owned a Sega console, and only ever really played on a Mega Drive around mates' houses so can't comment in game play. Interesting that Speedball 2 was more enjoyable for you on the 8-bit, given it's a game that relies on speed. I'll have to get an SMS emulator up and running and go test it out.

[@deathybrs]

The _Double Dragon_ character on SMS looks like _My Hero._

[@Nosaveddataretro]

Plays totally different. My hero was so brutally hard for me as a kid I hated it

[@burntyper]

​​@@Nosaveddataretrohe obviously knows that gameplay is totally different, just mentioned char's similarly

[@ThePathStrider]

Castle Of Illusion was my first thought.

[@npc310177]

I'd also have put Gauntlet on the MS ahead of its MD counterpart (although i think it was called Gauntlet 4?). Nice nod to your late mother, my late mother said the same about Sonic 1 as yours did about Klax :)

[@fearlessjoebanzai]

California games is where my mind went immediately! Master System version of that was the first console game on a Sega that I ever saw and I was blown away -and I had the C64 version which is fantastic itself, but the graphics and instant loading made me drool! But the Megadrive version was just a complete let down - all they had to do was keep the game as is, make it prettier and add a few bells and whistles... but they blew it!

[@raggeragnar]

I’ve only doubled Batman , Double dragon and Paperboy , but in those cases , I agree completely. Also ; Paperboy is one of my favourite arcade games. I even keep an ancient Samsung folding phone , with a slightly bigger screen and a dead battery , that has the correct version of Paperboy installed. I can still play it with the charger connected , hahaha.

[@oldstylegaming]

I have contra still on an old Ericsson lol

[@raggeragnar]

@@oldstylegaming : Well , good games deserves to be played.

[@elishariedlinger559]

Great list. Thanks for sharing.

[@captaincorleone7088]

Your mum played video games and into her 70s? She sounded super cool! RIP to her.

[@gustavogalembeck7711]

Taz Mania. One of the worst games ever on the Mega Drive, very decent platformer on the SMS.

[@nemysisretrogaming3771]

OSG, close your eyes with the paperboy music. What do you hear? Moon Patrol???

[@martinlangstrom8036]

Wonderboy in Monsterworld is so much more fun on the Sega Master System. And Robocod 2 also just flows so much better on the 8 bit machine😁👍

[@willrobinson7599]

Agree with all bar speedball 2 . I own both and prefer the megadrive version Great video though as usual.

[@eleanorburns8686]

Must admit, I do prefer "Sonic 1" on the Master System, as it has a much stronger narrative, stronger incentive to collect the emeralds, has more enjoyable (and less crucial) bonus rounds, and the climax is a parody of "Strider" (though way better than the actual Tiertex abomination that bears that name on SMS). On a slight tangent, the original "Phantasy Star" is better than any of its 16-bit sequels for my money.

[@lovemadeinjapan]

Thanks. I miss 2 obvious ones: Sonic 1 and 2. Those games are much better on the SMS. You have to look through the eye candy of the MD to see it, but it wins on almost every aspect besides graphics. First of all the SMS versions are true platformers, that challenge you to remember the map, find hidden corners and secret caves, with challenging jumps and baddies to kill or avoid. On the MD you can almost put jump on "auto fire" and either you get to the end of a stage very fast, or you get stuck and have no idea where you are (stage 2 Chemical plant zone). But we have to put the nail to the coffin on the MD with the music: Sonic 1 and 2 on the SMS have MUCH better music. The composer that did the SMS/GG is utter genius. He had the guts to step away from trying to copy the MD tracks and squeeze them to 4 channel basic bleeps, but instead created the most magnificent square wave chip tune earworms ever made.

[@thewingedavenger1007]

Robocop vs Terminator is best played on the Master System.

[@kinnikkuman]

Why have you also put the Master System version in the Megadrive part of the Asterix game?

[@oldstylegaming]

See pinned comment

[@kinnikkuman]

@@oldstylegaming Thanks

[@thegreathadoken6808]

Some people say Sonic the Hedgehog is better on Master System. I would never have agreed to it in the old days but it might just be. I'm not for all that rolling into a ball, flying into the air at 200mph business, I'm much more Mario-orientated in my platformers, so yeah. Definitely maybe.

[@andychaloner9889]

Gotta love the Marster System. 😂

[@gmo6854]

California games on Master System was so good. Frisbee was good too didn’t realise they cut that from the Megadrive. Should have chopped hacky sack.

[@AaronOfYell]

Add Fantastic Dizzy to this list

[@raymoreton3184]

i love the bimtmaps they are my fave dev they didnt make many bad games for the best exp ti needs to be played on an amiga i was lucky enough to find and buy my own amiga when i was a teen and had this game.

[@MattyStarfish]

Absolutely agree with Double Dragon, I played that MS version far too much, I briefly tried the MD version, just rubbish.

[@BusyMEOW]

I agree that Castle of illusion was better on Master System, it's one of the best games for that system. Also Sonic 1 on Master system is better than the Megadrive verson in my opinion.

[@twankistevenson3884]

Had California Games on the Speccy and C64 and loved it on both (though the C64 was better) the Megadrive version was a huge let down. Looked good but missing events and something was not right with the control system. As for Speedball 2? actually not bad on either Sega system but Amiga laughs in Amateur by comparison

[@lmcgregoruk]

I remember loving the Atari 2600 version, although I can't remember ALL the platforms I've played it on, since it seemed to get released on EVERY Platform. They all seemed to play differently too, even for events included in other platforms.

[@superpaul79]

Also, Columns.

[@85Linko]

Castel of illusion for master system is WAY better than on megadrive. Better levels, better music, better controls

[@Dom-fo8mc]

Hey OSG....What is a Marster System? 😁

[@oldstylegaming]

Shut it and get some work done you slacker

[@Nosaveddataretro]

Fully agree on castle of illusion, it was a perfect game for the master system. As for batman returns fully agree again, it's basically shinobi on the game gear which is probably the best game on that system. It even shares the same soundtrack. You probably already knew that mate. Thanks great video

[@danielespeziari5545]

Wow, I wasn't aware of this connection. Awesome

[@Nosaveddataretro]

@@danielespeziari5545 check it out. Amazing game shinobi gg

[@oldstylegaming]

I actually didnt know that

[@Nosaveddataretro]

@@oldstylegaming Give it a go its class

[@burntreynolds1068]

Wye aye, lad. ❤

[@EsmeAmelia]

I'm not going to swear to anything, but I'm pretty sure Super Fantasy Zone is a sequel, not the same game as Fantasy Zone.

[@rustymixer2886]

Great video

[@felixfranzen7318]

You missed Alien 3. It's a lot better on the Master System and Game Gear too.

[@claudiodiaz9752]

No Choplifter? IMHO the master system version is the best ever released.

[@oldstylegaming]

Ill check that out

[@jonpon69]

What’s a Marster System 🤷‍♂️

[@TyTye]

The name of a device in your mum's bedroom drawer

[@-Steven-]

Lol I kept thinking that, what's up did you have some mates round watching the football while you were recording the sound so you tried to sound posh. Reminds me of Hyacinth Bucket er I mean Bouquet from keeping up appearances.

[@MudSluggerBP]

Oh no no no no, Castle of Illusion is God Tier gaming on the Mega Drive, MS gets nowhere near 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jimmelton5846]

Agreed.

[@oldstylegaming]

They both great but the mastersystem add that little bit more gameplay value for me although the megadrive defo beats it for looks

[@paulrobinson3902]

Nah. SMS version all the way!

[@Edgel-in6bs]

Not mickey mouse!

[@andrewparker1847]

Maaa-ster system.

[@fearlessjoebanzai]

I'll say it... Master System Sonic is better.

[@darrenwilson99]

Is it me, or does it sound totally wrong pronouncing it "Marster" system in your accent.

[@oldstylegaming]

It's the way I say it

[@Myako]

If the "Illusion" and "Sonic" sagas didn't make the list, I'll be very disappointed. 😉

[@oldstylegaming]

Sonic is a weird one, I love the master system version but also love the megadrive one so couldnt include it....but it was on the short list

[@Myako]

@@oldstylegaming that's good enough for me. 💪🏻

[@shaunmiyagi]

The marster system haha

[@stevemchugh3012]

Your from north east, that is NOT how you say master system :)

[@garethbraint]

C64 forever!!!!!!!

[@javiiermendes]

That 8 and 16 bit thing was a publicity stunt that worked so well that there are still those who continue to ask if that game or console is 8 or 16 bits or how many bits it has. If you compare the graphics of the 2 consoles carefully you will realize that there is not a big difference. All consoles up to 32 bits used a simple video chip and that was the real protagonist, add an independent scroll to the Master to give an effect of depth and there would be very little or no important difference. If you could put the Megadrive video with an I7 13700 there would be no gain graphically.

[@happyspaceinvader508]

There’s a big difference in the graphics; the Mega Drive can display graphics at higher resolutions with twice as many colours on screen at once (from a larger palette), has support for 2 additional background layers, has an additional 7.6MHz CPU, an additional sound chip (YM2612), 8 times more RAM and 4 times more VRAM.

[@ssg-eggunner]

fr it's only different when you compare something such as like famicom vs mega drive for example

[@AlfaHolic916]

eeeemmm nop

[@sb6482]

why you betraying your geordie people with pronunciation of “M-Arse-ter system” JUST SAY Master

[@oldstylegaming]

So im not .... there is someone else in these comments who is also taking the piss out of how i say that and ive worked with him for years, he starting taking the piss about how i say plaster or plastering.... its just the way i say the aster bit of those words, i have always said it like that.... maybe its a mackem thing cos im not geordie

[@srvuk]

If you are going to use an AI generated voice then train it in the normal use of the word for backside that is British in nature. It would add more authenticity.

[@oldstylegaming]

AI generated.... i can assure you AI cant generate my accent mate

[@professorpenne9962]

AI must be really advanced to have been narrating this channel for so long

[@MisterAzathoth]

I needed a good laugh today

[@professorpenne9962]

@@oldstylegaming I'm irish, scot and Welsh blooded while living in the northeast part of the usa. they might REALLY think the way I talk is AI haha. I guess people never heard of natural accents.