Arcade Vs Master System - Bank Panic

In Season 17 of Retro Comparisons we take a look every arcade game that made its way over to the Sega Master System

[@marknewton3765]

I have not played on this game(the Master System version) for well over 30 years....thanks for bringing back the memories.

[@RetroComparisons]

Thanks so much for watching! The Master System version is an excellent port and IMO is still fun even in 2024.

[@mikec3260]

There is something about the SMS version that makes it stand strong againdt the arcade. It is almost like the simplified graphics plus the parallax scrolling makes for quite the contender. Winner: Tie I do wish I had this on the SMS, it looks like a fun game to pick up and play with the light gun. After watching a few times, I like the simplicity of the background it seems to make it more of an enjoyable experience. Nice work showing the lesser known games as always buddy!!!

[@f.k.b.16]

The master system had "parallax scrolling" so I give it the win! Surprising they actually improved over the arcade somewhat!

[@mikec3260]

@@f.k.b.16 Yeah for sure after watching again, my update is SMS wins this one!

[@RetroComparisons]

The SMS port is excellent in every way. While I personally still think the arcade wins out it's only by a hair this time as opposed to a blowout. I can totally see the argument though that the SMS wins outright. It's a huge improvement over the fellow 3rd gen Sega console in comparison to its lesser SG-1000 port. Overall this game is pretty addictive. This is one of those games where I already had enough footage but kept playing for another 20 minutes. Thanks as always for watching my friend!

[@RetroComparisons]

@@f.k.b.16 That is a really nice touch in the SMS port.

[@SomeOrangeCat]

The SMS version holds up quite well!

[@RetroComparisons]

It really does, it's an excellent port.

[@user-ek7hp2er8v]

Bank Panic On The SMS Holds Up Really Well Its Arcade Accurate By Just Playing It

[@RetroComparisons]

Yeah they did a great job porting this.

[@baronhausenpheffer]

I don't have a lot to say on this one, other than that the arcade version is surprisingly bloody! That little blood spray when you shoot the bandits surprised me. I find the general idea of this game kind of hilarious -- you're this poor bank teller just trying to balance your ledger as the town's rich folk throw bags of money at you, annoying dwarf salesmen bring in stacks of pies bigger than they are, and you have to shoot bank robbers on sight while not drilling an innocent right between the eyes. Whatever this one-man army of a bank teller is getting paid, it ain't enough! The SMS isn't identical to the arcade, but I think it comes across extremely well, as others have said. Excellent home conversion!

[@RetroComparisons]

This bank is an OSHA violation if I've ever seen one. To make matters worse, what if someone comes in with a mask on but isn't a bank robber and gets shot? That's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Outside of these atrocities it's a pretty surprisingly addictive game. The SMS version is a great port for the time but the lack of 3 buttons does take a little away.

[@oldfan4049]

Whoa, haven't heard about this one...o0 It's a good thing that SMS got it's own spin on Hogan's Alley))

[@RetroComparisons]

For such a basic game it's pretty addictive. This one even got a SG-1000 port. I always thought this game pre-dated Hogan's Alley but I just looked these up and Hogan's Alley came out a few months prior.

[@oldfan4049]

@@RetroComparisons to be honest I've wanted to ask if this game indeed connected to Hogan's Alley in any way, but I guess if you haven't mentioned this yet there were no real connection beside the genre itself^^)

[@shotgunl]

I'm familiar with Bank Panic but have never played it. The SMS loses graphical detail, and the music is a bit simpler; however, it still seems like a nice port. With the 3-button layout, this would have been an interesting one for the Genesis (or SEGA CD) if there had been a compilation of some older, simpler Sega-published arcade titles.

[@RetroComparisons]

I never thought of that but yeah that would have made for a great "Arcade Classics 2" or something like that. The SMS port is fantastic but I think the 2 button layout is its biggest flaw. Don't get me wrong, it works well still but the 3 buttons like the arcade has just works so much better.

[@johnmp3828]

I play this all the time my debit card doesn’t work at the atm

[@RetroComparisons]

In that case you can't even afford a shave and haircut for 8 bits.

[@mtshark7]

Arcade for me! I dont think any of these master system games will be better than the arcade 😅 Edit: I will say this port isn't too bad for SMS, tho.

[@RetroComparisons]

It's quite the excellent port but for the most part the SMS just wasn't quite there to give that arcade experience at home. I do have to say though that it's a different case with the NES. Some of the games I've played recently are actually better than the arcade IMO. Boulder Dash & Contra come to mind but there were others too.