Doom 32X Review - Worst Doom Ever?

[@dezm101]

this version is surprisingly playable compared to the 3DO and Saturn versions - which seems so strange to me

[@spacewolf7503]

using the emulator, you can increase the clock speed of the console processor and now the 3DO version is the best version of DooM : D

[@bigblockelectra]

@Brandon Acevedo yeah the woman that did the 3do port worked by herself and had to skip a bunch of stuff within the 10 week deadline.

[@GiordanDiodato]

3do has a great soundtrack though

[@GiordanDiodato]

@@bigblockelectra yep, Burger Becky

[@Aerodeth]

@@spacewolf7503 Ah, but somebody made a patch for the 32x version, improving graphics, audio, gameplay, and even putting back the levels missing from the original version. So the 32X version is STILL better.

[@Larry]

I think it's like people who enjoyed the Atari 2600 version of Pac-Man as it was the first version they played, there's no frame of reference for them, so they can enjoy it for what it is. My 286 my Dad fished out of his work's dumpster for me could barely run Wolfenstein, so Doom was impossible for me to play, the 32X version was the first time I played it too and thoughourly enjoyed it.

[@lancashirered]

I played it on the 3DO first, every other version of Doom I've played since has been better.

[@e.r.8710]

I just try to imagine a PC that barely can run Wolfenstein 3D.

[@JFD62780]

You and SLX aren't the only ones: Upon stubbornly buying the 32X with my Christmas money at a short-lived Long Island electronics store chain called Tops (where I also experienced the competing 3DO at the time), that weekend I rented two games from Blockbuster: Virtua Racing Deluxe and Doom. I came back to renting it a few times over the several months I stayed in Long Island (my last, sadly as I lived ever elsewhere since then), peppering a cheat code or two, until the virtual month I moved out, I FINALLY installed the shareware episode of The Real Doom! (oooh, stuff changed forever then.)

[@greenkoopa]

I like to emulate doom 32x so I can use the retro bit 8 button sega controller

[@itssafetostay]

My dad upgraded our 4mb of ram to 8 so we could play it.

[@davemichaeljackson9866]

This was the reason I bought a 32x. I loved this version of doom and I still do!

[@edgardeitz5746]

Have you downloaded a copy of "Doom Ressurection" yet? This is a _vastly_ improved version of the game made by hackers. It's totally worth downloading a SEGA emulator. I suggest "Kega Fusion"; that way, you can play games for the master system, genesis, 32x, SEGA CD and Game Gear all in the same program!

[@worsethanhitlerpt.2539]

I wanted a 32x until I learned about all the video hookups you had to do and it needs its own adaptor what a hassle

[@silenthill4]

the resurrected version is amazing all around

[@banjosk8indan417]

This came with my 32x

[@edwest2263]

Contrary to belief, it was a good version for its time and was positively received. The Jag port was better later on, but no one really cared when it showed up because Jag was dead in the water. It wasn't until the PS1 version that the 32X version was dethroned IMO.

[@edwest2263]

@@darthkai8242 EGM gave Doom 32X 8s and 9s across the board.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

@@darthkai8242 Exactly the only way it's good is in a vacuum of it being the only version you are aware of. Within the context of you were aware of the PC version but never played it so many games get a pass. If you're ever aware of a superior version however it immediately renders that original version inferior by comparison. I can respect something for being what most people had at the time but it doesn't mean in the historical context it makes it acceptable or better in any way.

[@lazarushernandez5827]

@@JohnDoe-wq5eu The thing was not everyone had a PC capable of playing Doom properly back then. In a lot of instances you had to buy a PC that had enough power to run the game smoothly (386@25mhz was the minimum). A fast 386 or 486 PC was several thousand in the early 90s. If you had one back that was awesome. A 32x or an Atari Jaguar could have you playing the game for $250 for the hardware (the Genesis was around $100 + $150 for the 32x) plus the price of the game itself.

[@SomeOrangeCat]

@@edwest2263 EGM. There's your problem.

[@rodmunch69]

When this came out, it was pretty highly regarded, that is absolutely the way the remember from that time. No one except rich kids had a PC. There is no doubt in retrospect it's not a good port, but that is not what people thought at the time, at least normal people. Playing a game that required a $2k PC to play, on your goosed up Genesis, was a big deal.

[@SomeOrangeCat]

That's something it took years for me to realize. Ports like this weren't for consumption by people like me, who had a PC that could run the genuine article. It was for the people who had an underpowered PC or no PC at all. I had a schoolmate who had a low-end 386 and a SNES. $70 got him Doom vs the hundreds of dollars upgrading his PC would have cost. Was it compromised? Sure, but he didn't care! Because, like you, he didn't have access to the game in it's original form. If you play these ports from that perspective, it helps you forgive the rough patches.

[@TheFloodFourm]

Adds a lot of charm too.

[@patrickhewitt7899]

Your right people are too dang spoiled we had what we had and we were happy. I had a 486 ibm and i did not play doom on it lol i was computer dumb back then not that i could not run it. I did not play games on it this was 92 we updated from our Apple lle fun times will never forget the Atari pong machine i saw one at my used game store last year they were surprised I knew what it was.

[@thomaselers7416]

I had a PC, but I never cared playing games on PC, I still don't, lol.... So to me it was a choice. Plug and play, no setting up stuff, assigning keys etc. Sit in the sofa playing, not by a desk, etc. I'm 100% pro console-gaming.

[@tartuffethesprywonderdog5883]

Better not to play it at all than play the SNES version.

[@NeoJ4K3]

The same could be said for some ports now.

[@evilash570]

I loved 32x doom when it came out! It was awesome to me to be able to play it on a console and not an expensive pc. I didn’t realize it was missing content until much later when games like quake etc came out. Another genesis 1st person shooter that I really loved back then was Zero Tolerance. It’s pretty choppy by today’s standards but back then it was a sci-fi wolfenstein!

[@sloppynyuszi]

I like bloodshot. Full screen, colourful with practically no dithering. And the corridors weren’t all 90 degree angle Problem was running back to the starting point after defeating the boss. It’s quite hard.

[@EightiesJames]

I played Zero Tolerance so much, I can casually remember the soundtrack 😄 "shotgun collected shotgun collected"

[@highscores8593]

I still had fun with this port on my 32x.

[@thomaselers7416]

Me too, had a great time with it. Probably because it was the first time I ever played Doom, so didn't have any experience with "superior" versions.

[@orderofmagnitude-TPATP]

@@thomaselers7416 same here

[@xmaverickhunterkx]

Ignorance is bliss, they say. Doom is great, so whatever version you had was the best version.

[@pyrobison2002]

@@thomaselers7416 how

[@thomaselers7416]

@@pyrobison2002 howdy partner

[@JustinHarrisTV]

This was also my first version of DOOM that we got for Christmas '94 when I was a kid. I recently resurrected my 32X console back from the dead to see if it still works, and sure does. Replaying it was definitely rough, but I still got a lot of enjoyment out of it. Even the horrendous music is something that brought back fond memories.

[@greenkoopa]

Playing doom 32x now, it is very tough to take away that right thumbstick

[@JustinHarrisTV]

@@greenkoopa Very true. Manageable, but definitely takes getting used to. It's hard to go back to this.

[@worsethanhitlerpt.2539]

I had the SNES version first so I got used to the terrible frame rate right away. Its still my favorite DOOM along w/ Final DOOM PS1 the SNES has most of the levels intact so its better than 32X

[@PixelShade]

To be fair, being a 10-year old computer geek when Doom came out, I remember that it was nearly unachievable to play it in proper full screen. It would require a 486 DX2 66MHz, but those computers were around the 1500-2000$ mark (with inflation 3000-4000$). If you were lucky to have a PC at home it was probably your parents fairly modern office computer (to work from home) and usually those were in the lines of 386 SX 25MHz. If you ran Doom on those, it had to be low quality settings, and a window size of a postage stamp. Looking at the time frame and what the world looked like, versions like the 32X actually made Doom available to "normal" people. I would say 32X was a "good way" to play doom back in the days... I was lucky, my father just started a new business just around the time when Doom came out, and he bought a 486 DX266 for the household office. I was one of very few in my school that could play the game pleasantly.

[@illusioncity]

Absolutely! It wasn’t until we got a 486 100mhz (AMD!) that I could finally play the game at full screen.

[@EricJacobusOfficial]

The DOS prompt after you beat the game was the strangest thing.

[@kubev]

That only happens if you use cheats or use level select.

[@samexists5776]

@@kubev Are you talking about the PC version or the 32X version?

[@DeskoDev]

@@samexists5776 32x

[@lucag.lisickza425]

yeahh

[@BrawlinEntertaintment2K]

Why does the DOS prompt show after you beat the game with cheats? Also does the DOS prompt actually function?

[@helterskelter9020]

Imagine how the video game industry would be different if Sega would have just taken their time with some of their consoles and games.

[@felman87]

Whenever the Dreamcast comes up in discussions, I wonder how different things would've been if Sega switched the launches. Saturn was popular in Japan while it floundered worldwide. Dreamcast being released abroad in 1998 while being held back in Japan until 99 could've changed things up a bit. I know some gamers opted to wait for the PS2 release in 2000 rather than pick up a Dreamcast but would they have waited 2 years in 1998? Maybe not. Not to mention Dreamcast was released at the same time as FF8, the sequel to the crazy popular FF7. Coming out in the West in 1998 means no FF game to go up against.

[@mashakos1]

@@felman87 if the dreamcast with all its specs released in 1996 as a replacement for the saturn, would have been a landmark hit. At the very least dethroning the n64. I know that tech wise that wasn't possible but my gut feeling is that 1996 was the only time window for releasing a late 5th gen console while 1998 was way too late.

[@UsTheMusicTVOfficial]

Yep, too many instances where they screwed up because they rushed the job. They could have easily still had the market in that regard.

[@cj694x2]

The thing is, Sega could have taken more time and made the 32X better, but then it's coming out the same time as the Saturn and PlayStation. They would have been much better off just skipping it altogether and focusing 100% on the Saturn

[@helterskelter9020]

@@cj694x2 Sega should have skipped the 32X altogether

[@IMDLEGEND]

32x doom was my first Doom play as well. I got mine bundled with the 32X. I was also happy with it at the time, oblivious to what I was missing elsewhere (a few years later, I got Doom for Windows 95 and saw what I was missing.) I really enjoyed the fact that enemies would be attacking me, and I didn't always know where they were. I am in the minority in that I didn't hate on the music as much as others did. It was gritty and dark, and at least had music (unlike Jaguar). 32X Doom is definitely much better than the SNES version overall (although SNES has all the levels and much better music). It controlled well, and showed the potential of the 32X.

[@swafflemanish]

I just picked this up and played through the whole thing (on original hardware, not emulated). Here is my take: 1-Plays surprisingly well. Pretty good and consistent frame rate, and if you have the 6 button controller it is quite easy to control, although I re-arranged the buttons thusly: A is run, B is strafe, and C is shoot. That way the run and strafe buttons were right next to each other. 2-Graphics are actually pretty close to the original, the engine seems to be original engine as opposed to the SNES port. Seems like there is a bit less detail and the lighting is pretty different, though. But it doesn't look bad. 3- The music is pretty bad, that is true. That said, it doesn't completely destroy my enjoyment of the game. I ended up listening to podcasts while playing most of it but with open back headphones so I still heard the music. I would have preferred good music but unfortunately this part of the game was botched. 4- The lack of a full screen size is a bummer, but it's not a game breaker, especially on my big TV (I used an upscaler to play it on a modern TV). After a while I sorta stopped paying attention to the screen border. 5- Yeah, some of the levels are cut down and the game is incomplete. Overall, this is a pretty solid port of doom. For the time it came out, it might have been one of the best ports around. Not a bad way to veg out and play some classic doom really. I like playing it with the 6 button genesis controller, as well. It gets a B- or C+ from me. PC version, which I do have on my comp, is obviously superior.

[@synthem9389]

still love this version, as it was the only home port I had. holds a soft spot in my heart, even though I've played almost every other version under the sun by now.

[@PaleBastard_Art]

I kinda like the 32X version of the music..... It was however, my first taste of Doom though

[@drewtiberiusarundale]

Doom on the 3DO is easily the worst.

[@Tenchi3]

I take you never play the super nintendo version then??

[@patrickhewitt7899]

I don’t know but when the lady made it by herself in 3-4 months you got to admire that and i heard she made some good game. Its the same case as ever company is cheap rushing the project expects everything then it fails. I always blame the leader never the followers it there job to run the ship and then if it sinks let the captain go down with it.

[@SalDOWN]

No, the Saturn version is the worst by far!

[@whatamalike]

@@Tenchi3 the SNES version is better just by virtue of it being on the SNES! No need for a new system or an expensive add on to play it. Sure it's nowhere near as good as most versions but a triumph of the dying 16 bit system.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

@@whatamalike So essentially a similar thing as Street fighter alpha/zero 2. I mean sure the game is not what it is anywhere else but it still technically works and you don't have to buy a new console to play it. So much of this is historical context, if you were a kid or someone on a budget back in the day you took what you could get and usually it wasn't the best version by a long shot.

[@bombfog1]

26 years after the fact and after having played many ports of Doom, I contend the 32X version is the most unnerving and suspenseful to play precisely because of the grimy graphics and simplified soundtrack. To me, the 32X port is comparable to the original Chainsaw Massacre, i.e. it’s far scarier than the more polished versions.

[@hurley3000gt]

Agreed!

[@lubenretrolletarios7901]

Yeah, it's like Tha chainsaw massacre of your ears, and it's quite unnerving of you can hear after you complete it.

[@CassiniProjekt]

If I could like this comment more than once I would! I fundamentally agree with you, 32x Doom was my first introduction to this game and the ultra grimy aesthetic made the playing experience both terrifying and creepy. Take the Phobos Anomaly for example. You know immediately that something is different with a dozen or so former human soldiers congregated on one platform, it's just an odd level design choice which makes you feel like something is "wrong". Then once you get to the barons of hell, you hear that uncanny valley human/inhuman shriek of rage and you know these two demons are pissed. No matter how many rockets you fire into them they still keep coming and they will annihilate you if you let them, they are unlike any enemy you have encountered before. This inspires sheer terror. But after a few playthroughs you finally defeat them. Only for the architecture to suddenly change and reveal a pentagram. Everything in this world is designed to unsettle you and you feel like you're really not welcome. Then you inspect the chambers from whence they came and in the 32x version (this detail is missing in other versions) you see the eviscerated corpse of some poor dude strung up by chains. Your mind fills in the rest of the blanks; these demons were having a torture party. It's precisely from this lack of exposition and letting your imagination conjure up all kinds of scenarios that the original Doom was scary; this in contrast to Doom Eternal where all the exposition and narrative completely removes the fear factor. Another game that lends itself well to Sega's gritty aesthetic is Saturn Quake. That game was not just disturbing but extremely depressing and morose due to the limited colour aesthetic and grime/low resolution factor. And this totally contributed to the primordial, Lovecraftian atmosphere. Some levels look like a horrible, rainy day in a run down, abandoned industrial park. Other levels just looked "off", like a primitive and inherently evil witches hovel, with respect to the wall textures. The infinite purple sky and doors made of bones evoked a very sinister vibe, all this accentuated by the stop motion animation of the enemies and the low resolution. It wasn't a pleasant gaming experience, more of an ordeal, but it had atmosphere.

[@happyspaceinvader508]

A bit like watching some 7th generation VHS copy of a banned “video nasty” (UK viewers will know what I’m on about).

[@alex.starostin]

@@CassiniProjekt Oh, Saturn's Quake is the stuff of legends already, "the impossible port"

[@kenlymendoza2759]

The guy who did the music hands down just winged it

[@FlandersB]

My first Doom game also, and I too had no idea what it was missing. Loved it so much... aside from the fact that there was no way to save your game. Lotsa good memories with this one.

[@jasoncrandall5320]

Lets just cut half the Levels to get the game out sooner. Good idea! What a scam

[@personavisceration371]

I wish some modern FPS' had simplified 2D controls like Doom. These games were very arcade-like, and that has always appealed to me over the use-every-button-and-be-realistic-but-not-fun nature the genre took in the late 90's.

[@TheSocialGamer]

I love the 32X version for what it is. My favorite to play is the Jaguar version because it's the first console version I played. I was always playing on PC. Then I collected every console port released in the US and the only real regret I have is trying to play the SNES port. It was a miracle of a cart for sure but the game runs like ass and the resolution is sooooooo low it's painful for me.

[@mashakos1]

Sega of America was responsible for the music... oh no. SoA sound engineer: "eyyy lemme whip out my fart soundboard real quick WE GOT THIS."

[@MastaGambit]

Nah, more like "Let's just MIDI-swap the PC/Adlib version of the soundtrack and not actually bother to change the instrumentation".

[@kathleendelcourt8136]

@@MastaGambit That's what I was thinking. PCs' OPL2/3 FM synthesis was actually close to the Genesis, both were Yamaha FM sound chips. It really sounds like they just ripped the original midi soundtrack and put it straight into Gems (which was midi compatible) without making any real adjustments.

[@mashakos1]

@@MastaGambit while I have an understanding of the GEMS library I refuse to accurately portray SoA's "attempts" at FM Synth work due to the abuse my ears got as a teenager xD

[@AllardRT]

@@mashakos1 Howard Drossin usually did a bang-up job with GEMS.

[@mashakos1]

@@AllardRT looked up his work. Turns out he had to devote an ungodly amount of effort into creating his own custom instrument fonts, which explains why he is credited on only 3 genesis games with GEMS

[@jonasking9587]

This was the version I first got. I was crazy about it. I still throw on Knee Deep in the Dead after a bad day or just to veg out. Later I got into the PSX and of course PC versions, but this one still holds a place in my heart.

[@DontrelleRoosevelt]

I don't anyone who was stupid enough to buy a 32X, so it was all PC for my friends and I... we didn't do the console peasantry after the mid-90s. I skipped PSX, N64, Saturn, and Jaguar entirely. I am VERY impressed that the SNES could pull off DOOM, however. If SEGA had used that chip they used for Virtua Racing, they could have pulled it off on the Genesis.

[@RedneckOgre]

The one guy that made the Doom 3DO port should be given more credit

[@GregsGameRoom]

It’s far from the worst but it’s certainly not the best. TO THIS DAY I am livid that EGM gave it a better review than the FAR SUPERIOR Jaguar version on which the 32x is based. Just goes to show you that the 32x wasn’t totally reviled back then.

[@patrickhewitt7899]

Accually the 32x is based on the jag both programed by john carmack. And he loved the jag.

[@archimagirus_sancti]

Thank God for SLX; dude, you are my anxiety relief. I wish I could chat with you; I have a huge Sega collection, want to take my mind off this year, and you seem like an amazing friend to have

[@archimagirus_sancti]

Also the 32x and Saturn versions aren't so bad if it's all you have. I have a fan-made Dreamcast port too which is flawless, but unofficial of course

[@archimagirus_sancti]

Love you bro

[@archimagirus_sancti]

@TrueSinister Not in a comments section! Depending on how hard this election impacts my job I might start making videos but time will tell; I need to get a decent computer and framemeister first

[@Hiryu666]

I'd played the DOS version of the game on my high school's 486's (so it ran pretty decently)... So I definitely noticed how inferior the 32x version was from the start... But I still adored it. I was finally able to play at home! That being said, I always felt that the 32x version was the worst of the good versions of Doom... I felt vindicated to find out that Digital Foundry feels exactly the same way. Perhaps if the devs had more time and more ROM space, we probably would have gotten something better... But as a 16 year old from a poor family... it was enough that I barely scraped together $150 in the 90's... About a year later, I saved my allowance as well as the money I had from my first job to buy a PS1... I bought it specifically for Doom. Doom was definitely a console mover.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

Once you played either the console version on PS1 or the PC version you can never really go back and enjoy an inferior version of it. You can enjoy something in a vacuum if it's all you've known. But after you've seen/played better it's near impossible to go back. Unless nostalgia is involved of course.

[@Hiryu666]

@@JohnDoe-wq5eu Oh absolutely. I bought a PS1 specifically for Doom. I tried going back and I just couldn't do it. But before 32x Doom, I only had irregular access to play Doom at school, so it was still overall a godsend. On a semi-related note, it took me a while to get used to PS1 Doom as the ambience was pretty different to put it mildly... But when I was finally able to play a more traditional Doom experience years later... It was hard to get back to the old way too. Eventually I found a PS1 Doom wad for gdoom... But while it's nice to have the PS1 sound and lighting back... Having the jagdoom and jagdoom-esque maps on a modern computer feels really off.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

@@Hiryu666 Like I said so much of the time it's about the when and where and under what circumstances. Going back to something now rarely is as satisfying or fun as it was back then with obvious exceptions. We've come a long way in the decades since this and it's in general hard to go back to how things were back then. The only reason to really go back is to really have a greater understanding of how bad it was before it got so much better. What we remember as good times then were definitely not as good as they could have been had we had the technology of now.

[@Atariatari-ky9te]

Fun fact sell wise the 32X was the best selling 5th Generation system in 1994 with 600,000 sells in the US compared to the 500,000 Sega Saturn sells in Japan and the 300,000 Playstation sells in Japan. In my opinion the US launch title line up on the 32X was better than the Launch title line up of the Japanese Saturn and Japanese Playstation. Im sure there is someone that worked with Sega that believes it was just not a good move to stop the support of the 32X in the US. In Japan fine but in the US if they would have kept supporting the system and putting out software. Who knows the 32X possibly could have outsold and been more popular than the Saturn here in the US. Not hating on the Saturn because its one of my favorite Systems of all time but I my self was very pleased and blown away with the 32X when my Parents bought me one in 94'. We were blown away by Virtura Racing Deluxe (which in my opinion is the best Virtura Racing port between the Genesis, 32X and Saturn). The 32X also arguably has the best Virtura Fighter 1 port too. Much Props to Sega Of America they knew what they were doing with the 32X. Even though the Sega Saturn launch in Japan was successful it was not more successful than the 32X launch around the same time in the US. Much respect to Sega as a whole they were killing it sell wise in 1994 with the 32X in the US and Sega Saturn in Japan.

[@worsethanhitlerpt.2539]

I like the concept of the 32x but the wires in the back really ruin it

[@ReyedogMcGann]

32X Doom is enjoyable. To be Honest the music fit it for that version. Adds to the uniqueness of the game just being on Genesis. "With the help of the Mushroom top"

[@EpicLebaneseNerd]

i am surprised SegaLord did not grow up with a pc considering all things, as for the performance, us pc owners did not have a better experience, being stuck with a 386 processor and 4mb of ram, it was hard to enjoy the game and we also shrunk the screen, also, i am noticing something, SegaLord has such a young voice, but according to calculations, he is older than me by at least 7 years , so i think the good man is what ? late 40s ? like 46 to 47 years old ? still, that is such a lovely young voice there.....

[@jamesaitchison9478]

My first time playing DOOM was on the Super NES, and i loved it.

[@jmullner76]

I was in the same boat. This was my first experience with a Doom game, and it was simply great at the time. I didn't know about any of the cut content at the time. The one thing that still bothers me to this day is a few levels that I could never get 100% of the secrets. I tried countless times "clicking" on all the walls to no avail.

[@JamesJacksonKFPDad999]

Another enjoyable video! (except for the Dark Halls music lol) I think it's fair to say DOOM 32X is better than the SNES port, and perhaps the GBA port, in addition to the Saturn and 3DO.

[@stigrabbid589]

@DejaVoodooDoll The GBA version has a low frame rate though, like trying to play the original PC version on an early 486 (edit: I forgot the 386 was extremely old by the time Doom released, some later 386 CPUs would run it though, but with terrible frame rates)

[@bmx7596]

GBA is far better, and its sad that the SNES had so many advantages despite being much less powerful

[@michaeljordan6008]

LOL, the SNES was a disgrace when it came to Doom.

[@GodKitty677]

@@michaeljordan6008 snes doom was fine but you lost the floor and ceiling textures. 3Do version is lol bad but had decent music. 3DO version had 10 weeks of development. 32x was another version with a short development time. They never got the bosses or the bfg in the game. Just lol. Also the 32x resurrection 3.1 hack shows how bad the saturn version was.

[@spiritofzen7022]

The Saturn travesty takes the prize as the worst version ☹️

[@entertainmentwizard2703]

I don't think the music is that bad but I agree it could be way better! I saw an older build that was full screen and had more complex level design but the framerate took a huge hit, with more development time and a bigger cartridge they might have been able to add back in most of the cut content and improve the music but I still like this version!

[@bgp001]

I had played Episode 1 on the PC before getting the 32x version, but the 32x version did introduce me to the second episode (I didn't get the full DOOM pc game until the 4 episode ULTIMATE retail version came out, after Doom 2). That being said, I highly enjoyed the 32x despite it's graphic and audio pitfalls. It has gotten a lot of play from me over the years. It's a shame the game didn't feature a boss battle with the Cyber-Demon. At least it would have had the first two episodes (for the most part) complete. But it is what it is....

[@baronhausenpheffer]

I really like 32X "Doom". The thing about it is that if Doom had been a game where the story mattered at all, or there even was a story to speak of, that missing third act would have mattered a lot. But since that wasn't the case, a version that nails the gameplay aspect by looking good and running fairly well checks the most important boxes. Obviously not the best version for completionists (and agreed, the music was rough), but as a way for console gamers to finally experience this gem, especially for the first time, it did just fine.

[@pagb666]

Runs fine, plays fine, sound effects sound crisp and surprisingly high quality... far from the worst port.

[@f.k.b.16]

I kind of like the enemies always facing you and never in-fighting. They are after you and only you! The Nightmare option was actually a blast on the 32x because it was Not impossible (no monsters respawning), they fired every chance every second they could, and you could actually use all that to your advantage. It made it to where you had to be fast on your feet but not just race to the exit. Some of the music I enjoyed too. I never knew it was bad since I never saw it on the pc for years. The Playstation though.... I loved that music and sound effects! Multi-player oh my! That was insanely fun!

[@jonbourgoin182]

DooM is just the gift that keeps on giving. I will never not watch a video about DooM. And if the video is uploaded by SLX, then that just makes it all the more enjoyable to watch. Fun story: when I was like 9 or 10 years old my neighbor introduced me to DooM on his PC and I was immediately hooked and knew I had to have it. My parents couldn’t afford a PC at the time so, needless to say, I was pretty stoked when I found out DooM would be released for the SNES....you can see where this is going lol Being young and dumb, I had no idea how ports worked and was naive enough to believe that SNES DooM would more or less deliver the same PC experience. Needless to say, I ended up spending way more time admiring the red cartridge and reading the strategy guide than I ever did playing SNES DooM. I would later go on to get a PS1 for Christmas and the PS1 port of DooM. The PS1 port of DooM remains my favorite version of DooM to this day.

[@Ren-bo7bj]

Honestly if they took the time to manually convert the music into tracker tunes like something made in Deflemask (which I know didn't exist at the time but equivalents for the time certainly did) instead of pushing the original .mid files through the GEMs driver I imagine this port would be better regarded. It's certainly a worthy port of Doom, even if it's rough around the edges.

[@singletona082]

Now go listen to blast processed's rendition of doom tracks. They use the same sound chip the sega genesis uses, though without the limitations the genesis has to work under. It shows just how GOOD the music could have been. Edit: I also wonder if any homebrewers would try making a modern engine port to see if more could be done using the limitations of the 32x.

[@michaelmccarthy5727]

This was also my first taste of Doom. I didn't have a PC or computer for that matter, so this was my first ever game of Doom. I didn't know if anything was missing so it made it a great experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, in the last few days I've started playing Doom (classic) on the Switch to see if I can beat that version. Great memories!

[@Roebloz]

For the texture issues, I am working on something that will restore them so get ready to throw e-doctor's hack in the trash.

[@Drinkabeerandplayagameofficial]

I’ll never not love it, it was my first DOOM. It’s flawed for sure, but I’ll take it any day over the snes version

[@Aragorn7884]

Yeez, that MIDI chiptune is awful 😬😱

[@woodenpints]

Brings back so many memories. I was exactly as ignorant as you, SLX. I extracted a lot of value from this game, pretty much the only thing I played on my 32X.

[@CecilTheDarkKnight234]

I never really had an issue with version "despite playing it years later after the ps1 and pc versions" It runs fairly smooth at a semi constant 25-30fps, looks good and the music is also damn good. It begs the question though, what would a 32x/SegaCD combo version of Doom looked/played like.

[@WebVManReturns]

I love that port. You can pull off so many button combinations.

[@jeremygregorio7472]

For a version of Doom that played that well on $300 of hardware it's hard to complain. The equivalent pc was well over a grand

[@mnomic8371]

I can’t believe Doom on the 32X was better than the Saturn version... how does that even happen when the Saturn was the next big thing after the Genesis?

[@thefurthestmanfromhome1148]

You don't let Jim Bagley use the hardware in manner he wanted, that's how.

[@jeremysart]

I had a very similar experience but with the SNES Doom (so thanks for not taking any cheap shots at it!) which is also often harshly criticized. Now with projects like Doom 32X Resurrection that completely overhauled the game, the 32X is one of the best playing and sounding options on retro hardware!

[@priscilam.9808]

And then there was the Nuke Nukem 3D port for the Genesis that was only released in Brazil late in the life of the console. My mind wants to say we bought a copy in late 97. Maybe later than that. I just happened to see it at Walmart one day. After all, the internet back then wasnt what it is today. Why was it only released here remains a mystery to me.

[@TheFloodFourm]

How did you like it back in the day?

[@yellowblanka6058]

Probably because Sega Genesis was still going strong in Brazil at time, and was pretty much dead everywhere else. Regardless, other regions would be more likely to buy the game for PC/PS1/N64/Saturn.

[@Shorty_Lickens]

in case anyone is wondering WHY he waited to play Doom on a console, its because at the time many people could not or did not want to afford the kind of computer that could play Doom well. I started with a 386 and it looked horrible and ran poorly. When we got a 486 it became much better, also we got a nicer video card (1 meg trident VESA card, I think) then we got a Pentium and it was wonderful. But that stuff costs real money.

[@stephens4175]

I'm partial to the Jaguar version, thats how I first played it, It's the one I owned, I didn't even know it had music so it seems weird for me to know that it does, don't think it needs music anyway, better without it. Only after the internet did I find out that it's considered by many to be the best console version..cool!

[@GregsGameRoom]

Jaguar is definitely one of the best. Only the PS and (completely different) N64 version are better

[@TheFloodFourm]

Jaguar would have been the most chill way to play Doom back in the day. How did you like the console overall?

[@stephens4175]

@@TheFloodFourm I personally loved it, Aliens Versus Predator was so atmospheric, the sounds and no music made it terrifying

[@EndlessFunctionality]

The music is right down there in the basement, with the Sega Saturn version of Resident Evil's basement music.

[@paulsteel9127]

These poor Doom ports really made Sega look bad. I don't know how even the Saturn version came out as awful as it did.

[@RubenLra]

I never had a pc growing up so Doom on 32x was my first time ever playing it and I loved blasting my way through the game.

[@lo1bo2]

Like you, I also really enjoyed this port at the time. It was fun to use cheat codes and mess around. One time while invincible my game crashed because there we so many enemies and projectiles attacking me.

[@a1austin]

I only had a 32x for doom and virtua racing. After I got the ps1 version of doom and virtua racing on saturn, i had no reason to keep the 32x.

[@MisterSouji]

Surprised you didnt mention the SNES port. It had more levels and better music, but the visuals render it barely playable.

[@bmx7596]

More monsters too and a larger screen, not shrunk like 32x. But they're very similar in other ways

[@dapharoah2290]

Well, I was the only kid on my block that had a Sega 32X and a Sega Saturn, in Chicago on the Southside. I wasn't rich, I just didn't get the Sony PlayStation or a Nintendo 64.

[@malcolmar]

This game was my first introduction to Doom and like was mentioned in the video, I did not know what I was missing and had a lot of fun with this game. To me, it played well and it did a great job of creating a creepy atmosphere. I may be alone in this but I actually liked the music in this version of Doom.

[@loogie5515]

Same, i for some reason find this music acceptable and a bop at times

[@Hiryu666]

The Military Base level is also a secret level in the original DOS Doom, etc. I learned how to get to that level on the 32x, and I've used the exact same technique on the DOS version, the PS1 version, the Switch version, etc.

[@alexq2930]

You should make a video about the 3DO version of Doom and its development.

[@billcook4768]

As a proud owner of Doom for the SNES, I assure you the 32x version is not the worst :)

[@maxmatson1578]

I used to have this on my 32X along with virtual racing Deluxe, and Cosmic Carnage.

[@Jimmycozad1980]

Hated the 32x version the FART Music always gave me headaches. I preferred both the SNES and 3do over it, Even with the lag in the 3do version at least it never gave me migraines.

[@TheFloodFourm]

I wish more people like you, people who played these games at release, would share their first hand experiences of day one.

[@richardrawson]

Man, I’m almost jealous that your first experience with Doom was on the 32x. Every experience I had with that add-on was terrible. I had a model 1 Genesis and wasn’t aware that I had to buy a separate adapter kit to make the 32x work so I had to waste even more money on that abomination, lol. I was so stoked to get Doom as I had it on my pc and wanted the 32x version so I could have a more mobile version and words couldn’t express my disappointment. Having already played Doom for over a year on pc the 32x version’s failings were immediately apparent. I returned it the next day for Star Wars , which cracked me up completely hearing Admiral Akbar sound like a brick layer from New Jersey: “wipe out enemy fightaz.”

[@optima-nova772]

Yep, Doom on the 32X was my first Doom. Played it to death and no regrets

[@miguelroman4294]

Perfect timing , just sat down for dinner! Thanks SLX

[@lap456]

What's funny about looking back at these versions is that I remanber reading in Nintendo Power Magazine an guy asked how to get the chainsaw. Nintendo replyed with like most consloe versions of Doom. SNES Doom needed contact form PC version removed just to make it work right. So the hidden room with the door to get thier isn't in the game at all; that's why you can't get the chainsaw. This makes next to impossble to get an %100 compate socre.

[@leepit7178]

Sega really did everything wrong. If Sega knew FPS is important, and strongly promote Doom in 32x, why Saturn had no this kind of game when launch?

[@ElvisRittmann]

I completely agree on your opinion. I didn't own a PC back than and quite frankly wasn't interested in having on, because I had my Genesis, Sega-CD, and my brand new 32X in 1994. 32X Doom was the first version of Doom for me too and I absolutely loved it like you. When the first PlayStation gave me an upgraded and tons better version, I completely abandonend the 32X version of course. For its time, it was a brilliant port!

[@SkyScourgeGod]

As bad as I think the 32X port of Doom is, it's still not nearly as bad as the 3DO version. Gameplay is extremely choppy, the graphics are hella pixelated and the viewing window is pretty small even when the screen maximizing code is used. It's painful to say that to because A. I love the 3DO and B. the port of Wolfenstein on 3DO is probably the best console port you can get so you know that Doom had every potential to be amazing there to. Doom got screwed on the 3DO by the company that was in charge of porting it though, only one person worked on it and she only had a few weeks to get it done. It really is a shame.

[@Toocoolforunclesam]

I had the 32x version as a kid it was great it also let you adjust the viewing size to adjust performance, and with the 6 button controller a strafe button.

[@steelcurtain187]

This was the first place I saw and played doom when it came out. Definitely an exciting experience at the time.

[@ViciousAlienKlown]

My first experience with Doom was on the Atari Jaguar. So I never missed the music. The frame rate was good and the levels weren't cut as much as it was on the 32X.

[@googleboughtmee]

I have the SNES version and can't even see what the hell is going on

[@krissymarklewis1793]

On the Hunt should be the soundtrack to Pacman:)

[@rykavproductions666]

6:46 That is one depressed sounding chainsaw

[@eljaminlatour6633]

The lack of a Cyberdemon, Spider Mastermind, and Spectres is not necessarily the 32X version's fault because despite being the first commercial Doom console port, its code was based on the Atari Jaguar, which doesn't do justice for the Cyberdemon and Spider Mastermind. The spectres are in the Jaguar port as well, but due to an oversight, this makes spectres look the same as pinky demons. A few things were cut from Doom in the Jaguar port because Doom is 2.89 MB big, while the Jaguar only has 1 MB of space, so making a shortened but playable port of Doom does justice. In fact, most of the Doom console ports are based on the Jaguar port, even the Sega Saturn is based on the PlayStation port which is based on the Jaguar port. The only console port that is not based on the Jaguar port is the SNES port. Also, the 32X port was doomed to fail, since Sega announced the Sega Saturn which came a year later after the 32X.

[@josepartida1711]

I first played Doom in my 8th grade computer class. That was 97-98. Every Friday we had a free day. Great memories.

[@britneyspearsvillarosa]

That Dishonor for the worst DOOM port goes to the Saturn port.

[@josephwintrich7294]

Worst version? NO! Far from the worst. YOU GOT IT! It's pretty damn good for what it is and the hardware it runs on.

[@peachflavored]

Having played the original PC game back at a friend's house, since my computer at the time was a potato I had to choose the SNES version and had a blast with it. It sure had its own problems but to my 13 old me it was pretty good. The levels were closer to those of the PC game, the soundtrack was by far much better than any other version and it was running on a SNES without any extra peripherals. The biggest downside (no not the graphics or frame rate) was the lack of a password/save system that made me sit an entire afternoon just to beat the damn thing. But those were good times. :)

[@kevinstrade2752]

32X version was my first Doom experience as well. I too wasn't aware of what I was missing until years later. I did enjoy this version though. I guess it was kind of a demo of better versions to come. I will always remember me laughing my ass off finding the chainsaw for the first time. My brother in law told me about it who played it on pc. I laughed my ass off sawing demons into parts as my brother in law kind of just looked at me. I will also remember the famed chain gun cha cha as its called when shooting imps with the chain gun. Lol great times were had with Doom on the 32x. Obviously i prefer to play it elsewhere today but will always be grateful to that fun intro.

[@SomeAustrianGuy_]

0:48 damn, they even went as far as hiring Peter Griffin for their Doom ad

[@mattnova18]

I had already played the pc version by the time I rented this game on 32x, but I still enjoyed it. To me the difference of playing with a controller, playing on a TV [that was way bigger than our 15" monitor] made it a more enjoyable experience. I still play 32x doom here and there even now. I do own doom on ps1, steam, and xbox360, but I like the controls on the Genesis a lot still. The frame rate is plenty smooth and the difficulty levels seem to be perfect too [i can't get far but I do enjoy bumping up to ultra violence at times]

[@7t2z28]

I had this game on PC and 32X, so I was well aware of what it was missing, but it was still DOOM. When going on family vacation or to a friends, it was easier to bring your console than a whole PC, so it was good enough. The only other console versions at the time this came out were Jaguar and 3DO, which basically no one had and weren't very good anyway. I think I knew one guy that knew a guy that had a Jaguar, and no one had a 3DO, so there you go. Of course, not long after that, there was SNES, Saturn, Playstation, and N64 (whole other story).

[@JAGO_Tech]

Don't have to worry about music copyright... it's unrecognizable 😆. Notable all console ports are based on the Jaguar port which Carmack worked on. Nice video man. I have a soft spot for these 4.5 gen consoles. My PC ran Doom pretty crappy back in the day. Also, needed a Sound Blaster or sound was way worse than 32X.

[@wyldelf2685]

I had 32X doom , , 32X DOOM glitched out a lot and generally looked more jagged and unfinished ,and its music was crap , ,i bought 32X for Mortal Kombat2 ,Virtua Fighter , Doom , Primal Rage , and Virtua Racing deluxe, , now i still owned my SNES mind you , , , Virtua Fighter was the ONLY game worth its rep , , 32X MK2 was Slower and was missing fighter ending artwork , big fail#1 , , 32X doom was choppy and frequently glitched out ,w unforgivable crummy music ,big fail#2 , 32X Primal Rage had speedy gameplay but sound samples and music sounded tinny and echo-ish and resolution was less than great bigfail#3 , ,32x VR was meh , , , so the SNES DOOM was more satisfying than 32X offering , ,SNES MK2 was faster and more solid than the 32X offering , , even SNES Primal Rage was shaming the crap-fest 32X , , ,the Worst Add-on ever purchased Sega32X , unfortunately worst console Doom goes to 32X , , , ultimately that awful doom is why i sold my 32X , i still feel like sega scammed me , , , 😢😢

[@GMdieselman]

Ok, I'm definitely an odd case when it comes to this.... I was born in 92 so I was a little late to be able to experience this in it's prime. The funny thing is I never saw or played Doom until my buddy had this 32X version in 2009. Yes I said 2009. So this port was my 1st time playing Doom. So I didn't know about the complaints. I still enjoy this version to this day and is one of my regular games to grab if I wanna play 32X. I'm quite aware of the other ports and actually own some, but I still really enjoy this particular version.

[@johnsheppard3078]

So today is Doomsday??? 😳😲😯😬

[@majimamike4097]

Saturn's Doom is the worst unfortunately. The SNES version is awful but given the circumstances in terms os hardware it holds great for a 16 bit console. Saturn's could and shoud have been the best but.. The 32X version is decent.

[@alex.starostin]

Is Saturn even worse than 3DO one? this is hard to believe

[@KemmerlingKomputers]

i had the whole tower of power setup going, the monster addon cluster fuck with the genesis and i dont think this was intended and i might be a little fuzzy on the details but i know its possible, but anyway if you loaded a music cd in the sega cd attachment and started playing the album then i want to say loaded a cart in and hit the reset button the audio would continue to play through the cd drive but also load up the cart, thus leaving your music playing while playing a cart at the same time all on the same system. I think it was more than a glitch than feature, but i thought it was so damn cool back in the day, I specifically remember doing it with the doom 32x cart and a drowning pool cd.

[@IIONNICC]

I loved my 32x. I still have it.

[@adinocc2042]

The first thing I played DOOM on was the PS1. Which was not a bad port. A little later I got the GBA port and was happy with that as well. I finally got a computer about 3-4 years ago and downloaded the real thing for the first time. What a difference, tho!