Games that Push Hardware Limits 10

Episode 370 - This time let's focus on games that push 16-bit hardware by using polygons to try to make true 3D games! 3D gaming has sure come a long way since then, but these games are fun to look back on. We'll even check out some that use enhancement chips for their 3D because why not?
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[@grongy6122]

That low-poly flat-textured aesthetic rocks, respect to the guy who made the intro and Joe's model

[@antdude]

Nice change. ;)

[@Shinesart]

The the screen tearing just perfect representation.

[@mrburns366]

The question I have is... did Joe really do all those dance moves? 😁

[@phattjohnson]

@@mrburns366 If so, I need that mo-cap tech!

[@csciacchitano]

Yeah that ruled

[@FranklySean]

The screen tearing on Joe's model just makes it perfect

[@fullauto86]

Lolol right

[@donkeyparadise9276]

Define screen tear

[@FranklySean]

@@donkeyparadise9276 use a dictionary, donkey

[@thecrazycapn]

Man. It's amazing what a relief Virtua Racing's 15 frames a second is after the 2-10 fps before it.

[@mattnova18]

and the frame rate on the 32x is so much better, makes the Genesis game nearly unplayable in comparison.

[@doslover]

For real, it was such a shift I thought it was sped up at first.

[@yittmashups]

I had to hold onto my seat it was blazing so fast!

[@animatedplastic]

@@yittmashupstoo much Blast processing?

[@UnjustifiedRecs]

Love that you even included the screen tearing

[@tribemaster101]

linux users wont be able to tell the difference

[@dan_loup]

@@tribemaster101 we kinda got it figured out by now, but it's the same terrible thing vista and up did of just enforcing vsync on EVERYTHING. Now stuff like HDR, still a bit spotty

[@tribemaster101]

@@dan_loup You don't. I use linux and I still get screen tearing. Not even freebsd gets it, it's embarrassing

[@tribemaster101]

@@dan_loup but screen tearing is the least of its problems

[@dan_loup]

​@@tribemaster101 i'm pretty sure you're just having a laugh, but tearing is actually dependent on which WM you're using and how you configured it. raw xcfe can get pretty brutal until you enable composition. then it's tearing free (as it is on my machine).

[@trentnix]

The 16-bit poly Joe is simply outstanding. It's a great idea that was well executed. Props.

[@MyRetroLife]

I know the music in Virtua Racing is short and sparse but man do I LOVE IT. It immediately takes me back to those 32X days. Great episode as always Joe

[@logan_cadfgs]

Out of all the cool production value shit Joe has done, the authentic high-fidelity screen tearing is easily the most ambitious yet

[@stevenross4223]

Nice use of the "Days go by" music video at the end! Never realised I needed to see you dance as a 3D polygonal character, but I definitely did! 😂

[@CanadianDude]

Loved that bit and the original video itself.

[@GuestZer0]

3D video games from before 3D consoles is one of my favorite aesthetics.

[@phattjohnson]

Damn straight. I got the SNES with Starwing (as it was known in PAL regions) for Christmas one year and my mind was blown. I'd hardly seen fully 3D graphics like that in arcades let alone in my very own living room!

[@bcyrx]

Same, more so on PC for me though. The console ones always really struggled, but the PC 3d of the time were usually competent making them more tolerable to explore imo.

[@SomeOrangeCat]

You would have loved owning a PC in the mid 80s to early 90s then. We had no shortage of such games, and even on a meager 286 they'd run pretty well!

[@neonpop80]

@@SomeOrangeCat Is there some list I can find of those games?

[@SomeOrangeCat]

@@neonpop80 I wouldn't even know where to begin. Flight sims of the era were mostly flat-shaded polygonal games though.

[@DavidDrury90]

Joe it's insane how the production quality and creativity of the show keeps soaring. Excellent first impression on the video. Loving it so far. Who knew you'd be even more handsome in low poly?

[@johneygd]

Yep,except for his annoying sarcastic jokes he makes🤣

[@phattjohnson]

@@johneygd Anny Ing? Is that the girl from Smooth Criminal?

[@KaloKross]

@@johneygd get tate'd on

[@Godsgood111]

​@@KaloKross lol thanks for the new catchphrase 🎉

[@ClockworkBastard]

@@johneygd that jokes is a selling point. It has to be like that

[@thefrankiepalmeri]

This actually makes your channel 20000% better. Don't change this.

[@phattjohnson]

Quality uploads? Damn straight. Hope he never quits!

[@erictheded]

The Star Fox demo kiosk at K-Mart blew my little mind. I had no idea such graphics were possible.

[@acecarrera1]

Game Sack pushes the limit of its creativity yet again. Joe now is a playable character on 32X Virtua Fighter.

[@inthefade]

Out of this World or Flashback.

[@xLASTxxSHOTx]

Great episode Joe! The low poly breakdance dance was incredible!

[@starlightwitch12]

It's great to see Joe rendered in 16-bit polygons for this episode, but by the 32/64-bit era Joe is fully rendered using 3DFX graphics.

[@JGreen-le8xx]

OpenGL FTW!

[@yewles1]

​@@JGreen-le8xx GLIDE!!!

[@robintst]

Randy Linden's SNES port of Doom is nothing short of impressive on a technical level knowing the hardware limits in place and how he pulled it off, the guy was an absolute wizard. He also did the impossible port of Dragon's Lair to the Amiga and created the Bleem PSX emulator.

[@businesscat380]

He also worked on the Dirt Trax FX game featured in this episode. The guy is a wizard though!

[@inceptional]

And we've learned from him directly in recent times that it's even possible to pretty much double the frame-rate using HDMA properly too. So, look forward to seeing some hacker implement that at some point, if not Randy Linden himself.

[@SomeOrangeCat]

Yup! He's definitely some kind of sorcerer!

[@90sNath]

Unrelated, but God, why do people still call the PS1, PSX? A PSX already exists.

[@SomeOrangeCat]

@@90sNath Because originally PSX was shorthand for the original PS1.

[@MoonSarito]

Wow, I've never heard of Drakkhen, sounds like a game I definitely want to try out, the idea of open-world 3D on a 16-bit console is just incredible.

[@KlomboFanClub]

the editing for this video RULES gamesack goes so hard I love it

[@JohnSmith-or7gh]

I love how Joe's reflection is showing up on the restaurant's window. Not only that, it's the opposite side of the 3D model. Talk about level of details.

[@mikeberg6407]

The entire animation budget for this weeks episode of game sack went into the ending lol

[@brandonmorris9559]

That intro and beginning rocked I love game sack!!!

[@mattycipov6080]

You are a master of the KZbin experience. I appreciate everything you do.

[@wraithcadmus]

SNES Doom is impressive for sure, though according to Randy Linden about 95% of the lifting is done with the SuperFX2. I joke that Doom was ported to the SuperFX2 and used the SNES for playback. As Joe alluded to the 16-bit micros did a lot with 3D. Shout-outs to, Hunter for having a full 3D world with NPCs who remember you and multiple driveable vehicles in 1991, Frontier for being everywhere and a sequel to the beloved Elite, and Zeewolf 2 for probably being the most technically impressive with its patchwork floor.

[@inceptional]

Also according to Randy Linden, by going back and using the SNES' built-in HDMA feature properly, he could basically double the frame-rate now from around 10 fps-15 fps to around 25 fps. And there's talk about doing exactly that.

[@wonderingmonitor1996]

Never thought I would start my Sunday watching PolyJoe dancing 😂😂😂

[@iNubpwn3r]

Not many things can cheer me more then a new GameSack episode on sunny Sunday morning. Great one too. Thanks. 👍

[@icelandicbanks6473]

Draekken would absolutely slay in today's market if you slap in some better looking polygons and added meta-progression. Looks like a cool take on auto battlers!

[@oscarzxn4067]

I have heard that most people hate the game.

[@icelandicbanks6473]

@@oscarzxn4067 LOL, this cracked me up, I love it.

[@ErinPlays]

Yoshi did an amazing job with low-poly Joe! I love how these types of games look. It's comfy. Race Drivin on SNES is giving me flashbacks to a horrible stream I did. This is a really rad episode!!

[@wettuga2762]

The funny thing is that Joe actually did the dance and it was later converted to polygons. Joe's got some moves!

[@DiSCERiTY]

did he really or no?! I was just wondering if he could really dance like that or not lmao

[@yoshivu8236]

​@@DiSCERiTY he can

[@noneofyourbusiness4616]

No, they superimposed a CGI figure over an actual dancer in the music video for "Days Go By" by Dirty Vegas. Seemed a little bit too extended of a sequence for "fair use," but I'm no lawyer.

[@GetToThePointAlready]

No they didn't, they used an actual dancer to do those moves.

[@noneofyourbusiness4616]

@@GetToThePointAlready Evidence for claim?

[@Wuggyboobeaufuf138]

Cool episode. Low polygon games definitely have a certain charm to them that I really miss nowadays.

[@johnrussell8086]

I never imagined that Jimmy White would ever be mentioned on Game Sack😂

[@roskelld]

Same. RIP Archer MacLean, he made some stellar games throughout the years.

[@villain253]

Joe. You rock. Thanks for all the great entertainment.

[@MrBirchieBirch]

I played F22 Interceptor & LHX Attack Chopper A LOT on the Megadrive. Loved those early polygonal games.

[@GoldenKitSylveon]

That intro is sooo good!

[@rinbros]

20:15? Not many views? This hardware pushing limits videos are the best series in the channel Joe.

[@smoothALOE]

This is hilarious. The polygon imagery during the transitions, haha!

[@mx3fto]

One of the thhings I have always appreciated about your videos is the way you time everything with the beat of the music perfectly, from game transitions and including the final dance skit in this. That takes effort and it is appreciated :)

[@gouravchakraborty9801]

Nice flashback styled intro there, Joe

[@CZpersi]

My most favourite PC game with polygon graphics was Stunts. It is incredible what they have managed to achieve with the limited tech - the level of freedom, track editor, driving model...

[@TwoBlackMarks]

The F1, F1 World Championship and Kawasaki Superbike Challenge are maybe my most impressive racing games with polygons on the Mega Drive, they run very smooth. I did have (and still have) Virtua Racing in the 90s, and I did play it a lot.

[@nekononiaow]

Yup, seconded, those games use raster graphics to draw the road but all complex roadside elements are drawn using polygons. This allows for a really high frame rate coupled with good looking immersive graphics. Those games deserve to be in a future 3D episode.

[@TwoBlackMarks]

@@nekononiaow They are very playable, well, to be honest I have never finished them or anything, mostly just driven some laps now and then, but they are very playable it. Especially for such old console racing games. If I had them when new I would have played them alot probably, not that many old racing games have held up the best.. But there are some, like Outrun is the type of game I just try out, but end up just playing it some more..

[@lasersnake]

Great episode and the ending was brilliant 😂

[@timothydoyle8800]

The opening was really cool. And I really appreciate your dedication to the topic by turning yourself into Flashback for this episode.

[@animatedplastic]

Ha. It's crazy to look back and see 16-bit games that tried to push polygons. I am finally almost caught up on all the episodes! I'm now only 11 days behind. Yay!

[@yittmashups]

Another late night in the sack with Joe, always a good time.

[@Bangyourbirdnumb]

It's so warm & cosy.

[@Godsgood111]

Wow, another perfect episode. Thanks for constantly topping yourself. Im currently choreographing and practicing your sweet 16 bit polygonal dance moves.

[@aarontruitt]

Glad I stayed for the ending haha this is one of my favorite Game Sack post credits scenes. Well done

[@pwnswoggle]

Another World/Out of this World and Flashback are rotoscoping sprites during gameplay just like Prince of Persia. Great work on this ep, the 3D you was gold.

[@Fifth313ment]

Your channel is so underrated! It's so much fun to go back in time with you guys. And you always go the extra mile in your videos!

[@realDonaldTrump420]

I'm going to subscribe ten times!

[@MaxwelThuThu]

Awesome!!! There is also a space shooter simulator called Star Trek Starfleet Academy for the SNES that uses polygons. The screen is tiny, but the models are pretty detailed.

[@user-lt8cs3yk1n]

Incredible ep and presentation. Love those early ventures into Three Dee!!

[@kennethd4958]

I LOVE the "Games That Push Hardware Limits" series. What a great Sunday.

[@MisterGiGs]

The, Dirty Vegas - Days Go By, part at the end of the video was a nice touch, brought back a lot of memories of that era of music and gaming 😀

[@kubev]

Agreed. I was hoping for a Genesis-faithful FM synth take on the song to go along with it.

[@Franky_8-Bit]

Love this episode! Primitive 3D was shocking for me when I played starfox 64. Brings back memories

[@fiskburk2908]

that flashback game sack logo transition was hilarious, and what an amazing episode, boy this was creative as hell, kudos to the guy who did the 3d polygons!!

[@steverempel8584]

I remember playing Doom with the Brutal Doom mod, Hi res texture mods, the gzdoom modern engine, and heavy metal music covers for the soundtrack, it was quite an amazing experience. Then I immediately played the SNES version afterwards for comparison, what a difference! This video reminds me of those great times.

[@laowhy86]

My fave series! Epic job!

[@tubebandits4439]

This episode was sooooo exquisite.

[@ilikecurry2345]

Looks like Joe's finally growing into a VTuber phase.

[@ryanhoulihan]

The special effects for this and the revamped music is amazing. Great work as ALWAYS.

[@thereviewsbrothers3854]

Another excellent video. It’s amazing how you are always able to show a great mix of games we all know and still a ton that we don’t. I always love finding out about new games and this is really one of the few channels that lets me do that.

[@vallaurianv6024]

Another great video. The effort and craft you put into these are stellar. That ending 😂.

[@spookydonkey42]

Now this episode clearly is packed with *MEGA POWER* !!!

[@TrashfordKent]

Hi Joe, a massive amount of effort and detail put into this episode, very entertaining to what would likely otherwise be a dull topic

[@flaviokauling1436]

Joe, you keep outdoing yourself with your content and presentation! Excellent episode!

[@DrXJMY]

Exactly What I needed. Thank you 16-bit 3D Polygon Joe. Good job as always

[@patrickbyrne5070]

Always makes my day when a new Sack falls in my lap. Cheers Joe, much love from UK

[@the8wave]

Most underrated channel on KZbin… hands down. You’re up there with AVGN in my opinion. Don’t stop… please.

[@Reaperman4711]

I really like the genesis Domark racers. Kawasaki Superbike, and the two Formula One games (2nd euro only). I'd love to see more of these vids, since early polygon racers are 'my jam.'

[@DJ_InYourFace]

30 seconds in and there's already a huge polygon in my pants thanks Joe

[@DanielDangerous]

How many megapower?

[@Carbine64]

Stereo of the art sound?

[@DJ_InYourFace]

@@DanielDangerous only 5 but they're thick

[@ZakkHung]

Favorite intro to date. I love these games still on occasion. The best memories. 💜

[@pescadorazulado270]

The more I watch this episode the more I appreciate it's production values

[@Sweet4ooth]

Another World was always one of those games that drew me in with it's atmosphere.. time to try and finally beat it. Thanks for another great episode, Joe.

[@poisonsnivy6439]

Oh wow, Joe made his VTuber Debut

[@asa2002]

Flashbacks claim to fame was their use of some advanced Rotoscoping techniques which they had begun with in Out of This World

[@berighteous]

bravo. The dance moves were killer. Thanks for all the work you put into the show.

[@TonyLikeGames2]

That ending was F-tier and S-tier at the same time.

[@homerhat420]

Oh it's virtua-sack

[@psychopoison]

Genesis pushing those games with no special chip in the cartridge, is crazy, really good

[@holderbee7811]

Joe: This game sets new records... Creator Of La Cucaracha Game: Ehyeeeeeeeeees??? Joe: For how fast it gets boring! Creator Of La Cucaracha Game: AWWWW

[@AntiSocialHero]

Easily one of the best outro bits yet, fantastic!

[@scherge]

I remember getting Stunt Race FX for my birthday and how much I disliked it at first. However, since I had to wait at least four months until Christmas before getting another game I had to spend some time with it, and after getting used to the game's physics it was actually a lot of fun. Great episode, as usual, thank you!

[@Swordslinger-hb1ns]

Fun fact Joe: if you were lucky enough to acquire an SNES Xband cartridge by Catapult you could play SNES Doom online across the country! That really 1-up the Super Nintendo version of Doom over the Sega 32X version.

[@channelsurfing]

My Sundays are infinitely better with a new episode of the Sack Saga.

[@BocaRetroGames]

Amazing effect. Such good production

[@g40rc378]

Amazing end skit - the shadows, the reflections, everything!

[@ShinyShinyIsAlwaysBeingSerious]

Always a good day when a new Game Sack video comes out!

[@erikdominick7404]

I'm just glad you could take the time off from moving these refrigerators and these color tvs to show these games to us

[@FoxMan_FF]

Absolutely loved the low-poly 3D model for this one. 👌

[@sonataonmymind]

To say that Argonaut helped in Star Fox is to understate their importance in this case in my opinion, they were responsible for a good part of the game, in addition to being the creators of the FX chip.

[@thekesearcade7314]

Love that custom intro and style on this one. Great work.

[@larrybiggets6702]

This is why I love Game Sack. It hits every subject.

[@NotVance]

You joke about the lack of views this video might get due to the topic but my god, this might be one of your best productions ever. Everything with Poly Joe is already iconic and perfect.

[@JohnSmith-zw8vp]

That Money For Nothing video must've been mind blowing with its 3D polygon graphics, the likes of which the public would never come close to experiencing in the home for at least ten years!

[@thefunkdroid2777]

Steel Talons had an impressive Atari Lynx port. Impressive having in mind it's a portable system from 1989!

[@guillermovelasco103]

Best thing to wake up to on Sundays! Thank you, Joe! Now back to bed for two weeks until next video release!

[@82coxy]

Hard Driving on the arcade with the sit in cabinet was great, it was the first racing cabinet to use force feedback steering. It also had a H pattern shifter and clutch pedal. That game was how I learned the basics of driving stick when I was around 10. 😁

[@FurryRedCross]

Brilliant end-skit and great choice for its music

[@YesterdaysMoose]

We all appreciate the extra effort put into this episodes with the 3D polygon animation. I especially liked the episode with the Claymation.

[@camdenlacy9755]

Dirty Vegas - Days Go By. Classic.

[@xRocketzFighterx]

That low poly style animation is amazing especially at the end skit, this is easily a god meme tier of the best skit out of the many awesome skits you've done.

[@pcachu]

My therapist: 16-Bit Polygonal Joe isn't real, he can't hurt you. 16-Bit Polygonal Joe: 31:07