Let's Play - Aleste (MSX 2) vs Power Strike FM (Sega Master System)

[@LBPreviews]

Aleste is far superior simply due to the incredible prologue cutscene alone. It really immersed me into the fictional world at the time, because of how rare cutscenes were in home action games back then.

[@electricadventures]

Yes I agree the MSX version just has those extra polishes that make it a better experience.

[@Passenger-nj7in]

This is my all time favourite, I beat it on my dad‘s VG-8235 back in the day. Recently I went the painful road of getting Aleste 1, 2 and Gaiden in physical form.. good stuff :) Oh and of course the numbers to choose are always 3,6 and 7 (1 is also ok when fully upgraded) :D

[@electricadventures]

I realised I hadn't played this one for a while as I had being favouring Aleste 2, lucky to have both physical, still need Gaiden to complete the set. Hopefully find it one day. I probably should do another video comparing Aleste 2 and Powerstrike II. No FM music for that one on the SMS though.

[@BeyondTheScanlines]

It was grand to see 'em side by side - especially hearing the FM version of the soundtrack on the MSX. I prefer the Master System just for the lack of flicker, but I think I prefer the MSX score panel. Weird how conversion can always change little things like that :)

[@electricadventures]

I am going to have to do a few more of these vs videos, as you forget how close some of them are. MSX 2 and SMS are very similar in some ways, so a good one to compare. The SMS version starts a little easier than the MSX version I think, not sure I got the 50/60Hz setting right (tried several combinations and couldn't see any difference), but the MSX 2 version is definitely running at 60Hz.

[@ryzmaker11]

@@electricadventures You're running the Master System version in 50 Hz here so it's not "fair" ;) (game is meant to run at 60 Hz).

[@Consoletronix]

They don't make them like this anymore. Great video man.

[@electricadventures]

This is a super classic shooter, one of the absolute best 8-bit titles in the genre.

[@Koexistence13]

Pal mode on the sms

[@gigatywing3483]

Hi, so is the MSX aleste the same as the SMS port other than the first stage and differing power ups (the majority of same stages / bosses/ enemies) ?

[@electricadventures]

A lot of similarities, I haven’t played through either for a while though, but I have the feeling the MSX version has more levels.

[@TonimanGalvez]

Both are quite good, the main difference is the backgrounds, on the MSX2, the backgrounds are much more complex and detailed, due to the 128k Vram of MSX2 Vs 16k of the MS. The intro on MSX2 is in 256 colours, MS has no intro.

[@electricadventures]

The MSX 2 version is definitely more complex, the extra both main and video Ram would definitely help, plus of course as you said the more complex backgrounds. Both very good versions, but I definitely prefer the MSX version.

[@ryzmaker11]

The Master System has 16 or 32 KB of video RAM depending of the model. Anyway it's the Master System version which looks better, amount of details is similar but the Master System version has better graphics with slightly better color depth and a colored secondary weapon (whereas it's only made of white pixels in the MSX2 version). Also the Master System has better sprite and scrolling capabilities than the MSX2 and it shows as the Master System version runs smoother and with less flickering. But the MSX2 version has more content with an intro and 2 additional stages (although one of those is very short and without even boss(es) so it's not a big loss). Verdict: MSX2 version is more complete but Master System version is technically better. Had the Master System version used a bigger cart (it's only a 1 meg cartridge), it would have kept the intro and all the stages and thus it would have been the best version by far.

[@Koexistence13]

@@ryzmaker11 bravo

[@ryzmaker11]

As I've just said in another comment, you're running the Master System version in 50 Hz here so it's not "fair" since it's a game meant to run at 60 Hz. Anyway the Master System version has better graphics with slightly better color depth and a colored secondary weapon (whereas it's only made of white pixels in the MSX2 version). Also thanx to its better sprite and scrolling capabilities, the Master System runs this game smoother and with less flickering. But the MSX2 version has more content with an intro and 2 additional stages (although one of those is very short and without even boss(es) so it's not a big loss not having it). Verdict: MSX2 version is more complete but Master System version is technically better. Had the Master System version used a bigger cart (it's only a 1 meg cartridge), it would have kept the intro and all the stages and thus it would have been the best version by far.

[@DonnyKirkMusic]

I prefer the audio from the MSX more as well but yea

[@gigatywing3483]

Also if you do mind me asking..how mush aussie dollars did you pay for complete msx aleste?

[@electricadventures]

It’s been a while but I think I bought it from Hit-Japan about 7 years ago, as a buy it now for about $US150-180. Australian conversion rate wasn’t too bad and postage would have only been about $20.

[@gigatywing3483]

thanks for letting me know.. im a new MSX2 owner and Compile nut so will keep eyes peeled.

[@1msx2go]

Fantastic game on either systems.... although I will favor the MSX version all day long. 😃😃 I did pick up a loose pal copy of super aleste at the London retro market in November. I will be doing a video shortly of what I got. However, I only got Super Nintendo games as my budget wasn't what I hoped to take. I really need to get back into making vids, just not been feeling the love for making any vids plus real life has been really busy. 🙂

[@electricadventures]

Yeah it's definitely the MSX version that I enjoy the most, although the SMS version gets votes for giving it a good try. Still looking out for the odd Super Famicom game, but trying to back off a bit and enjoy what I have at the moment. Hope all is going well for you, we should do another Skype session at some stage. I have some time off from the end of the month if that helps on the time zones.

[@1msx2go]

electricadventures most definitely, just let me know when. Weekends would be best for me as I'm off. ☺️

[@pacogalvez75]

Another great vídeo. Good job

[@electricadventures]

Thank you, I will be doing some more of my classic favourites in the future.

[@DehnusNorder]

Aleste 2 also had a great intro, as did the MSX versions of Konami Arcade games, I mean... the Nemesis/Gradius Series is just.. awesome on that thing.

[@electricadventures]

The are heaps of great shoot em ups for the MSX machines, I am still discovering new ones all the time.

[@irondom]

You can power up your special weapons. That would have made your game a lot easier.

[@electricadventures]

Due to having Aleste 2 I haven't probably put as much time into this one as I should.