Ninja Gaiden Trilogy SNES vs NES | Expensive, but is it Good? (Ep.1)

[@MarMaxGaming]

Hey there - Huge News for the channel! I’ve been mentioning my love for acrylic shelves and displays since 2017, since there really isn’t anything else out there that accomplishes the same result. I reached out to Joe @ Achieve Display last week to see if we would work out referral discounts for gamers. As of today - MarMax Gaming & Achieve Display are officially partners :) In the check out comments section, simply put “MarMax Gaming sent me!” or similar and you’ll get 10% off of your total order! Check them out, their stuff is really awesome plus it’s way less expensive than the other sites / products I’ve seen. Appreciate your support, enjoy the discount!

[@JoeyPaone]

Some youtubers would call this a "hidden gem" thanks for your honesty

[@chweymia9079]

It is due to its not so common..

[@MarMaxGaming]

@@chweymia9079 I think hidden gem more so refers to an uncommon being a gem of a game, so unfortunately I would not call this a hidden gem but more like a missed opportunity lol

[@AlexMartiniGuitar]

Your videos are remarkably well done. I feel you should have a ton more views and subs. I always look forward to them.

[@hans4462]

I agree with this review. I used to own and play the SNES Ninja Gaiden Trilogy, and even if it has "collector's value" I don't care because I don't keep games that I don't like. So I sold it. I'm content with my NES Ninja Gaiden games, and although the third one is difficult, it's easy with a Game Genie! Thanks for the true review.

[@MarMaxGaming]

So relatable! I’m glad you liked it. It’s a huge disappointment, because you know how good it could have been.. it’s a shame. I hope you find other “it’s expensive but is it good” episodes that pique your curiosity!

[@hans4462]

@@MarMaxGaming I'm glad that you can relate. Agreed. The SNES Ninja Gaiden Trilogy was a huge disappointment, and I don't miss the one I sold awhile back. I totally agree with what you mentioned at the end of your video regarding the fact that you're better off playing the originals on the NES, even without the password feature. What I disliked about this game the most was the awful music. Ugh. Another reason why I decided to sell my copy of this game is that I like to have the manual for all of my NES and SNES games, and the manual is over $150 on eBay! Ridiculous. Another bad thing about this game is that there are no ending credits for each game with great music. What a pity. The original NES games are so much better, complete with great music and ending credits!

[@MarMaxGaming]

@@hans4462 wow, no ending credits too?? That is a serious crime, I wish I realized that years ago for this. That’s just sad! No reward for getting through those tests…

[@MarMaxGaming]

@@hans4462 funny enough my man, I have certainly beaten all of these games on NES and this SNES cartridge… just never thought about it or realized! That’s a sad detail for sure… no satisfaction of a conclusion… If we are exchanging links, I’d like to share this one during covid of me beating ninja gaiden WHILE RUNNING at the same time Running with Ninja Gaiden NES | 3.1 Miles (25:16) Running & Gaming Series (Ep.1) *WORLD RECORD* kzbin.info/www/bejne/rna5eKlvZbxoldk

[@MarMaxGaming]

@@hans4462 oh yeah, and I’ve seen that vid! I have thought the same thing about Ninja Gaiden 4 or Super Ninja Gaiden being epic on the snes, bc Super Castlevania IV definitely makes you wish for it!

[@originalgameboyz]

Cool video man! I enjoy watching it and thanks for the heads up I was going to pick it up but after watching your video I think I'll get another game lol. Looking forward more videos!

[@beltanetrex]

The SNES version sounds like the music is drunk and totally uninterested in what is going on in the game. Just like Star Wars, the music is so so important to the overall feel and epic aspects of this trilogy and they completely destroyed it with the SNES.

[@MarMaxGaming]

That’s a great way to put it, haha! It really is sad how botched the music is… everything screams time save and corners cut about NG Trilogy… like, there’s no way they were happy with the product they were putting out but clearly there was massive pressure to get it done so they popped it on out and yeah it’s just a damn shame! I wish several NES series got the Mario All Stars treatment… they did a perfect job with it!

[@bfish89ryuhayabusa]

Yeah, I'd say the only advantage of this release is getting the original version of 3, at least in terms of design.

[@MarMaxGaming]

There’s some novelty but man they did a really bad job… and left SO much on the table. Could’ve been a near must have, at least for me.

[@raquelking3956]

You could buy the entire Nes ninja gaiden series with this money

[@mikeanderson1370]

Some truth to why it was like this: Even though SNES was a more powerful system than NES, they were still adding 3 games to the cartridge. Mos of the time, games were crunched down, and compacted to make them fit onto the cartridge. When you bought the Mario/Duckhunt/Track& Field game, each game had certain things compacted or just missing, so they would all fit onto the game. Usually, it was barely noticeable. But, on Ninja Gaiden Trilogy, they DID rush it to meet a deadline, and they dumbed it down way too much. They screwed it up, just from rushing it. But, they purposely left certain things out, to save space...i.e. the lightning scene..leaving out the lightning would effectively save a little space. But, leaving things out isn't why the game ended up sucking so badly. It was due to them rushing it, and missing small things like the intro menu, and even tweaking the controls to work properly.

[@MarMaxGaming]

Absolutely, it’s very clear that it was rushed and I would say that’s the safe assumption on why stuff is missing NG 1 2 3 are not bigger games that the FIVE on Super Mario World + All Stars cart. Consider just how HUGE & BEAUTIFUL so many SNES greats are - this was clearly rushed late into the lifespan, not really crunched to save space because we have so many examples of much bigger and better. Lightning and scrolling doesn’t take up THAT much space lol it was just lazy and they’re like “meh”

[@ethanvania3630]

I feel like an 8 bit remaster of all 3 games on the Switch should work well and I don’t mean just a straight emulation of the nes version, what I mean is giving it the classic sonic remaster treatment Edit: when I said that all 3 Ninja Gaiden games should get an 8 bit remaster I meant to make up for the not so good Ninja Gaiden Trilogy SNES

[@juantrujillo2712]

Spot on. I popped that sucker in (repro cart) and it made me sick. Just beat NGIII today, finally!

[@MarMaxGaming]

dude, great job! you must've been so pumped. Have you been playing many tough ones as of late?

[@jacobprice8048]

Was so disappointed. Thought it would have got the Super Allstars treatment. I rented it and was so bummed

[@MarMaxGaming]

So relatable, man. It’s just sad.

[@maaackkky]

Take. No. Prisoners. If MarMax is fired up!

[@kristinsarah9085]

Great series! I hope Earthbound is next!

[@Sinn0100]

Wow...I skipped this in 1995 and now I'm glad I did. By the time this released I already moved onto the 32-bit machines...or I was moving there. Oh and this trilogy does not remind me of an early Genesis game. When I think of the early Genesis I see Ghouls n' Ghosts, Altered Beast, Strider, Super Hang-On, The Revenge of Shinobi, and Golden Axe. I got my Genesis in '89 and the games were unlike anything we had ever witnessed on a home console before. Everyone of these games I listed absolutely decimates this trilogy.

[@INFPGamer]

The music is definitely not as good but I do like some of the remixes here such as the masked devil theme and Foster's theme in 3.

[@Divancic418]

keep them coming!I

[@MarMaxGaming]

Thank you, my man! Hope to see what you think of the most recent vids!

[@plazmacube6167]

Can you please do another episode of this series? I want to see games like Mega Man X3 and E.V.O the search for Eden

[@plazmacube6167]

I have a copy of MMX3 and I have to say it is one of the stronger games in the MMX series. But some people think it is weaker in the series. It has, let's just say, Mixed reviews.

[@MarMaxGaming]

PlazmaCube hope you enjoyed the mega man X3 episode, my brother! Along with Joe & Mac 2... EVO will happen one day for sure.. Wild Guns is coming up soon enough too! Just got a copy in the mail :)

[@lucaspuppetsmaster]

Ow, man. I'm playing The messenger and the game is gorgeous. Its a really a great ninja game (even best than ninja gaiden IMO). 8-bits sections is beautiful and the 16-bits sections is even more gorgeous. Playing the game you can have the idea how the devs could be done on the port for ninja gaiden Trilogy for SNES. It's realy sad tha they don't endeavored to make a great port with beautiful colors and graphics...This games deserve!

[@MarMaxGaming]

Sidcley I’ll totally have to check out The Messenger. I agree, man. Such a lame snes attempt on a great trilogy... I guess I’m glad it exists though.

[@BiscuitBoy225]

Hey cool, I’m watching this video because of the messenger

[@80sNinjas]

You should try out “Within The Blade” aka “Pixel Shinobi” I have it both on the Xbox one and Switch

[@TeddyBelcher4kultrawide]

well said

[@MarMaxGaming]

ted belcher thanks man! Appreciate you sticking around to watch.

[@marx4538]

Personally, I am not as angry at this release as most people are. It is very lazy, but I personally hated the visual direction of All Stars and some of the gameplay changes made for it, particularly how 3 looks in it, and I am not very keen on how SNES Mega Man X and Super Castlevania look compared to their predecessors, either. Not only that, but I quite like the music in the remake at times - such as Rugged Terrain or the boss fight from the first game, and 3 being more like the Japanese version is also a good thing in my book, though I would have preferred having both. The control issues and the sound effects alongside glitches and lack of different versions of the boss theme for 2 and 3 are certainly fair, though, and they could have at least tried to change the visuals, though the original games make quite a few 16-bit releases look like inferior already, but that's due to how talented the people working on the originals were and not because of the trilogy's developers.

[@MarMaxGaming]

It’s a huge disappointment just due to how unbelievably lazy it was, point blank. The idea itself is cool, and passwords make sense, and the NG3 easier port is honestly lucky. It should have been good, but they shat it out and it shows… fortunately the games themselves are good but they’re total mud butt in comparison to what should’ve been an upgrade.

[@marx4538]

@@MarMaxGaming That is fair - it might be not so bad in a vacuum, but it really should have been much better at least gameplay-wise. I definitely agree that not having the main controls be on B and Y in a SNES game without any option to change it is a huge annoyance.

[@MarMaxGaming]

@@marx4538 I appreciate your optimism about the ports as well, they’re at least interesting but just sad it wasn’t more of a serious effort is all! I meant to say too, that’s pretty cool and unique that you prefer original SMB3, I’ve thought about its lighter contrast on snes and kinda wondered how many preferred the sound and look of the NES! Sound like a big NES fan, perhaps? You might like the hardest nes robot master (buster only) lists, there’s #46-#21 and the Top 20! A serious old school challenge, and with your X3 skills, I know you’ll be into it!

[@marx4538]

@@MarMaxGaming Sounds interesting, I'll check those out

[@realhayabusa9515]

you can get it on Xbox with the 2004 Ninja Gaiden (not Black)

[@issacdragon3834]

I just start playing the super nes version, noticed the music sounded like shit and turned it off right away, the great sound track is a huge part of what makes ninja gaiden great

[@MarMaxGaming]

issac dragon yeah, that’s totally accurate! It’s worth playing through if you’re curious about the port differences and to hear everything. Some songs go from great to okay while others are almost unrecognizable and kinda bad. Appreciate you watching and commenting! You might like my video on beating all 3 NES Ninja Gaiden games.

[@arronharrington4109]

@@MarMaxGaming Funny how i'm playing the SNES version right now lol.

[@LargeTurn1p]

LOL 4:02

[@DanielRivera-on5qh]

Definitely a great collector's piece for a fan of the games on NES, and that's awesome that we got an easier gaiden 3 on ntsc hardware. Yeah some songs are annoying but others are cool. Tecmo at it's best? No, but they weren't even a good developer on the snes, they made a non memorable rpg and nothing but sports games. Would have been nice to have a real super ninja gaiden series but tecmo was obviously disorganized and not in their prime. But don't act like it's not a gem amongst snes rarities, it's very playable and fun. Unlike stadium events or other bad rare games. It's not as good as wild guns or mega man x 3 but it's still a very cool game

[@MarMaxGaming]

Appreciate you watching and the comment! Basically, what we can’t forget is that the 3 games played better on the NES and they really missed a great opportunity to actually make it good. I’m not over here acting like it’s a 0/10, for sure, but as a BIG fan of the NES trilogy, this cart is a gigantic disappointment and it’s only cool as a novelty, really. You may enjoy my vid that rolls through NG 1, 2, 3 on NES too... or beating NG1 while running 🏃 at the same time in a wellness series lol. Nice to hear from another passionate NG fan 🤘

[@DanielRivera-on5qh]

@@MarMaxGaming I enjoy the passwords and the lower difficulty in the snes gaiden 3. I got gaiden trilogy with Christmas money and just got gaiden 3 in a trade. Very good but the American version is so hard. Enjoying using gaiden trilogy to help me practice gaiden 3. I think it's important to note that tecmo wasn't a good company during the snes time. Hell tecmo superbowl wasn't even something new or original

[@schnarfschnarf5886]

Complaining about the password issue.. Bro it's 1993 maybe.. We didn't bare about that back then.. I mean you heard milli vinnili right, we were just happy and spaced back then.. Now the world is fucked

[@MarMaxGaming]

Lol it’s such a grounded and based complaint. First of all, you have to reset if you don’t know a password. Secondly, I only mentioned in passing “which should have been a battery save anyway” because NES games even started to save progress, and the Super Nintendo had been using battery saves since Super Mario World or F Zero or Pilot Wings, ALL launch titles from 90/91. But that’s only one minor detail of what made these ports so disappointing. I agree with your merit though of the world being fucked and complaining about way too much about nothing, but as a big Ninja Gaiden NES fan, we can’t pretend that this wasn’t just a pile of shit compared to if they just spent another couple months on it.

[@ElephantMariotheRHDNhater3293]

The soundtrack is certainly not as good as the original. I'd say some tracks are alright, but most of them are miss.

[@avalond1193]

It's hot garbage! Not worth it's price and severely inferior ports avoid at all cost and stick with the nes originals

[@shiftyjedi3417]

Infidelity NES saves us again.

[@MarMaxGaming]

@@shiftyjedi3417 I agree about the NES… but what about infidelity?

[@TBelly]

Tried this trilogy out today and hated it.

[@MarMaxGaming]

Hahah relatable

[@MarioMania05]

I disagree on it, They didn't want to go to the All-Star, But I didn't like how tecmo mapped the B & A to B & A, Should be Y & B

[@MarMaxGaming]

@@MarioMania05 all-star is a great example of effort in the remake, Ninja Gaiden is the opposite. The wrong buttons mapped are just icing on the cake with the horrible sound and disappointing graphics.

[@moviemetalhead]

They play just as good as the originals, but with janky sounding music and Atari 2600 sound effects that blow out your speakers. It's a mixed bag for such an expensive cart. Cool video bro. \,,/

[@MarMaxGaming]

moviemetalhead from my experience, the control is worse because of how they make you hold the controller PLUS it's sometimes unresponsive. It's rare but it happens and I didn't experience that on the NES

[@moviemetalhead]

MarMax Gaming Yeah the controls can throw you off because they didn't change the button layout. It was lazy programming, all around. Ok, the controls weren't as good as the originals, but with tweaks they could've. Demon's Crest is getting up there in price. That's a game to consider for this series if you own it Jef.

[@MarMaxGaming]

moviemetalhead thanks for watching man, hope you enjoyed it! I'll definitely consider that one especially if you'd like to see it :). I don't own it right now but that can change! A couple others we will be sure to tackle on SNES would be Aero Fighters, Hagane, Wild Guns, Mega Man X3, etc basically a bunch of those on the list early in the vid.

[@moviemetalhead]

MarMax Gaming All those titles are definitely good material, especially X3, Aero Fighters and Wild Guns. Looking forward to it man. I suggested Demon's Crest because it's a great title but doesn't get talked about as much and I figured you've played it because I know you dig Ghosts and Goblins/Ghouls and Ghosts.

[@segagenesis1989]

If you are planning to do a review of Wild Guns, you should consider comparing it to the PS4 version which was released earlier this year. Natsume did a spectacular job with the PS4 version.

[@punkydudester3]

I felt the same way, i absolutely hated this trilogy. It's awful and an insult to gamers. If they weren't going to improve anything for God's sake swi did they change the music or anything for that matter. It would be a good collectible if all 3 games were on the cartridge of their original format. I too was hoping for improved graphics and sound and got trash.

[@jelhaj7769]

I liked the music better personally I dont get why its shit on so much.. It's ninja gaiden trilogy. that's it, just the three games on one cart. ported to a console with a different sound and color palette. It's not like the game is called Ninja Gaiden Trilogy Deluxe or anything. It's just the three games that were very popular on one cart that was released in small numbers. I see no confusion in the price or even hype.

[@MarMaxGaming]

I’m glad you like it, over many years you are actually the first person I’ve ever heard say not only do they like the soundtrack.. but somehow prefer it to the original, I can’t even begin to understand that. It’s such blatant disappointment after playing the originals. But that’s a fun thing about this, always different opinions out there

[@zombiemouse]

I just finished all three games and holy cow I couldn't agree more. The remakes are garbage. You didn't even mention the fact that when you hit bosses there's no longer a visual conformation that you actually hit them. I thought I was crazy that my inputs weren't registering so I'm relieved you pointed that out I thought I was going crazy. Also there was several times the cutscene music was simply absent. This game killed my nostalgia. Such a shame.

[@MarMaxGaming]

I’m trying to think about the visual confirmation you’re referring to… I didn’t remember the bosses reacting to your attack in the originals, there’s just the sound of the hit and you look at their life bar to know if you did damage, I think? Isn’t it such a shame that they didn’t do more with this?? I don’t even have this game anymore, it isn’t worth it… still have the originals though!

[@zombiemouse]

@@MarMaxGaming In the NES versions of when you hit a boss they flash colors and you can hear a low "blum" sound. In the remake you have no idea if you're even hitting them. The only reason I knew I was hurting the final boss in NG3 was because I had beaten it before on NES. There's no visual que that you're supposed to attack the glass cockpit first. It's like they didn't even playtest it once.

[@MarMaxGaming]

@@zombiemouse ohhh yes, you are so right! I remember that in NG3! Forgot about that effect, yet another thing they skimped on. Appreciate you pointing that out. Yeah man, it’s the biggest shame of a trilogy dump we’ve ever seen… such a rushed product, it’s downright shameful. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@paulskyekahawaty6133]

A utter disappointment, there's not much difference at all. There's nothing to anticipate. If anyone thinks that I am down right mean, look at the Mario All Star Collection remake, see how far Tecmo could have gone if only they spent more time and tried harder. They even botched the soundtrack in the remake. 🙈🙈🙈🙉🙉🙉

[@MarMaxGaming]

Lol there’s a reason I brought up Mario all stars man, it’s true!

[@323GONZALEZ]

I subscribe :) . I haven't played ninja gaiden trilogy but i heard about it. I love them on nes. The box art on snes does look bad ass 🤣. I just wish they didn't remake them. It's like come on like i don't care for remakes. I love them on nes. I just wish they made a Ninja Gaiden IV on snes with new levels, new bosses maybe new weapons or possibly new game mechanics or new moves or something. But instead they just made the the 3 nes games again 😴 😂.

[@MarMaxGaming]

323GONZALEZ that's exactly right! They really let a fun series die for a moment there.

[@fazares]

early genesis stuff??? nah..more like a nes game with different colour...lol

[@MarMaxGaming]

Haha it really could be either, you absolutely CAN find early genesis or even early snes that look this plain. The point was, it was super disappointing and not nearly as colorful as you’d expect - so, early genesis at best is beyond accurate. Appreciate you watching!

[@fazares]

@@MarMaxGaming nah...i m refering to the sprites and backgrounds that look the same as the nes one minus some effects in some parts...early genesis stuff looks better than nes stuff...just think about altered beast that looks way better than any nes game ever..and this is basically nes gfx with diffferent colour..worst remaster ever..ahah...i appreciate that you appeciate me watching...very cool ng videos on ur part, mate ^^ now u must track the caravan shmup collection for the snes/sfc...a similiar remaster operation kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX3HZ61ofsyFrtU

[@MarMaxGaming]

@@fazares oh sure, yes - it’s definitely not comparable to decent looking genesis games lol! I’m just saying that the game doesn’t look anything like it should being on the snes, it was more of a comment on lack of detail that you would see NOT with altered beast or good looking genesis games, but it looks like a piece you would find out of an unpopular, crappy title. I totally agree that it literally is like a more colorful version of the NES version. I appreciate that! And ok, I’ll have to check that out down there road!

[@FluxKitten]

I wasted my money expecting better.

[@MarMaxGaming]

Aw, it happens, Kaytee! That sucks but hey you can always sell it back if you feel like you won’t be playing it much!

[@justinconn1301]

Not expensive. without case and booklet they sale for 13 bucks . Last one sold on eBay sold for 13 in 2019. There's even some listed right now under 15. Just bc someone asks a price doesn't mean it's worth that or gonna get it

[@MarMaxGaming]

Justin Conn that was a replica, guaranteed. Not an original copy. I’d look at those completed listings again...

[@datamanmachine]

Lol! These are repros,dumbass! Like many other high price SNES games!

[@AllFlashNoDash]

I'm a HUGE Ninja Gaiden fan! I actually paid $175 for this. Wasn't worth it. I was able to sell it for $140. NES carts are better. Way better!