Xeno Crisis - Neo Geo Generation | Basement Brothers -Better than the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive?

[@fullset152]

Re: A sound driver with FM support. After various other attempts, we’ve been working closely with the Deflemask team and Gbacretin to finally get that gap filled. So there’s now native NeoGeo support in Deflemask, which also uses’s Gbacretins (open sourced!) driver for ROM exporting. All this will power an amazing, true FM soundtrack by Freezedream in our game. There are still some last bits too be fixed and tweaked, but than everybody should be able to benefit from this going forward!

[@BasementBrothers]

This is great news! Thank you for your efforts on this. Can't wait to hear the results!

[@AngusBeer]

I picked up the Dreamcast version which has been a blast! These dude's are so cool for letting you purchase not only physical but the ROM versions too. I think NG Dev should take notes!

[@Larry]

I'm quite surprised they didn't offer a twin stick mode for single player either. but great game, balls hard tho.

[@princedizzy3506]

Guru!

[@matrioshkabrainn]

Agreed

[@StitchJones]

Love seeing Neo-Geo games are still coming out. Thank you for making this video.

[@risaando6049]

I've been lurking on this channel and watching neo geo / pc 88-98 paradise for the past week. I really enjoy this channel and love learning new things about these classic games! I had to leave a comment because I compose chiptunes and I am just completely blown away by how GREAT the megadrive soundtrack for Xenocrisis is. Those drum samples sound so punchy and formidable - I'm inspired to up my game!

[@Charlie-Cat.]

Excellent video on Xeno Crisis Alec. The video was perfect the moment it started and really enjoyed the comparisons on the Genesis and the Neo Geo versions from you bro. I personally decided not to send my CE and RE AES versions back because it doesn't bother me none. I don't hold any hard feelings at all with the issues since this was a huge undertaking to do for the Neo-Geo by Mike and his team at Bitmap Bureau. We all learn from our experiences and with their upcoming Neo-Geo title " Final Vendetta", I'm sure they'll be better off. Always a pleasure to see your works bro. I stopped by AtariAge and went by your thread to like your video on there to show support. Well done as always my good man. 8^) Anthony..

[@elgatofelix8917]

Wow truly an excellent review in every aspect. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite gaming channels. Keep up the great work! 👍👍

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Great review! I wish they were offering a ROM of the AES/MVS version but it seems that for now it's just for the Genesis. I'll probably end up ordering the boxed Genesis version since the changes just aren't substantial enough for me to justify the extra expense of the Neo Geo versions. I bet Final Vendetta is either a fighting game or beat em up. If it's a best em up I'll probably end up pre-ordering it. Again, a really nice, fair and balanced review. Thanks Alec!

[@BasementBrothers]

Hey thanks! Per Bitmap Bureau, the Neo Geo rom is going to be offered for sale 3-4 weeks after the physical release. So any day now!

[@patrikfernstrom7607]

I knew you guys were gonna deliver a video on this, perfect coverage as always.

[@AdrianDotCool]

First :P Love your videos! Thanks for all you do. Really pleased to see you take a look at this game - I got the MVS version and I've been very happy with it (sound issues aside).

[@inceptional]

Well, with the SNES version out now, I think we can say it has a near perfect button layout for a game like this on a retro console, with the diamond-shaped face buttons being ideal for the dual 8-way shooting, the d-pad obviously perfect for the 8-way movement, and the two shoulder buttons are great for rolling and throwing grenades without ever having to take your thumbs off the move and shoot controls. It feels like it was made for this kind of control. :)

[@Fattydeposit]

One note about the music, there are actually two versions of the music. The original Savaged Regime Mega Drive VGM, and the studio-enhanced remastered version as originally released as a CD audio OST and also used on the Dreamcast version. I suspect that the Neo Geo versions of this game use the remastered / Dreamcast / CD OST version of the soundtrack as a base rather than a recording of the MD original, because it's obviously considered by the team to be the definitive one (if technically less 'authentic' than a genuine YM2612/PSG rip).

[@BasementBrothers]

Thanks for the clarification. That was what I was kind of already assuming. The recording sounds more or less like a Mega Drive, but the balance and clarity seem a bit different.

[@GadgetUK164]

Great video =D Well balanced and well put together! I bought the PS4 version last night lol. That was after playing the XBOX One version on Game Pass trial. I think scaling is used when those "crab" enemies drop from the roof btw! There a few places I think I spotted scaling in use. Regards why they went ADPCM for the sound track, I think the reasoning was to free up sound RAM on the Neo CD for use with the samples etc. If the sound track had been squeezed into RAM on the Neo CD some more sacrifices would have to be made on samples (I suspect). I guess it also made it easier to have the CD version make use of CD audio for that purpose in general. It's a shame the voice overs weren't on the cutscenes of the Neo CD version but I like that there are those differences between the CD and cart versions. When I play the CD version I get clearer louder music, but lack the cut scene samples (same as the PS4 and XB1 in that respect).

[@cosettapessa6417]

So on ps4 no voices?

[@IngramOfMichigan]

I appreciate you so much for mentioning Skyharbor. I've been looking for a guitar cover of that track, totally unaware that the track was a cover itself! It's everything I want it to be. Utterly perfect choice for this fantastic game.

[@atomicskull6405]

The YM2610 used in the Neo Geo is basically the Megadrive sound hardware with two less FM channels and 7 ADPCM channels added. Six with fixed 18.5khz 12 bit ADPCM and one ADPCM channel with variable playback rate from 18.5khz to 55.5khz. It's part of the same OPN sound chip family as the Megadrive's YM2612.

[@BasementBrothers]

Yeah, a tracker for Neo Geo was released just after the game finally came out. It's interesting to think what could have been. The total meg count for this game could have been much lower.

[@ceticobr]

Awesome video as I came to expect from you. Keep it up.

[@Pagaugezero]

Another Outstanding video. I received the NGCD version and deciding on the AES or MVS versions

[@cosettapessa6417]

What’s the difference? One is for the home console?

[@douglasmclainberdeaux1534]

Just shipped mine out to a place in OH. Bitmap paid for shipping. Thanks for sharing this video!

[@BasementBrothers]

Thanks for the update. I need to do this.

[@douglasmclainberdeaux1534]

@@BasementBrothers No problem! Update: The Mobius Strip Technologies company that did the repair literally sent it back to me via USPS the next day after receiving it and it's already in my city! That was SUPER fast and I cannot wait to play this on my MVSX Pro!! :D

[@douglasmclainberdeaux1534]

@@BasementBrothers so, there's some caveats; mono sound still in Console Mode, mono sound still in UniBIOS Jukebox, and you still need to set SoftDip settings in the MV1C that they add with the "fixed" firmware. Go to Soft Dip Settings->Demo Sound and set it to either "On (MV1C)" or "Off (MV1C)". Unfortunately, my stupid CBOX lacks a battery, so I had to do it each time I started the game. Just ordered a coin cell holder and some rechargeable cr2032s from Amazon as I tested a non rechargeable one using soldered wires and black tape and it worked for saving my Arcade settings/UniBIOS settings.

[@douglasmclainberdeaux1534]

@@BasementBrothers Oh, one more thing to add, you can change a lot in the hardware softdips for this game. Like easy/hard, etc. I just 0layed the game for an hour and I absolutely love it. Again, thanks so much for this video! 👍

[@BasementBrothers]

Good info. This is what I was curious about but I couldn't get answers. Now I'm not sure how much even want to do it. So the "mono sound" you mention, you mean just from the left channel on the MV-1C, right? And the soft dip setting for the MV1C only functions when played in MVS mode? It has no effect in AES mode? (For some official Neo Geo games, the soft dips have an effect in AES mode.)

[@sumez4369]

Great in-depth review that really covers almost everything I'd say about this game. I wouldn't say the special weapons are as rare as this review suggests though. You get one in probably most of the rooms in the game. I also don't understand missing "variety" to the enemies. IMO, one of the biggest strengths of the game is how distinct each stage feels due to the extremely different nature of the enemies you fight. You also missed out on the new added enemy type on the final stage which as far as I can tell is unique to the Neo Geo versions. :) It's even in the video. The 3-button control scheme honestly works really well with an arcade control panel layout, and I've 1CC'ed hard mode using it, so it's definitely sufficient. But I agree twin stick mode should have been possible by using the 2P joystick or similar.

[@BasementBrothers]

The lack of variety criticism isn't really even mine. It's a criticism that fans seems to often level at the game. Which one is the new enemy?

[@sumez4369]

@@BasementBrothers I'm really surprised anyone would say that about this game of all things. Maybe they didn't play it very far. :P The new enemy is a green shield guy tossing grenades on the final stage. At least he was not in the MegaDrive version!

[@visionop8]

Thanks for the review! This game looks great. I think Im gonna go with the Sega Genesis version.

[@bananonymouslastname5693]

I bought this on AES, Genesis, and Dreamcast, and while the Genesis game impressed me most, the Dreamcast plays the best. The Neo Geo version ledt me underwhelmed. If it had come out first, I'd say it was awesome, and that it was incredible that it ported down so well to the Genesis. Having had so long with the Genesis version first, the Neo version just doesn't feel like much of an upgrade.

[@jamescaulfield6632]

the female Sarah Ridley that's great Ridley from Aliens and Sarah from Terminatorthat's just good stuff

[@hckneoboom9548]

NeoGeo CD is the way to go! I purchased the CD and loving it.

[@Blas4ublasphemy]

Evercade IMO

[@MisterMorcus]

Games like this really need to be able to customize controls. I got the Genesis version and I guess I should consider myself lucky to have 4 way fire on the buttons even though I had wanted to customize my own layout. I would have been really upset if I got the neogeo version.

[@bjornh1527]

Very informative video! I think your point about the pad controller makes sense, personally I’m thinking about getting the Evercade version.

[@Gecko1993HogheadIncOfficial]

I actually got it on AES. It’s worth the money, AND 2 YEAR wait I had to endure for it for the time being...

[@TitchgamerRG]

Great job as always :)

[@BrunoidGames]

Savaged Regime is a legend! Another FM Master is Edmo Caldas, the guy behind Final Fight MD port.

[@mekman4]

Great Stuff, as always!

[@AliAbdullah-oi3wc]

How different is the assembly between genesis and neogeo?

[@BasementBrothers]

Apparently a lot was reused, but the Dreamcast and Neo Geo share a code base.

[@XBladenoJutsu]

It's worth noting for the music, that the Genesis version will actually sound different. The process for making Genesis chiptunes at the time was by using Deflemask tracker, and converting what you made from there with a driver called .XGM, which is merely a tool to convert .VGM dumps to something the Genesis soundchip can play directly, albeit an extremely rough/bloated conversion, as .VGM is far from an optimal format to build a sound driver around. All other versions, including the NEO GEO recordings were taken directly from the source, pre-conversion, so the rough tempo and slightly different sounds here and there in the Genesis version won't be present in all the other versions.

[@nexusofice9135]

Final vendetta definitely inspires thoughts of Final Fight. So my assumption is it's going to be a beat-em-up.

[@BasementBrothers]

The game was already revealed some time ago, we we know it's a beat'em up. numskullgames.com/game/final-vendetta/

[@popixel]

Waiting on my CD version to be shipped to me. Though, I've already played it on the Evercade. It's a really good game, hard as nails, but a fun game.

[@popixel]

Ha! I finally got my shipping notification.

[@J.Crooner]

👍😎👌Cool, Hey bud how long had your pre-order been in for upon receiving your shipment notification?

[@popixel]

@@J.Crooner I’ve had mine for over a year. But from the people that I know this most recent shipment there was a guy who ordered his on 18 September during the first round of pre-orders. And my brother who ordered his within the first week of pre-orders.

[@J.Crooner]

@@popixel Oh ok cool I just ordered the AES copy twelve days ago. Hopefully it won't take that long.👍😎👌

[@popixel]

@@J.Crooner oh I’m sorry... I thought I was on a different video. No I ordered mine a couple weeks back.

[@NightpireVideos]

It has a really cool style

[@Daniel-it1dp]

A couple of times you mention “if you play in MVS mode”….does that mean the AES and MVS versions have a selection for the MVS or AES mode? I was looking to get the AES version but might get the MVS version depending

[@Reaperman4711]

It shouldn't be that tough to 'user-upgrade' the NGCD soundtrack, I wouldn't think. It looks like the CD on their site is also chiptune recordings, but at least stage 2 has another option.

[@BasementBrothers]

Yeah, and stage 1 as well. I understand why they didn't go with a partially arranged soundtrack for the official release though. www.zeldix.net/t2246-xeno-crisis-md

[@WestSide1207]

Having played both the Mega Drive and Xbox One version (via game pass) I honestly think the game plays best on the Xbox simply because of the control scheme. It's so effortless using the twin stick layout along with the triggers for rolling and grenades. It made for a much more cohesive experience. Although I will say there was definitely a charm to playing a new game on my old Sega Mega Drive. I'll pass on the Neo Geo version. While it's cool they made the port, I simply can't justify paying that much for this game, along with the control issues you mentioned. Hoping we'll see more new games released on the Neo with a good degree of polish, but please, no price gouging!

[@SameNameDifferentGame]

This one was a little tempting, but it's hard to pay like $350 when the Genesis original is so much cheaper.

[@Blas4ublasphemy]

$20 on Evercade...

[@user-dp1yw1es6z]

Interesante vídeo 👍🏻

[@aibada6594]

Dream cast?

[@S0METHING1986]

Looks interesting…

[@godeater360]

do you have plans for the first dragon slayer game?

[@BasementBrothers]

You mean Dragonslayer from 1984? I've never actually sat down and really learned how to play it to be honest, but it could be fun to try someday. -Mr. Jakes

[@breno855]

It doesn't look like any mega drive game I know, it looks like a Nintendo DS game totally

[@SpaceKlown]

The genesis is awesome.

[@carloswashere7787]

So, are we able to download the ROM?

[@BasementBrothers]

Yes you can! shop.bitmapbureau.com/collections/neo-geo/products/xeno-crisis-neo-geo-aes-mvs-rom-download

[@carloswashere7787]

@@BasementBrothers I will be in top of this when I get the chance? Thanks bro!!!

[@SantaAzulCTZN]

Sucks that they couldn't follow Shock Troopers' example of top-down shooter controls.

[@matrioshkabrainn]

Annoying that the definitive version has the crappiest controls. Should have made Dreamcast the definitive version

[@Natureza09-c2s]

I want more proto videos.

[@BasementBrothers]

Soon.

[@quesocoatl21]

Is anyone working to port Doom to the Neo Geo?

[@Blas4ublasphemy]

MVC2 port to Neo Geo would be so cool!

[@adariepennant3389]

Microsoft + Nintendo + Google + SNK Playmore + Sony + Nvidia + sega + ubisoft + valve + Bandai namco = should just joint forces teamup and make a super ultimate gaming console together. It would be better for gaming also make sense. 🤝🤝

[@bluedistortions]

When companies work together, that's called a monopoly. Then they can agree to screw the customer over and the customer has no other options. It's never a good thing.

[@rottenandremixedrecords]

I have the switch version

[@gregledbetter5942]

Wow

[@truebruh2825]

Kind of reminds me of Smash TV

[@anthonyiodice]

The inflation bs is just that, bs

[@slimanemezdad4590]

I love your videos but i not fan for games neo geo 2021 i love old games in 1990 to 2004.

[@BasementBrothers]

Fair enough. I want to continue going through the NGH number catalog in the main series, but also cover the occasional large scale new indie release for Neo Geo. The big ones like the NGDev releases and this one are few and far between.

[@damin9913]

Sega Genesis version is better!

[@acem7749]

Seams like the snes port is better :(

[@Saitamacz34]

Generally positive reviews.... that's unfortunately not true. Players reviews (not magasin's) are pretty weak and this due to an absurd difficulty even on Easy, and completely unfair finish if you use a continue. It's more like the devs made a game for themselves and the very try hards out there. It sold because the Smash tv type with the theme is really attractive, but then the retention of this game must be pretty close to zero. If they integrated a sort of progression tracking they would see that very very few are actually playing their game, because of frustration, and that's a shame, cause it could have become a huge hit with +85 players reviews if they gave us a chance to see what they created.

[@guyyoung4388]

I gotta be honest you turned me off for the neo geo version

[@BasementBrothers]

Yeah, I kind of encouraged people to just stick with the Genesis/Mega Drive original. The Neo Geo version seems like it's only for certain people who really need it.

[@siphu]

the neogeo version is by far the worst version because of the butchered controls.

[@MagmaMKII]

I wonder what is even the point of releasing a game for a old console where nobody will be able to play it.

[@BasementBrothers]

This is not for you then. To answer you question, I think it's because there are programmers out there who still love and respect these old consoles, and want their games to have the specific flavor of running on a genuine Motorola 68K, or what have you, on a real console. There are obviously fans who feel the same way, as there is a handful of people out there willing to pay a lot for physical releases for their old consoles. If that's not important to you, then by all means, the modern console releases are an option, as you pointed out in your other comment.

[@tita4359]

@@BasementBrothersnah he’s right. Instead of releasing this on every console known to man (why the fuck does it have a GameCube version?), they should’ve taken the surplus budget from the kickstarter and invested more money into the actual game. Releasing it on so many consoles were their greedy way of trying to extend their profit as much as possible

[@jeremym9011]

I'm not really a fan of indie games- especially games that are on dead systems. I feel that SNK should just issue a cease and desist to all developers who make games for the NEO-GEO. At least THEIR games were better since they were made by the Japanese. And I do not care if any of you think I am a hard-ass weeb- I rather be one than an open minded fool who likes ALL games regardless who makes them.

[@arioca]

Most indie games I played on older consoles or current generation are awful. They're trying to mimic retro games but fall flat in terms of graphics, music, level design, gameplay, and fun. I played Blazing Chrome that many KZbin channels praised stating it's just as good as the best Contra games and I question if they even played the game for more than 10 minutes. The same applies to Xeno Crisis; I played it on my Genesis and was utterly disappointed. All I kept thinking is why am I playing this if it doesn't bring anything new or it's not even fun? Every time I played Blazing Chrome it made me crave for the much superior Contra: Hard Corps and when I played Xeno Chronicles I just wanted to switch to Smash TV. That's pretty much the bottom line for most indie games: a bunch of wannabes without personality. There have been some exceptions though like GunLord, Shovel Knight, Maldita Castilla EX: Cursed Castile and Blasphemous, but those are few and far between.

[@BasementBrothers]

I do feel that the lack of Western-developed titles did contribute to the overall good quality/crap ratio during the Neo's original 1990-2004 run. However, that has little relevance to the fan-made/indie titles of today, many of which are homages to Japan-developed games. -Neo-Alec

[@arioca]

@Keith Courage RX-78-2 I beat the game with all characters on hardcore. The game is mediocre at best for a run and gun 😂

[@arioca]

@Keith Courage RX-78-2 Not me. Cyber-Lip was one of the first games for the Neo Geo and was cutting edge when it came out in the early 90s and still manages to have better graphics, level design, and definitely more fun if you know how to play it. It also paved the way for other great run & guns like Metal Slug.

[@Choops6969]

this is obv bait.