Okay, without re-igniting an ancient war, fought between my generation over two decades ago, I'm hoping that I can turn to my fellow gamers and retro-lovers for assistance in what turned out to be a very difficult decision. Now, I'd love to own both of the Everdrive boards, but unfortunately I can't afford that instance. So, I must make a decision. Chances are I will eventually acquire both, but for now I must choose only one. So, let us lay out some info first: Like I stated above; this is sure to be a difficult subject to keep civil, due to the nature of what it deals with. But I hope, like myself, you all have grown out of the "fan-boy" attitudes that once were the catalyst for many a passionate schoolyard fight. And also, like myself, I hope that all those that wish to post here have the same appreciation for both brands, and no longer see them as rivals. Although in my dilemma, they kind of are. Now, I love both my SNES and my MegaDrive, and I love playing both of them. The only problem is that the availability of legitimate and affordable games is a massive obstacle in my continued enjoyment of the machines. I can't honestly choose a favorite, as I see them both as equal, and both have different and unique qualities and attractions. Which is why I am proud to own both machines. Yes, I have to also admit that both have their just as unique flaws. Now for what I would like to see here; I'd like for those who are in the know, to comment and elaborate on what makes each machine great. Specifically, the games. And like all console competitors there are games that were released for both, but the differences in the hardware made them completely different experiences, even if the core games were supposed to be the same. So, a little about what I like: I like to play RPGs. Not specifically your standard "turn-based", but anything with a good story. But I will play almost anything. I'm not a big fighting game fan, and don't often go out my way to play them. I also am probably the only living person who doesn't like Street Fighter or Mortal Combat. I know, I'm the only one. Please don't flame me for it, I just don't like the complexity of them, and find them somewhat too challenging for me to find them fun. But I do know people who do like them, and respect their choice. The only genre of game I don't like is Sports. Any sports. I can't stand football/soccer as a sport, and as such find video-games based on it redundant. Again, I'm sure there are people who disagree with me, and I accept that. It's just a personal choice. Just as some people hate RPGs and think the entire genre is a waste of time. I have both a SNES and a MegaDrive (Mk.1), but I only have one game; Sonic the Hedgehog, and one controller for my Megadrive, whereas I have two controlers and a handful of games fror my SNES, including Starwing (Star Fox) and Super Mario World. So I already have games to play on my SNES, but only have the one for my MegaDrive, but on the other hand, I only have the one controller for my MegaDrive, and two for my SNES, so when it comes to multi-player I'm lacking in the hardware on my MegaDrive. Not that I play with others that often, but I do have a friend who I do enjoy playing with on my old consoles whenever possible. The final thing to take into account before commenting here is "compatibility" of the Everdrive boards. I do like playing on my SNES, and I know there are a lot of good games I've never played, and because of the prices people ask for them, probably never will. But I also know the current limitations of the device mean there are even some games I won't get to play via this method either. Whereas the MegaDrive version has an extremely high compatibility rate, with only a very select few of games that it won't run. Those being the games that required special chips in the cart. So, compatibility is a factor in my sedition. Also, I know the board itself is universal and has no region, but what about the games? Could I play NTSC-U/J ROMs on my PAL consoles, or would I need to modify them first? I know I could "emulate" anything on both machines. And, in the past, I have. But I will always maintain the notion that no matter how powerful the hardware you use, or how accurate the emulator is to the original hardware, you can't "emulate" the experience of playing a game the way you're supposed to. And I know that this method isn't exactly that "supposed" way, but it's as close as possible without selling an internal organ to afford it. Not only that but the Everdrive can compress an entire collection of games into one cart, meaning when I do go over to my friends for one of our retro nights, I can just take the console and the Everdrive. I'm not going to stop trying to collect physical cartridges for either console, and if the opportunity arise, I will jump on any bargains I find for either. But with the Everdrive devices I can also prevent those "why did I pay for this?" moments, by being able to play most games before I buy them. Not to mention I might end up using the Everdrive to play a game I wouldn't usually go for and end up finding out it's something I like and drive me to keep my eyes open for a cartridge of it. So, let battle commence! And try to remember, we're all here for the appreciation of retro gaming. I'm not here to start a war. A war that was finished and over, over several decades ago. Remember, Nintendo and Sega are no longer fighting for your custom, there's no point in flaming anyone here because they prefer one console or the other. And on the same note, I don't care which hardware is better, I own both and like both. So, please, I ask this nicely; keep this thread civil. If you want to go on a flaming spree, go elsewhere. You will not gain any respect for it here. So I ask you all: Please, help me decide which Everdrive I should get. Postscript: If you read all that, thank you, and you deserve a medal. I tend to ramble on a bit. But then again, it shows I care about this subject, and in reading it's entirety, so do you.
SNES Everdrive, then, case closed. There's really no question as to which is the better console for RPGs.
Thanks for the input, I was thinking that way myself. But what about Phantasy Star? I consider them as good RPGs as well. And its not entirely RPGs I play, I do like other games. Even some arcade or action titles, I just prefer to have a decent story if I'm playing on my own. And also as far as I know Super Mario RPG and Star Ocean, two of the best RPGs on the SNES are unplayable without a special combination cart and a game cart containing the special chips needed so the Everdrive can access them. It's because of the compatibility issued that I can't decide, or I'd have bought a SNES Everdrive last month. Also I've been trying to find out some info on weather the new generation of Everdrive have the DSP1 chip on them. Because I read somewhere that it was a possibility. And this would narrow the incompatibility substantial. Again thanks for the input, I'll take it into account when deciding.
I'll throw in my 2 cents. It seems you prefer the SNES already, as otherwise you'd have purchased more genesis games by now. Also, as you enjoy RPGs, the SNES is likely your best choice as well. Phantasy Star is a good series, however, I wouldn't buy an everdrive just to buy a single series. If I were you, i'd go with the Super EverDrive.
Phantasy Star and Shining Force are the two big RPG series that come to mind on the Megadrive, and Shining Force pushes that definition anyway as it's so strat-focussed. The list of good RPGs on the SNES is huge. There is a Star Ocean ROM out there that has been hacked so that the custom chip (which only functions to unpack compressed textures) isn't needed. Super Mario RPG, well... buy the game Not yet, to my knowledge. Really this is all up to you, though, I'm not sure anyone here can give you a definitive answer. Go with whichever you want the most; either way you'll have fun.
It really depends on your gaming preferences. If you're big on RPG's, yeah SNES. Otherwise, the Genesis/MD cart is superior in terms of what you can do with it. It plays nearly every game every created for Genesis, 32X (if you have one) and Sega Master System. SNES obviously has a few that won't play.
Your opinion is welcomed here, after all that is what I'm interested in. As or me only owning one game or my MegaDrive, it isn't due to me liking my SNES more, it's just that I haven't played many games on the MegaDrive, so I don't know what's good for the console. Plus, my SNES was donated to me with all the games I own for it. I purposely wt out and bought my MegaDrive, because I have never owned one before. It's the only Sega console I can honestly say I've only ever played Sonic on. I have played other games via emulation, but never for any long periods of time. The way I'm looking at it is that, although there's a possibility I'd get more use out of the SNES EverDrive, because there are a lot of great games (not just RPG) I already know I like and would love to play again, if I went with the MegaDrive Everdrive, there's an entire library to experience that would be new to me. There's only two problems with that sentence. 1: Have you seen the asking price for that single game? 2: It never had a PAL release, and my console is un-modded nor do I own an import cart linker. So, far it looks as if all the advice is saying "SNES". I don't have a problem with that at all, in fact it was my first choice to begin with. It was only the compatibility with some ROMs that made me pause for thought, and also the prospect of all those MegaDrive games I would be able to experience. I do like my MegaDrive, I paid a lot of money for it. I just wish I knew which games to get for it. Thanks for the input people, it's been enlightening. I'll be making my decision in a few days. And until then I'll keep checking here now and again, so keep your input coming.
I had the same doubts, you know what I did: I cleaned my Sega CDX, I took my Super Famicom's closet and bought both flash carts ...
If you like RPGs SNES is the obvious choice but that's not to say there aren't RPGs on Megadrive to experience. SNES and game compatibility. There is a pretty short list of titles you won't be able to play. There are some notable titles in there but the only represent something like 1% to 5% of the entire SNES game library. You would have a ton of great games to play on either system but SNES was known for its library of RPG games more so than Megadrive. Since that is all you really mentioned I can't recommend otherwise. There are a few interesting RPGs on Megadrive that I know of but one of my favorites Warsong aka Langrisser, a version of it appears on SNES called Der Langrisser and is translated very well. The other game that comes to mind is Landstalker. Though I'm sure there are others. Since you said you'll get both eventually, I'd recommend the SNES for now anyway since you know you should get your value from that since it has a large number of RPGs like Der Langrisser, Final Fantasy 4,5,6, Secret of Mana, Seiken Densetsu 3, Secret of Evermore, Tales of Phantasia, Illusion of Gaia, Soul Blazer, etc.
I did only mention RPGs as a genre. But I also noted I'd play other genres. Not to mention I did say I like playing games with my friend. I think I'll be getting a SNES Everdrive, but for a multitude of reasons, not just the RPG selection. Thanks to those that gave their input.
I would in your precision go for 1 of them one month and when you get your next benefits or earnings whichever you get but the other the following month. Honestly I'd say go for the SEGA one first as that is already upgraded as much as it can. Then go for Nintendo when it's DSP1 is added.
