Idea for compilations - games unique to a platform

[BobHarris]

I always loved Double dragon 2 on the nes..never really could get into the arcade version. The nes port had so many moves, we never got bored with it.
Also b mode was so much fun (the mode where you could hit your buddy), I don't know if that mode also exists in the arcade release.

[Apekop123]

@victimrlsh said in Idea for compilations - games unique to a platform:

Definitely would not be easy. While Arcade games would be considered an original source, the arcade versions are not necessarily the best either. I much prefer the NES versions of Bubble Bobble, Bionic Commando, and Rolling Thunder over their arcade counterparts.
Now THAT might be an interesting list, Arcade games that were outclassed by their ports...

That would be very subjective. I for one started playing Bubble Bobble in the arcades and therefore think that version is the best. I guess it often comes down to which version you played first or the most.

[mediamogul]

@bobharris said in Idea for compilations - games unique to a platform:

I always loved Double dragon 2 on the nes..never really could get into the arcade version.

I definitely agree. I love the concept of 'Double Dragon', as it perfectly embodies the popular martial arts films of the 1980s. However, most of the games themselves are hampered by problems that hurt the actual gaming experience. A poor choice of hardware for the arcade originals led to slowdowns. The lack of two player coop and general bugginess hurt the original NES port. 'Battletoads/Double Dragon' is good, but it's really more of a 'toads game and it loses that signature 'Double Dragon' feeling. In my opinion, out myriad of Dragon games that were released at the time, 'Double Dragon II' for the NES is the only one that both captures the right feeling and delivers a solid gaming experience. As a close second, I have to say that the Sega Master System port of 'Double Dragon' is pretty good too. It's far less buggy than its NES counterpart and retains the two player coop. The only real drawback is the overemphasis on platforming that was thankfully reduced in 'Double Dragon II'.

[Sano]

Back to the topic :)
Wikipedia has pages for console exclusive games, that could be a good start.
Just search for "console-only games"
For example :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Nintendo_Entertainment_System-only_games
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Super_Nintendo_Entertainment_System-only_games
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Master_System-only_games
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Sega_Genesis-only_games
Edit : just thinking that games published through virtual console, game compilations or remake on other consoles won't appear here...
Quite difficult question indeed :)

New edit : I was sure that this existed somewhere :)
You may use advanced search on retrocollect database and choose "exclusive to platform" option.
Be sure to select "games" mode to display results (by default it's on "releases").

[mediamogul]

@sano said in Idea for compilations - games unique to a platform:

Quite difficult question indeed :)

A task made even more difficult when you consider other factors like unreleased, but existing prototypes and ports that were released under different names and/or themes. A good example of the latter is Kemco's 'Crazy Castle' series that often released ports of the same game, changing only the name and main player sprite. As such, 'Mickey Mouse V: Mahō no Stick' was released as 'The Real Ghostbusters' in the US and 'Garfield Labyrinth' in the UK.

Edit: Seeing as how the 'Crazy Castle' games were generally released on the same platform, I suppose they would still count as being unique. A better example would be something like 'The Last Starfighter' for NES, that was actually a port of 'Uridium' for the Commodore 64.

[thelostsoul]

One good example where the console port shines over the arcade version might be Atomic Runner (also known as Chelnov) ported and reworked for the Mega Drive. 4 years later, the port got new levels, music and upgraded graphics makes it more like a rework than a port. I know the Arcade version since years (through emulation) and didn't know a Mega Drive version exist for the most time. It's a fantastic "port".

[mediamogul]

@thelostsoul said in Idea for compilations - games unique to a platform:

Atomic Runner (also known as Chelnov)

A retro infinite runner game... very nice! I've never played that before. Can't wait to try it out.

[thelostsoul]

@mediamogul The controls are a little bit strange and for shooting backwards, you have to change your direction with a button. This game play different than most I played before. I am not sure if the Mega Drive version is working the same way, as I learned about it recently while searching for hidden gems. Need to try that version out.

[VictimRLSH]

@sano Thanks for digging that up, it is a really good resource. Exactly what I was looking for, at least for those platforms.

[Sano]

@victimrlsh Are there some plateforms missing on retrocollect besides arcade ?
The list seemed pretty exhaustive to me.