Golden Axe - Streets of Rage - Shinobi

[megabomberman]

3 of the greatest series of all times, these games came out in a compilation called mega games 2 and helped launch the sega ahead of its main rival the snes, the 3 titles enjoyed fantastic trilogies, but which one do ye think is the best??

[GEN ESIS GAMER]

It's streets of rage.

[Zebbe]

Agreed. Revenge of Shinobi is better than Streets of Rage 1 and 3 though. The Shinobi series had more games than three if you count those for other consoles.

[Joe Redifer]

That's hard for me. I guess I'll say Shinobi since it has Shadow Dancer. Golden Axe is good, but it's slow and boring. Can't play too often. Streets of Rage is good, but it has part 3 which destroys my eyeballs and ears with it's crappy graphics and music.

[Rusty Venture]

I like "Golden Axe" (even have a Tyris Flare figure) but this is ultimately going to be a decision between Shinobi and SOR. GA just doesn't have as smooth control as I'd like it to.

I'm going to say that the SOR series wins because I actually enjoy all three games from the series as to where I'm not terribly fond of "Shadow Dancer".

[megabomberman]

Sorry about the loose use of the term trilogy but I am strictly talking genesis/megadrive here

[GelmiR]

Golden Axe, because of Golden Axe II.

[Demonic Weasel]

Streets of Rage. I really loved all three series though. Golden Axe, unfortunately, doesn't have a chance. No matter how it's viewed at least one of the games will have gone seriously down-hill from the others.

[David J.]

Shinobi.

I used to love SOR a lot... but the Shinobi games have much more action and are more rewarding.

[108 Stars]

Shinobi. I like SoR too, but the Shinobi games are just better.
And Golden Axe is a piece of crap compared to either SoR or Shinobi. It just plays so damn stiff and looks so ugly.

[Mr Smith]

Golden Axe is a piece of crap compared to either SoR or Shinobi. It just plays so damn stiff and looks so ugly.

Very true. Golden Axe had aged very, very, very badly and now seems like a bad parody of the awesome game I remember playing as a child.

Streets of Rage wins this one of me. I have many happy childhood memories of the original and Streets of Rage 3 is one of the greatest games made on the Mega Drive.

[GelmiR]

Lol what about streets of rage 1, talk about stiff and looks like utter crap.
I tried it twice but can't stand it.

[108 Stars]

I think SoR 1 still plays better than any of the MD-Golden Axes.

[megabomberman]

Hmm I think some people are being hard on golden axe, it still has that beautiful fun gameplay that I remember when I was young, also the fact that you can finish the first 2 games in around 25 minutes makes them real pick up and play games, really fun and easy...

[jumbo11]

GA compared to SR is average at best.

And I prefer beat'em ups to a Shinobi type of game.

So Streets of Rage.

[Demonic Weasel]

Golden Axe isn't stiff. I'll grant you the ugliness, but the gameplay ain't stiff. You can pull off just about anything very smoothly. There are sections which are irritatingly cheap, but the gameplay isn't stiff.

And as for SOR; the gameplay of the first one was stiff. But it's still my favorite game in the series because of the brilliant atmosphere.

[108 Stars]

Maybe I should have used the word slow instead...tiresome. I just want to move a bit faster, it´s so damn undynamic. It´s really a game (-series) not worth of being on Mega Drive.

[megabomberman]

Now Now Now! Hold on a minute
The graphics retain charm, the music was quite nice and the combat system is really fun, I think this is a classic in nearly the same league as the other too..

[Zebbe]

It sure is classic - in the same way as Altered Beast. :)

[Mr Smith]

I believe this thread hammers out all the bad points of Golden Axe:

http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1626&highlight=Golden+Axe

[Alianger]

I chose Shinobi. I just don't think too highly of most beat 'em ups anymore, though I have fond memories of both the GA and SoR series. They're really repetitive, simple and not much fun unless you play them with someone else.

[Demonic Weasel]

It sure is classic - in the same way as Altered Beast. :)
Eh. I'm not going to get into a big argument about it. Golden Axe is amazingly better than Altered Beast and still stands up as being reasonably fun today. If people don't like it, then I hazard that that's just because Death Adder is something of a difficult last boss.

[megabomberman]

I have to say people are totally over reacting if they're comparing it to altered beast that thing is a pure relic!

Also the cheap hits aren't as bad as people are saying, fair enough its pi**ing off if someone is trying to complete the game without losing any health but come on its not like they're that bad.

[Zebbe]

I think Altered Beast and Golden Axe are both good and have a nice unique charm, but they still have flaws and could have been done better on the Mega Drive.

[Man-Fish]

I do enjoy playing Golden Axe with a friend and laughing at how bad it all is.

That's bad in a so-good-it's-bad way, of course. ;)

They are still fun to play though.


But I think I'll have to go with Streets of Rage, because when I was younger I would always argue with my dad about the powerups and "accidentally" hitting each other's characters. :)

Ahh, nice memories. :love:

[Rusty Venture]

I think Altered Beast and Golden Axe are both good and have a nice unique charm, but they still have flaws and could have been done better on the Mega Drive.

"Golden Axe" I can play and enjoy a sense of accomplishment when I smack down the various baddies.

"Altered Beast" feels hollow and is really nothing more than Uncle Fester waiting until you become a man-beast to fight you. Voice samples are hilarious though.

But you are correct that both games could have been done better on the Genesis.

[108 Stars]

Altered Beast may be even worse than GA; but nevertheless GA has aged extremely bad and is not worth bothering with. I saw the reactions of people playing the Genesis Collection on PS2; they thought I was an idiot to prefer a console with such crap called a classic from the SNES. Thankfully, Shinobi III and Vectorman showed them that not all MD-games are so retarded.

[Mr Smith]

Altered Beast has aged very, very, very badly, in fact it's tosh. While Golden Axe isn't half as bad as Altered Beast, as 108 Stars said, it still hasn't aged well. It is easily the poorest game of the nine in the poll options.

[Demonic Weasel]

Altered Beast may be even worse than GA; but nevertheless GA has aged extremely bad and is not worth bothering with. I saw the reactions of people playing the Genesis Collection on PS2; they thought I was an idiot to prefer a console with such crap called a classic from the SNES. Thankfully, Shinobi III and Vectorman showed them that not all MD-games are so retarded.

I wasn't aware any of the MD games were retarded. In fact, I wasn't aware that any games at all were retarded. But, regardless of semantics, I fail to see how it is the Golden Axe has aged so badly that it's not worth anything.

[108 Stars]

I wasn't aware any of the MD games were retarded. In fact, I wasn't aware that any games at all were retarded. But, regardless of semantics, I fail to see how it is the Golden Axe has aged so badly that it's not worth anything.

Sorry for any misplaced English words. In German, the sentence makes sense, meaning retarded in the way of being stuck at a level under the average MD-title.
Because it looks and feels like a Master System game. Golden Axe is at the lower third of all sidescroll-beat´em ups qualitywise. It just lacks positive aspects.

[GelmiR]

Lol, that's how I feel about Streets of Rage 1. In fact, I pulled out a box in my
garage with games and I found a SOR 1 for Master System. Wow, so it can even
get worse!

[Vehemont]

I know I am going to regret getting into this argument but, I believe both SoR and GA are "stiff". Both are classic MD games, but SoR has better sound and is just easier on the eyes. I believe the reasons for this is because GA is a little bit older than SoR.

[SEGA-Jorge]

Yeah, I picked SOR cause i freaking love every one of those games, but I think it SHOULD go to SHINOBI only because it is a very good franchise. All the Genesis games were good and Shinobi 3 is probably one of the best games on the genesis in my opinion, but it is how well all those games held up and moved along that baffles me. All the shinobi games on the gamegear kick ass all over my face. I played those like crazy and the idea of having shinobi's students go find him, each having their own abilities, whoops ass. The saturn shinobi rocked, even with the silly cut scenes. Then there was the ps2 games that, although were way different, actually played very well and had a stylish look to them, but kept there arcade style gameplay. I really liked all the shinobi games.

Honestly though, I think that Golden Axe III could have been bad as hell if it had been taken more seriously. It actually had a really solid and entertaining fighting system in place. And i raelly believe that if the arcade golden axe deathadders' revenge would have come out on the genesis with a good port, it would have rocked our faces silly. that games was really good.

[megabomberman]

Pretty much agree with everything you're saying there jorge, but i'm posting to compliment you on your avatar, what an awesome game!

[SEGA-Jorge]

megabomberman: man bomber. i love that game so freaking hard. i picked it up when i was a kid and fell in love with it. i still play it pretty regularly. i have a few copies of it and i also bought it for the gba. that was a really nice port. it changes the game a little, less screen space, but it is still very well done. seriously i think that is hot-b, and starfish's best work. it is just a great game. i recently found a megadrive version of the game at a little hole in the wall game store by my place, i think i am going to buy it just to have it. it also has a very hot cover.

[Marky]

I would say Streets of Rage/Bare Knuckle. I liked the gameplay, moves, music, and graphics (although SOR1/BK1 had too many pixels). I also like Red Hot Blaze too (throughout all the games). Golden Axe 1 and 2 were good, but for some reason, I liked SOR more (probably the upbeat music and hue of the graphics. GA had the sexy booty-shaking Tyris Flare, but I like SOR/BK more.

Shinobi was great, but I only played Revenge of Shinobi and the Original Shinobi for SMS.

BTW - because I want to feel important, I finished BK3 (Not SOR3 which is harder I think) on the Very Hard (most difficult) setting, and I did not lose a life. I used Blaze too.

[Rusty Venture]

Blaze is the one to use in the SOR/BK games. Even though Adam was always my first choice for SOR1 I always use Blaze for BK2 & 3.


P.S. The triple boss Yamato in SOR/BK3 is the biggest pushover ever.

[Marky]

What do you mean by PushOver? I found them easy. Is that what you mean?

And yes, Blaze is awesome. She literally can "throw" anybody. Even the large round guys like Big Ben in BK3. She has that one throw that she uses if she grabs the guy in the front and slams him down.

Her forward jump kick has excellent range and her technique is good too.

I tried using Sammy, but he can't throw "behind" him to eliminate enemies approaching him from behind. And his punch attacks suck too.

[Rusty Venture]

Yes, Yamato is one of the easiest bosses ever. Jumpkick, throw, run and grab, throw.

He used to kick my ass until I got his patterns down. Most of the time I can whoop all three of his asses without taking a single hit but sometimes he will end up smacking me *once*.

BK3 last boss is pretty easy too. If you stand in one spot and jump kick as he comes flying from the side of the screen you can wear him down pretty fast.

[Marky]

I think Robot Axel (Break) and Shiva are the only real difficult bosses.

The sexy twins are easy. The Yamato guys are way easy (sorta like the twins). Mr. X (robot) isn't bad. His bullets are tough, but you can jump over them if you sprint and time your jump correctly; sometimes, he is a real toughie. The Jet Guy isn't bad. You can jump kick him with Blaze or Axel. Using Sammy is hard though on this guy. I guess I haven't mastered Sammy (but I have with Blaze). The last Mr. X is really easy. I just stand in the top middle and jump forward and kick. I kill him in about a minute.

[FighterHayabusa]

I just had to go with "Golden Axe" on this one.

I spent more cash on it in the arcades of old than on any other game ever, and I've spent countless hours playing it on various systems (mostly the MegaDrive though). My girlfriend and I even love playing it together!

Sure, some of the sequels aren't that great (I haven't played all of them though) but the sheer awesomeness of the first two parts make up for it in my opinion.

The Shinobi and SOR series are awesome too though, no doubt about that!

[SEGA-Jorge]

I really wish more people played Golden Axe 3. I think that game was pretty damn fun. It had a pretty solid fighting system. It was a pretty solid brawler.

[Mr Smith]

I really wish more people played Golden Axe 3. I think that game was pretty damn fun. It had a pretty solid fighting system. It was a pretty solid brawler.

Really? I thought that game was pretty damn tosh. What an awful end to the Mega Drive Golden Axe triolgy (and that says something because the first two were tosh aswell).

[nik]

SOR hands down.

[SEGA-Jorge]

Ha ha...Tosh. Yeah, I think that none of those games sucked to any extent. They did what they did, they were brawlers. It wasn't really till GA and SOR that brawlers ever were considered quality games. I think that GA3 made up for some of its lack of polished presentation with a deeper more rewarding fighting system. I think that this can tickle some peoples fancy and not others.

NIK: I think it is cool you like SOR but I rally don't think it is a hands down, absolute kind of thing. The Shinobi series was completely solid all the way through. Every single Shinobi game is good, including the games on other systems. I REALLY like SOR but I think it squeaks by in my opinion based on nostalgia alone. SOR is just fun as hell, but damnit are the Shinobi games fantastically good.

[108 Stars]

The Shinobi series was completely solid all the way through. Every single Shinobi game is good, including the games on other systems. I REALLY like SOR but I think it squeaks by in my opinion based on nostalgia alone. SOR is just fun as hell, but damnit are the Shinobi games fantastically good.

Although I love the Shinobi-series it has spawned two really bad games as well: Cyber Shinobi on MS and the "new" Revenge of Shinobi for GBA.

[FighterHayabusa]

I really wish more people played Golden Axe 3. I think that game was pretty damn fun. It had a pretty solid fighting system. It was a pretty solid brawler.

I'm bidding on that game in an online auction right now. If I win I'll let you know how much I think it rules (I know it will rule at least a little since it's "Golden Axe" :cool: ).

[SEGA-Jorge]

I don't count the gba revenge. that was just some wack company taking a shot. It's unfortunate the game was called shinobi.

[nik]

NIK: I think it is cool you like SOR but I rally don't think it is a hands down, absolute kind of thing. The Shinobi series was completely solid all the way through. Every single Shinobi game is good, including the games on other systems. I REALLY like SOR but I think it squeaks by in my opinion based on nostalgia alone. SOR is just fun as hell, but damnit are the Shinobi games fantastically good.

Shinobi never had the same draw to it as SOR did, I liked the music better and the fact it was 2 players, and because of the 2 player, for me, thats hands down! Shinobi was pretty good, but holds nothing special in my memory.

[Vehemont]

Both Shinobi and SoR are great Sega franchises for the Genesis (well shinobi for the arcade also) but I think Streets of Rage is just a little bit memeorable for its great music and two-player gameplay that makes it great. Don't get me wrong Shinobi has great music also but I just have more memories playing SoR with friends and still do to this day.

[Rod Rash]

SoR inspired a generation. It just makes you wana go outside and fuck someone up!

[Zebbe]

Don't say that so any conservative politicians can here it! Don't put us into more trouble than we already are!

[Vehemont]

Yea, you never know where Jack Thompson is lurking around.

[Mr Smith]

We should be safe from Jack Thompson up until the release of GTA IV. After that he will have nothing to do for a while and might start taking action against various retro console forums.

[Rod Rash]

How foolish of me! Every government in the western world is aware that anyboby with enough time on their hands to post on a retro forum, is clearly a danger to society! Disillusioned by modern technology a wave of retro insurgents will take to the streets. Mainly white middleclass males in their 20s dressed as Axel from SoR.
Yet I fear our Rebellion would be quenched by a handful of police and a few phone calls to our mothers.

[Mr Smith]

Disillusioned by modern technology a wave of retro insurgents will take to the streets. Mainly white middleclass males in their 20s dressed as Axel from SoR.

Give me a time and a place and I'll be there. :)

[nik]

If I saw a cybog, some leather chick, and a white guy beating the crap out of look alike punks I'd totally toss whole turkeys on the road to see if they'd eat it.

[Yoshim]

This poll wasn't as easy as I thought. Even though I loved it as a teen, I had to toss Golden Axe as a contender. I never really realized how cheap the AI in attacking and how cheap the combat system itself was after I played the game recently. I have to agree with others-it hasn't aged well.

So then it came to Shinobi and SOR. The Shinobi series (I played Revenge and Shadow Dancer-never got a chance to play Shinobi III) always had a fun sort of difficulty-frustrated me at times but kept me wanting to play it more. Streets of Rage was the "better" Double Dragon clone. I can't really add more to what others have said to this game. It wins my vote.

[Kikoskia]

Golden Axe wins. *hugs my copy of Golden Axe III* There there, it's okay... just ignore the mean people. They don't mean it...

[lynchesque]

Golden Axe 2, Streets of Rage 2, and Shinobi 3 are all top-tier titles for the system. I voted Streets of Rage as a whole but I think Shinobi 3 is the best game out of the bunch, especially in terms of graphics; Streets of Rage 2 definately has the finest music though.

[Lord Dilks]

Streets Of Rage just pips it for me. The original was rancid and plays about as stiffly as the first two Golden Axes but the last two SoR's were superb games, number two just beating number three I think.

[outrunner]

Golden Axe because it is unintentually funny and it is very fun because of that.
It also stands on it on merits as well.

[Phantar]

I'd say...

1. Shinobi
2. SoR
3. Golden Axe

... though it's kinda hard to compare Shinobi to the other two series, since it's more a platformer than a beat-em-up or hack-&-slash.

Nevertheless, Golden Axe makes last place simply for the abysmal third game! That, plus I enjoyed Streets of Rage 2 or Revenge of Shinobi more than any Golden Axe-Game.

[Metal_slime]

I voted for Shinobi. Beat-em-ups were fun back in the day but they do nothing for me now. For me, Shinobi stays awesome forever.

Still there is a certain charm about Golden Axe that is appealing to me, especially in the first game. It's the only beat-em-up I can really stand any more.

[Benjamin]

Streets Of Rage just pips it for me. The original was rancid and plays about as stiffly as the first two Golden Axes but the last two SoR's were superb games, number two just beating number three I think.

The original Streets of Rage IS basically Golden Axe in an urban modern setting. The gameplay is more or less the same. I still think it offers far more variety and enjoyment than Golden Axe, which is essentially a jump kick game.

Voted Streets of Rage.

[Excalibur]

i played that shit on arkade back then and spend tons of money for that shit lol!

[Mr Smith]

The original Streets of Rage IS basically Golden Axe in an urban modern setting. The gameplay is more or less the same. I still think it offers far more variety and enjoyment than Golden Axe, which is essentially a jump kick game.

Voted Streets of Rage.
:?
The original Streets of Rage is nothing like Golden Axe. In the fact that you can move in 8-directions and have to fight enemies they are identical, other than that they are two very different games.

[megadriveworld]

For me, Streets of Rage, Shinobo then Golden Axe.

[Genesis Knight]

BTW, I guess that nifty next-gen Golden Axe fell through the floor?

[Kikoskia]

Never! It is just around the corner...

...Just... around the corner...

...You know... it's where they're hiding Duke Nukem Forever... It's super SECRET. ;)

[nineallday00]

Streets of rage 1 is nothing like golden axe 1 at all. The attacking/defending/everything else is completely different.

[stealth1]

Streets of Rage was the best by far!

[stealth1]

Beat Em Up Multiplayer Best Genre everrrr

[AxelStone]

Streets of Rage 2 and 3 have brilliant graphics and are fun and engaging to play, Golden Axe is good but it doesn't really hold my attention anymore.

[Genesis Knight]

I'll give Golden Axe props for it's Conan-esque soundtrack. I really enjoy most of the themes.

[AxelStone]

I'll give Golden Axe props for it's Conan-esque soundtrack. I really enjoy most of the themes.

Theres no denying the awesome soundtrack, Wilderness and Death Adders theme get the juices flowing :)

[Genesis Knight]

Heck yeah - Wilderness especially.

[AxelStone]

Have you heard the PS2 Wilderness remix? It is awesome to the maaax!

[Genesis Knight]

The PS2 version actually kept the same tunes? Dang, I need to check that out!

EDIT: Sounds good. BTW, check out Jose's remix of the same tune: http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR00543/

[AxelStone]

EDIT: Sounds good. BTW, check out Jose's remix of the same tune: http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR00543/

Gotta love OCremix, check out Cursed Bloodline by Dennis Mott if you like Metal, I discovered it while I was in my Metal phase.

[Genesis Knight]

Have you checked out the Voices of the Lifestream project? It just went up a few hours ago. http://ff7.ocremix.org/

Just listened to Cursed; it's okay - the only metal I really care for is symphonic metal with more laid back vocals.

On the subject of Bloody Tears, however, I entreat you to check out IIDX's righteous mix:

Quick Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9K7QZl2Lzg

Download:
http://www.ffr4.com/sims/index.php?songid=16153

[AxelStone]

I never got into Final Fantasy, it wasn't a franchise that ever captivated me. The only piece of music that I ever actually went out of my way to liking in that series was probably Genova from ff7.

[megabomberman]

I never got into Final Fantasy, it wasn't a franchise that ever captivated me. The only piece of music that I ever actually went out of my way to liking in that series was probably Genova from ff7.

Well at least if you have only went out of your way for the best so now you know of the supreme brilliance that is ff music,

[Blaze]

Hmm, I played Golden Axe 3 before and never botherd adding it to my collection (1 and 2 r awesome). The Shinobi games were great but I'd have to go with Streets of Rage Trilogy because of Blaze and Skate lol.

[B - Mark]

I voted in Streets of Rage Trilogy.

In my opinion Streets of Rage is the best Sega Trilogy because the 3 games are my favorite.

[Mecha Pon]

It's got to be Shinobi for me. While the Streets were great games- can you really suggest Revenge Of Shinobi, Shadow Dancer and Shinobi III aren't better?

[Mr Smith]

It's got to be Shinobi for me. While the Streets were great games- can you really suggest Revenge Of Shinobi, Shadow Dancer and Shinobi III aren't better?
Yes, Shadow Dancer is crap and RoS pales compared to Shinobi III.
Streets of Rage 2 and 3 are awesome, while SoR has a charm that Shadow Dancer lacks entirely.

[tomaitheous]

Shinobi series easily. And Shadow Dancer isn't crap - far from it. The Arcade version is a let down in comparison to the unique and kick ass version the Genesis received. Revenge of Shinobi was an awesome game and Shinobi 3 carried the same feel. SOR is one of my favorite versions of the SOR games, 3 was utter crap with its terrible,, err different style music. I don't remember much about 2... for some reason (kind of a blur). Golden Axe original was fun but I don't play it much - it gets old real fast. The sequels were pretty lacking (all around).