Ballz

[j_factor]

The Wikipedia article on Ballz claims (without source, natch) that the Genesis version uses a DSP chip. Is this accurate? I've always assumed Virtua Racing to be the only chipped Genesis game. Ballz doesn't really seem like anything that would need a chip, either.

[VinnyT]

Ya know, of all the games you asked about, it happened to be the one that I JUST researched and sent in a review for.

From what I can tell it was used more to fix a major graphics error, which may have been why it wasn't marketed to use an extra chip (although the marketing for this game was odd anyway) It messed with the sound, although I can't imagine a full soundtrack really helping the game out much.

[Aarzak]

Despite this supposed DSP chip, the game still looks worse than the SNES version. Out of all the 3 incarnations of "Ballz" (Genesis, SNES, 3DO "Director's Cut" version), the SNES one is the only one that has a textured floor (via Mode 7), which really helps add to the depth. It also includes a VERY underrated and funky soundtrack that I'd love to have on mp3. The Genesis version's soundtrack painfully pales in comparison, and this is one of the instances in which the SNES version of a game's soundtrack just utterly blows its Genesis equivalent out of the water. I heard that the 3DO version also has an acclaimed RedBook soundtrack, but the poor game happened to hit store shelves around late 'summer '95.........when "Killer Instinct" was released for the SNES and when the Playstation was launched. Completely overshadowed.

Aside from that, "Ballz" is alright I guess, as a novelty fighting game.

[Mr Smith]

I would like to claim, without a source, that Ballz is tosh.

[mick_aka]

I think someone should add that to the Wikipedia article with Mr Smith's post as a reference

[Zebbe]

If they used a DSP-chip to fix an error, they should have used it for more stuff too, shouldn't they?

[Fonzie]

Ballz is emulated so i really find strange that it could contain a special chip... Maybe its just a dsp that help their cartridge to not crash (so not related to any graphical or sound boster but more a fix due to production mistake).
^^

[TmEE]

programmers are so lazy that hardware developers need to add extra chips to fix bugs :P

I need to see the game... does it run in any emulator ?

[j_factor]

Ballz runs in every emulator, including ones that don't support Virtua Racing. Although, I do remember the sound being slightly off in some older emulators like Genecyst.

[VinnyT]

I'm wondering if it was really a hardware issue, or simply Wikipedia bullshit.

[TmEE]

Wikipedia is BS

The game runs in all emulators (so no extra HW), and reason why sound is off in Genecyst is that Genecyst is not the most accurate MD emulator... but it is the fastest... near half speed with sound on a 66MHz 486DX2.

[CMA Death Adder]

An extra chip? Nonsense.

I had once owned a Ballz cart (was collecting all Genesis fighting games at the time), and eventually opened it up to throw away the board and use the case for something else, as the case used Phillips head screws (convenience!). If there'd been extra hardware on the board, I would've taken note of it.

[TmEE]

Too bad not many carts have Phillips screws, and which do (usually Japanese ones) tend to have them under a sticker (so I need to be a bit creative in the process of not damaging it).

[matteus]

If you feel Ballz isn't to your liking you can always add your own extra hardware... I'd recommend a hammer insert directly into the front of the cartridge that seems to help me!

I also find it amusing how the title reflects the quality of the game....

[TheRollingStoner]

If anyone's looking for a copy of this game, let me know. I do not want it.