Side by Side: Castle of Illusion (Genesis vs. Game Gear)

[Melf]

Sega's Castle of Illusion is considered a classic by many Genesis fans, but what many people don't know is that a Master System version was also released. To some, it's actually the better of the two, and being the diehard Mickey fans that we are, we decided to put the two into the spotlight and see which came out on top. The verdict? They're both two damn fine games that any platformer fan needs to play. Read all about our comparison in the latest installment of our Side by Side series.

[Jesse813]

Why are the comparison Pictures labeled SEGA CD & Game Gear? other than that great article!

[Baloo]

You know, I just noticed that myself.

[Melf]

Fixed!

[Joe Redifer]

I never really understood the fascination with the SMS/Game Gear Castle of Illusion. I never had much fun with it, but maybe I was too spoiled by the Genesis version.

I also take exception to this:

The first three levels in Castle of Illusion on the Genesis are the forest, the toys, and the canyons/caves. They go in a linear fashion from left to right, or up to down.

Have you even played beyond the first part of stage 1? You can go in any direction (left, right, up, down) by the second part of stage 1 (the cobweb part). You have to find your way through a mini-maze by the third part of stage 3. Let's not forget that you go all over the place in a couple of the toy levels and really all over the place in level 3. I wish you would have done more research.

Genesis version for the win.

[Phexar]

The Master System (Game Gear) one was probably the second game I ever played (first being Game & Watch DK Jr). I'm rather fond of it, and I like it's difficulty more than the Mega Drive/Genesis one. So I'll go with Game Gear.

[Shaka]

I'm gonna have to check it out.

[acdc]

i have to say that i find the mastersystem version much better then the megadrive version i plays more like ducktales on the nes and you have to find some of the diamonds like in the clock tower and the bosses are more fun

[Christuserloeser]

Was this game released for Master System in the US ? - I am asking because the article doesn't mention the Master System version at all.

[playgen]

It was released in the US, its not too hard to find either. The GameGear version is infact just the sms game using the gamegear compatibility mode - i.e scaling the graphics down, so its best played on a sms as you don't lose any of the image then.

[Baloo]

I never really understood the fascination with the SMS/Game Gear Castle of Illusion. I never had much fun with it, but maybe I was too spoiled by the Genesis version.

I also take exception to this:

Have you even played beyond the first part of stage 1? You can go in any direction (left, right, up, down) by the second part of stage 1 (the cobweb part). You have to find your way through a mini-maze by the third part of stage 3. Let's not forget that you go all over the place in a couple of the toy levels and really all over the place in level 3. I wish you would have done more research.

Genesis version for the win.

Don't sell me short, because I did do my research. If YOU had played the Master System version of the game, you would know that the Toy Level ends on the LEFT side of the screen, and the sweets level boss actually is in a room that you DROP INTO. ALL of the Genesis stages end at the right side of the screen. NOT Up, NOT down, NOT Left. Master System stages end in all different directions. And it doesn't matter if you are going in different directions in the Genesis version if you are STILL TRYING TO GET TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STAGE!

So before you try to put me off as an ignoramus with your nonsense argument, go play the Master System/Game Gear version. Because now you come off as the idiot who didn't do his research!

[Zebbe]

Some misunderstanding shouldn't bring this kind of offensive argueing :/.

[MrMatthews]

Honestly, i'd be pissed too if someone basically accused me of writing an article on a game without actually playing it.

[Joe Redifer]

Baloo, if that was the point you were trying to make, it was very poorly worded. I have the SMS version. It is boring.

[acdc]

Baloo, if that was the point you were trying to make, it was very poorly worded. I have the SMS version. It is boring.

why

but the fun department goes to the mastersystem version
i find the megadrive version more boring then the sms cause i find it to slow
and there s not much on enemy s going on more evade and jump then action