Summary
Occasionally, two different games will share the same title, which can make it confusing for gamers. In modern times, this is usually the case with remakes and reboots such asGod of War,Mortal Kombat, andFinal Fantasy 7. However, in the 20th century, multi-platform games were often developed by two different studios and were totally different games, only unified by their branding.
The hardware between arcades, consoles, and handhelds was wildly different, which led to different variations of the same game. However, even platforms that were comparable to each other, like the Genesis and the SNES, had titles with the same name that were essentially totally different games.
10Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters
This fighting game for the Ninja Turtles series spanned three different consoles. The Genesis, NES, and SNES all had their own versions of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters. Despite the Genesis and SNES being comparable in hardware, there were significant differences in characters, buttons, physics, and moves between the two titles.
The NES version differed the most. A graphical downgrade was expected, but with only two buttons available on the NES controller, the gameplay had to change fundamentally as well. In the NES version, you could obtain a super move by destroying a floating sphere, similar to the Smash Ball in the Super Smash Bros series.
9The World Is Not Enough
GoldenEye 007was one of thebest FPS games on the N64, and there was much anticipation for another 007 FPS with The World Is Not Enough. It was made using the same engine as GoldenEye 007 but was not developed by Rare.
Many people have forgotten that a PlayStation version of The World Is Not Enough was developed simultaneously by a different studio, Black Ops Entertainment. Everything about the PlayStation and N64 games is different, but the overall quality of the PlayStation version is lower due to uninspired level design, less expansive stages, and the lack of multiplayer.
8Ninja Gaiden
In the late 80s, Tecmo created one of its most popular series, Ninja Gaiden. Tecmo designed both an arcade and an NES version, and oddly enough, they chose to make them entirely different genres.
The NES version of Ninja Gaiden is the one that retro gamers are most familiar with. Ninja Gaiden for NES is a platformer that was one of themost difficult games on the platform. Future Ninja Gaiden games would continue the trend of being as challenging as possible. The arcade version of Ninja Gaiden, on the other hand, is a beat ‘em up, akin to Streets of Rage or Final Fight.
7The Adventures Of Batman & Robin
Batman: The Animated Series was one of the biggest shows of the ’90s, and its continuation, The Adventures of Batman & Robin, led to two different games for the Genesis and SNES. Both games were beat ‘em ups, but they were entirely different experiences.
The Genesis version features impressive 3D graphic backgrounds, with a difficulty level that borders on unfair with shoot em up levels. The SNES version doesn’t have quite the same high production value, but it is a more balanced sidescroller overall.
6The Punisher
In the ’90s, Capcom beat ‘em ups were all the rage, and Capcom consistently launched high-quality games based on licensed properties. Cadillacs & Dinosaurs, Alien vs. Predator, and The Punisher are some of the best licensed games of the ’90s.
However, only three years before The Punisher’s launch in arcades, there was a game with the same title on the NES. The Punisher for NES was a rail shooter with a perspective similar toDuck Hunt. It’s not uncommon for many games to share the same name when they are based on licensed properties, but The Punisher for NES and arcade version were launched within close proximity to each other.
5Disney’s Aladdin
One of the biggest movies of the ’90s had two different studios create a game for it on two different consoles. Virgin Games USA, who also made a game for The Lion King, developed the Sega Genesis version of Disney’s Aladdin. Meanwhile, Nintendo enlisted the more established Capcom to make their version of Disney’s Aladdin for the SNES.
Both games are quite different. The Sega Genesis version features more fluid graphics and is more action-based, with Aladdin wielding a sword. In contrast, the SNES version is a slower-paced platformer where your primary method of engaging enemies is by throwing apples.
4Ristar
Sonic Team’s swan song for the Sega Genesis and Game Gear was surprisingly not a Sonic game, but a new series altogether. Ristar is an eye-popping, beautiful platformer that focuses more on climbing vertically than blitzing horizontally.
Due to the fundamental differences between the Game Gear and the Genesis, many games launched for both consoles were distinct and this is no different. The stage design, obstacles, and secrets in Ristar are all completely different, making each version a unique experience.
3Sonic The Hedgehog
When most people think ofSonic the Hedgehog, they envision the 16-bit version for the Genesis. However, a few months later, Sega’s 8-bit consoles, the Master System and the Game Gear, received their own version. The Game Gear and Master System versions were identical to each other.
The 8-bit Sonic the Hedgehog features completely different stages, physics, and layout compared to the 16-bit version and, in general, the 8-bit version feels faster than its 16-bit counterpart. There was also a third game titled Sonic the Hedgehog launched a decade later for the Xbox 360, which was a 3D platformer riddled with bugs.
2Shadowrun
The SNES wasknown for its RPGs, but most of them were produced in Japan. Shadowrun, a Western-style tabletop RPG, was adapted for the Sega Genesis, which had fewer RPGs at the time, and this version was launched a year later.
The Genesis version of Shadowrun focused more on action, effectively utilizing the matrix system. In contrast, the SNES version boasted better aesthetics and offered a story that was easier to follow and arguably more in-depth.
1Donkey Kong
The originalDonkey Kongwas one of the most popular arcade games of the 1980s. This game introduced Mario, formerly known as Jump Man, to the world. While the original Donkey Kong was a massive hit in the arcades, it was eventually launched for the original Game Boy in the ’90s in a very different form.
The arcade version of Donkey Kong is a relatively slow-paced platformer with only four stages and limited movement options. In contrast, the Game Boy version of Donkey Kong is a fantastic puzzler that features a wide variety of items that modify the terrain and influence how you solve the stages. The Game Boy version would become the predecessor to the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series.
