How you rank Salamander series?

[Sinful]

Surprised there isn't a topic for this already? I always like to see how people rank their favorite games in genres, series, etc. And since I'm finally getting into the Salamander series, I'd love to hear others thoughts on this awesome Gradius spin off.

For starters, which Salamander/Life Force version do you prefer; the Arcade or Famicon/NES version? And where does Salamander 2 fit in all this?

If you want to take this further, you can also rank the multiple version of the original Arcade Salamander release? There are 4 versions total if you include the Special version, I think? So again, your fav to least fav... for this I at least know I'd prefer the Special version the most.

[deadmario]

From most fav to least fav, Lifeforce(Japan, AC) - Salamander(Japan, AC) - Lifeforce(US, AC) - Salamander(Famicom/NES) - Salamander(PC Engine/Turbografx 16)...and some home computer versions follow.

I don't prefer the console versions than arcade since they lost fast-paced gameplay in original. Famicom Salamander scrolls too slow and PCE Salamander uses checkpoint respawning system despite it being Salamander! MSX Salamander is now a totally diffrent game and I don't think it is adequate to compare it with arcade version.

Among the Arcade versions, Lifeforce(Japan AC) is the ultimate game in the series for me - it fixed many glitches and problems in original Salamander and retains the fast-paced gameplay. Undestructable objects don't lose their collision detection by getting hit by missiles and Stage 4 boss is now managable without using certain parking spot.

If I include the unofficial special version clone, maybe that could be the most favorite since Lifeforce had its major flaw: The Color Palette.

[Sinful]

ALRIGHT! A REPLY! FINALLY!! :surprised: Been impatiently waiting for one. :lol: So yeah, thanks alot deadmario. Plus you answered very well and made yourself pretty clear... Oh, you forgot all about Salamander 2! :surprised:

Now if only Ace, at least, and a few more here share their thoughts on this, I'd be really happy. :biggrin: Because for some reason I really want to know where those that played these games for quite awhile stand with these games? As my mind is always changing now the more I play these games. At first when I finally started playing the Famicon version + getting used to it, I thought it was the best... but after playing it a bit more, as well as the Arcade versions, I'm don't think it'll last that long in the re-playability factor + long lasting fun factor? But I could be wrong? So yeah, I definitely need more time with these games before I can take a first take at answering my own question and see if things will change further down still?

PCE Salamander uses checkpoint respawning system despite it being Salamander! MSX Salamander is now a totally diffrent game and I don't think it is adequate to compare it with arcade version.


I LOVE that the PC-Engine version is at least very different still despite coming so close to the Arcade version (too bad no extra level like the other PC-Engine Gradius games). So yeah, because of that I embrace the checkpoint system as it changes the game quite a bit + on top of quite a few other different things.

So yeah, having another pretty different version of the Arcade Salamander is a massive bonus to me. (Plus I love game remakes/enhancements/etc.)


Undestructable objects don't lose their collision detection by getting hit by missiles.

What?! :surprised: Where?! I didn't know of this + other many more bugs? Is there a topic on this anywhere? If not, you should start one and enlighten some of us new to this series.

MSX Salamander is now a totally diffrent game and I don't think it is adequate to compare it with arcade version.


Yeah, I see what you mean. But if other want to include it, i won't mind... me? Yikes! :surprised: This game kicks my butt! Don't think I'll get the hand of this game anytime soon for my list?

If I include the unofficial special version clone, maybe that could be the most favorite since Lifeforce had its major flaw: The Color Palette.

Yeah, that's my only problem with the Japanese Life Force too. Otherwise it would be my favorite of the Arcade version at least, if not overall?... But wait, it may still be, because I just found out from recently trying out the Special Version that is uses the same enemy & power-up placements from the original game still, and not the Japanese Life Force. Thus longer to power-up and harder stage 4 boss and all... but at least you can make a safe spot for yourself in this one, I think?

The US Life Force did it better graphics wise then the Japanese Life Force + may be the best graphically of all versions? But there is no safe spot for stage 4 boss?!?!? :surprised: They made him totally insane! :mad: