A port of Ristar
8-bit port of Ristar on the Sega Game Gear with remixed levels and a few original stages.
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The 8-bit version of Ristar on the Game Gear is if anything even more impressive to look at than the Mega Drive version when considered within the restraints of it's hardware, looking as good or better than many games on 16-bit hardware. Much like the graphics the controls are completely uncompromised too, Ristar controlling near identically to how he does in the 16-bit version. It also mostly doesn't suffer from the same mean difficulty curve towards the end apart from a cruel final boss rush, the levels following a similar path to Sonic the Hedgehog 8-bit with a mix of direct ports, alternate levels with the same themes, and completely original worlds which ends up making Ristar 8-bit worth playing even if you've played the original.
super fun platformer, worth a play still
A solid port that goes the Donkey Kong Land route with adding new levels & bosses to replace some of the content from the Genesis version. The music is the best on the Game Gear but comparing it to the Genesis soundtrack, its like comparing a steak dinner to a kids meal (the new compositions are great, however). Was expecting the Game Gear resolution to be an issue with the game since that is the usual for most of it's library but I was pleasantly surprised by the game not suffering from screen crunch at all. They definitely designed this game around that limitation.
Overall, Ristar GG is a neat little companion piece to the Genesis game and I recommend playing it if you're hungry for more Ristar. Lord knows he probably won't come back with a new game anytime soon.
Would also check out the SMS conversion romhack in case you want that extra screen real estate, but I can assure you the Game Gear resolution is fine as is.
Overall, Ristar GG is a neat little companion piece to the Genesis game and I recommend playing it if you're hungry for more Ristar. Lord knows he probably won't come back with a new game anytime soon.
Would also check out the SMS conversion romhack in case you want that extra screen real estate, but I can assure you the Game Gear resolution is fine as is.
The level designs are simplified compared to the Genesis counterpart, which is to be expected for the Game Gear. But surprisingly swinging from pole to pole felt more fluid/easier and you have more control over where Ristar goes when flying. I also really liked that you can pick up some weapons dropped by enemies and use them.
Take the graphics and level design of the Genesis and the easier controls and more tools to grab/use of the Game Gear and there could have been a really good sequel.
Take the graphics and level design of the Genesis and the easier controls and more tools to grab/use of the Game Gear and there could have been a really good sequel.
A pretty solid conversion of a great game. The Genesis version is still superior, but I can imagine this being a solid alternative at the time.
I really liked a lot of the new takes on stages, and the two new bosses were a treat! Huge fan of the Energizer Bunny being in this one and having an attack that reminds me of a Mega Man boss.
Fell apart at the end though when they throw 3 bosses at you in a row that all have really stupid changes to be harder than in the original game. The final boss isn't even the hardest in the game, and that's really saying something if it took me nearly 20 minutes to kill it.
I should note that the final boss only killed me once. Its hitboxes were so finnicky that it just.... took 20 minutes. Sheesh.
Oh well. It's fine otherwise aside from that doodoo final segment, par for the course for low budget games I guess.
Fell apart at the end though when they throw 3 bosses at you in a row that all have really stupid changes to be harder than in the original game. The final boss isn't even the hardest in the game, and that's really saying something if it took me nearly 20 minutes to kill it.
I should note that the final boss only killed me once. Its hitboxes were so finnicky that it just.... took 20 minutes. Sheesh.
Oh well. It's fine otherwise aside from that doodoo final segment, par for the course for low budget games I guess.