Pros: Where the Sega Genesis version captured the awe of the film in regards to seeing real dinosaurs with its movie-accurate visuals and dino maquettes, the SNES version captured the vibes of the film, the fear, the isolation, being flung into a dangerous world where you have to fight-or-flight for survival. The areas that capture this sensation the most in the game, are the first-person-shooter Visitor Center and interior building areas, where you have a limited scope in a dark eerie setting. You creep your way through the halls and rooms, not knowing if there's a Velociraptor behind that door or around the corner. It feels like the kitchen scene from the film, and that's something only the SNES version of JP was able to achieve. The rest of the game in the exterior world is more similar to the GB/NES games, where it's top-down gameplay, but the entire land is seamlessly connected, so you feel like you're moreso lost in a dangerous world where dinosaurs could jump out from a forest for a surprise attack at any moment. It's effective... And you don't feel safe.
Cons: Not only do you not feel safe, you also can't save! There is no safety! There's not even a password system! And that kinda sucks, come on. Also, like stated above, this game doesn't capture the awe of the dinosaurs from the film, meaning, the visuals are a bit basic. The FPS sections are certainly impressive, but the dinosaurs themselves look... fine, they look just fine... Nothing impressive, it's not a visual stunner.
What it means to me: This one was only ever a rent, but because of no saves and no password system, I was never able to make any progress. I don't remember getting anywhere in this game until save states became a thing. And even then, it's only alright. I wasn't much a fan of the top-down gameplay then, and still not much a fan now. As a kid... yeah, I was jealous of the Sega Genesis owners. But at the same time, I didn't appreciate the qualities the SNES version has then that I do now. The fear exuded in those FPS sections, really is the best of the SNES.
Cons: Not only do you not feel safe, you also can't save! There is no safety! There's not even a password system! And that kinda sucks, come on. Also, like stated above, this game doesn't capture the awe of the dinosaurs from the film, meaning, the visuals are a bit basic. The FPS sections are certainly impressive, but the dinosaurs themselves look... fine, they look just fine... Nothing impressive, it's not a visual stunner.
What it means to me: This one was only ever a rent, but because of no saves and no password system, I was never able to make any progress. I don't remember getting anywhere in this game until save states became a thing. And even then, it's only alright. I wasn't much a fan of the top-down gameplay then, and still not much a fan now. As a kid... yeah, I was jealous of the Sega Genesis owners. But at the same time, I didn't appreciate the qualities the SNES version has then that I do now. The fear exuded in those FPS sections, really is the best of the SNES.