Let’s Settle This Once And For All: Genesis Aladdin Or Super NES Aladdin?

36 responses to “Let’s Settle This Once And For All: Genesis Aladdin Or Super NES Aladdin?”

1. 

   vanOorsome

   June 30, 2012 at 9:16 pm

   Having not played either version, I’m going to stick with the version I did play, the PC version. Although it’s probably just a port of one of these.

   Reply
   1. 

      Stevorooni

      June 30, 2012 at 10:34 pm

      I think that was a port of the superior Megadrive version

      Reply
   2. 

      Cheshire Cat

      July 2, 2012 at 1:58 am

      I think I played it on either pc or Amiga (as well as megadrive) and remember them being the same game. MD was definitely the better of the snes vs md games. We were still playing it at uniwhilethe Saturn, ps etc were out.

      Reply
2. 

   PiMan

   June 30, 2012 at 9:45 pm

   The one on the left (presumably SNES) is easily the better looking one.

   Reply
   1. 

      Jiff

      June 30, 2012 at 10:14 pm

      SNES would have sounded better too – unless you prefer the sound of a cheap FM synth over samples

      Reply
      1. 

         AkumajoBelmont

         July 1, 2012 at 2:58 am

         I’m taking you guys haven’t played either version, so if you’re willing to take my word for it, it’s pretty much a ‘no’ in both cases you’ve cited. The MD Version of Aladdin looked awesome – it really can’t be overstated at just how awesome the animation is. Also, it’s done in the cell-painted fashion of the movie. The music in the MD game couldn’t hope to touch the realistic (for the time) samples used in the SNES version, but the arrangements are better on the MD, and the original tracks (by Tommy Tallarico) are pretty goddamned amazing. I’d still take FM synth over most of the SNES output. Something about the clarity of the synthesis itself, and ‘that’ DX-7 style bass instrument that was used in EVERYTHING just gets me going. Although, I’m really, REALLY partial to the CastleVania IV and Dracula X soundtracks on the SNES- they contain probably the best uses of samples on the SNES I’ve heard.

         Reply
   2. 

      Badger

      July 2, 2012 at 9:55 am

      The SNES one might look “better” from a sprite-art point of view, but the MD version actually looks like the Aladdin cartoon, which is important for a licenced game.

      It was also really great. Pretty much a Prince of Persia lite.

      Reply
3. 

   hatesyou

   June 30, 2012 at 10:19 pm

   Both were quite playable. Megadrive version had direct involvment from Disney animators using a process that ultimately became the foundation for Earthworm Jim when staff from Virgin Interactive left to form Shiny Entertainment. That said during the time Capcom could do no wrong. Their output of the time was of consistently AAA quality.

   Reply
4. 

   Jk

   June 30, 2012 at 10:23 pm

   I played a PS1 version..not the same game i know, twas good platforming nonetheless.

   Reply
5. 

   Zico

   June 30, 2012 at 10:42 pm

   MegaDrive (Genesis) was best. I’m fairly sure the weapons were better from memory.

   Reply
6. 

   Kevin Munro

   June 30, 2012 at 10:57 pm

   There was no swordplay in the SNES version, you simply threw Apples. Megadrive had much better gameplay and smooth, slick animation. The SNES version had a much nicer colour palette though.

   Reply
   1. 

      Spyder

      July 1, 2012 at 3:33 pm

      I found that was the case with a few different cross platform games… SNES had the nicer colour palette, where the Megadrive had better gameplay tweaks… One of the Battletoads games springs to mind.

      Reply
7. 

   N0NEoftheAB0VE

   June 30, 2012 at 11:24 pm

   I played the MegaDrive version in the story display in Grace Bros – it was pretty darn good.

   Reply
8. 

   Jarred

   June 30, 2012 at 11:40 pm

   I had the SNES version and a friend of mine had the megadrive version, from my memory SNES was better in every way, looked better , sounded better and had tighter controls, but this was 20 years ago so my child hood nintendo bias could be colouring my memory

   Reply
   1. 

      Hyperthx

      July 1, 2012 at 10:17 am

      They are 2 totally different games. SNES game is made by Capcom. MegaDrive game is made by Virgin and David Perrys’ Team.

      Reply
9. 

   matt

   June 30, 2012 at 11:43 pm

   Prefered the MASTER SYSTEM version, was much more difficult and didn’t look its age

   Reply
10. 

    Moventura

    June 30, 2012 at 11:48 pm

    Mega Drive one was definitely better. The sword rocked. Plus ABBA ABBA (mega drive owners will know what I’m on about).

    Reply
    1. 

       StuMan

       July 1, 2012 at 7:26 am

       Ahh, good times. “Level complete”. 🙂

       Reply
11. 

    Steve

    July 1, 2012 at 1:20 am

    Didn’t Dave Perry make the Mega Drive version? I looooved it as a kid.

    Reply
    1. 

       Hyperthx

       July 1, 2012 at 10:23 am

       Yep. David Perry was an amazing programmer and one of the only coders to rival Yuji Nakas’ skills (talkin just the MD here). Lead programmer on Global Gladiators, Cool Spot, Alladin and Earthworm Jim.

       Reply
12. 

    ruddaga

    July 1, 2012 at 1:35 am

    I was a SNES baby, and I had the super nintendo version. It was very, very average and felt like a watered down version of the far superior Dave Perry’s (creator of Earthworm Jim) Mega Drive Version. In the SNES one you threw apples at the bad guys… Nuff said.

    Reply
13. 

    Azza

    July 1, 2012 at 1:45 am

    Had this on snes and frigging LOVED it

    Reply
14. 

    StuMan

    July 1, 2012 at 7:37 am

    I used borrow the MD version from my mate, it was awesome. Never got to play the SNES version. Although a lot multi platform games looked/sounded better on the SNES, I can think of one game that was much better on the Mega Drive; Jungle Strike.

    Reply
15. 

    eltial

    July 1, 2012 at 9:35 am

    Mega drive gets my vote

    Reply
16. 

    Hyperthx

    July 1, 2012 at 10:34 am

    Played and finished both (SNES once. MD many times!). SNES version is an good game in itself, but doesn’t hold a candle to the MD versions graphical styling, animation and the gameplay is pure action/platforming. MD version most closely resembles the film, and really feels like you’ve just “jumped in” to the world. SNES version just doesn’t offer much of a challenge and it can easily be seen that it was just a generic game with a licence attached, where as the MD version was built from the ground up too be an Alladin game. MegaDrive version all the way.

    Reply
17. 

    The Gremlin

    July 1, 2012 at 11:20 am

    Genesis all the way. Let’s put it this way, looking at this game on a shop was the reason I bought a Genesis.

    Reply
18. 

    wuhwuh

    July 1, 2012 at 11:24 am

    Genesis is much better

    Reply
19. 

    Teaza

    July 1, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    Whoever thinks that the SNES version is better is just obviously blind. The sega version is far superior in every way, fluid animation and better sound quality (yes they used a lot of synth, but it still sounds better). Oh and the gameplay was closed to prince of Persia. The SNES version felt bland, like I was playing an 8bit console game

    Reply
20. 

    Teaza

    July 1, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    What’s next Mortal kombat MD vs Mortal Kombat SNES

    Reply
21. 

    Ben

    July 1, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    My gf, who is an “Aladdin Gaming Authority”, has decreed that the one on the RIGHT is the superior version of the game. Sure the graphics on ‘the Left one’ are nicer, but apparently ‘the Right one’ has better gameplay.

    Reply
22. 

    Prof. Ake

    July 1, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    I feel the two screenshots above are an unfair comparison. The true beauty in the Mega Drive (superior) version is in the flow of the animation. Crisp, smooth, just absolutely gorgeous. Fantastic platformer, probably the only one I managed to beat as a kid, loved every second of it. The heart racing carpet stage, genie’s level, the spooky atmosphere when breaking out of the dungeon (it’s because of this game I fucking hate bats). Genesis version is a masterpiece

    Reply
23. 

    Irvyne

    July 1, 2012 at 6:17 pm

    I made a movie dealing with this exact argument a few months back. I played through them both and tried to compare them fairly. Which one won the battle…? Have a look and see. ;-p
    

    Reply
24. 

    lucas

    July 2, 2012 at 3:41 am

    genesis hands down. the genie level? fast paced magic carpet chase scenes??!?!?

    Reply
25. 

    lucas

    July 2, 2012 at 3:44 am

    This comment has been deemed inappropriate and has been deleted.

    Reply
26. 

    Awnshegh

    July 2, 2012 at 8:45 am

    I was a SNES fanboy as a kid. While my friends had all joined the SEGA ranks. This is unfortunately one game I had to concede defeat on – the Megadrive version was far superior. But I got my own back as the SNES versions of Street Fighter 2 (when it eventually hit shelves), Mortal Kombat, and just about anything else were always better on SNES.

    Reply
27. 

    Nemesis

    July 19, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    The Megadrive version of this is far superior. The SNES version just couldn’t match it gameplay wise.

    Reply