Battle of the Ports Remastered- Afterburner (アフターバーナー) Show  

This was a huge work compiling all these versions all together. Congratulations for this, sir. You deserve a break now.

Nothing beats sitting in the full cabinet at the arcade across from the movie theatre.

no wonder this took him so long, look at all those ports. I forgot how much this game got ported when 99% of my experience with the game was the arcade cab. And the video's now in glorious 60fps.

Seeing Afterburner in an amusement arcade in 1987 was like watching a live sci-fi film: the arcade cabinet, the graphics, the speed... absurd! Then you came back home and the top of the technology was the C64...(ok, that year also Amiga 500 came out, but only from May on).

The 3DS version by M2 is brilliant. It's so much more than just a port, and yet the original version is there if you want it. Wish more ports were handled with such care. Hats off to M2 as always.

There’s really something magical about playing Sega’s super scaler arcade games in 3D-I was never that interested in the 3D craze from ten years ago, personally, but these really are an experience. I wish M2 had gotten the chance to do even more of them.

I see you're still leaving the door open for the 4k hdr10 remastered version. Brilliant!

"The opening music is really good" (C64 US segment) I mean, when you have Jeroen Tel behind the music the least you can have is an OST that's good.

Legend says that if you can finish this game up to its third loop deathless you will become the leader of the resistance against the machines. 🤖

Excellent BotP, thank you for all the hard work. Clever and creative layout of all the screens with different aspect ratios at the end :) M2 going the extra mile as always

Really amazing and huge BotP. It's a pleasure to see it another time with the improvements respect the original. Amstrad CPC port is really surprising cause of the habitual jerky scroll of most of the conversions to the system. They do a fantastic good job with Afterburner.

Great vid, I only ever got to play on the arcade version once,it was mind blowing!

I loved the arcade culture. And Sega were the masters of this lost art. I used to go every first Saturday of the month at the Mall to burn my monthly allowance on After Burner, Rad Mobile and Mad Dog McCree in the early 90s. Good times. :)

Excellent video! Thank you for your huge effort putting all these versions together.

Hell yes! I've been waiting for this remaster ever since I saw the original! Keep it up man!

Whoa... Talk about a lot of ports!!! Just looking at the beginning I can see this must have taken a ton of effort to make! Thanks for the awesome work once again man!

Ufff, that pc engine is mind blowing! Even with the weaker music and sfx, that smoothness makes it unbelievable

Looking at the Sega Ages version on the PS2... it just helps me prove a point I've been making for a while. There's something about 2D Scaling Sprites that gives a sensation of speed and urgency that 3D can't replace. I can't put my finger on exactly what's that, but 2D works so well when you want to really feel a high adrenalin rush of speed.

Many thanks Mark for doing a remaster of this of awesome battle, the home computers just didn't stand a chance of replicating this but I did really like master system version in the day. Love the FM towns soundtrack. Damn that sharp 68000 version is a amazing port with ace tunes. The side by side part of this video is a joy to behold for a fan of this game, truly awesome thanks. I'm off to my garage to boot up the Japanese Saturn version which is still an amazing conversion.

Excellent... music made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck! Great stuff!

Great Remastered BOTP video Mark, even after 34 years this game still rocks!

The PC Engine version is easily my favourite, accuracy be damned. Amazing PSG renditions of the soundtrack (Much better than the NES/Famicom and Master System ones), convincing software sprite scaling and it controls quite well. It's quite the achievement considering it was made for a console from 1987, and an 8-bit one no less

One of the best VGM songs ever composed.

I was 13 I think when it came out, Afterburner. I remember being with my mom, we were at a mall type place, she was shopping. I didn't have the money to play it, but I remember it being so awesome looking, I talked her into letting me stay by the games until she got finished. Not sure how long she shopped, probably an hour or so. But, I stood there as other kids/adults would play, and watched din amazement. Even when no one was playing, I would just stare at the intro-ish/attract mode, totally sucked in 100%

Wonderful stuff, love these remastered videos! That Saturn port is a gift from the gods, and the 3DS ones no joke either.

Great remaster, Mark! Absolutely no port touches playing the deluxe cab in an arcade which is amazing, but I did have fun with the Genesis version. Plus, I had a lot of fun with the 32X Afterburner Complete (this, Space Harrier, and VR Deluxe were why I picked it up) and with playing it in Shenmue on the DC. But, I'm a pud that listened to the sack of cack worker at the import shop I was going to in the late 90s/very-early 00s and didn't get the Sega Ages versions of anything on the Saturn because he said they were all crap...so, I didn't get those even though I was thinking about it. Idiot...The 3DS version is probably my favorite home version...I've always been a sucker for the 3D effect. I think Galaxy Force II on 3DS is a bit better looking, but Afterburner is mighty good too.

This was absolutely awesome for its time with the nice visual and audio presentation. I would bet its still a fun thrillride when played in a proper arcade even today!

The GBA port is frustrating. We all know its capable of much more. Though I think the Out Run and Super Hang on ports were decent but could've been so much better.

That was an effort put into the video. Thanks for doing the remaster! I heard about Saturn version being the Best, and I surely have to check this out. Such a classic on my favourite console. As soon as I have any spare money that is haha.

A fantastic job on this video

A great video as ever Mark. You put so much effort into these. Watching this makes me a little sad in some ways, as it takes me back to how exciting the arcades use to be, especially racing to my favourite at the Kent coast (Mr B's at Leysdown), and being so excited when Segas latest and greatest was on the Arcade floor. Any mention of After Burner, Outrun, or Space Harrier takes me back to those days, and of course when Sega really were king of the arcades, not the rather diluted down company they are now. Cheers Mark for helping bring back those feelings of nostalgia.

Thanks! You really make my Saturday's lunch time better

Love the Sega 32x and Saturn version great video 👍

I dig the Java music, it's like some dude in a lounge is just having fun on their bass

Bring more remasters, Mark. This was great!

Monumental job this week, Mark! It must have taken many hours to edit. Man, this is a true classic and iconic game, it held up well for so many years they never stopped porting it. OK, some ports are completely off (PAL Amiga and C64, ST, DOS, GBA) but most of them we can say they actually tried. All things considered the most surprising port to me is the PC Engine, I wouldn't really expect a 6502 based machine with tiny cartridges to be able to pull off a well running and dignified port of After Burner. While the most interesting is the 3DS one, with M2 going out of their way to enhance the game in their usual fashion.

Imagine playing the X68000 port with the Sharp CyberStick. It's like if you were playing the Saturn version with the Mission Stick controller. Also, with the 3D off on the 3DS, you get a natural "scanlines" effect for a lot of 2D games. Made games like Shovel Knight look so much more natural.

Afterburner 2 was one of the first games I got with my mega drive back in the day, along with mystic defender, altered beast and sonic 2. Great game.

Excelent and exhaustive job Mark!.Greetings from Argentina.

Thank you for this remastered. I happen to come across old videos, and I miss your voice.

Bit late in watching, wow so many ports. I have the 3DS XL and enjoy playing. Love the title music. Keep up the good work. Adam from the UK

What a great job. I really enjoyed this one👍🏻

I played the Deluxe cockpit cabinet a lot in the late 90s at an arcade center close to my highschool. Great video man. I own the japanese Saturn game and the HSS-0114 and it's awesome to play like that

“Crap on this… from a great height.” LOL

Fun Fact, the Amiga version was handed out by Arganout to a small german development house who basically did nothing but some artwork, Arganout took it back and had 1 month to get something coded, thats why its basically the same as the ST version. A cpl of years later a much better version appeared via the homebrew scene.

Ah, nevermind.... Now I know where that song is from! Shame on me for not recognizing that track in the last video!

So for some reason, some ports don't use the melody versions of the After Burner theme. Below is a list of versions that did use it vs those that didn't: Ports that used Rhythm only: MS-DOS(?) NES/Famicom Sharp X68000 SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis SEGA 32X SEGA Saturn SEGA Dreamcast GBA PlayStation 2 Java JM2E 3DS Ports that include the melody: SEGA Master System Commodore 64 (both versions) Atari ST Amiga (both versions) FM Towns PC Engine/TurboGrafx Ports that don’t even feature the After Burner theme: ZX Spectrum Amstrad CPC MSX

Oh yes! Here we go! Love After Burner!

That Italian made After Burner 3D looks like it could have been made for the 3DO or Atari Jaguar.

By far the 3DS version kick asses and is a permanent game in my console. Amazing comparison as always Mark!

Great episode Mark!

Great video Mark! Must have taken an age to capture and edit that lot!!!

Thanks for pointing this mark! I really wanted to hear your input on the 32X and Saturn versions! I'd love to get the ps2 version just for IT being different. Thanks again for this video !

The zx version had a live studio version of the Afterburner theme on the B side of the tape. The music was from SEGA inhouse. Sometimes, very rarely a ZX game will have audio to be played back via tape during gameplay, this was one of those games.

for years the deluxe cab was the most expensive game in the arcades......It was 1.00 to start and .75 to continue ...and I dropped a small fortune on it

Cracking video fella! I remember seeing the sit down arcade version in a large motorway services the once, it looked amazing. Sadly I didn't get to play it that day and I've not seen it since. Shame about the Amiga version, it was more than capable of pulling off a decent port.

Wow. I didn't realize there were quiet so many ports of Afterburner.

Oldies, but goodies from the archives Mark. 8^) Anthony..

You see I was introduced to all the Sega Super scalers on Sega Arcade Gallery on GBA (Other then Super Hang On). You see I loved those games on that and to me it doesn't suck, although after playing some of the better ports I see what you mean. Oh well.

Thank you for this video. As an original afterburner arcade player I can tell the differences too. In my opinion I like the PS2 version. Although the colors are not so colorful like the original I just like the way they upgraded it, the music, and the game play is fast and smooth. I just don't like the smoke of the missiles somehow they feel smaller. Also as a note the Climax version is also awesome. Best regards my Japanese friend

I was always impressed with the PC Engine version of After Burner. Here is a souped up 8-bit machine that has graphics and gameplay that is on par with the Genesis. Sound not so much but they gave it a great effort. A great port that I still play often. And yeah, the GBA version is dreadful. The only positive I can give it is that the music sounds pretty good and doesn't have the scratchiness you usually get with GBA games. But the rest of the game... Yeesh

I believe the PCE port was the first one that included the "Melody" versions of Final Take Off and After Burner songs. The 3DS version also included such option as well.

Goddamn, that Saturn port.

14:26 a famicom port of a sega game that i might actually like? amazing.

Dude, this was a huge battle of the ports. Thank you for your hard work Mark 💕

The NES version ABII is awesome despite the limitations of the console. I've played heaps of hours and it was quite gratifying back then. The versions of the other contemporary consoles weren't able to cope up with that. The controls were awesome, the difficulty was good, fast paced and challenging. I've aways thought that I've had some kind of sentimental memory, but as I watch this video, I can see that the playability of the game was quite good and, as I remember, better that the mega drive, even though the graphics of the 16 bit Sega console were a way better.

Whoa! I had no idea there were so many ports of this game .

Speccy pulling out another miracle.

One of the songs in the UK After Burner C64 port does sound actually quite good

C. C. I magazine were very fair on the Master System version, when they looked at it as part of a feature on the system. Stated it was asking too much for the system to match the speed of the coin-op, though a reasonable amount of the game had been retained, it was simplified and there was little game in there, but what there was, was enjoyable for a while.

Mark Smith: Rutubo Games developed After Burner Complete, released in July 13, 1995. Me: That's January 13, 1995.

Analog joysticks are required to play After Burners I and II. So remember, kids, if you have them, you're good, but if not, that's okay, although I recommend using analog joysticks.

The PC Engine Version was analog control compatible too. :)

I'm surprised Argonaut couldn't make a good port of After Burner

Just want to add that with the NES and Famciom Versions of the game the Famicom version when you pause shows you how many missiles you have the NES version does not. Also you can get into a sound test on the Famicom version on the title screen somehow by either pressing start and select.

My favorite port is definitely 3D AfterBurner by M²/Sega. The stereoscopic 3D effect on the superscalar games is a fantastic combo! I only wish I could play it on a bigger screen (than a New 3DS XL). Back when M² was working with Sega on the Sega Vintage Collection games, I thought we were going to get all of the scaler games on the PS3. They started with an excellent port of SUPER HANG-ON. Complete with a 3D option. Not only did it have the cyan/red 3D, but also an amazing stereoscopic 3D option, which ran at a blazing fast 120Hz (60Hz x2 screens). I used to (and still do) play this on the PS3 / PlayStation 3D Display. I would have gladly bought all of these games again. Also, I'd LOVE to see Sega/M² make a collection of the best Super Scalers, for current gen consoles, in an arcade setting (think Yakuza, with just a huge arcade, with amazing 4K renderings of their cabs), along with all of the M² extras (art gallery, jukebox, photo mode, online play, audio/video settings), and throw in a VR mode as well. If the PSVR 2 turns out to be as amazing as they are suggesting it will be, a game collection like this would be a killer app, for me. One can dream about Space Harrier in VR. I want to FEEL like I am in the sit down cabs for these games, and I want stereoscopic 3D separation of layers.

And since after Burner 1 and 2 are nearly the same, it won't matter which version he covers.

I just played the original arcade version last night and yeah it hasn’t aged well. Jumped into the Outrun cabinet next to me and had much more fun.

Unless you count Shenmue, the PS2 version is the first and only version of Afterburner I ever owned. Though, I did have the promotional soundtrack Activision gave away to promote their horrible home computer ports so I had the Afterburner soundtrack playing for R-Type and various other games.

Great comparison video! I’m surprised there isn’t a SEGA Ages version for the Switch.

Another excellent video, you obviously put a lot of effort into making it. Is 24 the greatest number of ports you have ever featured in one video?

The Sega AGES PS2 port may lack the charm of the 2D graphics, but I gotta say that it's not half bad looking considering the budget nature of the title. I have always been quite fond of the Sega AGES games as they are simply unique & are something we probably won't see again for a long long time, if ever. I look at them as respectable additional versions of many titles that we already know & love.

CSK/CRI handling the FM Towns version seems like they almost pulled a Sega Saturn Virtual On quality port... always makes me wonder if somehow the Sega internal CS dev teams would have handled Virtual On, Sega Touring Car Championship, ManxTT and The House of the Dead... but yeah it's almost like they love doing average ports on hardware that could have handled the conversion much more impressively.

Love this feature retro games are so much more interesting.

Great video as always and what a great choice to remaster. Thank you!! It’s a shame that the pre-smartphone era Java/imode games are getting lost forever to history and locked down feature phones. Do you have a link to the J2ME version, or can share where you got it from? I feel it’s important that these are preserved.

after burner should get a remaster with its old 2d graphics with raytracing lighting and widescreen

I wish we'd have gotten a physical release of After Burner Climax :c

You got to give some of those home ports on weaker computers credit for trying to replicate the 3-D orb opening of the arcade game when they really didn't need to, as weird as they look.

The MSX version really needs to be done as a better MSX2/2+ or Turbo R version.

Also, are you planning to buy that upcoming MD 6 button pad for Switch Online, Mark? I kinda want it for several RetroArch setups (my 2 PCs, 3 Android devices and my Wii U), but Ninty choose to manufacture an 3 button one for Americas and Europe.

I've enjoyed playing Afterburner on the X68000 and 32X via RetroPie. I cannot figure out how to control the throttle on the X68000 version though. Do you know how it works?

The dream cast version is not so good on upscalong indeed but it seems more smoother, more colorful, more detailed. I can possibly be wrong, however it is what I can see from this video.

The PC DOS port, like Out Run on PC DOS, can be played with Tandy instead of EGA, which gives better music/sound (multiple instruments) but the colour palette isn't as good. And it doesn't run any better!

I wish m2 would bring their gigadrive 3d emulated 3ds games to vr and the few 3d tvs

I spent so many hours on the CPC version as a kid , pretty nice port (and it retained all the bonus and refueling sections). Then more on the Megadrive, then more on the Amiga... Just kidding! I endured it for five minutes. I also spent some more hours on the 32X port (got a bunch of games and the unit at the flea market for 30 bucks in the early 2000. Good times...) I just love this game.

This was wonderful! Can you do a BP for the very first Elite?

I wish the Switch could've had the M2 3DS version. There's G-LOC, but it's just not the same. :)

256 KBytes to 2 Mbits. The exact same thing.

I think that the pc-engine port has an analog option via the Micomsoft XHE-3 ,the cyber stick should also work.

Okay, Afterburner for the GBA was Action 52 levels of broken. But Space Harrier? When that released, it was some of the most intense arcade action available in the backseat of a car. Especially since my other options for rail shooters were tech demos like Star X, Iridion 3d, and Flight of the Falcon. They all had great graphics engines...but not a single one of them learned anything about game design.