Doom Versions Comparison - Gaming History 101 

Soulblazerz The flaw in this dissection is that its all the games against each other and it doesnt credit the platform its on. Its like comparing Altered Beast on Master System, Genesis, TG16, and Arcade. This was also early into my video creation days. Nowadays I would contrxtualize the ports and definitely not put them against one another, I'd jst compare and contrast them. Its not a contest, never was.

+uamdbro Yeah, but by his logic the 32X version was the worst because twenty years ago the 32X cost $150, even though now you can get one for about $20 on ebay. Specs like framerate and resolution don't matter to a fanboy. Only their twisted logic does.

That and you have to compare it to the time it came out. This was more reasonable to deal with frame rate and slowdown compared to today's 4k 120 fps standard.

Found the Sega fanboy ^^^^

keegan kdaba Scripts are a glorious thing and after recording this video off the cuff I started using them to prevent this problem. i know its annoying, but at least I fixed it moving forward.

In hindsight, I was totally being too hard on the 32X version. A few things have changed since I did this video (which even I was surprised to see it was 3 years ago): I can now capture at true 240p RGB and I'm no longer giving casual impressions based on playing the game on a standard TV with no research. I still personally don't like the 32X version, but it's doing some impressive things for an add-on that was poorly supported.

Thank you! That's a great suggestion and I intend to do that in the future. Not trying to pimp a subscription, but if you subscribe I'm going to be doing regular "versions" with a bit more of a historical context. The videos won't be much longer, but probably closer to 30 mins. Those should start in Oct probably.

Fred Rojas I may sub in that case. Not really interested in reviews of them (just watching PR ep now, that took some time) or the history of the game (like in that or MK) but so far the Doom one is my favourite. Don't have any suggestions I don't think, just like the concept. Thanks

Fred Rojas Actually I'd kind of like to see Command & Conquer. There were different computer versions, but also 3 console versions.

Yeah, it's really down to preference and what you are willing to pay. Console-wise, the jaguar is the best performing port hands down and resolution wise. I mean you can buy the PC versions of doom for 10 dollars or get them bundled on steam or what not. Now it doesn't really matter :)

Chris Mifsud Quality of ports, especially those in hindsight, are going to be varied. In many of the cases of Version, I have never compared these ports before so its interesting to note differences. I have to concede that this being one of my earlier efforts, its a bit too snarky and dismissive with many versions. In future eps I try to commend the efforts of all versions and then give personal opinion on quality, which inmediatly someone disagrees with. Thats fine and inevitable. As for the 32X port, I just dont care for it and was disappointed when I first played it as a kid at launch. Perhaps you and others played it and loved it, which is a good thing because no one likes buying a game and feeling its bad. Either way, I was too dismissive with that and a few other versions, something I will work on for the future. Thanks for watching.

Back in the day I was lucky to have a 486DX2/66 so I guess I had the best version :) Anyway, awesome video!

You're also missing the fact that the Doom port on SNES is missing the Floor & Roof textures instead replacing them with flat shaded versions, also you stick to walls instead of gliding along them which makes the game itself feel very 'undoom-like'. The SNES port is neat from a technical perspective but the 32x Doom is actually more faithful even with the fart music, most people in those times were still stuck using PC Speaker. I'd play the 32X version of Doom over the SNES personally just for clarity and framerate alone.

The 32x isn't the more faithful port, though. Side by side, yes, it runs at a higher framerate and resolution than the SNES, but there's also a few things to note: 1. SNES version is more faithful on the textures. What they lack in floor/ceiling textures they make up for w/ in wall textures and decorations. 2. The maps are more faithful on the SNES, closer resembling the PC version and aren't missing large sections of the maps like the 32x. 3. The SNES version has more maps (23 compared to 18 I believe). 4. The SNES version has better lighting (one of very few ports to actually have blinking lighting, and have the lights go out in E1M3 when you grab the blue key card). 5. The SNES version has better music. 6. The SNES version has more artifacts (invisibility, light amp goggles, rad suit, etc.) 7. The SNES version has more enemies/bosses. 8. The SNES version has more faithful text updates on the HUD. 9. The SNES version has more traps (i.e. crushing ceilings). 10. The SNES version has more hidden levels. 11. The SNES version has all of the weapons. 12. The SNES version has a briefing map that actually updates with the citadel being built like the PC version.

+Sub Zero The Ice Ninga Yeah I deserve that. Hyperbole like cash rewards won't be a part of my stuff in the future haha. Sorry for not having your money, I understand if you're mad.

+Fred Rojas It was just a joke besides I am European.

RMJ1984 wow, you know I never noticed that until you said so. Not sure why.

I guess i just played the PC version way to much back then :P and the shareware, so i know episode 1 fairly well. It just seems so odd to remove those things. Maybe its for performance, it just seems odd.

The Snes version does.

Totally agree. At the time I recorded this, I was not researching the developmental context and as you demonstrate, that means a lot. Rebecca is a gem, responsible for some of my favs. The games with the worst reputations in history were created by geniuses, many constrained by time crunch like this one. Thanks for commenting.

I need to play that again. I can't remember if I was initially in love with it or didn't much care for it. I do remember it was an achievement for the Genesis at the time.

Fred Rojas It feels like Doom because you're fighting a bunch of alien monsters, and it feels like a movie (you get to control 4 men 1 woman as shown on their Id cards).

Haven't had a chance to analyze them yet, this video is a quite a few years old, but thats great to hear. Anytime games like this come to new platforms for a bigger audience it's a great thing.

@@GH101 Ah dude they're so good! I'm pretty much hooked on all of them mainly Doom 1993 and Doom 3 right now. I also have to mention they take really good advantage of that HD rumble the Switch controller's have. They did an amazing job.

Jack Pawlowski I thought I addressed it in the video but Doom 64 is not the same game, it has a unique campaign. that doesnt mean it isnt worth playing, far from it.

Oh, I didn't know that. I'll make sure to try it out.

Jack Pawlowski If you dont have an N64 you can google a fan patch for ZDoom that adds it on PC. ut doesnt make the Doom 64 visuals but its still cool.

Glad you're enjoying it, that's the true point of this video. As for the 32X version (or any version I don't care for that others loved), it's deeper than a version comparison. People grew up playing these games and Doom is a staple to any gamer in their late 20s to early 40s so it hits home when someone rips it. Most people mad I tore into the 32X version are mad because that's the version they grew up playing and loved. I'm attacking that. I wish I had that hindsight when I first made the video. I hope to be a bit more objective in upcoming comparison's but I will still let my opinion come through in limited scope.

I think thats what I like best about these videos, they are a direct extension in hindsight. I will not argue that thev32x version wasnt special to many players.

Fred Rojas The thing about the 32X version as well was that it was a launch title. If it had been second generation or later I have no doubts that a lot of the missing stuff would have been added. The 32X really saddens me. As much as I loved the system due to some great software, it was just release about a year or 2 too late. Its run was a short, but sweet one to me.

Had they made that $200 neptune console that was genesis/32x in one and dropped it in xmas '94 I think you would have seen those original 32x projects (Rayman, Crash Bandicoot, Sonic Xtreme) actually remain on the console and been a split gen hit.

Honestly because no one has really asked. There are far fewer ports of Doom II and I have to come outright and say I can't cover the Tapwave Zodiac version. I have no idea how to capture it and more importantly it's a somewhat rare and collectible item and I'm not a collector. Let me know, if you want a Doom II version I would be happy to do the other ports.

Fred Rojas of course you guys don't need the so obscure only collectors can find versions in your episodes. If you just do the ps1, sega saturn, and gameboy advance versions it will be fine for most people unless there's another port that's common of it

Alex dillard To my knowledge those were PC perfect. These were analyzed due to the fact that no hardware was capable of the PC version's fidelity.

Fred Rojas ok there are a few other ports but this is a good video

Alex dillard Glad you enjoyed it, sorry for the poor script ("compromised"). Can't remember when I recorded exactly but i missed some ports. I know the HP Laserjet status screen port was after this, which is good because I have no idea how I would have captured it.

Marcus Carlsson Yeah, I need to play those on my RGB modded N64. Heard really good things.

Yeah you can also dowlod the PC mods for free Doom 64 EX and Duke Nukem 64 mod

Marcus Carlsson I will do that, thanks!

I agree. Since this video I have moved away from value judgements and more into demonstrating differences. I still have a degree of preferential treatment, but if you watch the Resident Evil 2 comparison I focus more now on difference and not flame bait. tha ks for watching and commenting.

The PS1 was far more powerful then those consoles. I would be shocked if it wasn't

Phantasystar77 actually I don't know if the PS1 was necessarily more powerful than the Saturn it's just the PS1 was the easiest to program for as well as most worthy of doing the job properly on because of the console's popularity and Doom was maybe a bit too heavy for the SNES/Genesis generation but it's by no means the most specs intensive game on any of the platforms from the PS1 generation.

James F. Fortengard Well PS1 was definitely more powerful then 32X, SNES, and the Jag. Doom did come to Saturn and from what I understand it was based off the PS1 version. I haven't played it but I hear its pretty weak mainly due to shoddy programming. As far as PS1 compared to Saturn, PS1 was more powerful when it came to 2D, but the Saturn had better 2D. Still the Saturn was notoriously difficult to program for, but good programmers were capable of making stuff look just as good as PS1. Stuff like Last Bronx, Virtua Fighter 2, Scorcher, Sega Rally, and Daytona Championship Edition.

I don't see the "greatness" of the PS1 port, it's the Jaguar version with faster framerate, some extra coloured lighting and new soundtrack. PC version is "the way it was ment to be played" when it comes to Doom.

because the Jaguar is a bad console. how much more clear do I have to make it?