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NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion => Topic started by: runinruder on November 06, 2007, 01:55:50 AM

Title: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: runinruder on November 06, 2007, 01:55:50 AM
Way back in the TG16's early days, The Legendary Axe was the king of the TurboChips.  It received lots of praise and high scores and "Game of the Year" awards from various magazines, and NEC rode its rep for a long while, plastering huge screens of the giant Jagu in every ad they possibly could. 

Nowadays, Dungeon Explorer seems to be the chip that garners universal admiration.  And hell, with its insanely good music and sweet multi-player action, it deserves every bit of praise it gets.

But the gray-bearded Axe surprisingly wiped the floor with its more-than-respectable sequel in a recent board poll.  Now it's time to see if it can come back one more time and show Rocky Balboa style heart and might against one of the greatest HuCards around.     

I've talked plenty about both on these forums, so I'll just note that Axe is my favorite chip game and is getting my vote here, even though I love DE. 

Previous Big Game Matchups:

Air Zonk 12, Aero Blasters 5
Dragon's Curse 9, Dynastic Hero 5
Rondo of Blood 17, Lords of Thunder 11
Ninja Spirit 19, Splatterhouse 9
Super Star Soldier 15, Dragon Spirit 3
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: nat on November 06, 2007, 02:45:52 AM
Dungeon Explorer. It's a well-known fact by anyone that reads anything I write that DE is my favorite Turbo cartridge, ever. It might have something to do with the fact that it was the first game I spent my own hard-earned cash on back in 1990 (as opposed to being given as a gift). But while that undoubtedly plays a small part in my fondness for it, simply the fact that it's one of the greatest games ever made for the TurboGrafx elevates it above all others. The atmosphere in Dungeon Explorer is absolutely steller-- I still get chills running through some of the later dungeons while being treated to one of the best video game soundtracks of all time.

Dungeon Explorer is a grand slam in all respects, whether it be a single-player adventure, or the surprisingly well-designed multi-player mode. When I die I want to be buried in a coffin lined with Dungeon Explorer cartridges. And I mean that.

Legendary Axe is a competent contender here, but it falls short. While 99% of the sprite artwork in LA is just awesome, I find the quality of the background graphics to be inconsistent, ranging from some of the best on the Turbo to just downright average. Levels 4C and 5 are some of my favorites visually, while I find the cave levels (2 and 4B) a bit drab. I really love the gameplay in LA, no faults there. Unfortunately for LA, there is just no room for "average" in any department when going up against a title as rock-solid as Dungeon Explorer.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: Necromancer on November 06, 2007, 02:57:02 AM
I voted thrice for Dungeon Explorer, 'cause it's just that damn good.  Legendary Axe is just an average platformer in my book, so DE and its kick-ass soundtrack easily mops the floor with LA and bangs its sister.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: sunteam_paul on November 06, 2007, 04:22:58 AM
The music alone raises Dungeon Explorer far over LA (which I also find more frustrating).
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: Joe Redifer on November 06, 2007, 10:09:32 AM
This is a tough one, but I find myself playing Legendary Axe more.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: Black Tiger on November 06, 2007, 12:01:43 PM
I think that Dungeon Explorer is one of the very best Turbo/PCE games. As much as I love platforming, Legendary Axe is 'only' a great Turbo/PCE game.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: Turbo D on November 06, 2007, 12:02:33 PM
Dungeon Explorer easily  8)
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: TR0N on November 06, 2007, 12:18:41 PM
Legendary Axe i haven't had the chance to get dungeon explorer yet  :oops:
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: nat on November 06, 2007, 12:50:01 PM
How dare you.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: Keranu on November 06, 2007, 03:33:18 PM
Dungeon Explorer was the immediate vote that came to my mind and I'm sticking with it.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: Turbo D on November 06, 2007, 05:31:10 PM
ya, I didn't even have to think twice about it. Dungeon Explorer is that awesome  8)
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: rag-time4 on November 06, 2007, 06:28:26 PM
If there was a third choice for "TurboGrafx-16 rules dude!", that would be my vote. Both of these games are classics.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: Necromancer on November 07, 2007, 01:47:04 AM
Legendary Axe i haven't had the chance to get dungeon explorer yet  :oops:

Unnggh!  Did you feel that, TRON?  That was me sending you a digital kick to the crotch.  :evil:
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: Neo Rasa on November 07, 2007, 03:18:16 AM
Dungeon Explorer all the way, though I do probably play Legendary Axe more overall.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: ceti alpha on November 07, 2007, 03:38:11 AM
Both games are awesome...obviously, but I have to put my kudos with DE. I loved Gauntlet and this game was even better. The music alone is enough to put this HuCard above the competition. And who could forget the awesome intro sequence?
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: spenoza on November 07, 2007, 04:11:56 AM
I like this matchup. The best matchups are close votes  :)
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: Turbo D on November 07, 2007, 04:45:53 AM
I like ketchup. Why is this matchup so close anyways  :-k
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: nat on November 07, 2007, 07:18:01 AM
I think runinruder is creating dummy accounts and using them to vote for Legendary Axe.  :wink:

You know, it's funny. I usually seem to agree with ruinruder's views and opinions on games, most of the time. But I'll be damned if we haven't voted opposite ways on every single one of these matchups.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: Keranu on November 07, 2007, 02:40:23 PM
Whoa, where did the sudden jump of votes for LA come from?  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: spenoza on November 07, 2007, 03:00:15 PM
Well... I voted for it... It's like picking your favorite child, y'know? Either way, it's arbitrary.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: Sinistron on November 16, 2007, 08:06:13 AM
These are among my favorite USA hucards- two of my top five probably. I however always come back to Legendary Axe- to me possibly the tightest two meg card ever.  I recently made a hip-hop beat out of the level five music.  I know- blasphemy.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: spenoza on November 16, 2007, 10:41:25 AM
Axe's music is pretty compatible with anything with a defined beat, so I'm not surprised.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: Sinistron on November 21, 2007, 06:33:39 AM
Anyone willing to hear that beat (with vocals on it) just click my name and then website.  I promise- it's not bad.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: ceti alpha on November 21, 2007, 07:11:37 AM
That is sweet.  :clap: Uhm yeah....did I mention that is awesome?  8)
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: Emerald Rocker on November 21, 2007, 09:34:23 AM
The three Legendary Axe fans must be cheating.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: nat on November 21, 2007, 09:37:30 AM
The three Legendary Axe fans must be cheating.

That's what I said.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: rag-time4 on November 21, 2007, 08:39:13 PM
Anyone willing to hear that beat (with vocals on it) just click my name and then website.  I promise- it's not bad.

Have you ever thought of using Blazing Lazers level 8 music? The Bubble level...?

It seems like it would lend itself to hip-hop pretty easily.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: Sinistron on November 22, 2007, 09:01:21 AM
Actually I have thought of that one!  That board owned me back in the day- I can honestly say I only beat that board after buying the game again recently.  I have a list of games that I plan on using if I get the time- I actually wanted to do an all turbo-grafx/pc-engine based album or EP- however I felt it would be wasted on some of my "audience" - most of who never even played the system before.  Even when I have friends over they look at me like I'm some kind of dinosaur.  I'm just not into 16 different buttons on a controller or all the real time games- They're not games to me- more simulations.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: nodtveidt on November 22, 2007, 11:00:31 PM
Gotta go with DE. Best Gauntlet clone ever made, which actually isn't saying much since it's not really my type of game. LA is way too broken for me to enjoy. Ironically, I don't even like DE all that much, but it's still leaps and bounds better than LA.
Title: Re: Big Game Matchup SIX
Post by: Sinistron on November 28, 2007, 05:49:40 AM
For a two-meg cartridge though there's so much love put into LA.  The graphics are lush, gorgeous.  The music stays interesting level to level.  The gameplay is smooth and has a perfect difficulty curve.  It was one of the first home video games to have that arcade feel.  Cracking a goon with a fully powered axe is so satisfying.  The final two bosses are amazing for a turbo game.  It is close though.  DE has- I believe 15 bosses?  5 players, great music, great graphics, hidden characters, and like you say its got that Gauntlet thing on lock.  Tough.