Alien 3: Megadrive vs SNES

[hudson]

Wow, these are decent games. They are different games (developed at the same studio - Probe), mind. Both are run and gun, explore and collect stuff, however they are set up and control differently. The Megadrive version has you running through stages rescuing captured prisoners against the clock and the SNES version has a hub where you choose missions from.

They both look and sound great in their own different way. I was playing through the games recently thinking how they still stand up today.

Apart from the racing against the clock, I think the Megadrive version pips it for me. It's really fun! However, I really like the look of the SNES version.

What do you think of these games?

Megadrive


SNES

[Colin]

Loved the MD game. I remember a mate and I having a monster session on it back in the day alternating turns trying to clock it and learning from each others mistakes. I was the one who finally managed to beat it first and I think it was at something like 3am. I went back to it years later and thought "yeah, I've beaten this in the past, I can do it again". However I was absolutely hopeless at it. I'd really need to sit down and fully commit to it again to get through it.

[Dogg Thang]

I really enjoyed the Megadrive game but I don't think I've ever played the SNES one. The Megadrive one could be punishing if you ran around too much, hiding pouncing aliens just off screen, but it was one of those games that played fair - if you just kept at it, you'd make constant progress.

[beecee]

Mega drive version for me, so much better, remember hoping the Snes one was going to be an updated version of the MD one, was disappointed it wasn't.

love the music of the MD version, it just makes for a better experience.

[phillv85]

I don't think I've played the SNES version, although there is a cart in my room staring at me. I loved the Mega Drive game way back when. It's really intense with Aliens running onto the screen at full pelt. It's bloody hard later on in the game though, it almost feels a little unfair with the amount of time you get.

[Baseley09]

Music from the Megadrive one is etched on my mind from the mean machines sega preview VHS I watched a million times, so good.

[briareos_kerensky]

I never played the MD version but from the look of it, I might have enjoyed it more than the SNES version. It seems a more linear experience with end-of-stage bosses, rather than the task-driven not-quite-Metroidvania style of the SNES version. Graphcially the SNES version looks more advanced, especially in backgrounds.

[CAPCOM]

Visually SNES, gameplay wise MD wins, and I believe was always considered the better overall game at the time of its release.

[wakka]

I really liked this on the Mega Drive, it was incredibly atmospheric. Found it absolutely rock hard though. Played it again recently and, yeah, too hard for me

[hudson]

Wow. Will anyone give the SNES version some face hugs?

Are there any modern indie games that took inspiration from the MD version?

[CAPCOM]

The SNES version scored well on review in the 90s, just not as high.

[Leon Retro]

The SNES version was quite a stunning game for its time. The Mega Drive game has a much darker look that is also quite attractive. I thought the SNES version was impressive but I didn't enjoy playing it. The MD version was more fun to play. Ultimately, I'd rather play the Aliens coin-op by Konami.