What Are The Best Arcade Ports on the NES?

[D.D.D.]

Of course, there are a ton of arcade ports, but which ones are actually impressive and hold up well?

Impressive and hold up well? Bubble Bobble & Contra.

[Limewater]

We're not talking if the game was good or not, because it was. We're talking about good ports, good port meaning as true to the source material as possible. So yeah, graphics do matter in this situation.

I'm not so sure that is the definition of a good port. That's why I asked in one of my earlier posts.

[Hatta]

Gyruss!

[YoshiEgg25]

Tecmo Bowl for the arcade had two imaginary teams to choose from. Tecmo Bowl for the NES had 12 NFL teams.

[BurningDoom]

We're not talking if the game was good or not, because it was. We're talking about good ports, good port meaning as true to the source material as possible. So yeah, graphics do matter in this situation.

I'm not so sure that is the definition of a good port. That's why I asked in one of my earlier posts.

Yeah, that pretty much is the definition of a good arcade port, staying as true as possible to the source arcade game.

If not, then what is the definition of a good port?

[Breetai]

If not, then what is the definition of a good port?

I think you mean "good" as in as faithful in every way to the arcade game as possible.
Some people are thinking "good" means "fun" or something similar.

I would say we are talking about "as faithful in every way to the arcade game as possible" in this thread.

[Limewater]

I think you mean "good" as in as faithful in every way to the arcade game as possible.
Some people are thinking "good" means "fun" or something similar.

I would say we are talking about "as faithful in every way to the arcade game as possible" in this thread.

Yeah, that's pretty much the distinction I see, and the question I have. Racket doesn't ask for the most faithful ports. He asks which were most impressive and which hold up best today. I'm not sure if he's asking which ones are the most fun, or which are the most faithful.

I think that the NES version of Double Dragon II is more fun than the arcade version. It's definitely not a faithful to the original game. What does that make it?

And what about arcade ports that add functionality, or new levels? They aren't faithful. Are they good ports?

[Breetai]

...which ones are actually impressive and hold up well?

Yeah, I am not exactly sure what he's looking for. I guess maybe the TMNTII sort of game...

If that is the case, then Double Dragon II would definitely fall into this category. It's a great game. The "backwards" fighting mechanics take some getting use to, but I don't think it's a bad thing. It's just different.

Definitely Contra and Super C are there. Gradius also.

What is the absolute best NES arcade conversion that isn't necessarily faithful to the arcade? Life Force!!!