SMS & NES 'Same Games' List v1.1 - 12/02/01 by Adam Lamontagne Hosted by: http://www.classicgaming.com/thewarpzone/ The NES vs SMS debate will probably never abate. Advocates for each system have their arguments over which is the most dominant. It was hard to really determine a clear cut winner (unless you look at US sales), as both systems had different games...it was like comparing apples and oranges. However, as time went on games started getting less exclusive to each system. It all started when Tengen, an unlicensed NES game company, released 4 Sega games for the NES around 1988. These games were After Burner, Alien Syndrome, Fantasy Zone and Shinobi. There were already a few games released for both systems (like Double Dragon and Paperboy), but when Tengen released these 4 Sega games on the NES it was big news. The SMS versions of these 4 games, particularly Shinobi, are widely recognized as the better versions, though some might challenge that. Even though interest in the SMS faded in the US, European and Brazilian companies continued to manufacture (and still do!) SMS games. Most of these are watered-down versions of 16-bit games or converted Game Gear games, but they are SMS games nonetheless. A lot of these games were also released on the NES. This list was created to identify the various games that were released for both systems, the NES and the SMS. I will list the company that released each game as well as any pertinent comments on the games themselves (differences between versions, unconfirmed game, etc.). Perhaps by comparing the NES versions of these games to their SMS counterparts we can better determine which system is superior. Then again, it is all a matter of opinion :) Please direct any comments and/or corrections to: alamont1@maine.rr.com Version History 12/02/01 v1.1 -Added a Thanks section -Added Kid Kool/Psycho Fox -Changed [UK only] designation to [European only] -Asmik released Altered Beast for the Famicom -Parker Bros. released Monopoly for the NES -Virgin released Lion King for the NES (PAL) -Epyx released World Games for the SMS -Found a host for this list (thanks TRM!) -Added Brazil name changes for the following SMS games: Bubble Bobble, California Games and Columns -Made various grammatical corrections -Added info on Tom & Jerry -Started adding release dates -Added Rygar, Solomon's Key, Golgo 13, Mighty Bombjack -Added info on Renegade, Heroes of the Lance,Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade 12/01/01 v1.0 -Initial release Addams Family SMS: Flying Edge [European only] NES: Ocean Afterburner SMS: Sega NES: Tengen Aladdin SMS: Sega (1994) [European only] NES: Virgin [PAL]; Multiple Pirate versions COMMENT: Aladdin was released in the UK by Virgin Games for the NES. There are several different pirate versions floating around. Alien 3 SMS: Acclaim [European only] NES: LJN Alien Syndrome SMS: Sega NES: Tengen Altered Beast SMS: Sega NES: Asmik [Famicom] Arch Rivals SMS: ? NES: Acclaim COMMENT: Unconfirmed for the SMS. Asterix SMS: Sega (1991) [European only] NES: Infogrames [PAL] COMMENT: Both the NES and SMS versions are European releases. Back to Future 2/Back to Future 3 SMS: Image Works (BtF2 1990) [European only] NES: LJN COMMENT: The NES version is titled Back to the Future II & III where both titles were combined on one cart. Both titles were released seperately for the SMS and only in Europe. I have not played the SMS versions so I cannot compare them to the NES release. Batman Returns SMS: Sega [European only] NES: Konami Battletoads SMS: Tec Toy [Brazil only] NES: Tradewest Bram Stoker's Dracula SMS: Sony Imagesoft [European only] NES: Sony Imagesoft Bubble Bobble SMS: Taito (1991) [European and Brazil only] NES: Taito COMMENT: The SMS version is known as 'Dragon Maze' in Brazil. California Games SMS: Sega NES: Milton Bradley COMMENT: The SMS version is known as 'Jogos de Verao' in Brazil. Captain Planet SMS: Sega NES: Mindscape COMMENT: Unconfirmed for SMS. Captain Silver SMS: Sega NES: ? [Famicom] Chase HQ SMS: Sega/Taito [European only] NES: Taito [Famicom] COMMENT: Chase HQ was planned for a US release but never came out, even though a tip was published for it in Nintendo Power. It was released on the Famicom. Choplifter SMS: Sega NES: ? [Famicom] CJ Elephant Fugtive Codemster NR UR ?? ?? ?? Cliffhanger SMS: ? NES: Sony Imagesoft Cloud Master SMS: Sega NES: Taito [Famicom] COMMENT: Released as Chuka Taisen on the Famicom. Columns SMS: Sega (1990) NES: ? [Famicom] COMMENT: Released as a pirate Famicom game titled Magic Jewelry. The SMS version is known as 'Shapes and Columns' in Brazil. Cool Spot SMS: Virgin NES: Arcadia COMMENT: The SMS version is a platformer while the NES version (titled 'Spot') is a board game, much like Othello. Cosmic Spacehead SMS: Codemasters [European only] NES: ? Dick Tracy SMS: SMS NES: Bandai COMMENT: The SMS version is an action game, pared down from the Genesis version. The NES version is more of an adventure/action game. Die Hard 2 SMS: ? NES: Activision COMMENT: Since little is known about the SMS game (it is unconfirmed), I will list it with the NES version of Die Hard 1 in case they are the same game. Double Dragon SMS: Sega NES: Tradewest Double Dragon 2 SMS: Sega NES: Acclaim COMMENT: I'm not even sure that an SMS version exists. Drop Zone SMS: Codemasters NES: Mindscape [PAL] COMMENT: The SMS version is rumored to exist, yet remains unconfirmed. The NES PAL-only version is a rip-off of the arcade game Defender. Duck Tales SMS: Titus NES: Capcom COMMENT: The SMS version may not exist. Fantastic Adventures of Dizzy SMS: Codemasters [European only] NES: Codemasters Fantasy Zone SMS: Sega NES: Tengen; Sunsoft [Famicom] COMMENT: The NES version by Tengen is basically the same as the SMS version. The Famicom version by Sunsoft has gameplay more like Fantasy Zone 2, but is not identical to it. Fantasy Zone 2 SMS: Sega NES: Sunsoft [Famicom] COMMENT: I believe these 2 versions are alike. Ferrari GP Chalenge SMS: ? NES: Acclaim COMMENT: Unconfirmed for SMS. Fire and Ice SMS: Sega [Brazil only] NES: Tecmo COMMENT: The NES version is the sequel to Solomon's Key. The SMS version is a completely different game altogether. Flintstones SMS: Grand Slam [European only] NES: Taito Formula One Racing SMS: ? [European only] NES: Seta COMMENT: The NES version is titled 'Formula One Built to Win.' These probably are not the same game. Gauntlet SMS: Sega; US Gold [European only] NES: Tengen COMMENT: This game was released on the SMS by both Sega and US Gold. Gauntlet was released on the NES by Tengen first as a licensed game then later as an unlicensed game (black cart) when Nintendo and Tengen went to war. George Foreman's KO Boxing SMS: Flying Edge [European only] NES: Acclaim COMMENT: Acclaim/LJN/Flying Edge are the same company, so these versions are probably very similar. Ghostbusters SMS: Sega NES: Activision COMMENT: These are completely different games. Ghostbusters 2 SMS: Sega NES: Activision Ghosts n Goblins/Ghouls and Ghosts SMS: Sega NES: Capcom COMMENT: Capcom released Ghosts n Goblins on the NES around 1987. Ghouls n Ghosts is a sequel that was released simultaneously on the SMS and Genesis but never made it to the NES. Global Gladiators/M.C. Kids SMS: Sega; Virgin [European only] NES: Virgin COMMENT: Global Gladiators was released on the SMS by both Sega and Virgin, depending on what part of the world you are in. The NES version was titled M.C. Kids. I believe the games are similar. Golgo 13 SG-1000: Sega (1984) NES: Vic Tokai COMMENT: It wouldn't be fair to compare the two versions, as Golgo 13 wasn't released on the SMS but on the one of its predecessors, the SG-1000. Still interesting to know that Sega has a game called Golgo 13 out there. Heroes of the Lance SMS: US Gold (1991) [European only] NES: FCI COMMENTS: The graphics on the SMS version look far superior to its NES counterpart. Home Alone SMS: Sega [European only] NES: T*HQ Hook SMS: ? [European only] NES: Sony Imagesoft COMMENT: Unconfirmed for SMS. Impossible Mission 2 SMS: Epyx [European and Canadian only] NES: SEI; AVE; HES COMMENT: The game was released in the States by both SEI and AVE. It was also released in Australia by HES. The SMS release is titled 'Impossible Mission.' Incredible Crash Dummies, The SMS: Flying Edge [European only] NES: LJN COMMENT: These games are not at all alike. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade SMS: US Gold (1990) [European only] NES: Taito; UBI Soft COMMENT: The NES versions are completely different games. The SMS version is the same game as the UBI Soft NES version. James Bond 007 Duel SMS: Domark [European only] NES: Tengen (unreleased) COMMENT: The SMS version and the unreleased Tengen version are probably completely different games. Jungle Book SMS: Virgin [European only] NES: Virgin Jurassic Park SMS: Sega (1993) [European only] NES: Ocean COMMENT: Totally different games. Kid Kool/Psycho Fox SMS: Sega NES: Vic Tokai COMMENT: Okay, these are definitely NOT the same game, but are extremely similar. I'll have to check to see if they were created by the same programming team. King's Quest SMS: Parker Bros. (1989) NES: Konami COMMENT: The NES version is 'King's Quest V'. Not sure if the SMS version is the original King's Quest or one of the sequels. Klax SMS: Tengen [European only] NES: Tengen Krustys Fun House SMS: Flying Edge [European only] NES: Acclaim Lemmings SMS: Sega [European only] NES: Sunsoft Lion King SMS: Virgin [European only] NES: Virgin [PAL] Little Mermaid SMS: Tec Toy [Brazil only] NES: Capcom COMMENT: SMS version released in Brazil only as 'Ariel: The Little Mermaid'. Marble Madness SMS: US Gold [European only] NES: Milton Bradley Micro Machines SMS: Codemasters [European only] NES: Codemasters COMMENT: A regular version and an Aladdin version exist for the NES. Mighty Bombjack SG-1000: Tehkan (reprogrammed by Sega 1985) NES: Tecmo COMMENTS: These are 2 completely different games, but I found it interesting that Sega had released the arcade game 'Bombjack' for its SG-1000 (pre-SMS system). Monopoly SMS: Sega NES: Parker Bros. Mortal Kombat SMS: Acclaim [European only] NES: Several pirate versions COMMENT: There are a few poorly made pirate Famicom carts for various versions of Mortal Kombat. Ms Pacman SMS: Tengen [European only] NES: Tengen; Namco COMMENT: There is an unlicensed version (Tengen) and a licensed version (Namco) for the NES. New Zealand Story/Kiwi Kraze SMS: Tecmagik NES: Taito COMMENT: The US name for the game is Kiwi Kraze. The Famicom and PAL NES versions are called New Zealand Story. Ninja Gaiden SMS: Tecmo (Reprogrammed by Sega 1992) [European only] NES: Tecmo Operation Wolf SMS: Taito [European only] NES: Taito Pacmania SMS: Tecmagik [UK only] NES: Tengen Paperboy SMS: Sega; US Gold NES: Mindscape COMMENT: The US SMS release is from Sega while the UK version is from US Gold. Phantasy Star SMS: Sega (1987) NES: A pirate version COMMENT: There is an Asian pirate version of Phantasy Star released for the Famicom titled Wai Xing Zhan Shi. Prince of Persia SMS: Domark [European only] NES: Virgin Pro Wrestling SMS: Sega NES: Nintendo COMMENT: Both versions are completely different. Rainbow Islands SMS: Sega [European only] NES: Taito Rambo SMS: Sega NES: Acclaim COMMENT: Completely different games. Rampage SMS: Activision; Sega NES: Data East Rampart SMS: Tengen (1991) [European only] NES: Jaleco Ren & Stimpy SMS: TecToy [Brazil only] NES: T*HQ COMMENT: Totally different games. The SMS version is subtitled 'Quest for the Shaven Yak' and was also released on the Game Gear. Renegade SMS: Taito and Technos Japan (1993) [European only] NES: Taito COMMENTS: I've actually written a walkthrough for the SMS version, which IMO is superior to the NES version. Robin Hood SMS: Virgin NES: Virgin COMMENT: Unconfirmed for the SMS Robocop 3 SMS: Ocean (1993) [European only] NES: Ocean Robocop vs Terminator SMS: Sega; Virgin [European only] NES: Virgin [Prototype] COMMENT: There is a ROM of the NES virgin, which was never officially released. Rygar SMS: Tecmo [Japan only] NES: Tecmo COMMENT: The SMS version is pretty difficult to find as it was released as a silver cartridge in Japan. It is almost identical to the arcade version. The NES version is not like the SMS version, as it is more of an adventure-style game. Shinobi SMS: Sega NES: Tengen Simpson's: Bart vs the Space Mutants SMS: Flying Edge [European only] NES: Acclaim Simpson's: Bart vs the World SMS: Flying Edge [European only] NES: Acclaim Smash TV SMS: Flying Edge [European only] NES: Acclaim Smurfs, The SMS: Infogrames [European only] NES: Infogrames Solomon's Key SMS: Tecmo (1988) [Japan only] NES: Tecmo COMMENT: The SMS version was released only in Japan as a silver cartridge and is known as 'Solomon no Kagi'. Sonic the Hedgehog SMS: Sega NES: Pirate version COMMENT: A Famicom pirate titled 'Somari' exists, where you play as Mario in Sonic's world. Space Harrier SMS: Sega NES: Takara [Famicom] Spidrman: Return of the Sinister Six SMS: Flying Edge [European only] NES: LJN Spy vs Spy SMS: Sega (1986) [European only] NES: Kemco COMMENT: The SMS has both a card and a cart version of this game. Star Wars SMS: US Gold; Lucasarts [European only] NES: JVC COMMENT: The SMS and NES versions are almost identical, with a few subtle changes. Strider SMS: Sega NES: Capcom COMMENT: The same type of game, but not identical. Super Kick Off SMS: US Gold [European only] NES: ? [PAL] COMMENT: Kick Off was released as a PAL NES game. Super Off Road SMS: Sega [European only] NES: Tradewest COMMENT: Not sure if these are the same game. Superman SMS: Virgin [European only] NES: Kemco COMMENT: The SMS version is titled 'Superman: The Man of Steel'. I doubt that these games are the same. T2: Judgement Day SMS: Acclaim [European only] NES: LJN Tecmo World Soccer '93 SMS: Sega/Tecmo [European only] NES: Tecmo COMMENT: The NES title is 'Tecmo World Cup Soccer' with no date at the end. Terminator SMS: Virgin [European only] NES: Mindscape COMMENT: Originally the game Journey to Silius by Sunsoft was supposed to be the Terminator game but that fell through. Mindscape then released their version of the game. Tom and Jerry SMS: Sega [European only] NES: Hi-Tech Expressions COMMENT: The SMS title is 'Tom & Jerry: The Movie' while the NES version is simply 'Tom & Jerry'. A game titled 'Tom & Jerry: The Movie' was scheduled for release in 1994 but it never saw the light of day. I assume the SMS release would be the same as the NES version that went unreleased. Total Recall SMS: ? NES: Acclaim COMMENT: Not sure if this was released on the SMS, but if it was it was probably by Flying Edge. Hopefully the SMS was spared of this lousy game or perhaps it was improved over the NES version. Trivial Pursuit SMS: Domark [European only] NES: ? COMMENT: The NES version was never released but screen shots have been taken, so perhaps a proto exists. The SMS title is 'Trivial Pursuit - Genus Edition'. Ultima IV SMS: Sega NES: FCI COMMENT: Will have to find out which version of Ultima on the NES matches the SMS version...I believe it is Quest of the Avatar...will look into this. Where in Time is Carmen San Diego? SMS: ? NES: Konami COMMENT: The SMS version is 'Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?' and was released in the USA and Brazil. Winter Games SMS: Epyx [European only] NES: Acclaim COMMENT: The SMS game is called 'Winter Olympics'. These are probably two completely different games. Wonderboy/Adventure Island SMS: Sega NES: Hudson COMMENT: Wonderboy and Adventure Island are too similar to not be related somehow. World Games SMS: Epyx (1986) [European only] NES: Milton Bradley WWF Steel Cage Challenge SMS: Flying Edge [European and Brazil only] NES: LJN Ys Vanished Omens SMS: Sega NES: ? [Famicom] Thanks to the following contributors: David Eriksson (fxmas@home.se): Suggesting a comparison between games that aren't the same, but are extremely similar (like Psycho Fox and Kid Kool) James Polaniec (mild_rebellion@yahoo.com): Altered Beast released on Famicom by Asmik. Mike Etler: I used his NES Rarity List to confirm some of the companies that released the NES games. Omar Cornut (omar@cornut.fr): For his SMS game list, which was a huge help with all the SMS European and Brazil releases (http://www.smspower.org/museum/lists/smsall.txt) and for his SMS site (http://smspower.speedhost.com/) which provided a ton of info. Ruudos (ruudos@hotmail.com): Lion King (NES) released by Virgin info. shTHREE (shthree@atari-uk.com): Info on changing "UK Only" to a more general European only release. TRM (radtrm@yahoo.com): For hosting this list on The Warp Zone (http://www.classicgaming.com/thewarpzone/)