A port of Ristar
8-bit port of Ristar on the Sega Game Gear with remixed levels and a few original stages.
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The term demake gets thrown around kind of a lot nowadays to just mean "remake I don't like" but I always thought of it to mean remaking a game on weaker hardware. In this case, we have Ristar for the Sega Game Gear, which is far weaker than the Sega Genesis.
TBH? It's by far the most impressive deconversion of a game ever made, to the point I much prefer it to the Genesis version. All the levels I disliked such as the water levels are replaced with new more straightforward levels like a cool rainbow level (be sure to play the Japanese version of GG Ristar!) or bomb disposal level. I just enjoy not having to play with the swimming physics again.
The music and graphics are a bit of a downgrade of course, but GG Ristar punches far harder than its weight class would suggest. I could listen to its version of the OST for ages https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZIuBpTd9P8
Also, even the English version retains the story from the Japanese original which was changed in the English Genesis release. Very neat! But I think the coolest technical achievement is how they managed to replicate the ending effects on Game Gear! https://youtu.be/SxdHf1xz0w4?t=2254
It's the same Ristar you know and love, only with all the filler bits removed and replaced with mostly more interesting things imo. The new collectibles are really fun to casually walk through and I appreciate how many extra things there are to grab such as enemy shields and spears. Easy rec for fans of the original.
TBH? It's by far the most impressive deconversion of a game ever made, to the point I much prefer it to the Genesis version. All the levels I disliked such as the water levels are replaced with new more straightforward levels like a cool rainbow level (be sure to play the Japanese version of GG Ristar!) or bomb disposal level. I just enjoy not having to play with the swimming physics again.
The music and graphics are a bit of a downgrade of course, but GG Ristar punches far harder than its weight class would suggest. I could listen to its version of the OST for ages https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZIuBpTd9P8
Also, even the English version retains the story from the Japanese original which was changed in the English Genesis release. Very neat! But I think the coolest technical achievement is how they managed to replicate the ending effects on Game Gear! https://youtu.be/SxdHf1xz0w4?t=2254
It's the same Ristar you know and love, only with all the filler bits removed and replaced with mostly more interesting things imo. The new collectibles are really fun to casually walk through and I appreciate how many extra things there are to grab such as enemy shields and spears. Easy rec for fans of the original.
The 8-bit version of Ristar on the Game Gear is if anything even more impressive to look at than the Mega Drive version when considered within the restraints of it's hardware, looking as good or better than many games on 16-bit hardware. Much like the graphics the controls are completely uncompromised too, Ristar controlling near identically to how he does in the 16-bit version. It also mostly doesn't suffer from the same mean difficulty curve towards the end apart from a cruel final boss rush, the levels following a similar path to Sonic the Hedgehog 8-bit with a mix of direct ports, alternate levels with the same themes, and completely original worlds which ends up making Ristar 8-bit worth playing even if you've played the original.
super fun platformer, worth a play still
A solid port that goes the Donkey Kong Land route with adding new levels & bosses to replace some of the content from the Genesis version. The music is the best on the Game Gear but comparing it to the Genesis soundtrack, its like comparing a steak dinner to a kids meal (the new compositions are great, however). Was expecting the Game Gear resolution to be an issue with the game since that is the usual for most of it's library but I was pleasantly surprised by the game not suffering from screen crunch at all. They definitely designed this game around that limitation.
Overall, Ristar GG is a neat little companion piece to the Genesis game and I recommend playing it if you're hungry for more Ristar. Lord knows he probably won't come back with a new game anytime soon.
Would also check out the SMS conversion romhack in case you want that extra screen real estate, but I can assure you the Game Gear resolution is fine as is.
Overall, Ristar GG is a neat little companion piece to the Genesis game and I recommend playing it if you're hungry for more Ristar. Lord knows he probably won't come back with a new game anytime soon.
Would also check out the SMS conversion romhack in case you want that extra screen real estate, but I can assure you the Game Gear resolution is fine as is.
The level designs are simplified compared to the Genesis counterpart, which is to be expected for the Game Gear. But surprisingly swinging from pole to pole felt more fluid/easier and you have more control over where Ristar goes when flying. I also really liked that you can pick up some weapons dropped by enemies and use them.
Take the graphics and level design of the Genesis and the easier controls and more tools to grab/use of the Game Gear and there could have been a really good sequel.
Take the graphics and level design of the Genesis and the easier controls and more tools to grab/use of the Game Gear and there could have been a really good sequel.
A pretty solid conversion of a great game. The Genesis version is still superior, but I can imagine this being a solid alternative at the time.