Feature: The Ultimate Multiplatform Guide Subscribe to this RSS feed
Generation 2: Sony PlayStation vs. Sega Saturn vs. Nintendo 64
Tag team action! Kinda.
Sony essentially won two battles during this console generation, engaging in two drastically different multiplatform tussles. Even though the Sega Saturn beat the PlayStation to the marketplace, Sega alienated developers even further with more blunders--most notably, the system's "surprise" early launch that almost all third-parties were left completely in the dark about. When games were ported to both systems, Sony's more 3D-capable hardware allowed it to get more graphically pleasing versions of games like Tomb Raider, Resident Evil, and WipEout. Sega had an ace up its sleeve, however with the Saturn's RAM expansion slot, which allowed the system to receive near arcade-perfect versions of Capcom's "vs." fighting games, while the PlayStation couldn't handle the games' signature character switching feature. Ultimately, gamers weren't looking for amazing-looking 2D games as much as they were choosing to embrace the burgeoning 3D genres of the time, so the Saturn's proficiency with 2D ports (which ultimately aged much better than the PlayStation's 3D games) went largely unnoticed.
Got an N64? Then everyone can, indeed Shang Tsung tonight.
The Nintendo 64 presented a much different platform for developers, and a much more distinct advantages and disadvantages in multiplatform releases. While the N64's cartridges didn't have the same storage capacity as a PlayStation disc, the lack of loading needed in cartridge format was a boon. Nowhere was this odd dynamic as noticeable as in Acclaim's WWF Warzone. Because the PlayStation couldn't load character information instantaneously like the N64 could, only Nintendo's console had the Royal Rumble match option. On the other hand, Sony's discs and superior sound power allowed for genuine entrance themes, while the N64 made do with MIDI soundalikes. There were a few games that had a clear superiority on one console, like Mortal Kombat Trilogy on the N64, where Shang Tsung could morph instantaneously to any other character while the PS1 had to severely limit that feature. On the other hand, the PlayStation had much better versions of the Tony Hawk games, due to Sony's more streamlined controller with which the games were developed around and disc storage capacity allowing the series' breakout soundtracks to be played in all their glory.
Generation 2.5: Sega Dreamcast vs. Sony PlayStation vs. Nintendo 64/ Sega Dreamcast vs. Sony PlayStation 2
Near the end of the 32/64-bit console generation, the Dreamcast entered the gaming arena, set to compete with Sony's next console, the upcoming PlayStation 2. Unfortunately the Dreamcast's run ended before it really started, and the system competed more with it's supposed predecessors than it did with the next-gen consoles that came out after the ill-fated console gave up the ghost. The Dreamcast received a few ports like Hydro Thunder and Vigilante 8: Second Offense that were far more attractive-looking than the PS1 and N64 versions, with the added benefit of VMU support.
