Mega Drive FTW :) Best presentation (once again the Mega Drive strikes the best visual balance: higher resolution than Amiga/SNES, very good colors (on par with Amiga, a bit worse than SNES/MS-DOS), parallax scrollings just like SNES and unlike Amiga/MS-DOS...). Very good music (not the best Matt Furniss soundtrack on the system but still, on par with SNES, better than Amiga and MUCH better than MS-DOS (I mean, just compare this 15:00 to this 21:37 haha)). And the Mega Drive version has exclusive cutscenes + exclusives levels and is the only one with a 3 player co-op option which is one of its strongest points and a feature which is, for obvious reasons, totally appropriate for this game! :D I have to dig that GBA version though. It seems pretty good by GBA standards and could be a nice way to play this game on the go.
Completely disagree. The Genesis version has terrible music, and the graphics are very.... muddled? Not sure what to call it. Oddly the Amiga version was the brightly colored one, which looked nice. The SNES was the more dull-colored one, which is surprising. The sound on the Amiga version was miles ahead. The SNES and Sega had the extra background layer, which was nice
This game is a rare case, where there's no best version. 1. SNES has 256-color graphics, 2 player mode and parallax scrolling. However it has lower resolution which limit view size and PCM samples are rather low quality. 2. Amiga got Genesis port, with even less colors, no parallax, but with higher resolution and best audio. 3. PC DOS has SNES graphics with palette swap animations and 256-colors and runs at higher resolution. It lacks parallax scrolling and even though it can play super high-quality music with MT-32 or General MIDI it uses MIDI sounds for sound effects (no DAC support from Sound Blaster). 4. Genesis has higher resolution and parallax backgrounds, but music sounds even worse than on DOS OPL3 FM synth. It also lacks palette swap animations SNES and DOS had and color palette is in general reduced. 5. CD32 is a lazy port from ECS Amigas. It doesn't use AGA features or CD storage. 6. GBA has lowest resolution, insufficient buttons and ugly graphics that were modified to be more readable on non backlit GBA screen. Audio is also bad. Definitely a port to avoid. 7. It's just a lazy DOS port with changed logo. It has removed setup program to change audio, so no MT-32 or General MIDI support. Overall each port has some flaws. PC DOS would be perfect if Blizzard would add parallax scrolling and better audio for 2014 DOSBox release. This is one of the classic games that really need a remaster. Not remake, a remaster that has same pixel-art graphics, but runs in wide-screen resolution and has all SNES features with maybe Amiga audio. If I could get a PC DOS source code, I would make such remaster within few weeks. So if someone from Blizzard is reading this, please contact me:)
If the Amiga would have got a Mega Drive conversion, then it would have got its exclusive levels. It didn't. It's actually a SNES conversion, same as the PC version. In fact, I believe the Mega Drive version came after all the others (that is, the SNES version and both computer conversions), hence why it has exclusive levels and level transitions no other version has.
@@WeskerSega All ports are based on original game, but it seems that Genesis and Amiga have something in common. Maybe it was other way around? Genesis port was based on Amiga code? Both systems had same CPU and at that time making games in assembly language was still popular. So starting with working Amiga 68000 code would be much simpler even if it still required to add missing features like parallax backgrounds. Also, Amiga games sometimes lacked features from other systems. Amiga used 880 KB floppies and cross-platform games had often less content to limit number of floppies. Some games lacked cutscenes, other lacked features and some lacked real content like Lion King that had no "Can't Wait to be king" and "Hakuna Matata" stages cut. It was more visible when you compared late Amiga releases with PC ports. Games on PC used 10-20 MB on HDD while Amiga ports came on about 4 floppies (3.5 MB).
@@Leeki85 If the Amiga and Mega Drive versions have code in common, then definitely the Amiga version was done first and then the Mega Drive one. The Mega Drive version is unique in several aspects. It has exclusive levels (one per each "world"), it has new "world" transitions which are totally different to the ones of the other versions. Instead of the vikings flying on space, it's a series of short funny scenes with the vikings testing an ability of sorts. The Amiga version still carries the SNES ones but without its Mode 7 effect. And there's also some recolorings which are unique to the Mega Drive version. For example, Tomator is green in all versions but on the Mega Drive one is blue. Oh, and some new music themes on the Mega Drive version too. If the Amiga version is a port of the Mega Drive one, why remove the exclusive Mega Drive features and regress it to the original SNES state? It's only logical the ot her way around. And I believe the Mega Drive version was released fairly late, in late 1993, while the Amiga version was also released in 1993 but I guess it was earlier. Other cases you mentioned like Aladdin and The Lion King, yeah, in those cases the Amiga versions are definitely based on the Mega Drive ones. There's many more games being that case, the most famous one is Mega Turrican/Turrican 3, and there's also some others that come up my mind now like Flink, Puggsy and both Mortal Kombat games.
there *is* a best version which is the mega drive/genesis one ;) this version has the best presentation (once again the mega drive strikes the best visual balance: higher resolution than amiga/SNES, very good colors (on par with amiga, a bit worse than SNES/MS-DOS), parallax scrollings just like SNES and unlike amiga/MS-DOS...) also very good music (not the best matt furniss soundtrack on the system but still, on par with SNES, better than amiga and MUCH better than MS-DOS (I mean, just compare this 15:00 to this 21:37 haha)) and the mega drive version has exclusive cutscenes + exclusives levels and is the only one with a 3 player co-op option which is one of its strongest points and a feature which is, for obvious reasons, totally appropriate for this game :D
So what is your opinion now on the Definitive Edition of the game that came out with the Arcade Collection? Is it the best version of the game to play or does it too lack something?
Whatever the version, this game truly needs to be brought back to the switch! One of thé most original titles on the supernes, is probably has no equal. Kept me hooked for days on end!
The Mega Drive/Genesis version is easily the best. Best visuals (320x224 pixels, crips graphics, good colors, parallax scrollings...), good sound (except a few voices that could have sounded better) and best gameplay with up to 3 player co-op (the sole version with such option) and exclusive levels.
I really don't get it. The MD had the worst graphics of all but the Gameboy. It also had terrible sound. It did have the parallax BG, but that was the only possitive.
It was a technical limitation. First Amiga computers could display two parallax layers, but it would require to reduce each layer palette to just 8-colors. Lost Vikings is a 256 color game and it's already looking bad in single layer at 32 colors on Amiga. With PC DOS they could make parallax background, but they would have to draw everything in software. Other games like Aladdin or Lion King did that, but they required a really fast 486 PC to be somewhat playable at 20 fps. Blizzard instead used VGA hardware scrolling, that was done without taxing CPU, but was limited to just one layer. That way Lost Vikings on PC DOS works at stable 60 fps on average 386 PC which were quite affordable in 1993. Lion King on the other hand requires a fast 486 to reach 30 fps, and on 386SX it will be unplayable at 4-7 fps, while Lost Vikings will run nicely at 60 fps with all effects, like palette cycle animations: lights on the ship or waterfalls in prehistory, those effects weren't present in Amiga port. Adding parallax scrolling as an option wasn't easy. They would have to rewrite whole graphics subsystem to use parallax in software instead of VGA hardware scrolling. PC DOS port also supports various sound devices. In video there's a FM synth version, but you can also use general MIDI or Roland MT-32 which use higher quality instruments. PC DOS port is actually decent. It has 256 color graphics like SNES with Genesis higher resolution that makes game better, since you see more on the screen. Black backgrounds make game graphics easier to see. I've played Lost VIkings on DOS as a kid, but years later I've tested SNES port. Parallax backgrounds were nice, but were distracting in some stages more than in others. Also PC DOS lacks 2 players mode. Amiga CD32 had improved graphics hardware. It's AGA could do hardware parallax scrolling with 16-colors for each layer. It also was a CD based system, so game could use CD-Audio or have FMV cutscenes. Unfortunately it was just a lazy port of original Amiga game. CD32 was selling poorly, so publishers weren't interested in putting a lot of resources in CD32 ports.
@@Leeki85 back then, I always thought it was lazy to port one platform's version over to another, but realistically speaking, as an adult (now) , when there are multiple formats, not enough developers and limited time, it's understandable.
I am so lost (like a viking), as you are the third to say this, and I don't get it. The sound was nowhere near as good as the SNES or Amiga, and the graphics were not up to par with those two either. It did have the extra layer of BG, which was nice, but it really does not hold up to the SNES or Amiga
@@alienbreedersamigaretrocom5188 While I agree the Amiga have the best sound, the SNES sounds horrible. It's too muffled and quiet while the Genesis is crispy-clear and have better equalization. The Amiga however lose on the amount of detail and the background graphics. So in the end the Genesis have a bit of the best of both versions.
I hate when people are talking about remakes... Why do you need a remake? To fuck up the awesome pixel-art of the originals? These classics are perfectly playable. Look at the remakes of old hits that were made in "HD". They look like a mediocre flash games. You can use emulators on a potato PC or Raspberry Pi. You can just get Mednafen for 8/16 bit consoles, FS-UAE for Amiga or DOSbox for PC versions.
Firstly calm down. Secondly a remake can stay true to the original pixel art, much like how new games (see: Yacht Club's Shovel Knight and Cyber Shadow) can embody the NES sensibilities but with modern features and parallax scrolling and the life. Thirdly a remake can choose to forego the original art style but still aim to look lush and colorful. There are multiple ways to go about it.
@@OrbisAetherum I got Shovel Knight but it's totally new series and not a remake of anything. You can find many remakes that were horrible, because the makers wanted new graphics for no reason. These games can be played on an emulators with a modern controller just like these new-retro games. Configuration is not very difficult and well documented on the internet. SEGA released some of their 16-bit era hits on Steam, but they're not remakes but ports with original graphics, sound and gameplay.
Let’s Compare The Lost Vikings (First Blizzard Game) 1: Super Nintendo (1993) 2: Amiga (1993) 3: Pc Dos (1993) 4: Genesis (1993) 5: Amiga Cd32 (1994) 6: Game Boy Advance (2003) 7: Windows (2014)
I feel like bass is so much stronger in sega version,and it's just sooo much better
It really is.
I beat this game in the Mega Drive. I felt like a hero! Whattta acomplishment!! :)
Mega Drive FTW :)
Best presentation (once again the Mega Drive strikes the best visual balance: higher resolution than Amiga/SNES, very good colors (on par with Amiga, a bit worse than SNES/MS-DOS), parallax scrollings just like SNES and unlike Amiga/MS-DOS...).
Very good music (not the best Matt Furniss soundtrack on the system but still, on par with SNES, better than Amiga and MUCH better than MS-DOS (I mean, just compare this 15:00 to this 21:37 haha)).
And the Mega Drive version has exclusive cutscenes + exclusives levels and is the only one with a 3 player co-op option which is one of its strongest points and a feature which is, for obvious reasons, totally appropriate for this game! :D
I have to dig that GBA version though. It seems pretty good by GBA standards and could be a nice way to play this game on the go.
Completely disagree. The Genesis version has terrible music, and the graphics are very.... muddled? Not sure what to call it. Oddly the Amiga version was the brightly colored one, which looked nice. The SNES was the more dull-colored one, which is surprising. The sound on the Amiga version was miles ahead. The SNES and Sega had the extra background layer, which was nice
You should listen music of PC version on MT-32 (or GM)! It's the BEST!
ua-cam.com/video/uOTjaGuVIx0/v-deo.html
This game is a rare case, where there's no best version.
1. SNES has 256-color graphics, 2 player mode and parallax scrolling. However it has lower resolution which limit view size and PCM samples are rather low quality.
2. Amiga got Genesis port, with even less colors, no parallax, but with higher resolution and best audio.
3. PC DOS has SNES graphics with palette swap animations and 256-colors and runs at higher resolution. It lacks parallax scrolling and even though it can play super high-quality music with MT-32 or General MIDI it uses MIDI sounds for sound effects (no DAC support from Sound Blaster).
4. Genesis has higher resolution and parallax backgrounds, but music sounds even worse than on DOS OPL3 FM synth. It also lacks palette swap animations SNES and DOS had and color palette is in general reduced.
5. CD32 is a lazy port from ECS Amigas. It doesn't use AGA features or CD storage.
6. GBA has lowest resolution, insufficient buttons and ugly graphics that were modified to be more readable on non backlit GBA screen. Audio is also bad. Definitely a port to avoid.
7. It's just a lazy DOS port with changed logo. It has removed setup program to change audio, so no MT-32 or General MIDI support.
Overall each port has some flaws. PC DOS would be perfect if Blizzard would add parallax scrolling and better audio for 2014 DOSBox release.
This is one of the classic games that really need a remaster. Not remake, a remaster that has same pixel-art graphics, but runs in wide-screen resolution and has all SNES features with maybe Amiga audio.
If I could get a PC DOS source code, I would make such remaster within few weeks. So if someone from Blizzard is reading this, please contact me:)
If the Amiga would have got a Mega Drive conversion, then it would have got its exclusive levels. It didn't. It's actually a SNES conversion, same as the PC version. In fact, I believe the Mega Drive version came after all the others (that is, the SNES version and both computer conversions), hence why it has exclusive levels and level transitions no other version has.
@@WeskerSega All ports are based on original game, but it seems that Genesis and Amiga have something in common. Maybe it was other way around? Genesis port was based on Amiga code? Both systems had same CPU and at that time making games in assembly language was still popular. So starting with working Amiga 68000 code would be much simpler even if it still required to add missing features like parallax backgrounds.
Also, Amiga games sometimes lacked features from other systems. Amiga used 880 KB floppies and cross-platform games had often less content to limit number of floppies. Some games lacked cutscenes, other lacked features and some lacked real content like Lion King that had no "Can't Wait to be king" and "Hakuna Matata" stages cut.
It was more visible when you compared late Amiga releases with PC ports. Games on PC used 10-20 MB on HDD while Amiga ports came on about 4 floppies (3.5 MB).
@@Leeki85 If the Amiga and Mega Drive versions have code in common, then definitely the Amiga version was done first and then the Mega Drive one. The Mega Drive version is unique in several aspects. It has exclusive levels (one per each "world"), it has new "world" transitions which are totally different to the ones of the other versions. Instead of the vikings flying on space, it's a series of short funny scenes with the vikings testing an ability of sorts. The Amiga version still carries the SNES ones but without its Mode 7 effect. And there's also some recolorings which are unique to the Mega Drive version. For example, Tomator is green in all versions but on the Mega Drive one is blue. Oh, and some new music themes on the Mega Drive version too. If the Amiga version is a port of the Mega Drive one, why remove the exclusive Mega Drive features and regress it to the original SNES state? It's only logical the ot her way around. And I believe the Mega Drive version was released fairly late, in late 1993, while the Amiga version was also released in 1993 but I guess it was earlier. Other cases you mentioned like Aladdin and The Lion King, yeah, in those cases the Amiga versions are definitely based on the Mega Drive ones. There's many more games being that case, the most famous one is Mega Turrican/Turrican 3, and there's also some others that come up my mind now like Flink, Puggsy and both Mortal Kombat games.
there *is* a best version which is the mega drive/genesis one ;)
this version has the best presentation (once again the mega drive strikes the best visual balance: higher resolution than amiga/SNES, very good colors (on par with amiga, a bit worse than SNES/MS-DOS), parallax scrollings just like SNES and unlike amiga/MS-DOS...)
also very good music (not the best matt furniss soundtrack on the system but still, on par with SNES, better than amiga and MUCH better than MS-DOS (I mean, just compare this 15:00 to this 21:37 haha))
and the mega drive version has exclusive cutscenes + exclusives levels and is the only one with a 3 player co-op option which is one of its strongest points and a feature which is, for obvious reasons, totally appropriate for this game :D
So what is your opinion now on the Definitive Edition of the game that came out with the Arcade Collection? Is it the best version of the game to play or does it too lack something?
Genesis!!!🗿🍷
Whatever the version, this game truly needs to be brought back to the switch! One of thé most original titles on the supernes, is probably has no equal. Kept me hooked for days on end!
Hey do I got news for you!!!
@@eziotru do tell me, is it coming back? Is it? Is it???
@@vincentfeitsma It came out a month ago as part of the Blizzard Arcade Collection with the addition of simultaneous co-op to the SNES version
The Mega Drive/Genesis version is easily the best. Best visuals (320x224 pixels, crips graphics, good colors, parallax scrollings...), good sound (except a few voices that could have sounded better) and best gameplay with up to 3 player co-op (the sole version with such option) and exclusive levels.
I really don't get it. The MD had the worst graphics of all but the Gameboy. It also had terrible sound. It did have the parallax BG, but that was the only possitive.
@@alienbreedersamigaretrocom5188but has more levels, and better presentation, and music in MD is good(YES)
@retrosutra: Happy new year dude :) Could you do a comparison video about Lost Vikings 2? :)
Bit odd why the consoles got the artistic background layer and the rest only got a black background.
It was a technical limitation. First Amiga computers could display two parallax layers, but it would require to reduce each layer palette to just 8-colors. Lost Vikings is a 256 color game and it's already looking bad in single layer at 32 colors on Amiga.
With PC DOS they could make parallax background, but they would have to draw everything in software. Other games like Aladdin or Lion King did that, but they required a really fast 486 PC to be somewhat playable at 20 fps.
Blizzard instead used VGA hardware scrolling, that was done without taxing CPU, but was limited to just one layer. That way Lost Vikings on PC DOS works at stable 60 fps on average 386 PC which were quite affordable in 1993. Lion King on the other hand requires a fast 486 to reach 30 fps, and on 386SX it will be unplayable at 4-7 fps, while Lost Vikings will run nicely at 60 fps with all effects, like palette cycle animations: lights on the ship or waterfalls in prehistory, those effects weren't present in Amiga port.
Adding parallax scrolling as an option wasn't easy. They would have to rewrite whole graphics subsystem to use parallax in software instead of VGA hardware scrolling.
PC DOS port also supports various sound devices. In video there's a FM synth version, but you can also use general MIDI or Roland MT-32 which use higher quality instruments.
PC DOS port is actually decent. It has 256 color graphics like SNES with Genesis higher resolution that makes game better, since you see more on the screen. Black backgrounds make game graphics easier to see. I've played Lost VIkings on DOS as a kid, but years later I've tested SNES port. Parallax backgrounds were nice, but were distracting in some stages more than in others. Also PC DOS lacks 2 players mode.
Amiga CD32 had improved graphics hardware. It's AGA could do hardware parallax scrolling with 16-colors for each layer. It also was a CD based system, so game could use CD-Audio or have FMV cutscenes. Unfortunately it was just a lazy port of original Amiga game. CD32 was selling poorly, so publishers weren't interested in putting a lot of resources in CD32 ports.
@@Leeki85 back then, I always thought it was lazy to port one platform's version over to another, but realistically speaking, as an adult (now) , when there are multiple formats, not enough developers and limited time, it's understandable.
@@Leeki85 Wow. It was great to read all that technical information about the different versions, especially the PC one. Thank you!
I discovered the sequel, Norse by Norsewest, for the Saturn before getting this first game for the Genesis. They're both quite fun and challenging.
Snes and segawere the best soundwise. Gba would’ve been good if the quality was higher. Has there been an arrange of these songs?
I love you bud, this game is my childhood
Nice! Any chance we'll see a comparison video of The Lost Vikings 2: Norse By Norsewest?
It could have release the genesis version too
Another version to add: Blizzard Arcade Collection's Definitive Edition. Great video.
DOS version needs the MT-32 soundtrack over the FM synth one. :)
Wasn't RPM Racing first Blizzard Game?
It is, yeah.
@Diskun a remake
Hasta hoy lo juego en un emulador de snes no sabia que era de los primeros juegos creadas por los responsables de Blizzard
The Sega Genesis is probably the best one... more levels, better music, better colors, but slightly less detailed backgrounds.
I am so lost (like a viking), as you are the third to say this, and I don't get it. The sound was nowhere near as good as the SNES or Amiga, and the graphics were not up to par with those two either. It did have the extra layer of BG, which was nice, but it really does not hold up to the SNES or Amiga
@@alienbreedersamigaretrocom5188 While I agree the Amiga have the best sound, the SNES sounds horrible. It's too muffled and quiet while the Genesis is crispy-clear and have better equalization. The Amiga however lose on the amount of detail and the background graphics. So in the end the Genesis have a bit of the best of both versions.
Recuerdo que la versión de Sega tiene más niveles que Super Nintendo, pero no sé si las otras sufren lo mismo.
I remember first part on PC, writing codes of levels. Also there is warcraft easter egg in second game
Твою мать, та вот с чего слизали Антинаркоманию, мать твою за ногу
Que videojuego tan divertido lo voy a buscar en mi emulador
The Lost Vikings Torbjörn
El primer juego de Blizzard y también Ya no es lo qué era y por los Escándalos
Remember playing it with my friend on his SNES. Later I've got a copy for my Mega Drive, but didn't liked it.
Why not?
what was wrong with the Sega Genesis/Mega-Drive version?
@@jasonlee7816 I didn't liked graphics and music.
I hate when people are talking about remakes... Why do you need a remake? To fuck up the awesome pixel-art of the originals? These classics are perfectly playable. Look at the remakes of old hits that were made in "HD". They look like a mediocre flash games. You can use emulators on a potato PC or Raspberry Pi. You can just get Mednafen for 8/16 bit consoles, FS-UAE for Amiga or DOSbox for PC versions.
Firstly calm down. Secondly a remake can stay true to the original pixel art, much like how new games (see: Yacht Club's Shovel Knight and Cyber Shadow) can embody the NES sensibilities but with modern features and parallax scrolling and the life. Thirdly a remake can choose to forego the original art style but still aim to look lush and colorful. There are multiple ways to go about it.
@@OrbisAetherum I got Shovel Knight but it's totally new series and not a remake of anything. You can find many remakes that were horrible, because the makers wanted new graphics for no reason. These games can be played on an emulators with a modern controller just like these new-retro games. Configuration is not very difficult and well documented on the internet. SEGA released some of their 16-bit era hits on Steam, but they're not remakes but ports with original graphics, sound and gameplay.
@@mattx5499 K. What I said stands.
I'm Play this game recently
26:12 fart audio processing
Ahhahahahahha
GBA version looks over-saturated
Muito bom seu canal aqui no Brasil é difícil canal de game play clássicas
I thought the Amiga version was first
Let’s Compare The Lost Vikings (First Blizzard Game)
1: Super Nintendo (1993)
2: Amiga (1993)
3: Pc Dos (1993)
4: Genesis (1993)
5: Amiga Cd32 (1994)
6: Game Boy Advance (2003)
7: Windows (2014)