Popful Mail on the PC-E?

[MissaFX]

I was browsing the internet,
when what should I see?
Popful Mail for the P C E.

Does anyone know how it stands up to the Sega CD version?

[RuninRuder]

I don't know how it compares to the Sega CD version, but it's a nice game.  Here's a review I wrote for it: https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=2047.msg56801#msg56801

[ParanoiaDragon]

It's a nice game, I'm pretty far into it.  And it's more or less, a direct port of the PC98(?) version, unlike the Sega CD or SNES games, which were redone from the ground up.  Honestly, I the Sega CD version blows it away IMO.  That's not something I usually say, being a Turbo nut!

[Turbo D]

I got a burned copy from a friend. I didn't really like it too much, haha. Maybe I'd have more fun with the english sega cd version.

[Joe Redifer]

I would like to try Popful Mail for the PCE.

[Kitsunexus]

NOTHING COMAPRES TO POPFUL MAIL SEGA CD!!

[Joe Redifer]

Perhaps so, but I'd still like to play it on the PCE for a goof.

[TurboXray]

Popful Mail on the PCE is great. I'm glad it's not a clone of the MD and SNES versions. (The MD version kicks ass though). It sooo reminds me of Legacy of the Wizard, which was also a Falcom game back in the day for the NES (and I think for other systems too).

[Keranu]

I haven't played much of either version, but each version has their charms. If you're a Falcom nut (especially a PCE one), I think you'll appreciate the PCE version a lot more since it has a lot of Falcom charm to it. Sega CD version is really cool too and has it's own kind of atmosphere.

[ParanoiaDragon]

I'm a Falcom nut......& I enjoy the Sega CD version more.  I think, maybe I would've enjoyed this one more, if they had upped the graphics more from the original game, added in some paralax & such.

[Tatsujin]

unfortunatelly the PCE port seems to be the weakest of all the three, since it was an adaption of the old PC-98 version. therefore you have the typical falcom frame around your screen and the puny sprites. but therefore it is also the most original one of all of 'em.

the MCD version was fully lifted from scratch, so the SFC version was as well, which is quite different to its original.

as i remember well, the scrolling issue isn't that smooth as well on the PCE pendant. have to play it again, sometime.

[TurboXray]

as i remember well, the scrolling issue isn't that smooth as well on the PCE pendant. have to play it again, sometime.

I don't remember any problems with scrolling on the PCE version. Not sure what you mean.

[Tatsujin]

sorry, as i said i have to play it again to make myself sure about that. but according my picture in the head, it was running in kind of 30fps scrolling. but since you denied this issue, i'm most likely wrong on that

[Joe Redifer]

Here is the review I wrote for the Sega CD version.  It also has music comparisons between that and the CD version.  Despite being chip music, the Sega CD version has far better bass.

[Tatsujin]

damn..finally have to pick up a wondermega to play all those (but only few) great cd games. but they became quite rare and expensive recently!! saw one for only 16'000yen and didn't pick it up, since i haven't enough cash on me. a week later it already was disappeared when i visited the store (with enough cash) again

[ParanoiaDragon]

Yeah, the scrolling is perfect, no problems there.  Hmm, listening to both versions of the Forest level again, now makes me undecided of which version I like more.  I used to love the Sega CD version over the Turbo version, but, there's things I like about both.

[shubibiman]

damn..finally have to pick up a wondermega to play all those (but only few) great cd games. but they became quite rare and expensive recently!! saw one for only 16'000yen and didn't pick it up, since i haven't enough cash on me. a week later it already was disappeared when i visited the store (with enough cash) again

I know how it feels, I missed lots of bargains while I was living in Japan

[Turbo D]

I miss bargains all the time, lol. They only come around when I'm broke!

[nat]

Here is the review I wrote for the Sega CD version.  It also has music comparisons between that and the CD version.  Despite being chip music, the Sega CD version has far better bass.

Nice review. And while you're right that the Genesis version has far better bass, I disagree about the audio itself being superior. At least, based on the two clips you included in your review. I like the PCE musical arrangement much more.

[TurboXray]

Here is the review I wrote for the Sega CD version.  It also has music comparisons between that and the CD version.  Despite being chip music, the Sega CD version has far better bass.

Nice review. And while you're right that the Genesis version has far better bass, I disagree about the audio itself being superior. At least, based on the two clips you included in your review. I like the PCE musical arrangement much more.

Same here. While the two clips are really close and great, with the SegaCD version having more bass, the PCE CD version has a more clean and polished sound to it - giving it the slight edge here.

[Joe Redifer]

I'd rather listen to the Sega CD version (on that stage), though I don't think that track is the best from the game.

[spenoza]

The Sega CD chip tunes sound better than most Genny music. I went and listened to the SNES track for that stage as well, and I think I prefer the Genny version of the 3. It's much more interesting. Not as smooth sounding as the CD version from the PCE, but there's more going on and it's a more lively interpretation. The SNES version is the clear loser for that track.

[nat]

Somebody said back a bit that the SNES port was changed quite a bit from the others. In what way? Having never played any of the versions, would I do well to ignore the SNES port? And why?

[TurboXray]

The SegaCD one uses the additional PCM channels for the drumkit and such, if I remember right. It sounds great, especially if you dig that Genesis sound.

 Joe, got a sound clip of the SNES one? I imagine it's the worst of the 3, with the SegaCD and PCE versions being neck-and-neck (sort of like Valis III).

[Joe Redifer]

I've played the SNES version on an emulator, but have never had the real thing run on my real life SNES so I have not recorded the audio (which would be the only fair way to compare).

[ParanoiaDragon]

The SNES one was remade from scratch by Falcom themselves, IIRC.  I have it, but, I no longer have a decent way to record from my systems to my computer.  But, I could host the emulated version.

[Joe Redifer]

You don't have a sound card with an audio input?

[nat]

Perhaps, like me, the closest computer to his video game consoles is 150 feet away in a different room. Perhaps he also just happens to lack the appropriate cable in the 150 ft. length.

[Joe Redifer]

Yeah, those SNES's sure are heavy!

[nat]

Perhaps, like me, the closest TV to the computer is also 150 feet away. Maybe he also lacks a video input on his computer which would enable him to view what he's doing with the SNES and successfully navigate to the song he wants. I guess you could memorize button presses and timing or something but now we're just getting goofy.

[Joe Redifer]

Use your camcorder viewfinder!

[ParanoiaDragon]

I don't  have a TV that has an audio output.  I would have to record it on my mic from the TV's speakers, & that would really sound like crap.

[geepee16]

If I'm not mistaken, the PCE version has either more animation or some extra areas added to the PC98 version it was ported from.  The SFC version had the best color of the three but I seem to remember that the PCE version was the longest of the three.  All three versions are great though. I don't recall any scrolling issues.

[ParanoiaDragon]

You might be right about the PCE version having more area's, as, there's an entire level where you control each member of the 3, seperatly, & I do not remember that in the Sega version.

[MissaFX]

Well I guess I will have to check out the PC-E version sometime in the future.  Right now I am playing through the Sega CD version on my PSP a little bit each day when I am out and about to enjoy the game again. 

One thing I wish the game didn't have was safe areas where you can stand in nearly every boss battle.  Does the PC-E version also have these safe areas?

[Keranu]

I'm a Falcom nut......& I enjoy the Sega CD version more.  I think, maybe I would've enjoyed this one more, if they had upped the graphics more from the original game, added in some paralax & such.

Personally I love the graphics in the PCE version. Sharp and colorful. I think the SFC version had the worst graphics.

[ParanoiaDragon]

Hmm, I deffinitly don't recall any safe area's in boss battles in the PCE version.

[geepee16]

It wouldn't surprise me if the PCE version did have one. I remember also finding one in the first Exile game.  I believe Exile II might have had one also.  Just tape your attack button down (or rest the console on it), turn on the turbo switch and come back in a few hours for massive experience. That kind of thing wasn't so rare back then.

Btw, I thought about it and yes, the PCE version is the longest while the SFC version is the shortest. Oh man, it's been so many years.

[GUTS]

I doubt the PCE one has any safe areas since isn't it bump-fighting like in Ys?  How would you hit the boss if you were just sitting there?

[MissaFX]

How would you hit the boss if you were just sitting there?

On the Sega CD Popful Mail you can usually either stand some place too far to the left or right, where for some reason the boss won't follow you that far.  Then equip a ranged weapon and shoot whenever the boss is barely visable.  Or run to the safe place, regen your weapon energy and then move in the direction of the boss, but barely let the boss appear on the screen.  Discharge all your weapon energy, then run back to the safe place.  Repeat until desired effect has occured.

[ParanoiaDragon]

Nah, the PCE one is the same game, just, it looks more like the original PC98 version, with better graphics & scrolling.

[CrackTiger]

The PCE Popful Mail is a completely different game than the Sega/Mega-CD version. The story is similar, but that pretty much it.

Comparing them as games is like comparing Legacy of the Wizard to Dragon Slayer Turbo CD.

They're both great and both have very nice graphics, but each game's visuals have different strengths. I prefer the vibrant colorful PCE graphics that feels more like a console game. The Sega version is like an arcade adventure game.

The Sega version has nice fully animated cinemas, but the PCE version's character art is touched up very nice. They both have lots of nice bonus touches that make each feel like the developers took the time to really polish them instead of resorting to shovel ware.

The Sega version definitely makes much better use of its console's hardware, in the 'tech demo' sense.

I don't think that either game is too expensive now, so anyone who enjoys adventurey games should get both.

[nat]

'Bout time you started posting again.

[TR0N]

I remember when i was in 6th/7th grade buying this because the box said, Action/RPG. Also it was made by working designs i knew they were responsible for Lunar, me being a SegaCD owner that had YET to play lunar!

I havent played Popful since middle school, and i could never pass the Ice stage.

from pics and memory alone the Pc Engine looks like its a prequel or something. And i loove my pCE

Reponsible !? Not to nickpick lunar was by gamearts and popful mail was by falcom.

Still i guess most back then made that mistake thinking,WD was a developer even though they were realy a publisher.

Kind of a shame what happen to gamearts though.Since they are owned by sqaurenix as of late.

[ParanoiaDragon]

The PCE Popful Mail is a completely different game than the Sega/Mega-CD version. The story is similar, but that pretty much it.

Comparing them as games is like comparing Legacy of the Wizard to Dragon Slayer Turbo CD.

They're both great and both have very nice graphics, but each game's visuals have different strengths. I prefer the vibrant colorful PCE graphics that feels more like a console game. The Sega version is like an arcade adventure game.

The Sega version has nice fully animated cinemas, but the PCE version's character art is touched up very nice. They both have lots of nice bonus touches that make each feel like the developers took the time to really polish them instead of resorting to shovel ware.

The Sega version definitely makes much better use of its console's hardware, in the 'tech demo' sense.

I don't think that either game is too expensive now, so anyone who enjoys adventurey games should get both.

True dat, but I meant that it was still the same story, & not a prequal.  They deffinitly play differently & both warrant being played thru as alternate universes of the same story.