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Editorials   Ninten-Debates: Sports Ports
- By Nathaniel Walker [Associate Editor]

Welcome to our first edition of Ninten-debates. Today's debate centers on the topic of "Sports Ports." The Game Boy Advance has been, in many developers' opinions, a portable Super Nintendo. Which would explain why so many games were ported over from previous systems and arcades. But is this a good thing? We join our staff as they discuss...

Travis:
As far as sports ports go, yes most of the sport games themselves are ported to the GBA very badly. However, the fighting genre has an excellent track record. Street Fighter and Final Fight come to mind. They are both nearly arcade perfect... that is aside from some control issues, but that is nothing to gripe about.

Mike:
Hang on a second, Travis. The fighting genre has an excellent track record? Have you even played Mortal Kombat Advance? It was the videogame equivalent of a root canal - without the gas.

Neal:
Well, as many say, the GBA is known as a portable SNES. Ports are the easiest kinds of games to make. Pretty much everything is already coded - all developers need to do is adjust the game a bit to fit the GBA's hardware. And many games for the GBA were ported straight over from the SNES, which isn't too bad in and of itself. As long as it eventually allows them to focus on the better next generation of GBA games, I say go for it. But that having been said, MK Advance was ass.

Nathan:
I think the main problem is that companies try to port games that are "too advanced" for the Game Boy Advance. Games like NFL Blitz are powerful in the graphics and options department - something the GBA simply cannot handle. Therefore it makes for a sub-par game.

Neal:
Well put, young Nate

Travis:
The schwartz is strong with this one

Mike:
Maybe this is just me, but I feel that any sport port is a waste of time. The SNES ended in '95, kids. We don't watch 'Blossom' anymore, so why play older games? I say companies don't go down the beaten path. Lay your own damn pipe!

Neal:
You dare speak of Mayim Bialik and laying pipe in the same breath?

Travis:
Speak for yourself about not watching Blossom anymore!

Mike:
Well, Six was pretty cute...

Nathan:
Whenever I see her I say "Whoa!"

Neal:
But seriously folks, I think the main reason that the SNES games are being brought over is because the GBA is in essence a pocket sized SNES
It is hardware that has been through its lifespan already and developers know what they can and can't do with it. Perhaps in time there will be some new capabilities that add something new here and there, but for the most part, you're going to get SNES games

Travis:
Good point. I do agree with Mike in that some companies need to make some original titles

Neal:
Oh. I see how it is. Always siding with Mike. Coincidence?

Mike:
Here's your kickback, T.

Travis:
Thanks

Nathan:
Regardless, I feel that since the GBA is only a year old, companies used old SNES games as a "drawing board" of sorts. Now that we're finding out what the GBA is capable of, we could expect to see some impressive games further down the line.

Mike:
Good point.

Neal:
I think that most companies are picking up where they left off with the last generation of SNES games, and will be able to keep progressing with the added power of the GBA.

Mike:
They better if they know what's good for 'em

Travis:
Ah, the first thinly veiled threat in the history of Ninten-debates. A true milestone

Mike:
Well, some companies should make better sports ports, or else.

Nathan:
Or else what?

Mike:
Exactly.

Travis:
Well, I think we can say that the current ports of sports games are somewhat sub-par. But since the GBA is so young, we will just have to wait and see what develops

Neal:
For the most part, I'd have to fall in agreement

Nathan:
Me too

Neal:
But I hope that the upcoming Street Fighter: Alpha will have the greatness of its former incarnation

Mike:
We can only hope.

And the curtain falls on the first episode of "Ninten-debates." We hope you enjoyed our little discussion. Please bear in mind that this is still a fledgling segment on NGenres, so any comments would be greatly appreciated. What did you think?