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strat wrote:Batman - Return of the Joker

The Game Boy version of this game is completely different from the NES version! Unlike the Genesis/MD and SNES versions, which are nearly identical (although I have the impression that both aren't as polished as the NES version), the Game Boy one is a completely different game under the same name.

EDIT: Checked the SNES version and it's actually not as similar to the NES version as I thought, but it's still the same game. The Genesis port is pretty close to the NES version though, only with worse graphics. The 16-bit versions somehow manage to look worse than the 8-bit version... How can they screw this up!?

strat wrote:Just remembered a bunch more: Operation C

Nah. I checked it against the original "Contra" and it's different. The graphics are different and the player character walks slower on the Game Boy.

I was talking about games that are really astonishingly similar, with the same graphics and the same gameplay. Games that are just "Hey, they caught the atmosphere of the NES game pretty well" aren't enough. "Operation C" isn't anymore like "Contra" as "Metroid" and "Metroid II" are alike.

strat wrote:Batman

What???

Okay, I remembered Operation C being more accurate than it is. Here's a question: Would you count Adventure Island III (GB II) if he throws the axe at a different arc? The jumping physics are identical, although there's a bit more friction when he turns around on GB (Not really an issue since Adventure Island as a rule discourages you from turning around).

For the record, if we did this topic with SNES and GB games, I would totally not count Donkey Kong Land.

Cool Spot on GB is actually a revamp of M.C. Kids, Both are called McdonaldLand in European areas!

Interesting find. Although you meant to say Spot the Cool Adventure. Cool Spot is a port of the same game on SNES.

By the way, in case it's not clear, that list I posted above were games I was wondering about but didn't feel like checking.

Ninja Gaiden Shadow is certainly not a port of anything, it is an original game. It is similar to other Natsume games in style, but that's it.

Ninja Gaiden Shadow was actually a port of another Famicom game by Natsume. I don't know how close the two versions are though, as I've never played either of them.

No, it is not a port. They share some similarity in overall design and sound, as well as with other Natsume games, but they are two different games.

Kage/Shadow of the Ninja/Blue Shadow
Ninja Gaiden Shadow

How about the Sanrio Carnival series (Puzzle game for both NES and GB)?

and then there is Armadillo's Unreleased Sequel, which turned into Ultraman ball, which was originally titled Armadillo 2/Armadillo Gaiden