Vapor Trail for the Genesis/Mega-Drive

[VenomMacbeth]

So a little less than a year ago, when I acquired my Genesis, I went on amazon to score some cheap games.  One of the games I considered was Vapor Trail.  It was $5.  It didn't seem like the greatest game ever, but it was basically a five-dollar placeholder until I could get my hands on Raiden Trad.

Well, I've since then acquired Raiden Trad, and a few other great shooters, and Vapor Trail had faded into the realms of obscurity for me...until I saw the arcade game mentioned somewhere I can't recall at the moment.

Anyway, I took another look into the Genny version of the game.  It seems to have an overall feel of mediocrity.  Even the name "Vapor Trail" just screams "unimaginative shmup" to me.  However...I find something relatively pleasing in its mediocrity.  Sort of like Raiden...there's nothing particularly special or innovative about Raiden, but it still manages to have enough of a following to be one of the only big-name shooters to have a sequel on the Xbox 360. 

Anyway, despite the games obvious shortcomings, I decided I'd like to try to acquire a copy.  But, lo and behold, the cheapest copy I can find is $15, and that's cartridge-only.  I like to buy all my Genesis games with at least their cases, but I can't seem to find a copy with the case at all & it would likely exceed $20.

Vapor Trail is not a $20 game.

So...what gives?? That's like somebody charging $20 for a loose copy of Sonic 2.

What do you guys think of this game?  Why do you think the prices are relatively high for it being so mediocre?

[grimm]

I dont know this game, but a game doesnt have to be good to be costly.. It may be a collectors item? Plumbers dont wear ties is an awful game for the 3DO, which costs more than most because of its collectors item status.

[majors]

It seems to have an overall feel of mediocrity.  Even the name "Vapor Trail" just screams "unimaginative shmup" to me.  However...I find something relatively pleasing in its mediocrity.

I would agree. It's not the Thunder force 3/4 or Gaiares...or even Wings of Wor but it is playable.

My take on mediocre games being sold for higher than what they should is the simple fact that everyone has the "must have's" already. Once you have collected all the good games, the next step is to buy the 2nd tier titles. This is why I think games like Faussete Amour go up in value because everyone on the planet knows they need Drac-X and got a copy but they still want more!

That or it's the economy...

[Tatsujin]

Hey, faussete amour is far from being medicore

And that particular game is kinda pricey since it came out.

[ApolloBoy]

Mediocre? Pshh, it's got some great music and it's a blast to play with two players. Usually when I play Genesis with friends we turn to Vapor Trail at some point.

[PCEngineHell]

I actually enjoyed this one quite a bit. Yeah though, Id be hard pressed to put 20 bucks down on it or something. Its like a C+ or B- title, and really something I don't consider worth more then 5-10 bucks. Personally, the few times I have had it, I have only ever paid like 3 to 4 bucks each time.

[VenomMacbeth]

Mediocre? Pshh, it's got some great music and it's a blast to play with two players. Usually when I play Genesis with friends we turn to Vapor Trail at some point.

Mediocre for $20.  It's an awesome game for $5, hell, maybe even $10, but not $20.

[esteban]

Vapor Trail is one of only a handful of shoot-em-ups I have yet to play. Thanks for reminding me about it.

[TheClash603]

Where once was your money, now there is only a Vapor Trail.

[esteban]

Where once was your money, now there is only a Vapor Trail.

Hahahhahahaha.

[VenomMacbeth]

So sorry for reviving an ancient topic, but I had an idea.  Could this game be ported to the Sega CD?  I was wondering if it could be done, and the music replaced with the arcade OST.  I'm not sure what all would be involved with something like that...would the rom itself need to be hacked, or could the music just simply be replaced?

[Opethian]

Anyway, I took another look into the Genny version of the game.  It seems to have an overall feel of mediocrity.  Even the name "Vapor Trail" just screams "unimaginative shmup" to me.  However...I find something relatively pleasing in its mediocrity.  Sort of like Raiden...there's nothing particularly special or innovative about Raiden, but it still manages to have enough of a following to be one of the only big-name shooters to have a sequel on the Xbox 360. 

Raiden mediocre? If anything is mediocre it would be Raiden games post DX
Raiden , Raiden II and Raiden DX are legendary!! Seibu Kaihatsu was a unknown company before Raiden they took the portions of Taito/Toaplan shooter games of the day and made a hit!

and the Raiden Fighters games arent even canon. Those only took the name of "Raiden FIghters" because Seibu Kaihatsu wasnt getting any play starting a new franchise (Gundogs).

[VenomMacbeth]

Raiden mediocre? If anything is mediocre it would be Raiden games post DX
Raiden , Raiden II and Raiden DX are legendary!! Seibu Kaihatsu was a unknown company before Raiden they took the portions of Taito/Toaplan shooter games of the day and made a hit!

and the Raiden Fighters games arent even canon. Those only took the name of "Raiden FIghters" because Seibu Kaihatsu wasnt getting any play starting a new franchise (Gundogs).

Hey now, don't get me wrong, I love me some Raiden.  My point was that there was nothing particularly innovative about it (unless you count the noodle laser in Raiden 2.)

[SuperDeadite]

Vapor Trail is a solid game.  But to be fair, the arcade original is a lot cooler.  The MD port is missing all the cool special effects.  It's sequel (ported to Saturn) is also quite cool.  Messy, weird, and makes no sense, but still cool.

[Joe Redifer]

I think the Genesis music sounds a lot better than the arcade music.

[VenomMacbeth]

I think they're completely different.  I would like to see what the music programmers could have done with the music had they used tones like the ones in Thunder Force IV.  However, I think the arcade music surpasses the genny's mostly because of how goofy the guitar solo sounds on the genesis' sound chip.  There's a reason the arcade version uses a sample. -_-

[SuperDeadite]

Well for music, I prefer the X68000 version  (fan arrangement, no actual game port)

The solo at 2:30 is boss.

[CrackTiger]

I consider most games like this in the <$20 range to be basically free. I don't worry too much if I could have gotten it for a few dollars less since it's already so close to $0. I'd much rather play a nice shooter like this with solid Genesis music than most modern games.

[esteban]

Well for music, I prefer the X68000 version   (fan arrangement, no actual game port)

The solo at 2:30 is boss.

Ha!