Topic: How do you rate a port of a game?

I think that the title says all.
NDS and GBA are some of the consoles with most ports on them, and I would like to know what makes you think that a port of a certain game is better/worse than its version on the original console. It goes by default that if the game is ported on a newer console, it should be better because of the improved technology and abilities, but it's obviously not the case. I'd like to hear your explanation.

Ports are very...interesting. Sometimes they are great, sometimes they try to destroy memories of classic games in an attempt to add half-assed new crap instead of making the new crap seperate like it should be or ruin great soundtracks. But usually the former. I think. Hopefully.

I rate them by how fun and interesting they still are to play. It doesn't matter if its completely identical to its original release or completely different.

First time I played Phoenix Wright was on the WiiWare last year and I loved it. Despite being identical to the DS version with no graphical enhancements, it was still an awesome game to me.

I rate them on how different the graphics are, like if they look better, the same, or worse. I would also rate it on the gameplay and sound. For instance, the port of Earthworm Jim on the Game Boy Advance had awful sound and they had to replace the whole game engine for the game to fit on the Game Boy Advance!

This. Being a port doesn't matter to me so long as it's still fun to play.

I'd have to say that Kirby Super Star Ultra was one of my favorite DS games ever, so I don't particularly care if something is a port. However, in terms of comparing the two games, if nothing's been changed/improved, I usually prefer whichever is more convenient (in other words: I prefer playing games on a DS instead of being tied down to a console, if I can help it).

I usually don't bother with ports if I can play them on the original system, but I look at a few things:
1) Fluidity/Controls - basically, how well does the game run on the new system and how fitting are the new controls?

2) Faithfulness - Is the game faithful to the original? Have any elements been removed?

3) New features - What's been added and do the new features bring more to the game or are they an annoying distraction?

I have to say, remakes interest me a LOT less now that there's a VC. Most console games, I still want to play on a TV, and let's be honest, a lot of times remakes can be sloppily done, remove features I had nostalgia for, or don't add anything worthwhile to the game. VC is where I get most of my ports/remakes. Their ports always run smoothy (although I am still filled with rage about the lack of rumble/controller pak compatibility with N64 games, seeing as freeware PC emulators have had no problems with this since forever), and everything you loved about the original is guaranteed to be there...because it's the original!

It depends, I think. Take Metal Slug Anthology, for instance. It's a direct port of the 7 main series games from the Neo-Geo, most of which are really great games. However, the presentation, including sloppy menus that look like they were put together in Microsoft Paint and a loading sprite that isn't even animated (it's just a Metal Slug sliding across the bottom of the screen,) make the game seem not as good. I really enjoyed the games, but I sent it back to GameFly after getting sick of the effortless presentation and other minor details.

Easy, take a good look at: the management, the building structure, the worker's conditions, the boats/ships, etc...

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