Topic: Ninja Gaiden - NES or Arcade?

I did have the NES version but that Wii is gone and since I am looking to restock my second and now only Wii with my original VC games, I thought I'd ask if you prefer the NES version or the Arcade version?

They're not "versions", they're completely different games. You can't just compare them like that.

Yeah, two totally different games. Both awesome in their own ways. The arcade version is closer to a straight beat-em-up style game, while the NES version is one of the pinnacles of "throw your controller through the screen 'cause it's so hard" action-game greatness on the NES.

I was asking along the lines of which games do you prefer or recommend from a personal stand point. I wasn't trying to imply that the games are the same except for a few differences. I think I came off as saying they're like Final Fight for instance and asking if the versions are identical or if the arcade is superior to say the SNES version (which the arcade version is superior). Anyway, I vaguely remember Ninja Gaiden from the arcades so would anyone say they enjoy the arcade NG more than the NES game?

Definitely the Nes game, it has everything for a retro game like excellent control, music, story and level designs. The game is hard, but the difficulty can be overcome with practice....However, playing this may make you hate eagles and ninjas with jetpacks.

I prefer the Arcade version. I never actually played the NES Ninja Gaiden until 3 or 4 years ago.

Probably, but I still don't get the purpose of this topic - they're completely different games, you can't put them up against each other like that. All they have in common is the name. It's like asking if Adventure Island is better than Double Dragon or vice versa

Arcade, though it's continue city so I'd only advise it if you really like games like Double Dragon and don't mind "inserting coin" over and over again. I cannot even look at video of the NES game, but that's just because it looks so awful in comparison. As noted though, they're not really the same kind of game, so I doubt you'll get a really good idea from asking this question!

I prefer the NES game, though admittedly that's probably half due to nostalgia. I loved the arcade game back in the day as well (it was frequently paired with Double Dragon at one pizza place we would hang out in), as i am a fig fan of beat-em-up style games. Just been re-discovering the arcade game now that it's on VCA. But i lament the lack of an actual arcade-style stick (one of my perpetual complaints when playing MAME or some XBLA Arcade and VCA titles).

There are arcade-style Classic Controllers. I got a Neo Geo one, it's awesome.

NES Ninja Gaiden is what I have most fondness for, so I'd say NES. It's not about the graphics, imo. Although, the arcade game seems decent.
Same name, different game.

It's a good quality stick (sturdy, responsive, etc)? I may have to finally buckle down and get one. I have my NES Advantage with a NES-to-Cube adapter, but that's obviously limited in what systems it can be used for.

I used to build my own arcade sticks with scrap wood, arcade parts and a spare controller. I did an Atari Jaguar one and a Playstation one. The latter was cheaper because I could just get a cheap-ass digital controller -- though I did have to have a second stick for Assault and Robotron.

I toy with the idea of doing that for the Gamecube classic compilations (the analogue sticks for the CC and GC controller aren't responsive enough; using a d-pad with Defender feels okay, but not the best), but that would mean buying another Gamecube controller or CC knock-off and then I'd have this monstrosity to store!

I think the CC Pro is a pretty good compromise myself, though as Adamant indicated there are a number of arcade sticks on the market from Hori and Logic 3 (those look the best in photos, but I have no clue what they're like to use). I require one with a button near the thumb an a microswitch-driven stick to play Defender, so it's pretty much a pad or home-build for me.