The Cotton series is full of highs and lows, with some games creating such hype around them that it would seem impossible for the game to live up to the reputation it has built up. One such game is Panorama Cotton, which was released only in Japan for the Mega Drive and is regarded as one of the most impressive games released for that system. But how would such a game hold up when re-released on modern systems? The answer is surprisingly well all things considered.
Panorama Cotton was a very different take on the franchise and pushed the Mega Drive much further on a technical level. The game takes the usual side-scrolling elements of the series and swaps them, for from the back camera Space Harrier-style visuals. These controls take a few minutes to get used to and can be cumbersome at first, but the game starts to feel more natural as soon as players adjust.
The game throws numerous swerves at the player to keep them on their feet, but these can be adjusted to very easily. Some have compared the title to Nintendo’s Star Fox on the SNES but is more like a much deeper and more polished Space Harrier II. The visuals have aged surprisingly well, and the music in the game is still as amazing as ever, but what makes Panorama Cotton stand out is that it lives up to the hype.
Panorama Cotton may take some time to get used to, but the controls are surprisingly easy to maneuver, attacking enemies feels natural and easy, and catching gems and later tea is simple once the method is understood. Ratalaika Games has included rewind options and cheats in this new port for PS4 and Switch, as well as the original game as a challenge mode and both versions, are recommended to try. There is some lag in this port, but it is nowhere near as bad as other Cotton ports and is of an acceptable degree.
Now compare this to Cotton 100%, originally released for the Super Famicom and the two games show how diverse the Cotton series can be. Cotton 100% plays far more like the original Cotton Fantastic Night Dreams, which it can be considered a reimagining of, though there are some notable changes also. The game can be best described as something between a remake and a sequel and laid the groundwork for the later Cotton 2.
While many stages and bosses are shared between the two versions, Cotton 100% also has its own stages and bosses unique to itself, while also changing the level mapping from the original game. Everything is a lot brighter in this game as well, which took full advantage of what the Super Famicom had to offer, which resulted in a look that stands out from the first game. It is not just a matter of stage and visual changes either, as the weapon system from the first game saw a simplification where select between multiple shot and magic spells configurations, albeit with the number of spells reduced to only two.
Cotton 100% managed to take an already amazing original game and rework it for a new system perfectly. This port to PS4 and Switch does have some input lag, but as with Panorama Cotton, it is an acceptable amount and not a massive issue. That said, while the attacks feel right, the response time for dodging may be delayed and that can throw off some players. The rewind function is here as well, and it is recommended to use it, especially when familiarizing with the new port and adjusting movement to compensate for porting differences.
Panorama Cotton may not be as held back by lag issues, but the game does have some aiming issues compared to Cotton 100%. Both games will require players to adjust though, so do not go into these games assuming that these are easy games. Take the time to learn each game, especially the dodging in Cotton 100% due to lag and Panorama Cotton’s catching of gems and tea due to the change in perspective, and the experience will be a lot less frustrating to be sure.
One more thing worth mentioning is that while the menus are localized, most of both games are not. A patch is coming though, and that will localize the stories and other aspects of the games. The games can be enjoyed without the story, but the story does add to the experience.
Panorama Cotton and Cotton 100% are both good ports overall of two classic shmups, and fans of Cotton and shmups in generals should definitely check these out. These are decent ports now, and once the patches come, the issues will be fully resolved. For two shmups from the 16-bit era, these hold up well. If the great ports continue, and more remakes like Cotton Reboot come, the franchise is in for a good future.
Disclaimer: Review keys were provided
Images were taken from Nintendo.co.uk