Ok, this is not a flame thread. I love MDK. Came pre-installed on a computer I bought back in the day and I played it to hell and back, superb art direction and gameplay design that make the game still hold up today, despite the graphics. Over the top humor, a Shiny Entertainment trademark (which reminds me I should go buy Earthworm Jim 1+2 as soon as I'm finished writing this), very cool characters, even cooler weapons and power-ups.

I bought MDK as soon as I had to format the computer it came installed in, and bought it again here on GOG along with Nox and a few other favorites.

MDK 2, though, was a title I knew about but never played. A lot of people tend to like MDK 2 more than MDK, and I was wondering why, so I thought I'd start this thread for us to discuss the two games opposed/compared to each other.

I bought MDK 2 a few days ago to see what all the fuss is about, and I'm slightly disappointed. Obviously, overall, the game looks better than its predecessor, they're products from different times, and MDK 2 sure benefits from more advanced technology to back it up. I'm quite happy with the adding of voice-over and the comic style intros are absolutely gorgeous and well written. I can't talk much about gameplay, since my mouse broke and I've been using the laptop's touchpad, a less than ideal control setup, but, so far, the gameplay seems to be top notch (still, MDK strikes me as being more fluid than its sequel, gameplay-wise). It's an obviously amazing game, and I don't regret buying it, despite still preferring the first one.

However, I have a minor complaint regarding MDK 2: the character designs. Not that big of a deal, but kind of an immersion breaker, to me. Kurt looked darker and the simple design of the coil suit in MDK was way cooler than the golden-seamed costume he wears throughout MDK 2. I really don't like all the added details to Kurt's suit. The Doctor is fine, I guess, but Bones (Max, in MDK 2) was a major let down... from the sleek super-dog design he had in the first game, he went to look like tthis wide mouth goofy character mobster-looking cigar-smoking six-legged oafish dog packing quite a punch in the weaponry department. I mean... meh. It might not look like it's that big a deal-- and I know it shouldn't be -- but it really makes me enjoy the game less.

With all that being said, I still enjoy both games a lot. I just happen to think the first one is a lot better than the second. What are your thoughts on the matter?

Even though I like both games I like the first better too, everything is just somehow crazier and the things that happen are unexpected.
It is the difference between Shiny's comedic insanity or Bioware's skillful but more conservative approach.
The first MDK produced WTF moments every five minutes you are playing. =P

The first one is in my top five list of all-time favorites. The same with the OST by Tommy Tallarico. MDK2 I got as soon as it hit the Dreamcast. The DC version is very difficult overall (I hear later conversions for PS2 and PC less so) and outright unfair in a few scenes.

The inconsistent distribution of save points is a major gripe I have with MDK2 as I have experienced it on the DC. Sometimes they are so far in between that you are on the verge of sweating blood when you've played for what seems like forever, are low on health due to the brutal difficulty and the next save opportunity just doesn't arrive.
Then, after surviving such a nerve-wrecking ordeal, the next save point is right around the corner - just to mess with you it seemed.

I remember getting so pissed off I contemplated breaking the CD and mailing it to Bioware. Instead I wrote them, vowing to never buy one of their titles again, haha. But my frustration changed when quite far into the game, I came upon a stage that appeared impossible to make it through at first. I'll avoid spoilers here, if someone reads this who hasn't played MDK2. Let's just say, you play with Max and it's more a platforming section than a guns-blazing kind of effort (you might be able to guess which part I mean).

Here's where my opinion changed: after a trillion tries I made it. And what brought a revelation, was that - after saving - I went back and tried that stage once more. To my surprise and wonder, I had no problems making it through again the very next try. It even felt quite easy now. The thing is this: it wasn't bad design in some of the ultra-difficult stages, it was just a real challenge with excellent physics in place that, if you acquired the skill necessary, your muscle memory stayed. One of my most memorable moments in gaming.

I agree on what you said about liking the dialog, loved it. And MDK being more bizarre in a dark Sci-Fi sort than MDK2 with its cartoonish presentation, yes, feel the same way about it. Preferred the first one over the sequel, and particularly in that respect. The final encounter in MDK2 was a bit uninspired as well for my taste. The soundtracks, well there is the fantastic OST for MDK, and then there is the mostly bland one for #2.

Nevertheless, for the mentioned moment alone, I find myself still recommending MDK2, if someone has enjoyed the first one. Let Shiny resurface and do another title in the series. A kickstarter I would sure be backing.

Yeah, Bioware went a mainstream route with it, I agree. In their own way funny and in parts visually and gameplay-wise really neat. But they didn't GET MDK, didn't understand what made Shiny's title brilliant. I share the disappointment in that regard.

i totally agree. i didn't hate mdk 2. i played it on the dreamcast also and eventually got stuck at a boss battle partially due to never being able to acclimate to the controller over a keyboard/mouse set up like god intended for games like this. recently mdk2 was on sale an on a nostalgic whim i decided to grab it an give it 1 more go. upon checkout they recommended mdk also so i picked it up too. i played mdk2 for about 10 minutes an fired up mdk an played it for almost an hour. mdk2 = meh. mdk = absolute classic.

Glad you dig MDK, it's hard not to :)
Although MDK2 has its flaws, it is still worth playing it all the way through - now that you can navigate it with mouse and keyboard like you prefer - I would only go at this with a joypad, but of course you gotta choose a weapon you're comfortable with ;)

I don't find much appealing about MDK 2, and don't consider it to be in the same vein as MDK at all. It turned something surreal and mind-bending into something blunt and devoid of wonder.

MDK 2 doesn't contain any of the insane ideas, zany execution, vibrance or intensity of MDK. It's a shallow mimic of some of MDK's concepts, but with those concepts being emptied of their considerations. It's imitating by appearance, without understanding for any of it. And the appearance, itself, comes out poorly in MDK 2.

I view MDK as a one-off title, and dismiss MDK 2 as an unconnected impression no different than someone using Half-Life characters and assets to make their own unofficial idea.

I haven't heard that more people prefer MDK 2, and I'd be surprised if there were many people who do. There is only MDK.