shmups.system11.org

What about my "lipstick"?

However, your statement is quite well timed. My hair is shorter now than it has been in some 15 years. The Jesus length went away in July and it's been getting shorter and shorter.

You mean you don't actually look like the guy from Arrested Development?

Only in spirit.

Beautiful seating.

Selvarias

Indeed he looks like a very good boy. What's his name?

Jetson.
You can find him on instragram (jetson_thepug).

Yeah they're real radial WW tyres but they're 12 years old and need replacing - there's still one large manufacturer of them using the original molds, and another company who modify off the shelf ones by bonding a thin rubber strip to the side. I'll probably go with the former, it's not a car you drive quickly anyway, drum brakes all round and for UK roads it's HUGE. There are enough danger variables far ahead of whether or not the tyres lose grip.

I got hit with a Switch retrogasm this week. Bought R-Type Dimensions EX on eShop, got SNK 40th Anniversary Collection in mail and I got the Toki "Retrollector Edition" with the build-your-own cardboard arcade cab.

The first two are great examples on how to bring older games to current systems. R-Type with its options for prettied-up graphics and a more forgiving gameplay mode, while still also having the original available, and SNK 40th with not only a nice selection of games, but the ability to choose between their US/World/Japan versions AND the game's home ports, and including all sorts of information and scans of the company's pre-Neo Geo history.

And then there's Toki. It has updated graphics. And that's literally it. There's no options of any kind. No option to play the arcade original, not to mention the NES port or the Genesis version. No button reconfiguration. No autofire. Not one bit of info about the game's history. The only thing you can do is change the difficulty between Easy/Medium/Hard/Hardest. The game saves only your highest score for each difficulty. The new graphics are alright, even nice at times, but the UI looks like it was cobbled together in five minutes with its font and color choices, it brings to mind a Flash game.

I know this re-release was supposed to come out way back in 2011 but something happened and now it's a Switch exclusive. It will be absolutely panned in reviews, if anybody even bothers to make one. Luckily I only paid ~€30 for it.

I still like the underlying game, though. I 1LC'ed the Famicom port some years ago and will try to do the same here. It's a bit different under the hood compared to the arcade and Famicom versions. Some enemies spawn in slightly different places and the power-ups seem to time out faster.

From what I have seen from what little gameplay I could actually find on YouTube, the game plays pretty much exactly like the arcade game! Since I wasn't controlling it I couldn't really judge wether it was exact, but the stage layouts and enemy locations all seem 1:1 to me, which I was really impressed about. I wager they might have been going the arcade code through in details and probably ported stage data over directly, which I'd commend if true.

I've never played the Famicom version, but seen some footage of it, and it doesn't look like a good port to me*. But if it's fun, I'll give it a try some day.

The MegaDrive version is really a different game entirely. I've always looked at is as a sequel, but it does reuse too much from the original game to really feel like one.

*) Clarification, the Famicom version actually looks pretty good, like they took the game and converted it into something that feels more like a Famicom game. It has the same enemies and basic stage layouts, but everything is smaller and a little faster, etc. with less stuff coming at you from all sides. So kind of like a reenvisioning of the game, which I guess is the correct way to go about this kind of port.

Hmm now I'm kind of interested in this, though I'm presuming 'home port' means mainly NES versions in this case?
Shame about Toki, probably wait for a sale on that.

It's very close, but not quite 1:1. In the first stage, after the miniboss thing with the fists and the two monkies pedaling, there's a jump over a pit, with a crumbling ledge, when you're going left. Right after landing the jump, a zombie monkey spawns. In the arcade and Famicom versions the enemy spawns to the very left of the platform, giving you plenty of space and warning. In the Switch version he spawns closer to the right so he's in your face right away. You can see the difference here:

Arcade
Switch

As far as powerups go, the helmet especially seems to disappear faster in the Switch version.

But yeah, this is pretty nitpicky. I only noticed it because after playing a few credits I went and re-watched my Toki FC 1LC video, to see if I could spot any obvious differences. Overall the Switch version does feel to be an accurate port.

Speaking of, I do think the Famicom port is a good example of competent arcade-to-Famicom conversions.



Only NES versions, yes.

Picked up some goodies the last couple weeks:
- Nanao MS9-29 chassis w/ remote board and shield + cap kit. i have been having issues with my NAC's monitor and figured a swap would be the quickest way of getting back up and running while repairing my original chassis.


Great success!

- Raiden PCB
- Flipgrip for Switch
- Saturn HSS-0130, this came modified to take real sega panels. has MC Cthulhu's as well as db15/neo geo output for connecting to a supergun. the wiring was hacked up and wasn't able to easily swap panels. i had to return it to the standard wiring so that i can attach my Smash TV panel. (i love playing smashTV and Robotron, but its a pain in the dick swapping panels/boards into my cab)

so sexy with this panel:


ports

Most recent Switch games! Really been enjoying the Flip Grip this past week! Makes playing all the Vertical Shooters more fun!

A reproduction copy of Chaos Field for $20. Cause' fuck resale prices.

The lever on my (no so) trusty Hori SFIV stick for PS3 suddenly stopped registering inputs. After popping it open and running some tests with the multi-meter I determined that it wouldn't be an easy fix. It was the only excuse I needed to buy this, currently on sale for $130. It's a big splurge but it's the stick that Ketsui deserves.

Still getting used to it (I'm a Seimitsu guy) but so far I'm loving the Hori Kuro buttons. It makes tapping for spread shot that much easier. The hayabusa lever seems pretty nice too. Very different than what I'm used to but I find myself puling off dodges that I wouldn't have attempted before.

I really wanted to pick up that stick at one point but needed to justify buying another stick on top of the 2 I already had

I like the hayabusa stick but I can't use it at all for shmups

Only the LS-32 for me old and new version. I find new version doesn't pop as much as the older version which makes it better for both fighters and shmups

Even the LS:40 I don't like due to it being so tight

How are you finding the noir layout? I'm really interested in trying those Kuro buttons. My TE2+ is starting to give some trouble (cutting out mid match). Tempted to get another stick and looking at my options.

EDIT: I just read the stock buttons for that stick are Hayabusa, not Kuro, which people seem to think are superior.

This is scary... hearing about the PCBs in our sticks dying like that leaves me a bit uneasy. What in the world could be causing them to die? I know back in the days the TE's for the PS3 and Xbox 360 were prone but even the PCBs for newer generation of sticks too?

As for your question I can offer you feedback if your interested

I find the NOIR layout far superior to the Vewlix layout. That extra space between the stick and the buttons makes it much more comfortable for me. Even the ergonomics of the button feel much better as well. I don't feel as cramped when playing fighters with that layout.

I have Seimitsu buttons, Sanswa buttons, Hori Kuro and Hayabusa buttons.

The Kuro buttons feel great for both fighters and shmups. The amount of force to push them is an in-between of Seimitsu and Sanwa.

They feel like a bigger version of Seimitsu buttons which I like. Both Seimitsu and Kuro buttons actually feel like buttons when you push them vs Sanwa and the Hayabusa buttons feel like nothing once you press on them. If you know what I mean. There is an actual shape when you fully push them down knowing your pushing on to something. When pushing Sanwa and Hayabusa buttons it's as if your pushing on a touch screen. There's barely any feedback there.

Hayabusa buttons feel very similar to Sanwa as it takes much less force to push them. The texture on those are much more slippery than Sanwa which I don't like. But if you are a big fan of Sanwa buttons it might be the buttons for you though. Hayabusa buttons feel like an upgrade to what Sanwa buttons are. Very fast to press and does is textured in a way where you can sort of piano the buttons much faster

God I hope it's not the PCB, though I have heard reports of them dying in the TE2+. I do wish I stuck with Hori, whose products have never given me an ounce of trouble over the years. It's a reason (perhaps unjustifiably) I'm wary of trying a Qanba, despite the rave reviews the obsidian is getting.

Thanks for that! I didn't realise there was such a big difference between kuro and hayabusa. I'm a fan of sanwa buttons, so I think I might like the hayabusa buttons too. I'm not a huge fan of the JLF though, especially for shmups (I find it very loose). I replaced it with an LS-40 in my TE2+, and I love it. It feels a great fit for me.

I'm having fun researching, but I'm reluctant to splurge on an expensive arcade stick with a new generation of consoles not too far away. If hori made a new viewlix, I might talk myself into it though.

Yhaa Hayabusa buttons sounds like your cup of tea. There is a matte finish to them but it's a lot more slippery and allows you to glide on them better than the Sanwa buttons. I myself like more feedback so the solid feel of the Kuro and Seimitsu button's are more for me.

I have a pair of LS-40 sticks and as much as I wanted to love them I had a hard time using them. You need to be very precise with your inputs because the activation on them are so tight compared to other sticks I've used. I'm far too sloppy with my inputs to get anything out of them lol.

Also I'm not sure if you noticed but the LS-40 stick sits slightly a little higher than other sticks. Just a few millimeters but enough for me to notice.

I actually picked up the Mayflash F500 Universal Arcade Stick. It has a vewlix layout but I wanted a stick that worked with the XBox One and Switch and I didn't want to buy two sticks so I killed two birds with one stone with this stick.

At first I wasn't expecting much but I was blown away at the entire design of the F500. They really put some thought into everything.

Some pros I have to mention.

- Easily moddable for both Seimitsu/Sanwa/Hori parts
- Easy to customize the artwork
- Straight out of the Box works with PS3, PC and Switch [Update firwmare] no need for other joysticks to be connected
- Need an official controler or magicboot to work with Xbox 360/XBONE/PS4
- Nice weight
- Non slip pads underneath
- Built in mic/head jack [very useful]
- Has Touch Pad button for PS4

Cons
- Not the greatest stick and buttons but they're not terrible [noticed the activation zones on the stick weren't even]

I installed an LS-32 [New version] and Kuro buttons and I use it on my switch and XBONE for shmups and fighters.

If it had a NOIR Layout I would consider this stick as the best stick available for your money.

I was actually considering the Mayflash F500, as I have some parts from older sticks lying around and the price seems very reasonable. I think you just helped make my mind up. At worst, it will be something the missus can use for Metal Slug.

You won't regret it. It really does feel like a high quality stick for the money
If you were to mount a hayabusa stick in there it will be tight due to the wiring but it will fit.
Same goes for siemitsu. However you don't need a plate to mount it. You can screw the stick right under the plate of the joystick. You need to take off the plexiglass and buttons which is very easy to do
Mayflash made sure it was easy to modify
I ended up buying all three magicboots because I ended liking it so much
If you were to use the controller it actually doesn't get in the way much at all but I just wanted the convenience of the magicboots

I really like it. I play fighting games casually and like mainly two button shooters so I'm not the best to judge or write a detailed review.

My mistake, they're Hayabusa buttons, super low profile, you barely have to touch the button to activate the switch. I can see how this could potentially fuck your combo in SFV.

I was planning to get the Quanba Obsidian for awhile but pulled the trigger on the RAP N when it went to 130, 70 cheaper than the Obsidian.

Well my SFIV stick was Hori and from what I can tell it's the PCB that crapped out. Keep in mind that I was lugging it to Japan and back several times and more recently my 2 year old was banging on it. Still, 10 years isn't a bad run. I'm def keeping everything but the PCB and will likely wire it up to a Brooks board for use when guests visit (which is rare).

I just have too many memories attached to this guy. Reminds me of all the times I had to explain what it was to the female visitors, especially that yoga enthusiast -- damn!

I'm guessing the yoga enthusiast was not a fan of Dhalsim?

New guitar! PRS SE 277 baritone. Swapped out the stock bridge pickup with a Seymour Duncan Black Winter.

^^^^^^^^^Sweet new axe bud! Enjoy