koutetsu teikoku - what do I need?

[Spyke]

Hi all.

I'm thinking of building a Gamecube/Gameboy player setup to play this game, but am not sure if I need to worry about region locks on anything?

I will need to get a Gamecube console and a Gameboy Player accessory. Does it matter if one is PAL and the other Japanese or US? The game is Japanese only, I presume, but I know that it will play on any Gameboy type console - will it work if my console is PAL and the Gameboy Player is not Japanese?

Thanks,

Ant

[Xyga]

I suggest this read: http://www.nintendolife.com/forums/retr ... ent_cables

But are you seriously going to do it just for this game ?
The GBA port is inferior to the original (sounds horrible, cramped, and bosses have been altered in a bad way).

An MD with a 60Hz switch and a Steel Empire cart would be a much better choice: superior version, correct resolution, simpler and cheaper setup.

[Spyke]

That's interesting. Thanks for the link and the observations. I do own the MD Steel Empire version already which runs on my Jp console well. My reading had suggested that the GBA version was superior in some way - perhaps I misinterpreted the info? I'll read some more on the topic.

Thanks,

Ant

[Xyga]

Well the pluses are a few welcome graphics and color changes and less slowdowns, that's all this GBA port got more, not enough to call it superior IMHO.

I feel like going further into details so here's what I feel is wrong;

- Horribly butchered musics and sound effects; themes are like ear-piercing NES edits, and the much too strong sound effects, especially the horrible explosions, are covering most of what you hear.
- Many sprites are too big because they have not been scaled down (or not enough) to the GBA's lower resolution resulting in a significant loss of real estate in many parts of the game. Sometimes it's so cramped you have maybe only half the room to dodge and adjust your attacks compared to the original.
- Boss fights have been made less difficult, maybe to balance the narrower space. Only the final form of the last boss is a bit more interesting.

To me it is a less interesting version, like a different game, especially because of this annoying real estate problem that changes the action heavily.

By the way check this comparative video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5Yb3IZnjtM
GBA never looks good on streaming video but this gives an idea.

[Fudoh]

Iirc the MD version was superior in every aspect expect for the framerate (30fps MD vs. 60fps GBA) - is that possible ?

[Xyga]

Iirc the MD version was superior in every aspect expect for the framerate (30fps MD vs. 60fps GBA) - is that possible ?

I admit I haven't played the GBA port in ages (sold my GBA a long time ago) but I don't remember it being that much smoother.
30fps vs 60fps is usually quite noticeable.

[Spyke]

That comparison video is excellent. I'm going to replay the MD version but am already dreaming of the Nintendo £DS version. If it's region-locked though, it'll be a pita to get...

Ant