Raiden IV and Mushi HD

[Elaphe]

Hi. I'm considering buying a japanese XBOX 360 to play non-region-free shmups. I have two questions: is Raiden IV the same as the hacked PC version or is worse in any sense? Does Mushihimesama HD suffer from the same slowdowns of the original (which makes it almost unplayable for me in many moments)?

[BPzeBanshee]

is Raiden IV the same as the hacked PC version

It's better. More modes, more ships (via DLC), replays, consistent loading that isn't dependant on mood or graphics card, being able to run it in Yoko....

Yeah, much better.

[broken harbour]

I've never noticed any weird slowdown in Mushi HD, tho it sure as heck feels like there's some input lag compared to the PS2 version, but that might just be me.

Is there some reason to buy the Japanese version of Raiden 4 versus the easy to find American one?

[VixyNyan]

Not sure if it's just me, or if it's only a select few game discs or issue with DLC, but when trying to play v1.5 Matsuri mode in Mushi HD, there won't be any music playing.
It only affects a few people though, very rarely.

Is there some reason to buy the Japanese version of Raiden 4 versus the easy to find American one?

There doesn't seem to be any difference, and they both seem to share the same leaderboard and achievement list as well.
I play on the Japan disc version.

[Jack Burton]

You have to go into the settings mode (I think it's the advanced settings menu) and change the music that's played for that version of the game. Mine did the same thing. It worked fine until I loaded all of the dlc from the dlc disk that came with the Cave Shooting Collection.

Not sure if it's just me, or if it's only a select few game discs or issue with DLC, but when trying to play v1.5 Matsuri mode in Mushi HD, there won't be any music playing.
It only affects a few people though, very rarely.

Is there some reason to buy the Japanese version of Raiden 4 versus the easy to find American one?

There doesn't seem to be any difference, and they both seem to share the same leaderboard and achievement list as well.
I play on the Japan disc version.

[brentsg]

Hi. I'm considering buying a japanese XBOX 360 to play non-region-free shmups. I have two questions: is Raiden IV the same as the hacked PC version or is worse in any sense? Does Mushihimesama HD suffer from the same slowdowns of the original (which makes it almost unplayable for me in many moments)?

Where did you play the original that you experienced the unplayable slowdown?

[Elaphe]

Now that you say, I'm not so sure but I think these slowdowns are in the PS2 conversion. I don't remember having experienced slowdowns in the MAME version, also because I usually overclock the emulator when I play Cave games. Futari in the XBOX 360 also has terrible slowdowns, that's for sure.

BTW, where would you buy all these games, preferably new and at reasonable prices. And what would be your list of must buy region-locked arcades, considering I'm in Europe?

Mushihimesama HD
Raiden IV (although I have the PC version)
Raiden Fighters Aces (although I have Raiden Fighters in MAME)
Deathsmiles 2 (although it looks so ugly)
Caladrius
Phantom Breaker
Ougon Musou Kyoku X (although I have the PC version)
...

Since I'm also interested in fighting games, I'm deciding between a PS3 (luckyly 99% games are region free) or a japanese XBOX 360. Caladrius is also on the PS3, isn't it? And I've heard Raiden IV is also getting a conversion. Maybe It could be a good idea to buy this console instead and save money in games, also for titles such as Aquapazza, the latest Blazblue, etc. Any advice?

[ACSeraph]

I have every game on your list so I can give some impressions.

Ougon Musoukyoku is a fun, if broken, fighter. But the PC version is absolutely superior. Phantom Breaker is a steaming pile of trash, not even fit for single player fucking around.

Raiden IV now has an update on PS3 so that version is superior, and Caladrius Blaze will also be a very major update. It cleans up the game quite a bit, so I'm not sure of any reason to recommend buying Vanilla over the coming Blaze at this point.

Raiden Aces is really fucking expensive in Japan, you might want to seek out the western version instead.

Deathsmiles IIX is a good game, though maybe a bit too easy.

Mushi HD is godly, and is worth the price of the system by itself.

I dont know about the region lock status of them, but the two shooting love games, Eschatos, and Ginga Force also should not be ignored.

As for PS3 versus 360, it's hard to say. I personally couldnt live without both lol. As far as obscure fighting games go PS3 has more options, whereas the 360 has more shmups.

EDIT: Oh I forgot to add that the PS3 does give you access to PS1 and PCE classics on the PSN and there is some great stuff to be had there both on the obscure FG and shmup front.

[chempop]

Since I'm also interested in fighting games, I'm deciding between a PS3 (luckyly 99% games are region free) or a japanese XBOX 360.

You serious? PS3 has like a handful of shmups, while the 360 is a goldmine.

[Elaphe]

I already own a XBOX 360, which I bought mainly for the shmups and because it has most of the games I like from the PS3. What I'm considering is a Japanese XBOX 360 or a PS3. It's a bit stupid to own 2 XBOX 360 consoles just for the absurd region lock but...

[Kiken]

Does Mushihimesama HD suffer from the same slowdowns of the original (which makes it almost unplayable for me in many moments)?

You do realize that slowdown in modern danmaku is nearly always intentional, right?

Now, if you had been playing the PS2 Mushi port, the biggest issue isn't the slowdown itself, but the transitioning in and out of said slowdown. There are exceedingly violent shifts between normal game speed, slowdown and then back to normal speed (slingshotting). The original PCB and the 360 port have far smoother transitions between the game's normal speed and the slowdown.

The 360 Mushi Futari port is fairly accurate when playing Arcade Original and Arcade Maniac (give or take some instances of not slowing down enough or slowing down too much in a handful of areas). Arcade Ultra features significantly more slowdown than the PCB though. I've noticed odd inconsistencies between Arcade and 360 Modes though... with the Arcade Modes normally being closer to the PCB. I can't comment on Black Label too much though. Maybe there's still a link to the old PCB-Port comparison list that was featured some time ago.

[chempop]

I already own a XBOX 360, which I bought mainly for the shmups and because it has most of the games I like from the PS3. What I'm considering is a Japanese XBOX 360 or a PS3. It's a bit stupid to own 2 XBOX 360 consoles just for the absurd region lock but...

Ahh, I didn't catch that. That is tough I suppose, unless MushiHD, DOJBlex, and the non-cave region locked shmups are a strong draw for you. DOJ and Mushi are decent enough on PS2, although the 1.5 matsuri DLC code is wonderful, and DOJ-BL+arrange might appeal somewhat. Ketsui is also on PS3 obviously... the other region locked games are sorta hit or miss depending on your preference.

If you can't live without those, then I understand. Overall PS3 might make more sense if there are some exclusives or better on-line service. How about you get the ps3 and then j-tag your 360???

[HydrogLox]

It's a bit stupid to own 2 XBOX 360 consoles just for the absurd region lock but...

They play different games so might as well treat them as separate consoles - even if the hardware is identical.

<some fine print>

I wouldn't be surprised if many owners with a "special" Xbox 360 also own a "clean" domestic Xbox 360 - at least as long as the domestic XBL(360) service is still up and running (dual-NAND notwithstanding) - so that wouldn't cure the 2 Xbox 360 problem - that being said ...

Raiden Aces is really fucking expensive in Japan, you might want to seek out the western version instead.

But the (so far) cheaper NA version (which doesn't include the NIH "Onslaught Raiden Fighters Special Edition" superplay DVD) won't work on a JPN-360 or PAL-360 either ...

Raiden Fighters Aces (although I have Raiden Fighters in MAME)

Don't know about MAME - but the experience of playing DotEmu's Raiden Legacy on a PC doesn't compare to RFA on an Xbox 360. And personally I would rate RFA over Raiden IV (and Raiden IV Overkill) - so much that it would be enough to justify a 2nd Xbox 360. And if you don't care about on-line leaderboards ...

In the short term the PS3 seems to be the right choice (+ R-Type Dimensions this month) but it may not kill the urge for playing Mushihimesama HD and possibly RFA (and Raiden IV Overkill isn't on physical media).

[BulletMagnet]

(slingshotting)

Don't think I ever added that one to the Glossary, will make a note to hopefully do so at some point...

[BPzeBanshee]

Don't know about MAME - but the experience of playing DotEmu's Raiden Legacy on a PC doesn't compare to RFA on an Xbox 360. And personally I would rate RFA over Raiden IV (and Raiden IV Overkill) - so much that it would be enough to justify a 2nd Xbox 360. And if you don't care about on-line leaderboards ...

Playing Raiden Fighters by versions (note that first two positions are personal preference, and > symbol means 'better than'):

PCB > 360 port > MAME > Drawing pictures with stick figures and pretending to play RF Paper Edition > not play Raiden Fighters at all > Play Dung Fighters where you throw poop at people > Raiden Legacy

I literally bought a J360 for Raiden IV and Aces. I didn't care about the region-locked Cave games but they're a nice bonus I can aspire to get later.