Any Differences Between the PS2 Strikers 1945s?

[IlMrm]

Are there any differences between the Psikyo Collection with Strikers 1945, and II, and the Taito Best version which is about half the price? Thanks.

[BulletMagnet]

To the best of my knowledge, the "Taito Best" label pretty much just means the thing is a re-release of the original game at a lower price: they put out both of the Shikigami games (among others) under that label, and I'm not aware of any changes between the "Taito Best" versions and the original releases, aside from the label on the box art and the lower price.

[professor ganson]

Yeah, I think BMs right about that. In any case I have the Taito Best version and it plays nicely in tate mode. It seems to me that there's something lame about it-- maybe it doesn't save high-scores? I can't recall atm. And I think there was an annoying way that I was automatically restarting because the auto-firing button was also the continue button. Something like that.
IlMrm, did you get a Jap PS2? I seem to recall that you were looking to get one. If so, cool!

[tiktak]

Is it true that the games plays on 2/3 of the screen (with big black label on the bottom)?

[Zweihander]

Are there any differences between Psikyo shmups in general?

[IlMrm]

Yeah, I think BMs right about that. In any case I have the Taito Best version and it plays nicely in tate mode. It seems to me that there's something lame about it-- maybe it doesn't save high-scores? I can't recall atm. And I think there was an annoying way that I was automatically restarting because the auto-firing button was also the continue button. Something like that.
IlMrm, did you get a Jap PS2? I seem to recall that you were looking to get one. If so, cool!

Yeah, finally. It was my Christmas gift to myself.

And thanks BM for the info. Looks like I'll pick one up at Yesasia.

[Neon]

Are there any differences between Psikyo shmups in general?

Plenty. Would you like examples?

Is it true that the games plays on 2/3 of the screen (with big black label on the bottom)?

Unless he's talking about Yoko I'd like to know that myself.

Ilmrm: I think getting the SS/PS ports of I and II would be better options. Supposedly these PS2 versions are worse any way you look at them. They're not even ported from the arcade, IIRC.

[Ganelon]

Is it true that the games plays on 2/3 of the screen (with big black label on the bottom)?

Definitely not in the JP version. Yoko has black bars on the 2 sides like any yoko shooter would whereas tate has no bars at all.

[Ramus]

Are there any differences between Psikyo shmups in general?

I love Psikyo, but you're right. There really isn't that much of a differnce between the games. I think Space Bomber is the only one that is slightly different. Dragon Blaze... c'mon. Whoop-de-do, they put dragon shot in it. Now it's Strikers with a close range attack and a dragon theme. Don't take this as a bashing; I really do love their games. Just being honest.

[2DGaming]

Is it true that the games plays on 2/3 of the screen (with big black label on the bottom)?

I had that problem when I was playing the JP version using a modded PAL PS2. Actually, the weird thing was I had problems with alot of the JP imported shmups when played on my modded machine. No idea why it did that, possibly had to do with the mod itself but it was good as because of that I decided to get a JP-PS2 instead and have never been happier. Import JP gaming beats PAL gaming anyday.

[Zweihander]

Are there any differences between Psikyo shmups in general?

I love Psikyo, but you're right. There really isn't that much of a differnce between the games. I think Space Bomber is the only one that is slightly different. Dragon Blaze... c'mon. Whoop-de-do, they put dragon shot in it. Now it's Strikers with a close range attack and a dragon theme. Don't take this as a bashing; I really do love their games. Just being honest.

I kinda liked Zero Gunner 2, namely because they put some effort into the game. Also, the incentive to stop firing on a regular basis (to collect crystals) was nice for a change.

Wouldn't mind trying this "Space Bomber" you speak of, if it does anything different for the Psikyo formula...

The same could really be said about any company-- Konami, Irem, Cave, Raizing.. they all have/had their gimmicks, but I seriously thing the afforementioned have always put more effort into their games than Psikyo. :/ Most notably, Cave's scoring systems are always evolving, whereas the farthest Psikyo's gotten was coin-chaining. ughh.

[professor ganson]

Are there any differences between Psikyo shmups in general?

They are like differences between varieties of first-rate single malt scotch: subtle and complex. Not for the uninitiated.

[tiktak]

Is it true that the games plays on 2/3 of the screen (with big black label on the bottom)?

I had that problem when I was playing the JP version using a modded PAL PS2. Actually, the weird thing was I had problems with alot of the JP imported shmups when played on my modded machine. No idea why it did that, possibly had to do with the mod itself but it was good as because of that I decided to get a JP-PS2 instead and have never been happier. Import JP gaming beats PAL gaming anyday.

Yeah, I just tested it and I'am quite afraid of buying this game but maybe with oryginal copy it will be ok. (I never had this prob except psx backups)

something like this

_______
|ggggbb|
|ggggbb|
|ggggbb|
|ggggbb|
|ggggbb|
|ggggbb|

b=black
g=game;]

[Ganelon]

Could be a PAL issue I suppose. Haven't run across a single JP PS2 shooter that didn't run perfectly on my NTSC-U/C machine via Swap Magic v3.3.

[2DGaming]

Is it true that the games plays on 2/3 of the screen (with big black label on the bottom)?

I had that problem when I was playing the JP version using a modded PAL PS2. Actually, the weird thing was I had problems with alot of the JP imported shmups when played on my modded machine. No idea why it did that, possibly had to do with the mod itself but it was good as because of that I decided to get a JP-PS2 instead and have never been happier. Import JP gaming beats PAL gaming anyday.

Yeah, I just tested it and I'am quite afraid of buying this game but maybe with oryginal copy it will be ok. (I never had this prob except psx backups)

something like this

_______
|ggggbb|
|ggggbb|
|ggggbb|
|ggggbb|
|ggggbb|
|ggggbb|

b=black
g=game;]

I think the problem with my modded PS2 was most probably due to an older chip that was installed. If not that then it could be due to crappy modding. I really don't know. My mate never had the problem so yeah, could just be an isolated case. If you had never encountered this problem before with your other imported games then everything should be fine.