Recca

[Aggro Sky]

So, I recently discovered Recca, AKA: Summer Carnival 92' Recca. It kind of blew my mind to see what the NES was capable of in the right hands. The game looks downright crazy and frenetic with blistering fast waves of enemies, tons of sprites on screen (with no visible slow down), sprite scaling backgrounds, huge bosses and tons of powerups. Granted, I haven't actually played the game yet, just watched some YouTube vids. I've also heard it is supposedly one of the hardest GAMES of all time? Is this true???

Anyway, wanted to hear people's thoughts on it. I just bought a repro cart for my NES (since an original is out of this world expensive) and plan on putting some time into it at some point next month. Any thoughts?

[phase3]

I just recently purchased RECCA on my 3DS for convenience sake, let me assure you you have made a good choice in your purchase. I am in the market for a good repro myself, as the 3DS D-pad isn't exactly great by any standards, much less for pixel perfect intensive dodging. The advantages of being able to play on home hardware can't be overstated, you'll want a good stick for this one.

RECCA is extremely fast, and in many ways resembles a more intense version of the Star Soldier series, complete with selectable ship speed during play, and the way you have to time your pickups for weapon selection. RECCA is a deeply difficult game, but isn't exactly impossible (unless you're playing on the 3DS). RECCA works exceptionally well as a demonstration of Yagawa's talent when working with older hardware. As a game, it also happens to work well as being fun, but I'm not sure that the "fun" will be the first thing you'll notice. Many of the boss's bullet patterns were far ahead of their time, and IMO continue to push the envelope.

Needless to say, you're in for a treat.

[Perikles]

Granted, I haven't actually played the game yet, just watched some YouTube vids. I've also heard it is supposedly one of the hardest GAMES of all time? Is this true???

It's among the harder console-exclusive games of the 8- and 16-bit era, but it's not terribly difficult once you figure out the boss fights (i.e. when to use the charge shot). It's also remarkably short which makes it easy to practice and to just give it several tries in a row in case you blunder a handful of attempts. The title is probably moreso (just comparatively speaking) warranted for Recca than for, say, Silver Surfer - which is really not much of a challenge -, but vastly overstated nonetheless. Your average arcade shooter will require a lot more dedication.

Any thoughts?

It's a terribly sloppy mess - occasionally great, but massively overrated nonetheless. The worst offender is the horrendous flicker, but the stage design is alarmingly bland, too. Sit all the way down in the middle with the homing shot and seeker options, hold down the shot button and see how countless waves of enemies get obliterated. Movement is not necessary at all. Die once and all those inconsequential enemies will smother you. It's the Compile Syndrom in full effect to be quite frank. Some boss fights are truly excellent, although there are some questionable examples for those here and there, too (the final boss and its convulsive movement in particular). When looking at the capacious library of NES/Famicom shooters, most of which are unplayable, Recca is nonetheless one of the better specimens of the genre for that platform. Compared to something like Zanac, Sqoon or several of Konami's sterling ports it utterly pales in my opinion, however.

[qmish]

Music is also awesomeness, one of most crazy and impressive on fc.

[Durandal]

Design-wise it's all over the place, but I gobbled it up anyways because I like fast manic shooters with thumping techno soundtracks.
Going seeker + homing will only help you for the first two stages, after that you're on your own.

[Van_Artic]

[...]tons of sprites on screen (with no visible slow down)

wait until you play hard mode

I've also heard it is supposedly one of the hardest GAMES of all time? Is this true???

Hard mode is actually fucking hard if you aren't prepared, and you can't practice it cause no continues allowed

on a serious note its not the hardest game out there, nor it aint really one of the hardest of all time
there's plenty out there thats way harder than this

meanwhile zanki attack gives you so many lives you can clear it on your first try

[Shepardus]

It's the Pink Sweets of Famicom shooters, in more ways than one.

[phase3]

It's a terribly sloppy mess - occasionally great, but massively overrated nonetheless.

Yeah, I'll echo this sentiment. I wasn't as thoroughly impressed by it as I thought I would be, given it's acclaim and it's background. After spending time with it, I find I end up with an unusual craving for NES Star Force, a game far less the senses-pleasing spectacle, but oodles more fun and playable. Simplicity is what the NES excels at, for obvious reasons. RECCA tries to achieve something far from simple, with mixed results.
That said, I think everyone should have it in their collection. It goes far as a demonstration of the NES's capabilities, perhaps more so than any other game on the console.

[Aggro Sky]

Needless to say, you're in for a treat.

It's a terribly sloppy mess - occasionally great, but massively overrated nonetheless.

Yeah, I'll echo this sentiment. I wasn't as thoroughly impressed by it as I thought I would be, given it's acclaim and it's background. After spending time with it, I find I end up with an unusual craving for NES Star Force, a game far less the senses-pleasing spectacle, but oodles more fun and playable. Simplicity is what the NES excels at, for obvious reasons. RECCA tries to achieve something far from simple, with mixed results.
That said, I think everyone should have it in their collection. It goes far as a demonstration of the NES's capabilities, perhaps more so than any other game on the console.

Ok... so I'm getting conflicting emotions from you, is it a treat or a sloppy mess? lol

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, from what I've seen I think I will really enjoy it. Plus, I tend to love divisive games for some reason... No Mans Sky being the newest example. Whenever there is a divide in games I tend to fall on the side that likes it for some reason...

But I also love games that push the envelope in terms of technical achievements and pushing hardware to the limit. That always makes me appreciate a game more when I'm playing.

[phase3]

Yeah, I seem to be sending mixed signals here. Rest assured, you are indeed in for a treat.
I suppose where I concur with Perikles is that it wasn't exactly the masterpiece that I had come to expect from reading about it. I don't think I'd go as far as saying it's a "terribly sloppy mess," I should have made that more clear. I like to consider and elaborate on both sides of the argument when I can, which can be confusing when communicating opinions.

Also, it should be noted my only exposure to the game has been via playing it on the 3DS. This may also contribute to my apparently conflicting thoughts on it, as a brilliant game can easily be hampered by poor hardware, in this case, an inferior D-pad.

Look forward to hearing some of your own opinions when you get some time in with it.

[Aggro Sky]

Yeah the repro cart is going to take about 30 days to get here, so I have time. But I will certainly post here about it when I get it. One thing I have realized though is that there is NO substitute for playing on original hardware.

[phase3]

Yeah the repro cart is going to take about 30 days to get here, so I have time. But I will certainly post here about it when I get it. One thing I have realized though is that there is NO substitute for playing on original hardware.

Agreed.
When you do get around to sharing your thoughts here, I'd like to request you include information on the quality of your particular repro and where it was purchased. I'm always (perhaps unjustly) a bit hesitant when collecting repros, because many, er, "reproducers" don't necessarily have many regulations when it comes to quality control. I'm sure a game like RECCA would only be handled by those more interested in the hobbyist side of collecting, and thus be treated with more attention to detail.
Here's hoping it arrives exactly as you hoped.

[cicada88]

I think it really depends on your expectations and background.

It definitely isn't anything near the hardest ever. Once you learn about the charge shot also being a shield. The hard mode is way crazier though for sure.

If you grew up with 8bit Nintendo, the graphics and sound will probably blow your mind. It's pretty crazy what Yagawa pulled out of the hardware.

I also think the overall presentation and design was very well done even if the enemies/backgrounds get repetitive. All the modes and debug menu add a lot of value as well.

Please keep in mind that to truly appreciate some of the effects you need to see it on a CRT where the glow tends to mix the colors and make them more impactful than they are on the 3DS or other LCD.

I personally think the game is mind blowing experience, but if you have any "lol 8 bit shooters" in you I don't think this game will change much. It's definitely not the best or even hardest shooter compared to arcade games of the time.

[Eitoman]

This is a great game and a must have for the NES, I was also impressed the first time I saw it in movement.
I should also receive a boxed repro (no manual) very soon, if you guys want I can post some pics when I receive it so you can see the repro quality.

Other nice game is Zanac, I played it in MSX but realized it was released for the NES a few weeks ago, fun game too!

[pegboy]

As people have already said it's nowhere even remotely close to "hardest game of all time". A Cave or Psikyo 2-ALL is like several orders of magnitude harder than something like Recca.

Recca was a cool game for the time period and a nice technical demonstration of the hardware but in the year 2016 I'm struggling to find much to like, it's just kind of a mess like Perikles said. And this is coming form someone who owns the original famicom cart, so I have every reason to be trying to hype it up but I just can't.

Honestly if you are looking for something with a similar "manic" style and lots of bullets you should play Super Aleste/Space Megaforce on Wild Difficulty. Game is far more refined, has much better graphics and soundtrack, also runs with virtually no slowdown at all. And it actually came out BEFORE Recca did.

[Kollision]

I was disappointed with this game.
Not worth the hype, not worth the price.

Dino Riki is better.

[BIL]

Among FC gaming, Recca's an indispensable aesthetic favourite of mine. The brutal speed, seizuring explosions and relentless BGM pulse are attraction enough that even a competent shooter would suffice as the chassis; so Recca being quite a good one ensures my appreciation.

Rated purely as an FC shooter, there are several I'd rank equal to or above it. Gradius, Sqoon, Star Force and (on its most extreme settings) Gun.Nac come to mind. Recca's not an unassailable masterpiece of shooting or anything; more like a rough-edged, inimitably vitriolic debut EP from a favourite hardcore punk/techno outfit.

I do own all of the above CIB and mint AF but they're not for sale and will need to be pried outta my cold dead mitts, so no partisanship here.

[MintyTheCat]

I simply love it!

The boxart, the graphics, the completely insane music, the suicidal zako and what a marvel it is to behold.

I am not fortunate enough to own the original FC game but I do have a very good Repro that Battlesmurf worked on going back to 2010/11 with some others:



RECCA is on my "I should buy this but dare I 'justify' buying it to myself?" list. It is heavy $ and I would feel really selfish dropping that kind of cash on it - it regularly goes for $300-600 and then you have to determine how good a condition you want to buy it in.

Also, recommended is the RECCA play guide and the Superplay DVD. I gave my last copy to Blackoak last year but you may find a copy.

There's another thread that talks about the DVD, VHS, book and artwork here:

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=53067

Technically the game is a marvel. I want to spend much more time looking at RECCA. I do not have a famicom at present (long story) but when I get one I will be playing the hell out of RECCA.

Just to advise, I also worship ibara and I own the PCB and I love garegga too. I may well be a yagawa follower but I have not played all of his Shmups.

[phase3]

Please keep in mind that to truly appreciate some of the effects you need to see it on a CRT where the glow tends to mix the colors and make them more impactful than they are on the 3DS or other LCD.

The only reason I got the game on the 3DS was for convenience and for some travel shooting. One of the reasons I'm looking for a repro is so I can appreciate the game the way it was intended. I've never quite been able to get behind the proponents of LCD gaming monitors and scan lines generators, as it's not that hard or expensive to find the real thing.

Rated purely as an FC shooter, there are several I'd rank equal to or above it. Gradius, Sqoon, Star Force

If there is anything my limited exposure to RECCA has achieved is that it's given me even more admiration for Star Force. That might just be (IMO) the finest STG on the system. It's just as fun whether you're playing intently for score, or if you're just zonked out of your gourd listening to some records. It isn't exactly deep, but sometimes that's a bit refreshing when all you need is something immediate, accessible, simple, and fun. Whenever I'm having company and someone isn't exactly sold on the sort alternatively relaxing/challenging entertainment a good STG can provide, I immediately put Star Force in. Even my most skeptical friends usually end up having a good time with it, even if it's brief. Chances are if they are incapable of enjoying it, the genre isn't for them.

Recca's not an unassailable masterpiece of shooting or anything; more like a rough-edged, inimitably vitriolic debut EP from a favourite hardcore punk/techno outfit.

What an amusingly apt simile. If I may continue it: if RECCA is the debut EP, then I'd say Garegga would be that unexpectedly lush and complex 4th or 5th album by the band after a couple of lineup changes that establishes the groups new sound and would end up setting an unrealistic standard for future albums and the genre as a whole. Then, some time later, after years of fan consideration, it ends up being retrospectively considered a stroke of genius and a masterwork, except for the few desperate meta-hipsters intent on adopting the most alternative viewpoint possible, clamoring to find issue with anything that even nears popular acclaim.

[Aggro Sky]

Yeah the repro cart is going to take about 30 days to get here, so I have time. But I will certainly post here about it when I get it. One thing I have realized though is that there is NO substitute for playing on original hardware.

Agreed.
When you do get around to sharing your thoughts here, I'd like to request you include information on the quality of your particular repro and where it was purchased. I'm always (perhaps unjustly) a bit hesitant when collecting repros, because many, er, "reproducers" don't necessarily have many regulations when it comes to quality control. I'm sure a game like RECCA would only be handled by those more interested in the hobbyist side of collecting, and thus be treated with more attention to detail.
Here's hoping it arrives exactly as you hoped.

Well, if it helps, I bought a repro cart of Rendering Ranger for the SNES from Flashback Entertainment and the quality was top notch, works flawlessly. Sadly, Flashback didn't have Recca on their site. So I instead went to GameReproductions.com. They seem like a reputable source, but who knows. I will be sure to let you know when I get the game what the quality is like.

I think it really depends on your expectations and background.

It definitely isn't anything near the hardest ever. Once you learn about the charge shot also being a shield. The hard mode is way crazier though for sure.

If you grew up with 8bit Nintendo, the graphics and sound will probably blow your mind. It's pretty crazy what Yagawa pulled out of the hardware.

I also think the overall presentation and design was very well done even if the enemies/backgrounds get repetitive. All the modes and debug menu add a lot of value as well.

Please keep in mind that to truly appreciate some of the effects you need to see it on a CRT where the glow tends to mix the colors and make them more impactful than they are on the 3DS or other LCD.

I personally think the game is mind blowing experience, but if you have any "lol 8 bit shooters" in you I don't think this game will change much. It's definitely not the best or even hardest shooter compared to arcade games of the time.

Heh, well, I am a certified LCD, RGB, Framemeister addict, so you will never find a big bulky CRT in my house. I just love those razor sharp pixels coming from original hardware. There is something wonderful about it.

As people have already said it's nowhere even remotely close to "hardest game of all time". A Cave or Psikyo 2-ALL is like several orders of magnitude harder than something like Recca.

Recca was a cool game for the time period and a nice technical demonstration of the hardware but in the year 2016 I'm struggling to find much to like, it's just kind of a mess like Perikles said. And this is coming form someone who owns the original famicom cart, so I have every reason to be trying to hype it up but I just can't.

Honestly if you are looking for something with a similar "manic" style and lots of bullets you should play Super Aleste/Space Megaforce on Wild Difficulty. Game is far more refined, has much better graphics and soundtrack, also runs with virtually no slowdown at all. And it actually came out BEFORE Recca did.

Well that's the thing, you have to put it in perspective. And one thing I am good at is looking at games based on when they were released and being amazed at what the developers were able to accomplish based on what they were working with. In that regard, when I saw a video of Recca recently it blew my mind. I'm fairly sure I will enjoy it.

[phase3]

Well, if it helps, I bought a repro cart of Rendering Ranger for the SNES from Flashback Entertainment and the quality was top notch, works flawlessly. Sadly, Flashback didn't have Recca on their site. So I instead went to GameReproductions.com. They seem like a reputable source, but who knows. I will be sure to let you know when I get the game what the quality is like..

It does, because I've also been looking into getting an RR cart.
I hope gamereproductions does you right with RECCA, as that's likely the avenue I'll be taking as well.

I wish Battlesmurf & Co.'s repro was still readily available, it looks great. They should consider another print run of them eventually. I've seen a few of those pop up on ebay now and again, but never complete. (Weird how people will chuck out boxes even given today's market for obsessive CIB collectors.) I don't necessarily mind having a cart only, as that tends to be what I focus on with authentic carts anyways.
One thing in particular that interests me, though, is the manual. Is it just a translated reprint of the Famicom manual? If so, that is exactly the sort of attention to detail I expect to see in quality reproductions.

[Aggro Sky]

It does, because I've also been looking into getting an RR cart.
I hope gamereproductions does you right with RECCA, as that's likely the avenue I'll be taking as well.

I wish Battlesmurf & Co.'s repro was still readily available, it looks great. They should consider another print run of them eventually. I've seen a few of those pop up on ebay now and again, but never complete. (Weird how people will chuck out boxes even given today's market for obsessive CIB collectors.) I don't necessarily mind having a cart only, as that tends to be what I focus on with authentic carts anyways.
One thing in particular that interests me, though, is the manual. Is it just a translated reprint of the Famicom manual? If so, that is exactly the sort of attention to detail I expect to see in quality reproductions.

Well, I got a cart only. I'm honestly not interested in CiB collecting. As long as I have the game, I'm good

[phase3]

Well, I got a cart only. I'm honestly not interested in CiB collecting. As long as I have the game, I'm good

Absolutely. However, where I think collecting repros differs from retro collecting is that these things should be treated as new merchandise, because in most cases, they are. Those extra bits like the box and manual should be to some degree compulsory (not as the buyer, but as the purveyor). If the intention in making a repro is to literally "reproduce" a game, the superfluous parts should be considered part of the whole package. I'm not saying collecting CIB should be everyone's goal, in fact I'm not even saying in most cases it should be considered at all. I do think that these companies making money off of selling other people's games in borrowed cases should be going whole hog, and doing everything they can to accurately "reproduce" the experience of buying and playing a "new" game.

When collecting the older stuff, I tend to be a little less discerning. I occasionally like the ones that have clearly traveled a bit and have some obvious history, like ones with those massive irremovable rental stickers. Usually my criteria for purchase is "Is it priced reasonably? Does it work?" and that's about it. There are some exceptions to the rule, though.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think anyone would disagree that the game is indeed the most, if not the only, important part.

[Aggro Sky]

Well, I got a cart only. I'm honestly not interested in CiB collecting. As long as I have the game, I'm good

Absolutely. However, where I think collecting repros differs from retro collecting is that these things should be treated as new merchandise, because in most cases, they are. Those extra bits like the box and manual should be to some degree compulsory (not as the buyer, but as the purveyor). If the intention in making a repro is to literally "reproduce" a game, the superfluous parts should be considered part of the whole package. I'm not saying collecting CIB should be everyone's goal, in fact I'm not even saying in most cases it should be considered at all. I do think that these companies making money off of selling other people's games in borrowed cases should be going whole hog, and doing everything they can to accurately "reproduce" the experience of buying and playing a "new" game.

When collecting the older stuff, I tend to be a little less discerning. I occasionally like the ones that have clearly traveled a bit and have some obvious history, like ones with those massive irremovable rental stickers. Usually my criteria for purchase is "Is it priced reasonably? Does it work?" and that's about it. There are some exceptions to the rule, though.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think anyone would disagree that the game is indeed the most, if not the only, important part.

Interesting points. I honestly never thought about Repros that way before. To me, I buy a repro for one reason: Buying an original cart is too expensive. I like to, whenever possible, play games on original hardware. Sometimes repros are the only way to do that. Although I see your point that if these people are producing carts that are in essence like "new". Then why not go the extra mile?

[BrianC]

Recca also plays nicely on the Everdrive N8 (as well as the Pure hack).

[phase3]

Interesting points. I honestly never thought about Repros that way before. To me, I buy a repro for one reason: Buying an original cart is too expensive. I like to, whenever possible, play games on original hardware. Sometimes repros are the only way to do that. Although I see your point that if these people are producing carts that are in essence like "new". Then why not go the extra mile?

Exactly. I think even these common cart only repros serve a perfectly valid purpose, but it's a shame to see so few outlets taking advantage of the unique position they have made for themselves.

[Squire Grooktook]

I like Recca, and I think it plays pretty interestingly, even if its rough.

The shield/charge/bomb mechanic in combination with the options gives me a unique "paladin shmup" feel, where your blocking with your great shield (charge) while swiping with your sword (options) before lowering your shield for a skull crushing two handed blow (Bomb). Methodical, speedy, and flashy all at the same time, and the waaaay too fast enemies have a character of their own as well.

The system could probably be put to better use with smarter, more carefully designed stage and enemy patterns, but it's still one of those games that I find is characterful enough to ignore its flaws, given there's nothing else out there quite like it. I think it stands the test of the time and is well worth occasional revisits for that reason alone.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Since the fact still appears to be little known, it's worth mentioning that NES Star Force is a different game (later port by a different dev) than the Famicom one.

[BrianC]

Since the fact still appears to be little known, it's worth mentioning that NES Star Force is a different game (later port by a different dev) than the Famicom one.

More like different in the way Decapattack is different from Magical Hat. It is different, but it still uses the FC version as a basis (same font and some of the same sprites, for example). It's not like Fantasy Zone where neither the FC or NES port uses assets from the other one.

[phase3]

How different are we talking? I was under the impression that most changes were merely cosmetic or relating to the audio. Is it different enough to be considered a different game?