Anybody own a Air Duel PCB?

Post by **undamned** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:11 pm

How does this game feel (gameplay-wise) to you? I love the art direction, but I really can't gather how it "feels" from mame.

(Ex. I played Light Bringer in mame, a month or so ago, and it felt bland. I got the PCB and played it for days 'cause it felt so arcade-y in real life. Hense my request for PCB players and not just "downloaders")
-ud

yojo! · Post by **yojo!** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 2:02 am

I think that Irem had always been better at horizontal shooters than vertical ones. (kind of the opposite of Toaplan), but out the 4 PCBs I own (fire barrel, Thunder blaster ,image fight and leo) I would rank it at #2. Irem's legendary difficulty with more freedom, i.e. you don't have to remember every free spot like in rtype; similar to leo in a way.

Post by **system11** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:54 am

It feels a bit like a missed opportunity, somewhat flat in places. On the other hand, it's got some really nice touches too. If it's cheap, grab it.

If you end up with a boardset with Air Duel holo-stickers on it, you've got one rare item. Most Air Duels were conversions - it was one of a few games Irem optionally sold as a conversion set of ROMs (including new security chip and PAL).

From the factory, many of these were conversions of unsold stock - I had one Air Duel where the security chip had been re-burned, previously having been a Ninja Spirit. I'd be surprised if they ever handed those images out. I've had about 4 Air Duel boards, only one of them was an Air Duel right from day 1, with all matching labels.

Post by **undamned** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:36 pm

bloodflowers wrote:It feels a bit like a missed opportunity, somewhat flat in places. On the other hand, it's got some really nice touches too. If it's cheap, grab it.

If you end up with a boardset with Air Duel holo-stickers on it, you've got one rare item. Most Air Duels were conversions - it was one of a few games Irem optionally sold as a conversion set of ROMs (including new security chip and PAL).

From the factory, many of these were conversions of unsold stock - I had one Air Duel where the security chip had been re-burned, previously having been a Ninja Spirit. I'd be surprised if they ever handed those images out. I've had about 4 Air Duel boards, only one of them was an Air Duel right from day 1, with all matching labels.

Ninja Spirit, kinduva waste, eh?

Thanks for the comments fellas!
-ud

overdrive · Post by **overdrive** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 12:30 am

While this is based off, MAME, I did review the game a couple of years ago and figured I'd include the link just in case you were interested. If not, no biggie. Kinda fits in with the "not that great" theme the comments you got delivered.

http://www.honestgamers.com/systems/con ... e_id=14099

Post by **system11** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 9:13 am

undamned wrote:Ninja Spirit, kinduva waste, eh?

To us, yes. To Irem, it was a way to move unsold stock.