Original Raiden Question

[Jac2Mac]

Hi guys!

Would anyone care to tell me the differences between the PC Engine, PC Engine CD, Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, and Atari Jaguar versions of the original Raiden?

Also, does anyone remember playing the original Raiden in the arcades when it first came out in 1990 in the US?

Thanks guys!

[Varuga]

I remember playing Raiden when it first came out. It was hilarious cause that was the first shooter I played that shot more than 5 bullets at a time at you.(before that it was Tokio and Sky Shark FTW).

I was so "133t" dodging the bullet spray from the 1st stage boss at my local arcade, had a crowd around me when I would play...ah how embarassing and yet how nostologic at the same time.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane, now if Raiden III wasn't so mediocre...

[SuperGrafx]

The arcades in my area were a bit slow in getting some of the new releases back then, but I did finally manage to play Raiden in coin-op form around 1991 or so.

As for differences, each console variant has its pros and cons. I've played most of them except for some of the more obscure Japanese hardware like the version for the X68000 and none of them really get it completely "arcade perfect".

Genesis: Seems less intense. Graphics are somewhat different, music sounds tinnier and I wasn't crazy about the "extra level".

SNES: Raiden Trad as they called it. Had the 2player simultaneous mode, but tons of slowdown and other anomalies.

Atari Jaguar: For a 64-bit system and claims of being arcade perfect, this was a lousy version of Raiden. The aspect ratio seemed way off (you could scroll left/right a bit too far), music was changed, enemy patterns were off, and the stages seemed shorter for whatever reason. The controller really sucked and it showed when playing the game.

Atari Lynx: Yes, Raiden did come out for the Lynx portable, but it was really bad. You got a TATE mode by playing the game in a rotated 90degree angle, but the graphics were chunky (and too big for the screen) and the game just seemed like a poor effort throughout.

PCE/PCE-CD: Slightly chunkier graphics and more flicker, but probably some of the better home ports of Raiden for the time.

[Jac2Mac]

Thanks a lot guys, now would anyone care to tell me the differences in continuation when you died in the original Raiden for PC Engine, PC Engine CD, Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, Atari Jaguar, and in the original arcade version?

[Rev. Stuart Campbell]

Buy next month's "Retro Gamer" magazine. From all good newsagents.

[WW3]

Finally, in 2006, I've just started playing Raiden!
I remember when it came out for PS1 right back when the machine was brand new and everyone was like, "eww! 2d how LAME!1!" lol, but I really wanted to play it... but couldn't find a copy anywhere
Well, after just picking up a JP copy (Raiden Project) in good nick, I've started to have a good ol' blast.
1st impressions were basically, "oof, bit slow innit!?", but then as I got used to it and realised there weren't actually any Gradius style speed-ups lol, I'm getting the hang of it, hitting about 3 million so far on Raiden 1 (the sequel is included, but just sticking with part 1 for now).
You've got a Tate mode, and if you hit start then press shoulder buttons, you can adjust the screen also, and high scores seem to be saving OK nice and promptly to the mem. card.

What I really like though, is basically just seeing how much of a progenitor to Battle Garegga the two games seem to be.
You've got the enemy ship explosions (which must've looked leet as fuck in 1990) spiralling down leaving debris and scorched earth, and the score layout on the screen is very similar to Raizing as well (which I personally love).
The music is quite funky & foreboding too, in an early 90s "golden era" of VGM way.
Who knows, there's probably a rank system/suicide mechanic hidden away in there!!

A shame then that I've only ever heard bad things about Raiden III (on PS2) as there seems to be absolutely no plans whatsoever to ever port the Fighters/Fighters Jet series, which, it has to be said, look fucking incredible.

[Rev. Stuart Campbell]

A shame then that I've only ever heard bad things about Raiden III (on PS2)

http://worldofstuart.excellentcontent.c ... aiden3.htm

Don't listen to idiots. Raiden 3 is utterly awesome.

[Shatterhand]

"utterly awesome" it's an exageration.

The game is enjoyable, but Raiden Fighters piss all over it anyday. The game design is at most time very uninspired and the ship is too damn slow.

The game is not really bad, I have some fun playing with it, but it's far from being "utterly awesome".

[Rev. Stuart Campbell]

Really? Oh, I must be totally wrong, then. Thank goodness you were here with your reasoned, well-thought-out and convincing counter-argument!

[Herr Schatten]

I must be totally wrong, then.

You hit the nail on the head right there.

[roker]

oh man

not this shit again

Here's the deal with Raiden III:

the best entry in the Raiden series was Viper Phase 1

[cigsthecat]

Don't listen to idiots.

This is really good advice.

[raiden]

Oh, I must be totally wrong, then.

maybe not totally, but regarding your Raiden 3 review:
- in what way are Raiden Fighters games closer to Strikers games than to Raiden games? Strikers games have blinking medals, these are not in any RF game, but are in Raiden DX. Strikers 1999 has technical bonus, not present in any RF. Ok, RF games have a charge shot, but it´s mostly useless compared to that in Strikers games.
- Raiden 3 does not have enemies with AI. Raiden 3 enemies follow preset attack patterns and don´t react intelligently, as you claim. I´m really wondering where you got that idea, because it´s completely obvious they don´t have an AI. If you want to see how a shmup with AI plays, try Vulgus.
- your analysis of bullet funtions is also way off. You CAN survive easily in Raiden 3 by just moving sideways, and if it doesn´t work, it´s not because you return to the point you were when a bullet was aimed, but because the hitzone is larger than in what you call "bullet hell games".
- your description of the power-up system in previous Raiden games is also wrong. Raiden 3 works in exactly the same way, except there are less power-up levels in total. But like any previous Raiden, you can change between weapons as much as you want, the weapon level stays the same.

[SAM]

- your analysis of bullet funtions is also way off. You CAN survive easily in Raiden 3 by just moving sideways, and if it doesn´t work, it´s not because you return to the point you were when a bullet was aimed, but because the hitzone is larger than in what you call "bullet hell games".

Some more tips:
- you could lengthen the path you could move sideways by moving in U sharp by moving up when you hitting the corners.
- you should only move when the enemy fires. Wait at your current location as long as you can before you start to doge sideway. This would allow some enemy to fire, and make more bullets aiming at your current loction which you would be soon left. i.e. start moving only when the first bullets is about to hit you.
- If you have to alter crause, as your are about reaching the tip of the U, and the enemy are still firing, it would be wise for newbies to drop a bomb before altering crause.

These tricks actually works in most shmups.

[rolins]

PC-Engine CD: Super Raiden has two extra levels for a total of 10 stages, redbook audio since it's on CD, and actual credits roll with a short animation of the Raiden ship flying into space. The the hucard version doesn't have any of that. IMO this is the best Raiden port after the Raiden Project.

[Twiddle]

- your analysis of bullet funtions is also way off. You CAN survive easily in Raiden 3 by just moving sideways, and if it doesn´t work, it´s not because you return to the point you were when a bullet was aimed, but because the hitzone is larger than in what you call "bullet hell games".

The hitbox is actually that small (if not then at least it's Garegga sized). It seems like it's not because the bullets are going really fast.

[kemical]

oh man

not this shit again

Here's the deal with Raiden III:

the best entry in the Raiden series was Viper Phase 1

and raiden 2.

[Rev. Stuart Campbell]

- your description of the power-up system in previous Raiden games is also wrong. Raiden 3 works in exactly the same way, except there are less power-up levels in total. But like any previous Raiden, you can change between weapons as much as you want, the weapon level stays the same.

Nope, you're wrong, which is a bit worrying since you're actually called "raiden". Check for yourself. Go and play Raiden 1 right now. Collect a blue powerup then a red one. You're back to the original Vulcan at its lowest level (two bullets). Now play Raiden 3. Collect a blue powerup then a red one. You started out with three-way Vulcan fire, but now you've got five-way.

R3 increases the power level whatever colour of pickup you collect. R1 only increases the power level when you collect the weapon you're already using - if you keep alternating between red and blue pickups, you can collect 50 of the things in a row and you'll still have the minimum-level fire. In other words, it's different.

Man, it's lucky I do my own research rather than relying on idiots on internet forums.

[SAM]

Go and play Raiden 1 right now. Collect a blue powerup then a red one. You're back to the original Vulcan at its lowest level (two bullets).

I could confirm this is true, I had been playing quite a bit Raiden 1 recently.

Now play Raiden 3. Collect a blue powerup then a red one. You started out with three-way Vulcan fire, but now you've got five-way.

R3 increases the power level whatever colour of pickup you collect. R1 only increases the power level when you collect the weapon you're already using - if you keep alternating between red and blue pickups, you can collect 50 of the things in a row and you'll still have the minimum-level fire. In other words, it's different.

I don't relized this?!?! I always assume it works like all the other Raiden.

Man, it's lucky I do my own research rather than relying on idiots on internet forums.

Sorry for being one of those IDIOTS.

[louisg]

Man, it's lucky I do my own research rather than relying on idiots on internet forums.

Ok, I don't know what your problem is...

[captain ahar]

Man, it's lucky I do my own research rather than relying on idiots on internet forums.

Ok, I don't know what your problem is...

i think he has a deep seeded desire to be banned, and it is this that is leading him to behave in such a manner.

[Twiddle]

- your description of the power-up system in previous Raiden games is also wrong. Raiden 3 works in exactly the same way, except there are less power-up levels in total. But like any previous Raiden, you can change between weapons as much as you want, the weapon level stays the same.

Nope, you're wrong, which is a bit worrying since you're actually called "raiden". Check for yourself. Go and play Raiden 1 right now. Collect a blue powerup then a red one. You're back to the original Vulcan at its lowest level (two bullets). Now play Raiden 3. Collect a blue powerup then a red one. You started out with three-way Vulcan fire, but now you've got five-way.

R3 increases the power level whatever colour of pickup you collect. R1 only increases the power level when you collect the weapon you're already using - if you keep alternating between red and blue pickups, you can collect 50 of the things in a row and you'll still have the minimum-level fire. In other words, it's different.

Man, it's lucky I do my own research rather than relying on idiots on internet forums.

if you took out the bolded parts this would have been a good post

[Rev. Stuart Campbell]

Man, it's lucky I do my own research rather than relying on idiots on internet forums.

Ok, I don't know what your problem is...

My problem is loud-mouthed twats telling me I'm wrong when I'm not. I spend a lot of time getting stuff right, because I actually care about it, where most games journalists are happy just to reprint any old wrong crap they find on the web as the truth (cf. any cheat site ever), so it irritates me when some lazy muppet who could find out the facts with 60 seconds of effort if he wanted to thinks it's alright to casually impugn my professional diligence instead.

If you don't know how the Raiden games work, read my definitive guide to them in next month's Retro Gamer. Until then, if you don't know what the hell you're talking about then it's only polite to shut the fuck up.

[Twiddle]

Man, it's lucky I do my own research rather than relying on idiots on internet forums.

Ok, I don't know what your problem is...

My problem is loud-mouthed twats telling me I'm wrong when I'm not. I spend a lot of time getting stuff right, because I actually care about it, where most games journalists are happy just to reprint any old wrong crap they find on the web as the truth (cf. any cheat site ever), so it irritates me when some lazy muppet who could find out the facts with 60 seconds of effort if he wanted to thinks it's alright to casually impugn my professional diligence instead.

If you don't know how the Raiden games work, read my definitive guide to them in next month's Retro Gamer. Until then, if you don't know what the hell you're talking about then it's only polite to shut the fuck up.

if i pressed a needle against your head will it pop

[professor ganson]

My problem is loud-mouthed twats telling me I'm wrong when I'm not. I spend a lot of time getting stuff right, because I actually care about it, where most games journalists are happy just to reprint any old wrong crap they find on the web as the truth (cf. any cheat site ever), so it irritates me when some lazy muppet who could find out the facts with 60 seconds of effort if he wanted to thinks it's alright to casually impugn my professional diligence instead.

If you don't know how the Raiden games work, read my definitive guide to them in next month's Retro Gamer. Until then, if you don't know what the hell you're talking about then it's only polite to shut the fuck up.

That's pretty good advertising for Retro Gamer-- now I REALLY want to read it.

In all seriousness, I do like the mag-- the few issues I've read.

[Turrican]

I don't know if you still lurk around here despite all the controversial replies, or rather because of them.

Whatever it is, we clearly are not a total waste of your time if you still come to the forum. I suspect this may be due to the fact that many of us are the kind of idiots that actually care to read Retro Gamer. Even a good gaming journalist must crave for intelligent readers.

[Rev. Stuart Campbell]

I don't know if you still lurk around here despite all the controversial replies, or rather because of them.

Actually, I had a look because I couldn't get R3 to work on my PC and wondered if there might be some useful information here - you may be astonished to hear that my ego isn't the main reason I do anything. Also, I try not to judge everyone by the standards of some cretins. It's sometimes very difficult.

Sheesh, all I did was point someone to an alternative, positive view of Raiden 3, and within minutes I've got people jumping down my throat.

[captain ahar]

Sheesh, all I did was point someone to an alternative, positive view of Raiden 3, and within minutes I've got people jumping down my throat.

all you did was insult valuable members of this board. go write something.

[Rev. Stuart Campbell]

if i pressed a needle against your head will it pop

If you pressed anything against my head you'd get your face smashed in.

[system11]

If you don't know how the Raiden games work, read my definitive guide to them in next month's Retro Gamer. Until then, if you don't know what the hell you're talking about then it's only polite to shut the fuck up.

We've been here before. I thought I was quite nice about it last time, as it happens. I even voted not to ban you in talks with the other mods/admin.

I had a bad day at work today. Actually I came home and played Raiden III for a bit while waiting for Test Drive Unlimited to limp it's sorry carcass across the pond to my 360 at 10k/s. It's a good game, more like the old Raidens than the RF series, but at the same time, not as good as RF2, which in turn is nothing like Strikers or Raiden. Of course this is all an aside.

Be civil or leave. I don't care if you're right or wrong, just stop behaving like a petulant child with the f-bomb on a hotkey.