I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

[dmk1198]

I will probably have to get Splatterhouse. I don't remember if I have ever played the PC Engine version, but I have played the arcade version a few times at various arcades. It's at Mikado in Takadanobaba right now and Super Potato in Akiba had it in their tiny arcade on 5F the last time I was there, which was a long time ago.

I did buy Gradius I-III yesterday, though. These seem to be somewhat inconsistent, as Gradius is one of the earlier releases and only lets you set autofire to on or off, Gradius II forces you to use the wallpaper and even playing on PS5 has circle as confirm while all of my other ACA games, all of them being the Japanese releases, use the system's default (which is unfortunately X on PS5, even in Japan, which everyone hates), and Gradius III is the typical later type with all of the options.

Is there a AA list of releases and maybe a rating of each or. Best of list?
Thnx in advance

BIL's lists are solid, as expected, but there is one thing missing from those lists that I think should be there: Irem's submarine game Kaitei Daisensou/In the Hunt/Metal Slug Submarine. Maybe also Image Fight. For non-shooting I'd also add Real Bout Special.

Cheers

[Jonpachi]

But if I'm to dissect it as a piece of interactive entertainment, it's pretty poor in its execution.

Exactly, how so?

First up, I like Splatterhouse. I had it on my TG-16 back in the day, and it got constant play with my friends. I bought the Namco Museum Arcade Pac for Switch only because Splatterhouse was on it. I picked up the two Evercade Namco Museum Collections primarily because they had parts 2 and 3 on them.

That said, the core gameplay of the original is solely based around rote memorization within a very limited move-set, with no room for any decision-making or improvisation on the part of the player. Movement is slow and tedious, your hit-box is enormous, and the only way the game can ramp difficulty is by exploiting your poor mobility and high vulnerability--hence the reliance on strict memorization of positioning and mastery of awkward jump mechanics.

The game mostly comes down to just knowing where to stand and when. As the player, there's very little personal strategy to consider, and no exploration of the systems to entice me. There's simply no variety in it's experience. You learn to play it like a Simon Says game, and you play it out the exact same way every game. It might be a good blind-fold game to try out at AGDQ or something. Consider an encounter with a Red Arremer in GnG, where I have to mix up my movements and shot timings based on my weapon choice - it's a fight! We've all been punked by him, but we've also had moments where we landed a lucky fireball on his damn head and shouted in victory. Splatterhouse has none of those moments.

But again, I like that sometimes. I have played enough to be able to 1-life the game. I like the comfort of doing the little A,B,C routing and turning my brain off to enjoy the pixel gore and SFX. But is it a great game, or even a good game? I have to say no.

[BIL]

Rote action games - Magician Lord comes to mind - are ok by me, provided they control tightly, have some form of advanced movement, and let the player set their own pace. That way, veterans who've memorised them inside-out can play to the crowd a bit, authoritatively demolishing scenes that blind/novice players tiptoe through. I'm not into speedrunning, but I do enjoy bravura 1LCs that keep dead time and errors to a minimum. By that standard, all I have against SH is a few too many autoscrollers. That bulldozer slidekick is pretty hawt.

Aesthetic helps immensely here, too, as with Magician Lord's storming goth-rock OST. Good examples are more like player-choreographed action movies, pretty rad imo.

GNG (assuming Dai/Ghouls, given its previous mention a page back) is possibly the most finely volatile sidescrolling action/platformer ever made; you could delete the Arremers entirely, and it'd still leave SH in the dust. Ninja Spirit/Saigo no Nindou is another whose masterfully controlled chaos nukes SH from orbit. Sticking closer to its gametype, Kung Fu Master/Spartan X outclasses the vast majority of the subgenre it created, Splatterhouse included, though SH does better than most, with its comparably sharp attack collision.

I still love having both sorts of game around, even if it's the immortally lethal Dais and Saigos I'd take to a desert island. There's a healthy margin between snappily head-busting Splatterhouse and a mediocre-at-most charity case rote memoriser like Haunted Castle/Akumajou Dracula (1987).

Actually, execution-wise, the game Splatterhouse most reminds me of is Sunset Riders. Sensibly generous firepower, willfully short stages, and a generally milder-than-average tenor, offset by their respective brands of body-stacking ultraviolence. Both could also stand to chop an autoscroller or two!

[velo]

I think Splatterhouse actually is great, that's what my gut tells me and I won't second guess it. It's not a case like Altered Beast where the gameplay is a chore you have to tolerate to be able to view all the graphics, it's truly fun from start to finish, with the presentation meshing with rather than compensating for the mechanics. The fetus level is more memo-resistant than anything in Castlevania or Ninja Gaiden. I wouldn't mind cutting out the dead air during Sunset Riders' autoscrollers (and dropping the bonus rounds), but the slow rightward scroll in Splatterhouse's mirror room feels wonderfully tense. All the boss fights are pretty fun and notably distinct from one another, and I wouldn't say the same for CV or NG or Shinobi.

I get a sense of the thoughtfulness of Splatterhouse's design when you put it next to Splatterhouse 2, which has about the exact same basic mechanics but with less imagination (or maybe budget or tech limitations) and the level design being more plain march-right-and-punch with the same enemy over and over again and more truly rote memo. Wanpaku Graffiti on the other hand succeeded in recapturing the same magic, and it's even simpler, easier, and more memo based.

[BIL]

Yeah, going for a 1LC with the layouts down, I see why this remains such a beloved title among so many trusted peeps. There's the uncannily well-done horror pastiche, of course, but it's got some real snap, too. Another comparison I'd cite is Strider Hiryu. SH obviously doesn't approach that game's landmark playable action cinema (I don't think any other sidescroller, period, ever surpassed Isuke's masterpiece) - but the undergirding of iconic, state-of-the-late-80s cool with simple, likeably sharp mechanics is very familiar. As with Strider, it's not a very hard game at all by AC standards, but the sheer panache makes failure sting extra-hard, and one-life clears extra-compelling.

(plus, SH gets further licks in, having Rick start each new "life" just like the first: beaten and broken, rising with a groggy adjustment of the mask. respawning on the Womb stage will slam him face-first from the ceiling into the fleshy floor, oof! )

The hall of mirrors actually isn't one of the autoscrollers I'd chop. It's short, and demolishing those Doppelgangers with perfect 3hit air combos (aerial raving in 1988 ) before they can get loose and exploit their deadly neutral game is hella satisfying.

tfw ALREADY DEAD

Spoiler

Aesthetically, the BGM shift from chilling unease to mechanistic bloodlust is super cool (Biggy Man sports similarly singleminded techno-horror... while Master Dead arrantly DGAF *HOOAH*) - as is each destroyed Doppy leaving a pile of pulverised-to-powder glass. Rick is a man mad enough to punch a knife, mirrors ain't shit! And it leads straight into the chapel setpiece aka black fucken metal

It's really just the first water zombie one I dislike now (st2), and only because it's unavoidable, unlike the trap/optional ones in st3 and st5. Speaking of Doppies and st5, I love that upper room with the headless mannequins gathered in the dark, arrayed in finery; nicely understated eerie sight. (stage map a room earlier is a cute touch too)

Only just twigged the Top Heavies' role as an officer corps... was too busy hacking through Deadman Grunts to notice that one in st2-1, ordering his troops into the fray! He'll actually run away and leave them, if you don't forge ahead into his striking range. Come to think of it, Part 2 has those poor grunts fleeing in terror from that fat bastard, doesn't it. Super characterful ala Raimi, far from mere gorno-by-numbers.

Always thought Wanpaku was very cool; also a rare example of FC run n' slash (the machine is an action/platformer powerhouse, of course, but relatively light on Rastanesques... come to think of it, even SH1 itself doesn't have running attacks, haha). The chunky sprites, beefy gibs, and rapid setpiece rotation give it an outsized arcadey heft; the bone-jarring epilieptic violence of the poltergeist boss is translated with gusto. Actually, as charming as the superdeformed take is ("BE GARBAGE OF SEWER!"), I think they could've actually played it dead-straight, and still come away with an utterly convincing production. If not for the whole "horrifying ultraviolence on Family Computer" thing, I mean!

Despite the chibi, they even do the chapel scene one better, with a whole friggin Black Goat of Mendes and Giger Baphomet cameo, too! Naughty Graffiti, more like Metal As Fuck Graffiti

Happily, Wanpaku has a superb PS4+Switch release just like SH1, via M2's Namco Museum Archives. I forget which one exactly, Vol.1 or 2. They're both perfect... I already had everything I wanted on cart (Dragon Slayer IV aka Legacy of the Wizard gets a surprise appearance, being Namco-published in Japan), but when the translation is M2/Hamster-good, I'll double up without hesitation.

[Skyknight]

No word yet on what this week’s release will be, and this is the current neither-Namco-nor-Taito part of the usual cycle.

Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to get Raiden II. >>; But perhaps there’s still something of UPL/NMK to release?

[Despatche]

Well, there's always Rapid Hero, the Macross games if they're brave enough, maybe even the Mega System 32 stuff if that's feasible. They managed to get TGM1 and 2 on there somehow, it'd be cool to have Tetris Plus.

[Skyknight]

Rapid Hero/Arcadia? I at least hope SNK didn’t hold it against them that they used Hattori Hanzou’s sprites for the final battle against (I think) Fuuma Kotarou…

(Well, naval espionage was a Fuuma specialty, so I can believe their most infamous member being resurrected in a space navy’s employ…)

[Steven]

Yeah, about Raiden II. Well, Raiden DX, actually, but anyway, back in February I went to that Raiden III live that was done by Sato-san and Ikeda Minorock, the guy that owns Mikado, and I ended up having dinner with them. Eventually we got to talking about Raiden and I was like "Ikeda-san, we have Raiden IV x Mikado and now Raiden III x Mikado is coming soon, so when is Raiden DX x Mikado happening? Lots of people want that one too" and he said that he wants to do it, but there are some hurdles to overcome for that one. Not impossible hurdles, but hurdles.

Hopefully we'll see it eventually somewhere, but somehow I don't think it will show up on ACA.

[Sima Tuna]

Raiden DX is the one I want. For all its problems/cruelness, I still love original arcade Raiden and I play the ACA version frequently.

[BIL]

Yeah, about Raiden II. Well, Raiden DX, actually, but anyway, back in February I went to that Raiden III live that was done by Sato-san and Ikeda Minorock, the guy that owns Mikado, and I ended up having dinner with them. Eventually we got to talking about Raiden and I was like "Ikeda-san, we have Raiden IV x Mikado and now Raiden III x Mikado is coming soon, so when is Raiden DX x Mikado happening? Lots of people want that one too" and he said that he wants to do it, but there are some hurdles to overcome for that one. Not impossible hurdles, but hurdles.

Thank you for asking that! It's very encouraging to hear there's some will there, especially from someone of Sato's profile.

No word yet on what this week’s release will be, and this is the current neither-Namco-nor-Taito part of the usual cycle.

Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to get Raiden II. >>; But perhaps there’s still something of UPL/NMK to release?

Hoping for Silkworm personally, as ever. Senjyou was a lovely surprise - game has some serious technique, as expected of Tecmo - and Wild Fang is MFN' Wild Fang. Silkworm's their last major 80s work I'm wanting. Well, Silkworm and Pleiades. The latter would be great from historical perspective, and may well be a great STG in its own right (would happily grab sight-unseen; Tecmo's 80s AC division were beast kings, and lots of trusted homies love that game in particular). But I maintain an eternally blazing votive beast wood for STGs featuring helis and jeeps - nothing makes me happier, aesthetically! So an STG starring both is gonna take priority.

A Final Star Force would be nice too!

[Sturmvogel Prime]

A Final Star Force would be nice too!

I also hope we could get Final Star Force, along with Raiden II/DX which I really hope we can see them soon and the first Aero Fighters, since they're almost done with Video System's catalogue.
Wish they also resume the release of IREM and Data East's games; Gunforce games, R-Type arcade trilogy and of course the Kuhga trilogy.

[BurlyHeart]

Played a lot of Silkworm as a kid. Great to see it mentioned here as it's not a game I see talked about often.

I have no idea if the gamep holds up well, but I had a lot of fun with it. There were many heated debates with friends about choosing the jeep or the chopper

[Sturmvogel Prime]

Nichibutsu's Cop 01 is the next release.
https://www.famitsu.com/news/202306/28307732.html

[BIL]

Hm, I never did revisit Nichibutsu's Cosmo Police Galivan. I know pressing [up] to jump annoys many, but I can deal with it. Jumping and aiming was a taller order. I wonder if this is any different. A lot of good dudes like Galivan, too, so it's never quite fallen off my radar.

I wish they'd get around to Ninja Emaki sometime. Looks rad, a topdown ninja run/gun with Dagger of Kamui stylings.

[Despatche]

Huh, never heard of Cop 01. Japan sure seemed to like 007 back then. Apparently this game was before even Terra Cresta.

[CRP]

...Hm, I never did revisit Nichibutsu's Cosmo Police Galivan. I know pressing [up] to jump annoys many, but I can deal with it. Jumping and aiming was a taller order. I wonder if this is any different.

Cop01 he has a jetpack , later level seams he floats in air and shoots, thats how they solved that problem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpXGHkl_d3M

[BIL]

Got that Thunderball action going on Looks like a more straightforward game than Galivan, no bad thing at all.

[SavagePencil]

Cop01 has a charming style that reminds me of a Coreland joint. I like the look of its branching paths and janky jump. Looking forward to this one.

[Flashman]

No word yet on what this week’s release will be, and this is the current neither-Namco-nor-Taito part of the usual cycle.

Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to get Raiden II. >>; But perhaps there’s still something of UPL/NMK to release?

I'm starting to worry that ain't coming now - The original Raiden got announced and then it was a good 9 months before we actually saw it, Raiden 2 hasn't even been announced yet. I wonder if there is an issue with licencing maybe. Both 2 and DX would be great, and every Raiden game barring the Fighters series would then be available on current gen consoles.

I must say I've been getting a bit bored with some of the releases as of late; a fair bit of mediocrity. Splatterhouse was a nice surprise, I've been having a lot of fun with that (pain in the arse though it is).

[Sturmvogel Prime]

No word yet on what this week’s release will be, and this is the current neither-Namco-nor-Taito part of the usual cycle.

Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to get Raiden II. >>; But perhaps there’s still something of UPL/NMK to release?

I'm starting to worry that ain't coming now - The original Raiden got announced and then it was a good 9 months before we actually saw it, Raiden 2 hasn't even been announced yet. I wonder if there is an issue with licencing maybe.

I think the problem is their favoritism towards Namco more than licensing issues. I'm sure Hamster will resume other releases once they've ran out of Namco's catalogue.

[Lemnear]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eHVufeRcXo
(ACA NEOGEO NEO TURF MASTERS)

is it me, or was Matt Groening making fun of this game?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=capTpivF8n0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kKK9urr0Ko

[BrianC]

The episode predates Turf Masters by a year. It's likely the game was mocking PC golf simulators and the name is a parody of Lee Trevino's Fighting Golf for NES.

[Lemnear]

The episode predates Turf Masters by a year. It's likely the game was mocking PC golf simulators and the name is a parody of Lee Trevino's Fighting Golf for NES.

Oh...this means that Neo Turf Masters was the GOOD version of Lee Carvallo's Putting Challenge ...
This game scream to me LUXURY somehow.

[CRP]

I'm starting to worry that ain't coming now - The original Raiden got announced and then it was a good 9 months before we actually saw it, Raiden 2 hasn't even been announced yet. I wonder if there is an issue with licencing maybe. Both 2 and DX would be great, and every Raiden game barring the Fighters series would then be available on current gen consoles.

I think it will arrive at some point, hamster knows that it would sell pretty well. This week shown that they arent done with Nichibutsu yet. Regarding no announcement, hamster said while back that they will stop making announcement of games that arent imminent for release.

[Sturmvogel Prime]

Looks like the upcoming release of Pole Position removed the product placement of Champion, Agip and Pepsi and replaced them with signs for Galaxian, Xevious, Druaga, Shoot Away and Libble Rabble like in the Namco Museum Virtual Arcade release.
https://youtu.be/nSIRkSktcfs

[Sima Tuna]

I'm okay with that kind of censorship. The last thing I need to see is another advert for Pepsi.

[BrianC]

Looks like the upcoming release of Pole Position removed the product placement of Champion, Agip and Pepsi and replaced them with signs for Galaxian, Xevious, Druaga, Shoot Away and Libble Rabble like in the Namco Museum Virtual Arcade release.
https://youtu.be/nSIRkSktcfs

Were Champion, Agip, and Pepsi only in the JP version? The version that came to US arcades already replaced those with different billboards, including ones for Atari, Dig Dug, and Centipede. Pole Position II actually had different product placement in the US with ads for Dentyne, 7-Eleven and Tang.

[Marc]

Are people really excited for Pole Position? I've not played it on forever, but can only imagine it being, well, shit these days.

[BIL]

I think it's aged pretty well, even aesthetically in its primary-coloured way. Primordial next to Yu Suzuki's super scalers, but then again, I can't recall if it has any goofy exploits ala OutRun's gear-gacha, either.

I'm looking forward to revisiting, although a lot depends on its controller support... hard to beat the PS1 Museum's neGcon.

RE the altered sponsor graphics; I can die happy with my copy of Famicom F1 Race featuring a blatant Marlboro lift, so I wouldn't be fussed either way. But I prefer the billboards featuring other Namco games, honestly. Reminds me of the Ridge Racers' lovable repurposings of venerable Namco IPs as makes, models, racing teams etc. As a young noob I instantly wanted to know what was up with cars named "DRAGONSABER" and "NEBULASRAY" and "MICRO MOUSE MAPPY," with super-cool decals to match.