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

[OldSkoolShmuper]

Final Lap (1987) would be a lot more exciting than Pole Position, obviously.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

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

Agreed, it's funny sometimes to run around a large scale game (GTA or EDF for instance) and see all the fake branding they've put into the game, it can be really amusing.

[BIL]

Ah yes. As expected after Metal Hawk and Thunder Ceptor's flightstick-geared tweaks, and Assault + Libble Rabble's respective twinstick solutions, ACA Pole Position is fully set up for steering wheel and pedals. Load status: Detonated Only had time for a couple credits via gamepad, but it played great even there. All bodes well for a future ACA Final Lap!

[Skyknight]

If Growl is charted for 7/27, then I wonder what’s coming after Pole Position; I doubt it’s another Taito game. Somehow, I’m thinking Nichibutsu’s Chouji Meikyuu Legion of all things. It looks like it uses Amatelass’s hardware—the soundfont is definitely the same—so Hamster can probably emulate it just fine.

[velo]

If Growl is charted for 7/27, then I wonder what’s coming after Pole Position; I doubt it’s another Taito game. Somehow, I’m thinking Nichibutsu’s Chouji Meikyuu Legion of all things. It looks like it uses Amatelass’s hardware—the soundfont is definitely the same—so Hamster can probably emulate it just fine.

If they're not making announcements ahead of time I thought it might mean that the picks will be lesser known ones. Is it known if they're still going to be doing lots of Namco and Taito into the near future?

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

Some would say the same about Out Run or Virtua Racing. For some reason I kinda am excited. I had a good time with it in an arcade not too long ago, more than the last time I gave Rally-X a go.

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

I like it when they're anachronistic, like M2 replacing Shinobi's Marylin Monroe with the Altered Beast werewolf.

[Skyknight]

The pattern really does seem to be Namco-Taito-Namco-comparatively arcane-repeat. Certainly been this way for months, probably from how big Namco and Taito’s libraries are.

[Ice Beam]

I had to go find video of the electro-mechanical game Formula X that they showed during today's stream. I remember seeing the Atari cabinet decades ago at a minigolf shack in Florida, but it was allegedly broken.

Really creative design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1WSYdn1b8I

[SPM]

Nice!

[SavagePencil]

I think the last time this was released was, what, the Wii Namco Museum? What a weird game.

[Sima Tuna]

New version of The King and I. The King and Balloon.

[Udderdude]

I like King & Balloon, interesting mechanics back from when it feels like Namco was willing to experiment more ..

[BIL]

Ha, neither unexpected nor unwelcome. Rob will be thrilled. Gimme that fn Bosconian already though 3;

[BloodHawk]

I picked up Pole Position and am having more fun than I thought I would with it. The steering definitely took a while to get used to as it doesn't return-to-center naturally even when using digital inputs, but after some practice I got the hang of it. After I was able to finish the Grand Prix before time ran out somewhat consistently on normal mode I gave High Score mode a shot and managed to work my way into 7th on the Switch leaderboards. With this still being so new I imagine my score will get knocked out of the top 10 rather quickly though.

Obviously with this being from 1982 it's no Super Hang-On or anything, but it definitely still scratches that itch for an arcade racer even 41 years later.

One thing that I am 95% convinced of but have no proof is that your car handles slightly different between your initial qualifying lap and the Grand Prix. During qualifying the car feels a tad more loose, as throttling into a slight oversteer feels easier and more natural. I know IRL Qualifying setups are much different than race setups but I wouldn't think they would try to emulate that in an arcade game way back then though. I could be wrong and it's all my in head...

Looking to start Caravan mode tonight, which is going to be interesting as 5 minutes of racing is longer than the actual regular game. This may be one of the few ACA releases where Caravan is more intense than High Score mode

[BrianC]

Too bad Pole Position doesn't have the US version. Signs should be less of a hassle to alter than the JP version and I grew up playing the game in arcade with the "Prepare to Qualify" voice and English banners. Funny how the version in Arcade Archives has a "Final Lap" sign.

[Atariboy]

I hope that they can add in the western version later.

I wonder if Namco has belatedly decided that the changes done with Atari's localization aren't Namco property. Would perhaps also explain why Pole Position has been sitting on the shelf for a good 15 years or so, after many years of being rereleased regularly alongside Pac-Man, Galaga, and such.

[BrianC]

It just feels odd seeing untranslated Japanese in a game that was super common in US arcades.

[Jeneki]

Obligatory Pole Position for real jerks.

[Sturmvogel Prime]

The surprise game has been revealed. This week's game will be Tecmo's Raiga: Strato Fighter
https://www.famitsu.com/news/202307/12309396.html

[BIL]

Superb. More Metal Yuhki goodness! Killer ship + support mecha designs, too. Soldier Blade, Hyper Duel... trying to recall other STGs with support mechs, I love those. I guess there's Miyamoto's ninja bros, haha. Never actually played this, but I know Roo digs it, so that's an easy pickup.



I'm really enjoying Tecmo's return to regular rotation. They must have one of the consistently strongest arcade catalogues... makes me hopeful Silkworm and Final Star Force will indeed land this year. Maybe Riot, even? Make it a Killa Gorilla twofer with Wild Fang.

Hopefully this proves a good long run for them, similar to NMK's a couple years back (which saw the Tecmo-published BBesque / 2P frenemy riot Saboten Bombers). Namco/Taito/Tecmo is a killer lineup.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Can confirm, it's a really cool game. Soundtrack's great. It's not too tough to clear, but it's the sort of game where you're depowered heavily if you do die, so chain deathing is very real if you happen to die at a point where there aren't any convenient powerups. At max power you're an insanely strong death machine with two autoaiming cannons and homing missiles, very satisfying.

I somehow have the highest known scoring video recording, but it's still a long way off from WR scoring, and at the time I was grinding it out I hit a plateau where I was at a loss as to how to reliably crank my score higher. There's just not any info published out there, and I don't have access to any Japanese arcades where it's being played. Ah well! Maybe someday I'll come back and figure it out.

I've got a guide on the system basics here, and there's a high score board on the forum to submit to, look forward to seeing folks enjoying this!

It also seems to be potentially pretty interesting in 2 player coop, as there's several more enemies and powerup carriers added, making it very different than simply the normal game with two player ships.

[OldSkoolShmuper]

The surprise game has been revealed. This week's game will be Tecmo's Raiga: Strato Fighter
https://www.famitsu.com/news/202307/12309396.html

Heck yeah, was hoping for this one.

[SavagePencil]

It just feels odd seeing untranslated Japanese in a game that was super common in US arcades.

Speaking anecdotally, I have seen very very few Pole Position I machines out in the wild. Almost all of them were the sequel. And the sequel is a lot better.

[Jonpachi]

Can confirm, it's a really cool game. Soundtrack's great. It's not too tough to clear, but it's the sort of game where you're depowered heavily if you do die, so chain deathing is very real if you happen to die at a point where there aren't any convenient powerups. At max power you're an insanely strong death machine with two autoaiming cannons and homing missiles, very satisfying.

I somehow have the highest known scoring video recording, but it's still a long way off from WR scoring, and at the time I was grinding it out I hit a plateau where I was at a loss as to how to reliably crank my score higher. There's just not any info published out there, and I don't have access to any Japanese arcades where it's being played. Ah well! Maybe someday I'll come back and figure it out.

I've got a guide on the system basics here, and there's a high score board on the forum to submit to, look forward to seeing folks enjoying this!

It also seems to be potentially pretty interesting in 2 player coop, as there's several more enemies and powerup carriers added, making it very different than simply the normal game with two player ships.

Thanks Roo! Hyped for this one. I just came off playing through that Telenect collection, and have been craving another 16-bit era shmup, especially something horizontal.

[BrianC]

It just feels odd seeing untranslated Japanese in a game that was super common in US arcades.

Speaking anecdotally, I have seen very very few Pole Position I machines out in the wild. Almost all of them were the sequel. And the sequel is a lot better.

It has been the opposite for me, though I do agree the sequel is better.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Yep, Atari's Pole Position II was released a tad bit later with four race track courses to choose from including Fuji, Test, Seaside and Suzuka + the unforgettable multi-sprite explosion that'd occur with your race car if you hit another race car or billboard sign (which was quite cool to watch in person at the arcades -- the sprite scaling was quite robust and smooth for it's time). You might recall the passing billboards for real ads such as 7-11, Dentene chewing gum, etc.

Atari also released the TX-1 full deluxe sit-down arcade racing cabinet setup with three CRT monitors installed for a 12:3 aspect ratio screen display (it certainly took up some valuable real estate space to host indeed -- I saw it up & running at Marriott's Great America amusement park in Santa Clara, CA, back in 1983-1984). It was well known that Atari's arcade game division -- literally a huge wherehouse facility (responsible for developing & manufacturing the newest & latest arcade game titles) was based out of Sunnyvale, CA at that point in time during the "Golden Age" of the early 1980s arcade game era.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[BrianC]

I hope they get around to Universal if they can still get the rights. Love me some Mr. Do! Kazutoshi Udea was behind that and Ladybug and later was involved with games like Bonk's Revenge/PC Genjin 2 and SMTII.

[Skyknight]

Come to think of it, Raiga's st. 3 theme is apparently heavily based on "Tarkus"--it's even named "Kartus"! Considering the situation with Ninja Gaiden's "I Am Man" (i.e. it's not in the AA release; the preceding stage theme just keeps playing as you fight the Daor Warriors), I wonder what will be done here. Maybe "Burial Song" (st. 6) will be given an early appearance?

Meanwhile, Time Extension got an interview with the head of Hamster, Hamada Satoshi: https://www.timeextension.com/features/ ... e-archives

[BIL]

Metal Yuhki, magpie extraordinaire! Man knows the best stuff, and how to use it. Could totally believe he was at it again - besides the famous Iron Man cover, Ninja Gaiden's st1 BGM Shadow Soldier is a lift of Japanese metal legends (and Falcom / Konami Battle Perfect Selection heroes) Anthem's Bound To Break. Also, I'm 90% on Gemini Wing's untitled (?) st3 intro being a reference to Sab's E5150. Metal by name! Metal by nature!

Raiga's a classy joint! 0% moe, 110% explosion. That 180-on-tap Darius II swivel action be HAWT Love the little mech bros' manful beamswords, like a micro-Cybattler. "BEEM" Just made it to st4 before had to call it a night, unsurprised to find yet another gem in Tecmo's AC lineup. A certain sound effect in st3 was cracking us up though, no prizes for guessing which.

I'd love to see SNK and Technos make similar returns from the old days, a fair bit of unfinished business there. I guess IREM is in Granzella's hands for now, hopefully they won't shit the bed.

Meanwhile, Time Extension got an interview with the head of Hamster, Hamada Satoshi: https://www.timeextension.com/features/ ... e-archives

Good read! We're blessed to have guys like Hamada and co... passion and quality control aren't easily found these days. Or ever, really. A small correction to the article intro: ACA debuted on PS4 back in 2014, before expanding to Switch - won't be news to anyone here, I'm sure.

[Skyknight]

Having downloaded Raiga, I can tell you that "Kartus" is completely intact. I guess Emerson et al. aren't as fussy as Black Sabbath about this sort of thing.

So...King & Balloon, Rune Ark/Growl...Any suspects for the next Namco title after those? I'm already thinking of Finest Hour.

[BrianC]

Come to think of it, Raiga's st. 3 theme is apparently heavily based on "Tarkus"--it's even named "Kartus"! Considering the situation with Ninja Gaiden's "I Am Man" (i.e. it's not in the AA release; the preceding stage theme just keeps playing as you fight the Daor Warriors), I wonder what will be done here. Maybe "Burial Song" (st. 6) will be given an early appearance?

Don't forget Ninja Gaiden AC's stage 2 theme, "PAT", similar to "Bad", which also managed to stay intact.