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

[Jeneki]

Strike Gunner gives me the same vibes as ADK's Sky Soldiers, with subweapon selection and ammo having strict game-long limitations, while also being just enough to get through.

[hamfighterx]

Thunder Dragon Aug/Sept - 3/5 more NMK jank with heart and despite its extreme difficulty it has that something that makes me want just one more go.

If you've not tried them already, I also highly recommend Thunder Dragon 2 and Operation Ragnarok (aka Zed Blade). While the latter's ground-shooting scoring is infamous (not to be confused with ground-humping, that was later NMK hori P47 Aces ), they're the best-refined NMK vert and hori currently on ACA. If you dig TD1 and Black Heart, you might really get into these. Ragnarok has a similar immediacy to HachaMecha, but it's nowhere as bitterly brutal; super-likeable foot-to-floorboards blaster with first-rate Namiki gabber. TD2's a legitimately great early-modern STG, imo, with a killer waveshredding mechanic ala Recca/Dangun. The OST's limited range is noticeable - just two main stage BGMs remixed throughout - but its Namiki tunes are so well-suited to longterm replay, I honestly don't consider it a notable weakness. (obligatory "don't use autofire with 2P ship" warning, it has 30hz by default)

With this NMK talk, any thoughts on Gunnail? I kind of got into that one this year and it miiiiight by my personal favorite NMK game? I think of it when I think of the Thunder Dragons, and my views are similar to Samildanach's opinions about Thunder Dragon.

I like the handful of "timed" stages with time extension items to collect, sprinkling those in with the more standard stages gives it a little bit of more quirky identity, IMO. The aestetics are sorta generic space shooter, but satisfying none the less and a nice clean look. Music goes unreasonably hard. I don't really like playing it for score due to the funky mechanic of giving a higher multiplier for having less shields/lives, but that also give it some added personality.

[BIL]

With this NMK talk, any thoughts on Gunnail? I kind of got into that one this year and it miiiiight by my personal favorite NMK game? I think of it when I think of the Thunder Dragons, and my views are similar to Samildanach's opinions about Thunder Dragon.

I like the handful of "timed" stages with time extension items to collect, sprinkling those in with the more standard stages gives it a little bit of more quirky identity, IMO. The aestetics are sorta generic space shooter, but satisfying none the less and a nice clean look. Music goes unreasonably hard. I don't really like playing it for score due to the funky mechanic of giving a higher multiplier for having less shields/lives, but that also give it some added personality.

<333 Gunnail - was so hyped to see it announced with TD2. Only reason I didn't suggest it to Samildanach is, it's somewhat Toaplanesque, with the conservative ship speed and rather fast aimed shots (see also Dragon Spirit's Xevious leanings).

As trap has said, it's got some intriguing commonalities with Task Force Harrier, the gunpods most obviously, and aggressive ground enemies, but also that decidedly micro-detailed pixel aesthetic. I get the feeling the same artist/s worked on P47/USAAF Mustang and Harrier/Gunnail; both packed with super-finessed gunmetal and tiny pixel dudes. I'm a huge fan of Harrier (also unmentioned, since it's effectively Toaplan's tankmania x Xevious ground-shotting, or I suppose Slap Fight minus the Gradius bar ), so I was particularly happy to see them both in fine form on ACA.

Yes, the OST is killer! Fierily plaintive techno-funk marshalled by that balls-hard slap bass. Can now be enjoyed in full with ACA's alarm toggle. I'm especially fond of st2 and st6's plaintive sound, and the slow-burning crisis of st3's gritty battlefield. Aesthetically, it seems to waver between conventional hard sci-fi (that movingly hard-packed urban sprawl in the second hi-speed; the classical Blade Runner skyline of st6) and more fanciful, even fantasy elements... st2's space waterfalls, st4's cog-filled factory, st7's surreal floating epitaphs. But it's the sort of pick n' mix I enjoy, with a consistent overarching theme; everything's earthy n' hard-edged, even that rad mecha-tortoise just begging for a licensed toy deal.

The title screen's metal shutter getting peppered with bullets says it all: \m/etal AF feat. Homing Flamethrower

Spoiler

Formally tight and super-cool game, gets my highest recommendation. Great resource from trap!

[OldSkoolShmuper]

So Namco's Finest Hour is the next game right?

Watched a video of it, it's got some great parallax and looks like fun.

[Marc]

Got a quick scrub clear of the first loop of Steato Fighter, pretty tame by arcade standards, especially given most of the bosses going down vefire they have a chance to get going. Second loop seems a bit beefier, i managed to run into the ST2 stage boss somehow, which made ST3 with base vertical tough. Enjoying this, i'd like to crack the second loop before I move on.

[hamfighterx]

Want some weird Arcade Archives trivia?

Jail Break was the 271st release in the Arcade Archives series… and the first one to start with the letter J. That’s the last letter that was previously unrepresented in the series. In fact, every other letter has more than one entry if using US titles, except Q - Qix says hey. And if we include Japanese titles, Quarth (Block Hole) also reps the Q.

There were also no “J” games in the 108 ACA Neo Geo releases.

And don’t come at me with your “it’s Manhattan 24th Bunsho” lol. It shows up on my Switch home screen as Jail Break, that’s good enough for me!

[Jucksalbe]

A couple of Arcade Archives games are on sale on the JP eShop (which should mean they will go on sale in the West on Thursday). As far as shooters go there's Darius, Fighting Hawk, Pulstar and Halley's Comet. Overall there are 20 games on sale. It has been a while since the last Arcade Archive sale, I think.

[SeafoamGaming]

A couple of Arcade Archives games are on sale on the JP eShop (which should mean they will go on sale in the West on Thursday). As far as shooters go there's Darius, Fighting Hawk, Pulstar and Halley's Comet. Overall there are 20 games on sale. It has been a while since the last Arcade Archive sale, I think.

DAMN IT I just bought fighting hawk a month ago lol after ages of not caving

oh well there'll probably be at least one or two things i don't have already, though I think I'm nearing 130 non neogeo ACA games atm?

[cfx]

The sale is on PSN too fyi.

[Steven]

Did anyone ever figure out if there is a reason to buy ACA Darius if you already have M2 Darius? Other than supporting Hamster, of course.

[BIL]

If you, like me, hate even the best-handled, most metronomically consistent sub-60hz stutter with a burning vengeance, the ACA one runs at what seems to be 60hz; which makes it technically inaccurate, yet perhaps more aesthetically pleasing. All of Gotch's ACA releases have buttery-smooth scrolling, I'd assume they're 60hz... at any rate they play beautifully. I wish Hamster would make the board speed/60hz toggle a universal feature; it tends to be in Namco stuff, which IIRC often run a tick above 60hz, but seems elusive elsewhere (XEXEX, Gunnail, and Thunder Dragon 2 all have it). Super Cobra's another over-60hz board that includes the toggle.

Otherwise, probably no reason - I suppose in a scenario where you're fiending for that game alone, and don't want to plunk down for Cozmic AC just then, it might do in a fix; though ofc its practice options are nowhere as nice.

Incidentally, was revisiting Gotch's ACA Contra, and M2's Anniversary Collection Super Contra, both of which I've always been very happy with (other than Super's lack of intro speech! WTF! had to resort to MAME to overdub my replays )

Anyway, I wonder if the Anniversary Collection's emulation of the original Contra's slowdown is accurate... I'm guessing not, since it has the same broken 3D stage enemy behaviours of every emulation, official or otherwise, prior to Gotch's ACA release. But I do wonder... even a lesser M2 effort deserves some benefit of the doubt.

But jeeze, it's like going from Metal Slug 3 to Metal Slug 2, firing up the Anniversary Collection version after tons of ACA... running along hammering the spreadshot will grind stage 1 to a halt. The only place I can make the ACA one just barely slow down is at the final boss; even then, only at Very Hard, and only if deliberately prolonging the fight, a face-huggering butt-buggering stampede so brazen the sprites will drop out.

TLDR: ACA Contra is most def. worth individual pickup; ACA Darius probably nah, but the scrolling is nice~

Currently F5-F5-F5ing furiously for Finest Hour, will retire to the heavily-fortified nerdbunker with cheetos shortly. EDIT: Oh hell yes

[Steven]

After so much time with M2 Toaplan, the stutter doesn't really bother me that much anymore. Still don't like it, but I will tolerate it now.

[Klatrymadon]

Having access to the caravan and high score modes/leaderboards was reason enough for me to grab ACA Darius on PS4*. I bought it again when it dropped without fanfare on the Euro store, though, and frequently eye up the absurdly frivolous 30th anniversary box, so I think it depends on whether or not you have the same species of brain worm. (I will probably always buy Darius wherever it appears out of a misplaced sense of 'support', but the ACA release is possibly non-essential at this point.)

*Eventual access, anyway - I haven't used them yet!

[BEAMLORD]

Anybody have any thoughts on how cold it has to get in Hell before Konami's Aliens makes a showing on ACA? With their welcome return to the roster in recent weeks, I've been lying awake long and hard over the prospect.

[velo]

A couple of Arcade Archives games are on sale on the JP eShop (which should mean they will go on sale in the West on Thursday). As far as shooters go there's Darius, Fighting Hawk, Pulstar and Halley's Comet. Overall there are 20 games on sale. It has been a while since the last Arcade Archive sale, I think.

I think I got all of them on my list below. A few of the Taito games are duplicated in Taito Milestones.

Neo Geo:
THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2003
MAGICIAN LORD
METAL SLUG 5
OVER TOP
POWER SPIKES II
PULSTAR
PUZZLE BOBBLE 2
SENGOKU 2
STAKES WINNER 2
WORLD HEROES

Others:
Chack'n Pop
CHAMPION WRESTLER
DARIUS
ELEVATOR ACTION
FIGHTING HAWK
FLIPULL
HALLEY'S COMET
KURIKINTON
QIX
RAIMAIS

[Sturmvogel Prime]

Anybody have any thoughts on how cold it has to get in Hell before Konami's Aliens makes a showing on ACA?

A couple of reasons behind why Aliens is not on Arcade Archives yet.
1.- Hamster's favoritism towards Namco (which will surely stop once they threw all of their arcade library).
2.- Getting the license from Disney/20th Century Studios. (Same reason for The Simpsons and X-Men)

Yeah, having Aliens, The Simpsons, X-Men and other licensed titles would be great for Arcade Archives. Like I said on my reviews of Tetris: The Grand Master and Mazinger Z, doors to licenses are now open.

[velo]

Did anyone ever figure out if there is a reason to buy ACA Darius if you already have M2 Darius? Other than supporting Hamster, of course.

How is Taito Milestones vs ACA?

[BIL]

Anybody have any thoughts on how cold it has to get in Hell before Konami's Aliens makes a showing on ACA? With their welcome return to the roster in recent weeks, I've been lying awake long and hard over the prospect.

Do you know of Cocytus, which flows into Acheron, namesake of the game's setting?



Honestly, I'd never even considered it (or Bucky O' Hare etc). tbh, after ACA TGM and TGM2, I wouldn't rule anything out. I'd love to see it, of course! Personally, I'm hoping for NMK's Macross 2, on the off chance Banpresto might be good for another anime license. I'd happily pay that Mazinger tax for other licensed goodies.

Hell yeah, Finest Hour confirmed for next week! I've wanted to play this ever since stumbling over a random Youtube video forever ago. Its open battlefields always gave me the tantalising impression of a coinop MD Leynos. Sidescrolling heavy machine action with vernier gauge and onscreen radar will always get my attention.

It's such a cool game, but I need you guys to pick it apart and assure me it's not a quarter-sucker. I remember it having a fairly generous lifebar, and it really wiped the floor with me. I didn't see a run on YT that looked 100% definitely legit.

Hm, yes and no. >w<; The final stage is 1:1 patterned after that of Assault. There's just enough time for a practiced player who has every move planned out to make it through comfortably (or screw up, and just barely recover). There is no way in hell a blind player won't fatally squander their time. But that's fine by me; it's clearly balanced for longterm mastery, and it's a harrowing passage every time. (I'm amazed at how similarly the two play out, given Assault is classical 1HKO, and FH is a prototypical walking tank game).

Where the game sadly screws the pooch is the last boss (endgame spoilers - it's such a rad game, the tag is warranted imo)

Spoiler

The game bars continues at that point. I wouldn't mind this too much, in a more balanced fight. Unfortunately, he's a matroska doll of instant-kill attacks, all of which will send you back to the title screen. It's absolutely shocking. I don't want to think of the man-hours it must've taken audiences to see the ending, back at release... by the game's nature, you already can't twitch around things, and that's fine, you're mostly not expected to. Suddenly WHAM instakill laser, back to title screen. First form down... BLAM another - hope you were paying attention (or had a friend taking notes!). Alright he's on the ropes - CRAM, right down your mouth - it's so blisteringly fast, I literally didn't see the projectile, just the boss's head hanging by cables. I thought it was a cinematic double KO, fitting the game's awesomely gritty tone.

And then he dies, and you better hope you've got time for his death animation, or you're getting sent packing.

I get why they did it - it's a very short game, even by AC standards, with a seemingly-identical second loop that's honestly no burden at all WRT runtime. It's also quite generous overall, until the final gauntlet comes calling - at least if you're willing to work within its harsh idiosyncrasy (I would demand no less from a proto-Leynos ). But on this one count, it's undeniably misjudged, and will inevitably colour many's view of it.

Naturally, these games are played for 1CCs. In the rear-view, it's merely a harsh difficulty spike in an already ruthless finale.

I have a lot to write and GIF and video about this game, but it's late as hell here and I'm feeling the effects of cheeto dust inhalation TLDR: diehard MD Leynos fans will like it, potentially love it (I do!). One hell of a history lesson on our indomitable little subgenre. Many others will dislike its willfully tanky, gauge-monitoring ethos - it's utter black marmite. But even if you're in the former camp, prepare to wince in exasperation at that 11th-hour executive decision.

Also, holy balls the style is intense As you say, so damn cool! I've seen attract modes with brass balls before, but this one comes right out and tells you to bow down! I was watching the ending in genuine unease, wondering if if was gonna screamer me These dudes knew their Gundam/VOTOMS et al! Do you hope, or fear? Badass continue and hilarious game over screen, too, time to fire up me Attract Modo thread! Who am I kidding, it's always time for that!

Bravo chaps, I forgive that endgame silliness and Jebus does too

[OldSkoolShmuper]

Aside from MD Assault Suit Leynos (Target Earth on Genesis), I am also reminded of an unreleased MD/Gen game called Land Buster, by Seismic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnUMO_IONP8

I wish there was actual footage of this game, but only the title screen and one screenshot exist, that I've seen.

[Sima Tuna]

King of Fighters 2003 is on sale on the switch. I bought it.

So far, it feels like a prototype for Kof XI's brilliance. I like it! I love KoF XI and this isn't bad either. I am a little salty that the character selection screen only gives you 15 seconds to pick your entire TEAM. Hope you're good at scrolling fast and know exactly what you want!

[hamfighterx]

Did anyone ever figure out if there is a reason to buy ACA Darius if you already have M2 Darius? Other than supporting Hamster, of course.

How is Taito Milestones vs ACA?

My understanding is that the Milestones compilations are barebones collections of the ACA releases by Hamster, just bundled in 10 game packs with a menu wrapper. Cheaper that way, as well as having physical retail releases, but no difference at all in the actual games.

I see that Memories vol.1 is on sale right now on Switch eshop for 70% off, only $11.99 US. Sale unfortunately ending in less than 2 hours, but perhaps to return again some time... Not a bad way to get a handful of Taito Arcade Arcade games for a discount.

Yeah, having Aliens, The Simpsons, X-Men and other licensed titles would be great for Arcade Archives.

other licensed titles

*cough*Wild West COW-Boys of Moo Mesa*cough*

King of Fighters 2003 is on sale on the switch. I bought it.

So far, it feels like a prototype for Kof XI's brilliance. I like it! I love KoF XI and this isn't bad either. I am a little salty that the character selection screen only gives you 15 seconds to pick your entire TEAM. Hope you're good at scrolling fast and know exactly what you want!

I love 2003 (and XI). They don't get as much love as '98/2002/XIV, but good stuff. The only bad part of 2003 is that I think the venerable old Neo Geo hardware was really straining to match the developers' ambitions by that point and probably held the game back a bit. You can see this in the excellent PS2/Xbox/PSN enhanced port, which contained the arcade version but also a significantly enhanced version with very nice 3D backgrounds, arranged music, and some balance changes.

[BEAMLORD]

Do you know of Cocytus, which flows into Acheron, namesake of the game's setting?

No waaaaay! I never knew that, had to look it up. A fitting mythological coincidence. Hope it's not too portentous, and that licence can be extracted from under the ice at some point. Sturmvogel gives me some hope. I do imagine though that Hamster are likely to have better luck with Japanese licences than Western-owned ones. Not sure how well that ACA clout will travel across the Pacific in business terms.

[BIL]

Aside from MD Assault Suit Leynos (Target Earth on Genesis), I am also reminded of an unreleased MD/Gen game called Land Buster, by Seismic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnUMO_IONP8

I wish there was actual footage of this game, but only the title screen and one screenshot exist, that I've seen.

Very interesting! The first game I think of with Seismic (Asmik's Western label IIRC?) is Air Diver - an arcade/sim dogfighter that moves a little chunkily nowadays, but I still find pretty enjoyable... but moreover, its soundtrack, machine designs, and gunmetal pixel art are all absolutely balls-hard. I'd love to have seen a heavy machine game from that team.

Do you know of Cocytus, which flows into Acheron, namesake of the game's setting?

No waaaaay! I never knew that, had to look it up. A fitting mythological coincidence. Hope it's not too portentous, and that licence can be extracted from under the ice at some point.

Incidentally, have you played SNK's topdown run/gun Search And Rescue? One bit reminded me of a similar illustration I saw as a schoolkid - wouldn't surprise me if SNK were referencing the same scene from Nero & Dante's Metal As Fvck Safari. Looked it up, and concluded the art director (chap by the awesome nom de guerre "SICK_OF") knew his stuff.

NOBODY KNOWS the FACTS... (■｀w´■)

Spoiler

Great game - gets my highest recommendation. Not a 1:1 substitute for Konami's real deal, ofc, but it'll definitely scratch that Giger itch, and then some... it's my fondest wish to see it on ACA, with Ikari, Dogosoken, and Guevara. I love all these games (not to forget TANK!), but SAR is legit the best of the bunch, imo. Trades away juuust enough of their grueling heft; a user-friendlier but barely less harrowing trip. The aesthetic is prime 1980s biohorror bravura; like Aliens meets Carpenter's The Thing, with a jolt of brutal mecha hardcore. Zombies n' xenos one minute, renegade flamethrower tanks the next

Unfortunately, its only modern release is the relatively tatty SNK40th collection. >w<; But it's the kind of quality that survives even significant porting dings. You have to manually hold the right stick to strafe (your dude will just point n' shoot ala Contra, otherwise)... and the tempting Robotron mode is busted... and like every other LS-30 title in the collection, the right analogue will occasionally freeze, necessitating a quick resetting waggle. Jebus. -_- I actually contacted the devs hoping for a patch, and was told "No, never ever, it's super ancient" (then ~2yrs old), in so many words.

Mercifully, the input response, framerate, and scaling are all rock-solid (on PS4 at the least). Has decent savestate functionality, too. Hold the stick, avoid the Robotron mode, and give it a waggle now and then, and it's surprisingly easy to forget. On balance, no regrets whatsoever (picked SNK40th up exclusively for SAR and Time Soldiers), though this is most definitely another ACA double dip in waiting!

[BEAMLORD]

Duly noted, BIL. Not played it, looks like a certified banger. Checked the SNK Anniversary collection on the UK playstation store, it's 35 notes, which seems a little scandalous considering its rep around here. I'm adding SAR to the bucket list, though!

[BIL]

Oof, Christ Yeah, definitely wait to see if it goes on sale at some point, I don't remember it being that much. If the emulation was ACA-quality it'd be a steal, but it's very much a salvage case even if had for cheap.

Apparently it was even more buggered at release... I guess they outdid themselves before legging it.

Happily, a good chunk of its better content made it over to ACA. Obada-san's LS-30 quartet, Sasuke vs Commander, Psycho Soldier... besides SAR and TIme Soldiers, I'm hoping Genshitou, Vanguard, Bermuda Triangle, and Chopper 1 show up at some point; all rock-solid STGs in need of definitive release. I'd kick out Athena, Datsugoku, and Ikari III for 'em in a heartbeat.

[hamfighterx]

What the heck is going on with US (and EU???) Arcade Archives releases? Just two weeks after Jail Break not appearing in the US (and still not released), another issue with this week's scheduled release:

Finest Hour is not up yet on US Switch eShop with the weekly Thursday shop update, doesn't appear to be in the UK eShop either.

Also not yet available on US PSN, but PSN does have a product page that lists "announced" instead of the add to cart button: https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10006047. Same thing for the UK PS Store: https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/concept/10006047

Hoping this gets corrected soon, maybe a Friday release or a submission delay and the game shows up next week. Is this an ESRB/PEGI ratings matter? Is Hamster having issues with their usually smooth release submission processes?

It does look like the game is currently available on both Switch and PSN in other regions, for example:
Switch Japan: https://store-jp.nintendo.com/list/soft ... 58486.html
PS4 Japan: https://store.playstation.com/ja-jp/concept/10006047
PS4 New Zealand: https://store.playstation.com/en-nz/pro ... C000000001
PS4 India: https://store.playstation.com/en-id/pro ... C000000001

[BrianC]

Odd thing is that both Jail Break and Finest Hour are on the Canadian PSN and linked to there from their website. What the heck?

Edit: AA's site also flat out lists the prices in Canadian dollars without specifying as such, as well as linking straight to the Canadian PSN page when other links show USD and link to the US page. The games have ESRB ratings in Canada, but are rating pending for the US.

At least JP PSN credit is reasonably priced right now. Bought Jail Break, Finest Hour, and Twinkle Star Sprites (long time with no US release) off JPSN.

[OldSkoolShmuper]

Ugh! Was looking forward to playing Finest Hour, WTH happened?

[Sturmvogel Prime]

Here in Mexico both Jail Break and Finest Hour are available, but Rompers is not.

[cfx]

Duly noted, BIL. Not played it, looks like a certified banger. Checked the SNK Anniversary collection on the UK playstation store, it's 35 notes, which seems a little scandalous considering its rep around here. I'm adding SAR to the bucket list, though!

This was on sale recently. I don't remember how much, and not sure if it was the UK or Japan store as I track both, but there's some hope at least.