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

[BIL]

Cheers, BIL! I can find it on the console now, but 2FA woes are scuppering all attempts to buy a card for it. Might just wait for the Euro release!

I think it might be on the UK+US console stores, too; searching "Viper" brings it up on my accounts, at least. (along with Farming Simulator, ofc)

I'm hesitant to say for sure, though! This is clearly a high-intensity release that's testing PSN's capabilities

EDIT: Yooo, WTF? The P2 Viper Tractor is even in Raiden mkII Beta blue, too! They've even got the classic Raiden cows. How comfily familiar!

PLOW LIKE LIGHTNING (OPENING DEMO).wav

Was this all some elaborate ruse to advertise Farming Simulator 17 DLC to ardent STG fans? They must've known we wouldn't let browser fuckery keep us from VP1's auspicious home debut. I wonder if there's some market crossover I'm overlooking, here. Either way, as a born and raised farm boy I approve

[Klatrymadon]

Ah damn, I just got in and bought a card, assuming the UK release would be delayed. Oh well, time to desperately try to figure out some scoring tech!

[BIL]

I'd forgotten just how classic an opening stage this is. ~2min of formidably technical non-stop action, topped off by perhaps the finest "SURPRISE MOTHERFUCKERS" aesthetic ever. The sense of a lone fighter landing a walloping ambush on a rapidly-regrouping foe is endlessly relivable. (canonically you're the terrestrial "Empire side" putting down some haughty colonists, but as with Raystorm, given the sheer tonnage of murder machinery the enemy fields, I don't feel too bad )

EDIT: Good to see you make the roll call, Klat! I've never tuned in for one of these... I would've gone for the flash get on st1's secret medal, if I'd known. I just barely recovered getting the bastard into its cookie oven without missing too many enemies.

[Klatrymadon]

Haha, I can't remember anything about the scoring! Where's the secret medal? I understand there are big bonuses for clearing out 100% of the enemies but I'm a good 5% off on st1 and haven't survived all of st2 yet.

[BIL]

Secret medal is in the third cargo mover thingy; specifically its crate. You can blow away the first two you come across, early on, but leave the third alone until it's rumbled into the cookie oven thingy. It'll then pop back out, and you can blow up the crate for the secret medal; nab it for 30,000pts, or a whole lot more if you flash get the bugger. (see NER nailing both steps here)

As for the flash; see how the medals' shine animation cycles on and off? Grab 'em right as the shine cycles back in for a points boost.

I find the effect's visibility a bit weak in the heat of battle, compared to DX's vividly decaying gold. otoh, you can hang back a bit, rather than being screwed if you miss your one chance, so maybe it's not too bad... Strikers II/III and Gunbird 2 really nailed the best of both worlds here.

[Klatrymadon]

Thanks for this, BIL! Maybe it's the way my monitor's set up but I couldn't see any DX-style flash cycling going on at all, and totally forgot it was there! I'll have to have a tinker...

(I use the A3 filter too, which may have rendered the effect invisible by itself.)

[BIL]

Yeah it's kinda mean tbh; both the visibility and the timing. As with Raiden DX and Strikers/Gunbird, I find myself anticipating the flash while moving toward the medal, more than starting from stand-still. My brutalised-into-mush (read: lovingly caressed ) DS4 pad might be complicating the latter, though. Shortest-lived pad I've ever seen, fml.

1k medal flashgot into 3k

Full-length flash cycle

One o' dem muscle memory tings, perhaps. Methinks I'm best-off learning the stages first; not easy to time while getting pelted. (or chasing fleeing enemies!) Would be better-captured on PS5 @ 60fps, but apparently Viper is as invisible there as it is on PSN currently. Stopgaps is what I do.

Note this applies only to ground medals; air ones are good to grab any time. About those, and their carriers, I notice a slightly misleading translation in the English manual. It says to wait until the carrier is "about to get away at the top of the screen" to get the extra medals. This isn't necessary; you're free to pop 'em any time after they fire their retro rockets, after they've hit the lowest depth of their arc. (a more accurate translation might be "about to begin retreating to the top of the screen")

As NER shows, it's a good idea to get above them as they move downscreen, so as not to blast 'em prematurely. Then you can side-snipe 'em, nabbing the medals with a deft lateral nudge. Great comedy potential in accidentally ramming the carrier and dying.

I notice this with ACA manuals, sometimes; admirably detailed, clearly written by and for enthusiasts, but occasionally mis-translated. Hamada hmu buddy, I'll do you that good proofreading FO FREE

[Some-Mist]

I'm usually not one for pointing this stuff out, but I sank a couple runs into old version today, and does anyone else feel input lag? I switched over to fantastic night dreams cotton for the first time to see if it's my new tv, and it was super snappy

[BIL]

Nope, PS4 one seems as sharp as Cotton does to me, from today's caravanning. I was just noticing the other week that ACA Cotton seems to respond faster than Cotton Reboot or its X68k port. I did spend most of my time in New Ver though. (I never appreciated how different they are!)

What I've found with certain displays is, if a game (or port) has any native lag, they can make me notice it. Phelios, Galaga '88, and Dragon Spirit (and I'm pretty sure other late 80s Namco boards) all have higher than normal native lag, which their ACA versions seem to reproduce. It doesn't bother me on my gaming monitors, but I did notice it on my grandma's Maury TV I got her.

I dunno if Old Ver's SPI version is like that. Or perhaps it's an early ACA release issue for the notoriously difficult SPI. I always like to see what TZW_Guile and the other playtesting staff have to say on twitter, might be worth keeping an eye on there.

[Some-Mist]

interesting, but yeah I'm on switch and I upgraded to an lg c4 tv a month ago which is significantly better than my last display. I also never played viper phase 1 before, so I was even thinking it might just be how the game feels. I'll have to fiddle around with the other modes to see if it persists. it just felt a little sluggish which led me to change the input lag optimizer on the tv to "boost" which made it slightly better.. but still noticeable

it'd probably feel better on my gaming monitor or maybe it's the console. it's nothing I can't get over as I used to play on a laggy tv when I wanted to sit on the couch and got used to it over time.

[BIL]

This release has really made me value Old Ver. It feels almost like the difference between Raiden II and DX. The medal carriers being much rarer, and weapons granting short bursts of MAXX POWWAA dominance, it's much easier to enjoy Seibu's trademark biblical destruction. Stuff blows up reeal good, even by their standards. Particularly love the smoky *krakowww* detonations on st2's cruisers.

I could swear zako shoot more aggressively early on in Old, too? The diving rush right before st1's boss comes to mind. Might be the holiday cheer (hic) and launch day feelgood clouding my judgment, there. ala DX, New's always there for a more fiendishly tricky scoring game. I'll probably go for a quick survival attempt in OV first. Cock the hammer, Luke

[Sima Tuna]

I'm not feeling any lag on switch but most ACA releases on switch are around 5 frames iirc, so maybe you can feel it where I don't. I typically don't feel lag until 6+ frames.

Did a quick credit feed on Viper Phase 1 Old Version. Some thoughts:

-This is just Raiden 1 but better in every way.
-The missile powerup is the most fun missile powerup in any shmup I have played.
-Limited duration on power ups in Old Version isn't terrible. I think most will prefer the New Version Raiden-style permanent power-ups though.
-There are some incredibly rude bullshit-from-behind moments, as is typical for Seibu shmups.
-None of the tracks stands out like Gallantry from Raiden 1 did.
-The game uses instant respawn rather than checkpoints, which makes credit feeding trivial.
-Zako are way more dangerous than bosses.
-The graphics and explosions in particular are beautiful.
-Gradius syndrome even in Old Version is non-existent thanks to the power-up that spawns when you die and come back.

I hopped briefly into New Version to confirm, as I suspected, that the most obvious change would be permanent power-ups. Makes sense. I'm sure Seibu got complaints over the limited-ammo weapons. The special weapon upgrades feel SO good to use that it's painful when you run out of ammo for them. But I will say that playing with Napalm all the time would add a significant amount of screen noise.

I'm loving this game so far. Feels like I'd need a lot of time to appreciate all the finer nuances. Seibu are one of my favorite shmup devs. I don't know why I love Raiden and its cheeky little sniper tanks so much but I do.

@BIL: Zako are absolutely merciless in Old Version. They have no chill at all.

[BIL]

Glad to know I'm not imagining things! I've had a bit to drink tonight, but I was pretty sure the OV zako lads were trying to stop me leaving st1 with my credit intact. While NV's were more baiting me into wasting medal carriers, and/or missing kills. OV+NV make a great duo!

I don't know why I love Raiden and its cheeky little sniper tanks so much but I do.

<333 those industrious little bastards. That sense of a miniature world literally crawling with sneaky dangers; less Angry Bees than Angry Beetles.

I was so glad to see Hishouzame finally make it home, a few years back. The originator of the "deadly bonsai garden" aesthetic that'll always grab my attention. I'm always so happy to see it alive and well in relatively modern STGs like Caladrius Blaze.

I finally get VP1's OST. For ages, my favourite tune was the beautifully spare SPI initialise music, so memorably used in the trailer for INH's Superplay DVD. (sadly I don't think it can be heard in this release) The rest struck me as not Go Sato's strong suit, compared to his finely melancholic Raiden works, or their opposite numbers, the blisteringly aggressive RF1+2. (INVADE YOUR MIND will never leave my profile page )

But finally putting some time in, outside of the odd flying STGT visit, I appreciate the more conventionally triumphal sound. It's the bombast of Space Invaders' 70s heyday, fierily reincarnated by cutting-edge 90s mastery. Do badass space opera things and don't get blown up FFS. Still got shades of trademark fiery valour, just with a bit more Roy Fokker swagger. Stage 4's FORCING BREAKTHROUGH sobers up nicely. (FFJ stalwart as always with the classic Seibu uploads!)

Speaking of st4, and retro sci-fi, I really liked the visual narrative of

Spoiler

those Xevious-esque pachinko formations, visibly shunting through the tubes below. Nice sense of foreboding as their waves intensify in speed and trajectory, the further you invade; the classic "goofy oddity is actually a terrifying menace in aggregate" ala Tribbles.

[Lord British]

I was expecting more of a Raiden-esque style of gameplay, but this farming simulator truly is the bees-knees.

[Marc]

Viper is fucking ace. It's a not-shit Raiden. Loving it.

[valziman]

You were right about the caravan potential Jeneki, ate an hour like a chicken wing.

I prize this information. I usually don't play caravan ACA, despite finding that a fantastic idea in theory, because the first minutes of many arcade games aren't well-suited for caravan play. They're sometimes(usually?) too easy, too slow, and low on scoring opportunities.

What else in the aca catalog do any of you enjoy the caravan mode of?

[BIL]

You were right about the caravan potential Jeneki, ate an hour like a chicken wing.

I prize this information. I usually don't play caravan ACA, despite finding that a fantastic idea in theory, because the first minutes of many arcade games aren't well-suited for caravan play. They're sometimes(usually?) too easy, too slow, and low on scoring opportunities.

What else in the aca catalog do any of you enjoy the caravan mode of?

It's a recent habit of mine too. ^__^ I enjoy dedicated Score/Time Attack modes in STGs with them, but never considered them otherwise. ACA really opened my eyes to how transformative they can be, in the right game.

Besides VP1, I'll recommend Tecmo's innovative Carnival STG, Senjyo. As expected of Tecmo, the system is packed with detail and finesse; and like any good Caravan title, the seek/destroy progression ensures zero dead air. Well, technically they come to you, in deadly swarming hordes! But the cool 360' battlefield and integral radar will keep you on the hunt. [SUPER PRO REVIEW]

(I bet Bombjack and Solomon's Key are great too, just a hunch I need to follow up on... Tecmo's arcade team are so good, the pound-for-pound strongest ACA lineup imo)

Also, Konami's bubblewrap-addictive Mappy x Spartan, Shao-Lin's Road. (aka Kicker) The enemies are fiendishly good fun to work around, and just like Senjyo, you're on a mission to hunt the buggers down! The game system has some very interesting quirks, like i-framed jumps for super-aggressive attack. I thiink there might be a bit of glitchiness, in the bonus points for multikills - IIRC, sometimes I'd get 'em for single enemies. But it seems its effect on scoreplay is pretty minor, compared to the chasing down of enemies and locking up of spawn points. [ULTIMATE PRO REVIEW]

Oh, also - kind of a cheat pick, because the game is already a diehard Time Attacker, but Metal Hawk is a superb game for this mode of play. Quite short as-is; Caravan gives a super-compact five minute mode. Might promote some interesting strategies... worth a mention, at any rate. I suspect its spiritual sibling, Assault, would benefit similarly; particularly with it being a considerably longer and tougher game.

A subject deserving its own thread, or at least sub-thread. The legendary superplayer WIZ is a big fan of these modes, has quite a few runs up.

[valziman]

Thanks for that. Having a look at these. Haven't played some of them.

Bomb Jack makes sense.

I've never even considered treating Solomon's Key as a game for scoring. Interesting.

[BEAMLORD]

In the absence of any Viper Phase 1 action on PS5, been having a right laugh with City Bomber, and racked up a nice score on High Score mode. Almost made it to loop 3, but fluffed stage 4's volcano gauntlet.

Scoring's surprised me with this one, for a time attack game. The time bonus at stage-end seems so meagre, compared with what you rack up just destroying shit. The shooting is not spectacular. It's most fun to just breakneck it to the finish line, just not very remunerative.

Can run through pretty cleanly overall, just gotta sharpen up on stage 5. That mid-section with the little bridges and streams, always fucks me up.

[BIL]

For the bridge section, I jump at the last second, then just cane the [jump] button for the rest; seems to work every time. Will probably get dunked now I've put this in writing though.

Coincidentally, was going through my Yon2008 folder and noticed he'd given CB his venerable VRC6 cover treatment! A soundtrack as curiously unheralded as its game, stage 5 in particular give me fookin wings m8

[BEAMLORD]

For the bridge section, I jump at the last second, then just cane the [jump] button for the rest; seems to work every time. Will probably get dunked now I've put this in writing though.

That's the way to do it! Top intel, as always.

[valziman]

Another random ACA question: do any of them let you play vertically (tate mode) for caravan and high score mode other than Donkey Kong 3? Donkey Kong 3 handles this perfectly, but the other games I have only allow tate for "original" modes.

Also, anyone who hasn't given DK 3 at least an hour of play, you're sleeping on a game that's much better than it seems. I've said it before. Excuse me.

[BIL]

Unfortunately no, AFAIK that's a longstanding limitation with ACA. While the project's come a long way in many regards, in others it's as cheerfully bargain bin as ever. Can't do red blood in Metal Slug 4/5 HS modes either. And everyone wants multiple savestates, but I'm so used to my three "Save##" dummies I don't care. More than grandpa had BITD (I do kinda love their consistency at calling them "interrupt states." "hey kids, this ain't a practice tool or nothin'! use it when the dog's eating your homework or some shit ;3")

Always loved DKIII's Famicom port, I'd snap up all the Nintendo stuff right now if I had a Switch. Actually that's probably not a bad idea... I keep saying I'll get one for M2's Sega AGES, and that's about it.

[valziman]

I wonder why they went to the trouble with dk3 only to leave it behind forever. Having tate support in that game is great. Weird!

[Randorama]

With Viper Phase 1's AA release, I risk going back home and finding a male parent suddenly having turned into a shut-in he is complaining that the game is tough as nails, though. Anyway, that is really impressive news, and I see that the future releases are equally impressive.

[Sima Tuna]

Seibu are known for making some really rude games. I love them regardless. Viper Phase 1 is less rude than Raiden 1 though. Raiden 1 is just so brutal with its power-down. Zako speeds in Raiden 1 after stage 2-3 are also not even reactable. Same for bullets.

[valziman]

Viper Phase 1 Switch updated today. I wonder what that was.

[Sturmvogel Prime]

Rastan's back!
Taito's last game of 2024 is Rastan Saga III: Warrior Blade, closing the Rastan collection.
https://www.famitsu.com/article/202412/28031

Next week: NMK and Banpresto's will bring three modes this Christmas with Super Spacefortress Macross (if Harmony Gold doesn't become a grinch).

[BEAMLORD]

Three slam-dunks in a row to cap off the year, nice.

[Sima Tuna]

Rastan's back!
Taito's last game of 2024 is Rastan Saga III: Warrior Blade, closing the Rastan collection.
https://www.famitsu.com/article/202412/28031

Next week: NMK and Banpresto's will bring three modes this Christmas with Super Spacefortress Macross (if Harmony Gold doesn't become a grinch).

Motherfucking son of a bitch, goddamn! Fuckin' A! We're eating good tonight lads!



I'm more excited for this game than I was for Viper Phase 1! If only Hamster could do this every week. What's for next week? Undercover Cops? You gonna hit me with some Raiden II? Maybe a little Violent Storm?

Fuck, feels like I've been sitting at the Hamster ACA titty bar for the last ten years. It's been Gay Night for ten years straight and now they've finally got a few 10/10 foxy ladies up there. Glad y'all been enjoying your HOPPING MAPPYs but I just don't swing that way, y'know?