Re: Arcade Archives STG List [15/05/25: NebulasRay]

[Sima Tuna]

PS2 Metal Slug Anthology also added loaded times that weren't present in the original releases. It was how I started playing the Metal Slug games but it's really not ideal. Metal Slug 6 I believe didn't even have autofire because it was a newer game.

[Gamer707b]

Played this at a shmup meet years ago and really enjoyed it. Just forgot the name , so I'm looking forward to getting it. Still have my PS4, so I don't mind playing it.

Off topic, being that many of you here sound really knowledgeable on the ACA releases, are their Metal Slug releases really the best official versions aside from the Neo Geo versions? I've had the PS2 Anthology collection for many years, but haven't touched it for obvious reasons.

For Gamer707b,

Yes, the Neo-Geo ACA releases are actually running the Neo-Geo MVS roms themselves -- they are 100% spot-on accurate. So you can retire your PS2 MS Anthology and play either the PS4 or Switch ports of the entire MS series as they were originally meant to be played.

Back to the original topic on hand.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Thank you friend.

[Shmups4ever]

still no trace of Viper Phase 1 on PS5 PSN....
Sony, I used to work like this... before getting fired !!

[BIL]

Boof! As announced, NMK's Super Dimension Fortress Macross out now. Unfortunately, it seems to be Japan only until further announcement. It's never easy for Western Macross fans. 3;

[Jeneki]

still no trace of Viper Phase 1 on PS5 PSN....

I took a quick look at yesterday's Hamster youtube chat. The first thing they mentioned was that yes, this is still a problem, and will take longer to resolve. I'm glad they bring up important stuff like this right at the beginning, as I'm not watching their entire 4+ hour stream to get an update on that.

[Shmups4ever]

I took a quick look at yesterday's Hamster youtube chat. The first thing they mentioned was that yes, this is still a problem, and will take longer to resolve. I'm glad they bring up important stuff like this right at the beginning, as I'm not watching their entire 4+ hour stream to get an update on that.

Cool !
The end of this problem , I hope ????

[BIL]

A working workaround for the PS5 issue.

---

Boof! It's FINAL STAR FORCE. Always been curious about this one. Seems it's been fixed up quite a bit for ACA, the arcade's infinite boss patterns have a specific fix that makes the timeout impossible to survive. For now, anyway.

[Creamy Goodness]

Final Star Force is a fun game, but the music switching with weapon changes is a big downer for me.

[BIL]

Yeah, it's a shame that. Especially as each individual track is pretty damn good. No bad picks, but by the same token, I'd like to enjoy 'em without dodging incoming powerups.

I'd have given the Attract BGM to Stage 1, exactly the triumphal sound for the occasion. The default theme is a goddamn bop. Weapon B likewise; initially assumed it was Metal Yuhki, got his trademark brass-balled Fairlight swagger. Especially fond of Weapon A and Weapon C. Former's gorgeous bittersweet tone reminds me of Sega's inimitably late-summery Quartet. Latter's indominable gallop is the picture of classic spacefighter derring-do.

I know the switch is an homage to OG Star Force's powerup BGM. But besides "YEAAA POWWAAAA" being a different vibe, it's better-suited to OG's blitzkrieg microstages than Final's Raidenesques. Ironically, per a Tecmo staffer in the comments of Hamster's preview video, they were instructed to "make something like Raiden." (very apparent in hindsight, with the second stage's dry-docked battleship) Re-using each track on a stage apiece, as that game's OST does, would've worked great.

I don't know if any game's ever done per-weapon/character BGM switching well. Always ends up in a channel-surfing effect. Admittedly, I never notice it at the controls as much. I was playing the hell out of Lickle (FC) and having a blast, then watched my own replay in mortification, adding an apology to the description for the times I was jamming the switch button more than strictly necessary.

[RedCadre]

Is this latest release any good? or kinda bland?

After getting both Viper Phase 1 and the Macross Japanese only title how does Final Star Force play?

Skip it, or must play

[BIL]

I've enjoyed it a lot in the few days since release, but I wouldn't call it a must-have. Star Force, Gemini Wing, Silkworm, and Raiga are all more distinctive STGs from Tecmo. Where those are consistently original games, Final was expressly modelled on the Raiden/later Toaplan style prominent at the time. Tecmo's AC games tended to be calculatedly generous, something reflected here. Easier to reach steamrolling max power, and easier to stay there, compared to many of its more famous contemporaries.

It's still a solid genre effort on that front. I'd compare it to Thunder Cross 2; there are more notable STGs from its developer, but it's worth a look if you enjoy its particular style. One man's bland is another's comfort food.

Ultimately, as often happens with ACA, I'm just glad it finally has a quality home translation. I'm always up to try these forgotten late 80s / early 90s productions. For a genuinely killer example of, see UPL's Omega Fighter.

If you like Macross, you should definitely give Thunder Dragon 2 a look. Macross is basically Thunder Dragon 1.5; a decisive improvement on the very rough TD1, keeping its awesomely violent pace, sans the awkward sprite dimensions and aggressive bullet wobble. TD2 trims the hitbox down, streamlines the weapon system, and perfects its difficulty curve into a single rugged loop. Sadly it still has a pretty absurd boss milk, but I don't bother milking Macross either.

[RedCadre]

Ok thats cool. Yeah, all of the games mentioned I already have lol

Gemini, Thunder Cross, Omega Fighter, Thunder Dragon 1 and 2.

Regarding your comments about FSF
Easier is not always a bad thing....especially if you havent 1CC'd any game lol.

With that additional information would you still say bite?

[BIL]

With that additional information would you still say bite?

Yeah I'd give it a go. ala Thunder Cross, it's an easier game than its contemporaries, but not a dull one. Keeps a good pace, complementing the feelgood zako-shredding of its iconic predecessor with chunkier Toaplan-style middleweights. And like Raiga, it's got some classy sci-fi art design. (wouldn't surprise me at all if they shared staff) Some impressive machine designs, and the visual narrative from earth to upper orbit and outer space is particularly well-done. I love the stage title "ABOVE ALL." It's a really likeable game within its niche, and a perfect break from harder/more technical stuff.

[RedCadre]

Did that '"Raiga" have a different title in english?

Yeah, I have all of Toaplan's games or, at least the ones available on PC like, Slap Fight, Out Zone, Tiger Heli, Fire Shark, Grind Stormer, Dogyuun, Hellfire, Truxton, FixEight and the few others.

[BIL]

Yeah, I think it goes by its Western title Strato Fighter in relevant storefronts. (or if your System Language is set to English) It's often called Raiga: Strato Fighter online, in either region.

Like certain other ACA releases which use the Western name in relevant markets - Guerrilla War, Victory Road, Ninja Spirit - it only features the Japanese rev. Kinda naughty tbh! Although to be fair, the store pages usually advise when only the Japan ver is included.

Raiga might also be one of those games that's considered identical across regions. Even the Japan board's title screen has the "Strato Fighter" title, despite its official name being simply 雷牙. ("Thunder Fang" I wonder if they were trying to get a little Raiden + Kuuga business, even before Final Star Force... either way, I suspect they saved a bit of scratch and just re-used the same title logo across regions)

EDIT: Well god damn Seems they indeed were looking for Seibu + DECO name association, at least according to that article's author.

The title was inspired by " Raiden " developed by Seibu Kaihatsu and " Kuga " developed by Data East . During location testing, the title was "AirLand Battle", but was changed to "Raiga" at the request of the sales department at the time of release .

EDIT2: And the source? The Arcade Archiver Raiga Special. I bet there's tons of golden info sitting in plain sight, in those episodes.

EDIT3: Like the hidden sound test command. (at ACA title screen, enter ↑→↓←, then Options or +/- for PS4/Switch, respectively) Had no idea Raiga was one of the ACA titles with it! There's a bunch of Konami ones with it, enabled via Konami code (↑↑ ↓↓ ←→ ←→ X O), like Gradius II and Thunder Cross. (I'm sure most didn't need the KC reminder, but this is an info thread ) I should see about compiling a list, if one's not already out there. Perfect for enjoying Metal Yuhki's customarily superb work, blasting "BIG COLUMNS" as I type.

They don't let you skip tracks, but they're always a nice gesture, and good to put on in the BG while doing other things. Like writing posts on shumps. Might find appreciation for tracks u like 2 skip and/or never paid attention to because shumpin got too intense!

EDIT4: God damn, this is the third time Metal Yuhki has ambushed me with a killer tune far longer than its in-game airtime Stage 6 / BURIAL SONG is electrifying! Just like Ninja Gaiden and Wild Fang's respective Final Boss BGMs, you need to hear it via OST/Sound Test.

Killer game btw! Worth giving Roo's ST a look; the array of shot, missile, and Helper powerups is a little bewildering initially, though it makes total sense once you see 'em classified. Reminds me a bit of Gate of Thunder... a comfy yet always entertainingly busy hori. Tecmo were always good at generosity. (still got some pretty mean Gradius Syndrome, or rather Salamander Syndrome though - recoveries can be tough!) While their prior hori, Silkworm, is rather nuts, it too gives you a lot to work with, built around hyper-aggressive chain bombas.

[BIL]

As expected of Hamster, Viper Phase 1 sorted out for PSN webstore.

[MJR]

I've had this game on PCB for a decade now; but I think that only now that I've been playing on save states (allowing me the maximum rank), I've started to grasp what Icarus said about moving left and right and herding bullets .. and point-blanking bigger enemies and bosses whenever possible.

Only now I'm able to wipe out Stage 2 boss without getting hit, by point-blanking it, and I can almost get through Stage 5 boss. My current chokepoint is Stage 6 boss, which is just brutality and bloodshed, thanks to the ginormous speed and bloated hitbox which makes me constantly feel like that the game wants me to fail at any cost, because dying and credit feeding feels almost rewarded by the difficulty that goes down.

This game feels unfair to an r, yet for some reason I am still drawn back to it, like a masochist wailing for more punishment by sociopathic master. I cannot recommend this game to anyone for fair and relaxing session, but those who make it their life mission to overcome all the odds, and prevail, alone, bloodied and broken, on the top of the mountain, this game is calling to you. Walking simulator this aint.

[Creamy Goodness]

Is this latest release any good? or kinda bland?

After getting both Viper Phase 1 and the Macross Japanese only title how does Final Star Force play?

Skip it, or must play

Final Star Force has good gameplay, but the music changing with weapon changes is annoyingly distracting.

And for Macross, is it restricted to a specific console. I tried searching for it on Switch and I couldn't find it and I am not even seeing it on Hamster's website.

[BIL]

And for Macross, is it restricted to a specific console. I tried searching for it on Switch and I couldn't find it and I am not even seeing it on Hamster's website.

Sadly, because Harmony Gold are gaping assholes, it's NTSCJ only on both Switch and PS4. 3:

Seems the fate of anything relating to the orginal series or its theatrical release Do You Remember Love. (the game is directly based on the latter, for extra JPonry-ness)

I'm mildly hopeful the absolutely killer Macross 2 (date TBA) might make it international, like Mazinger did. While the first game is a very solid STG, the second is a masterpiece - in a very rare subgenre for arcades, at that. (a Time Attack contest, like the Caravan titles of FC+PCE fame)

Spoiler

(all credit @ Kamikaze2000)

If the first is Thunder Dragon 1.5, brushing up that game's rough edges, the second is arguably Thunder Dragon 3, developing TD2's waveshredder mechanic into a fully-fledged Time Attack. It's based on the Lovers Again OVA, which had nothing to do with the previous or subsequent entries that attract HG's ghastly attention. Then again this IP is synonymous with Western license fuckery, so perhaps not. :/

[Creamy Goodness]

And for Macross, is it restricted to a specific console. I tried searching for it on Switch and I couldn't find it and I am not even seeing it on Hamster's website.

Sadly, because Harmony Gold are gaping assholes, it's NTSCJ only on both Switch and PS4. 3:

Seems the fate of anything relating to the orginal series or its theatrical release Do You Remember Love. (the game is directly based on the latter, for extra JPonry-ness)

I'm mildly hopeful the absolutely killer Macross 2 (date TBA) might make it international, like Mazinger did. While the first game is a very solid STG, the second is a masterpiece - in a very rare subgenre for arcades, at that. (a Time Attack contest, like the Caravan titles of FC+PCE fame)

Spoiler

(all credit @ Kamikaze2000)

If the first is Thunder Dragon 1.5, brushing up that game's rough edges, the second is arguably Thunder Dragon 3, developing TD2's waveshredder mechanic into a fully-fledged Time Attack. It's based on the Lovers Again OVA, which had nothing to do with the previous or subsequent entries that attract HG's ghastly attention. Then again this IP is synonymous with Western license fuckery, so perhaps not. :/

My bad. Should've mentioned I searched on the JP eShop. It was a few weeks ago, but I swear I did a search with "Macross" and "Arcade Archives" and couldn't find it. I very well could be a complete moron though and was doing something wrong.

[BIL]

Good that you've not been shut out by HG's bullshit.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Before the PSN went down and finally restored on 2/08/2025, I managed to d/l the PS4 version of ACA Viper Phase 1 prior to that particular worldwide PSN outage fiasco but it still wasn't listed on the PS5 Storefront. On a whim today, 2/21/2025, checked to see if the PS5 ACA VP1 was available, it was with the price listing of "Free". Proceeded to d/l it, fired it up and it's all "good in da hood". Hamster should've made sure that the PS5 Storefront listing of ACA Viper Phase 1 was properly up & running back in December of 2024 as with the ACA VP1 listing of VP1 on both the PS4 Store front & USA region Switch eShop site. "Better later than never" as the ol' adage/saying goes applies in this situation indeed.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[BIL]

"Better later than never" as the ol' adage/saying goes applies in this situation indeed.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

You said it PCEFX! I'm glad they sorted it in time for the ruffinest, tuffinest, stuffin-that-muffinest HARD SCIENCE TRIO in this thread's short history:

Spoiler

WHOA ITS BEAUTIFUL

Ahem! Now: COCK THE HAMMER ITS TIME 4 ACTION





MEN MAKING A STAND AGAINST A GIGANTIC CRIME (■｀w´■) (FIVE-STAR TRAILER by SCHLAUCHI )

[m.sniffles.esq]

Ahhh... Dead Connection

AKA: Wait, what the fuck is going on? THE GAME

[mycophobia]

gigantic men taking a stand against crime

[BIL]

Holy fuck this fuckin rocks At last, The Tin Star's killer concept is redeemed. No fatal bullet visibility mishaps here. I wonder if they shared any staff... can't think of any other belt-viewed, character-driven, environmentally-interactive arena STGs like these ones, and they've a similar love of classic genre film.

The mildly automated interface seems to have aged well; there's a sensibly generous auto-aim cone that fits the "fuck everybody in that corner of the room" gangsta spray like a sharp suit. It's really even less conventional a shooter than it appears; less about targeted shooting, than finding each stage's prime sniper posts, rotating efficiently between them according to the current wave. Autoaim will fill in the gaps as long as you've got a good vantage point. The dive roll and its stationary variant are superb, you wanna hit the fuckin deck when those bullet patterns show up laddie!

Love the battle-furied weapon discard, haha. "Dammit!" Men of mine own heart. Counts as a projectile; clocked a knifeman in the face with an empty shotgun, causing him to stagger into a burning table and light up like Christmas. I wonder if any Elevator Action Returns staff were on this... was bugging me which game it reminded me of. The rollicking stage intros, ominpotent POV, and sense of directing your own slapstick ultraviolencer; yep that's EAR alright! Radiates cheerful mayhem.

---

Ping ping! DESTROY ALL ENEMY UFOS



Next up is Konami's Juno First. (1983) Heard lots about this one over the years; one of those that never got a spot on the Famicom nor the ol' PS1 comps, ie, new to me. Looks like Defender's hybrid of crackshot lasering and inertial physics 'em up via Axelay perspective. Hmm! Perilous yet promising. Has a good rep from a few good shumps buddies. I like the look of that enemy chaining mechanic / fever mode. Love the crisp oldschool sci-fi pixel art, very Jarvis-esque! That teleport animation is wild. Got that BOOSTER BURN, too.

HITTING DE BOOST

[Sima Tuna]

Looks kinda interesting. Still wish we could get some Midway classes on ACA. Give us Joust, Narc, Defender, Robotron and Rampage.

[BIL]

Where tf is the "L" section... oh right, this is the first. All 26 representin' now.

*ahem* This be some Rikukaikuu Saizensen or LAND SEA & AIR: FRONT LINE (■｀w´■)



Quite an unknown, this week. Always been curious, as a fan of OG Front Line. (1982) FL being tremendously influential, yet very unheralded itself. Pretty much kicked off the entire topdown run/gun subgenre, Taito's torch picked up by SNK's Ikari, DECO's Heavy Barrel, Capcom's Senjou no Okami and Toaplan's Out Zone, atop myriad others. An innovator on par with Kunio, if not Xevious.

Hit Ratio scoring system looks interesting, barring exploit mishaps. Maybe this'll be another great caravan title ala Juno. Badass logo, at the very least.

[BrianC]

Apparently, it was called Land Sea Air Squad outside of Japan.

[BIL]

Yeah, a shame that! Then again, I suppose Front Line got more stateside name recognition than Kunio did, haha.

Now, *ahem* BOOBS ALART. (■｀w´■) In AD1989, the Moon Cresta dudes were hanging up their STG/ACT hats to become a full-time table game house. I bet they got up to all kinds of STRIP MAHJONG antics, there's always money in boobs! Cue swan song TATAKAE! BIG FIGHTER, a game of ROBO HENSHIN true to previous form. I wonder if this is a stealth MAGMAX sequel, hmm.



Last week also saw CRAZY COP, a hardcore topdown Konami run/gun that gave me clinical depression with their usual late 80s aim lag! You can read about it here, I am most disappointed and appalled, yet still put in some time on it. Why I do it to myself! Apropos the CRIMING theme, KONAMI = PUSHERS