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

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

Post by Lemnear »

hamfighterx wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 7:43 pm
Lemnear wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 6:27 pmI see the departure of EA/Ubisoft more likely than teams like M2/Hamster honestly hahaha :lol:
I was just saying something similar to others yesterday. Yeah, modern AAA development doesn't feel very sustainable, does it? But Hamster will be here for us, every week without fail (now with ~4 hour weekly livestream lol), predictably making enough money to keep this thing going and spreading the gospel.
Well in the end laughing and joking they have a gigantic ACA catalog, and they are not even games that "age". I suppose they have a certain income in the end, which could increase even more if only they advertised it more. Look at the numbers of ACA2 Ridge Racer, it is practically the ACA with the most views ever. If it had more exposure Hamster would do even bigger numbers.
M2 same story, only that their catalog is much more limited and they insist on not releasing things worldwide for no reason.
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by BrianC »

Daytime Waitress wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 9:08 am
hamfighterx wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 7:43 pmWhile I never encountered Punk Shot, did frequently see Run and Gun in 90s arcades for the more realistic basketball experience from Konami. Haven't thought about that one in a while but that's a good game too.
lol I was gonna mention that, too, because I played an inordinate amount of Give n Go - as it was known in the PAL territories - but figured it was too close to the sim side of things.
Though on second thought I'm pretty sure the only reason I took Charlotte to multiple championships was by using Larry Johnson + shove button.
"NBA Give n Go" is only used for the SNES port, which also used the name in the US. AC version is "Run and Gun" in US and EU and never had the NBA license. IIRC, the name change was because the NBA wouldn't let Konami use the name "Run and Gun".
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by BIL »

Christ my face hurts from laughing at PUNK SHOT, what a riot with friends. Image Soon as we saw BIRB can get it too we were sold. HOLD THIS YOU PUNK FUCK

Violent Beltscrolling Athletics on par with the very best of Technos. Totally headcanoning this into the HUNGER CITY trilogy aka Crime Fighters / Vendetta / Violent Storm. (normally a JP title textualist, but I like the balancing of three unique titles :cool:)

As with that trio, ruefully slapstick-brutal as it is, the OST is unironically hawt. :shock: That box-fresh New Jack Swing shared with KOF '94, home of AMERICA SPORTS TEAM Image Image Image
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by mirkvid »

OK BIL, you've convinced me to try this. Specifically the comment about the music. :mrgreen:
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by Daytime Waitress »

BrianC wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 3:24 pm
Daytime Waitress wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 9:08 am
hamfighterx wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 7:43 pmWhile I never encountered Punk Shot, did frequently see Run and Gun in 90s arcades for the more realistic basketball experience from Konami. Haven't thought about that one in a while but that's a good game too.
lol I was gonna mention that, too, because I played an inordinate amount of Give n Go - as it was known in the PAL territories - but figured it was too close to the sim side of things.
Though on second thought I'm pretty sure the only reason I took Charlotte to multiple championships was by using Larry Johnson + shove button.
"NBA Give n Go" is only used for the SNES port, which also used the name in the US. AC version is "Run and Gun" in US and EU and never had the NBA license. IIRC, the name change was because the NBA wouldn't let Konami use the name "Run and Gun".
That's one hell of a tidbit!
It also explains why I saw a Run n Gun cab in the wild (from afar) and yet only ever had Give n Go on the SNES - I'd always rationalised that as the arcade operator getting a US-specific cab in Aus.
Thanks for the clarification, Brian.
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by bobrocks95 »

There's a few JPN PSN exclusives I'd like to grab including some ACA releases if I'm remembering right- looks like the typical create a Japanese account, buy a gift card online somewhere, redeem and purchase situation (unless there's an easier way these days).

Can I then just use my regular US account once the game is on the console? Is it like the Xbox 360 days where you either need to be online on the account that bought it or on the original system it was bought from?
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by BIL »

mirkvid wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 11:07 am OK BIL, you've convinced me to try this. Specifically the comment about the music. :mrgreen:
Image

I almost wonder if SNK's ex-IREM dudes played this game at all; it's the most swingin' vibe I can recall from early 90s JP arcades outside of dear auld Slum #5.

This brings to mind Kaneko's DJBOY, specifically its Western localisation, which swapped out the Sekima II guy for frickin WOLFMAN. :cool: Marginally different vibe and era ofc, breakin/poppin/lockin them punks. Image
bobrocks95 wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 3:53 pm There's a few JPN PSN exclusives I'd like to grab including some ACA releases if I'm remembering right- looks like the typical create a Japanese account, buy a gift card online somewhere, redeem and purchase situation (unless there's an easier way these days).

Can I then just use my regular US account once the game is on the console? Is it like the Xbox 360 days where you either need to be online on the account that bought it or on the original system it was bought from?
Yep! On PS4, and I'm 99.9% sure PS5, as long as the game is on the HDD, any account can use it. Was recently playing the PSN-JP download of Front Line 2 on my European account for that four nations top four with my USA, ROK and JP homies.

EDIT: Incidentally, this is also how I get around the old ACA savestate limitation. Three dummy accounts named Save1/2/3, each holding their own state. (more than you get at the cabs :mrgreen:) Doesn't matter where they're from; IIRC they're all Euro. Zero issues playing JP exclusives like F/A and Wonder Boy.
Last edited by BIL on Fri May 09, 2025 4:11 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by bobrocks95 »

BIL wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 3:55 pm
bobrocks95 wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 3:53 pm There's a few JPN PSN exclusives I'd like to grab including some ACA releases if I'm remembering right- looks like the typical create a Japanese account, buy a gift card online somewhere, redeem and purchase situation (unless there's an easier way these days).

Can I then just use my regular US account once the game is on the console? Is it like the Xbox 360 days where you either need to be online on the account that bought it or on the original system it was bought from?
On PS4, and I think PS5, as long as the game is on the HDD, any account can use it. This is how I get around the old One Save State limitation; three dummy accounts named Save1/2/3, each holding their own state. :cool:
Sick, I'm sure there's some more protection shenanigans going on to stop you from just downloading games on a friend's console and them getting them for free, but I've just got the one PS5 so no issues I'd imagine.

For the record my guess is accounts are tied to one console.
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by hamfighterx »

Some clarifications for anybody who is interested in Switch versions, since those are a little more complicated than the PS4/PS5's "it just works on any account logged into the system" method.

If you buy a game on the Japanese Nintendo eshop, you'll need a Japanese account to purchase it. Once purchased, to play the game:
1) You can play it using the same Japanese account logged in on any Switch system.
2) You can play it using a different region account on the same Switch system set as the "Primary" system for the Japanese account that purchased the game.
3) You can play it using a different region account on a Switch system that is NOT set to Primary by using the new virtual game card feature to "borrow" that game from the account holder (this is a pretty new change, since Nintendo recently implemented the virtual game cards as part of a Switch system update in preparation for Switch 2)

I think SOME downloaded games might be more permissive and allow other users on even non-Primary systems to launch them, but at least some are somewhat restricted like the above. For instance, I tested out F/A just now and could open it fine on my US account on the same Switch OLED system that's my Japanese account's assigned primary system - but could not open it on my Switch Lite using the US account, until I did the game card swap thing (that didn't exist until a week or two ago, prior to that I just used my Japanese account to open the game).
BIL wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 8:18 pm Christ my face hurts from laughing at PUNK SHOT, what a riot with friends. Image Soon as we saw BIRB can get it too we were sold. HOLD THIS YOU PUNK FUCK

Violent Beltscrolling Athletics on par with the very best of Technos. Totally headcanoning this into the HUNGER CITY trilogy aka Crime Fighters / Vendetta / Violent Storm. (normally a JP title textualist, but I like the balancing of three unique titles :cool:)
Hell yeah, Punk Shot deserves to be part of that lineage lol. Have already played quite a bit, this is one that will be a regular AA revisit for years to come.

Other things I love about Punk Shot:
- Yes, ref lady in rollerblades from the ad IS in the game too! A little different outfit, black leather, sunglasses, and rollerblades - but she's a badass jumpball tossing lady who improves the game.
- I really like the environmental "HUD" stuff like the dude running the sideline in the background with a sign showing the score, or the spectators yelling "DUNK!" both audibly and with a word bubble to signify when you're in the DUNK ZONE.

It's worth noting that the regional differences are substantial in this one, and Japanese is far better IMO:
* Japanese version has short games with one period (can set length in the settings), which take place on one of the courts. A credit = you play until you lose. When you win, you go on to face a different team. From what I can tell, the wackyness is dialed up a bit in the Japanese game - stuff like more frequent dog or bird attacks, players falling off the docks, etc. This is a good thing in this goofy-ass game.
* International version has four quarters for each game, each quarter you rotate to a different stage/court. It feels like much more of a slog. Each credit gives you some energy on a timer, that runs out and when you hit zero you need more credits. I'm not quite sure, energy might run out faster depending on in-game actions (sorta like losing more energy in Neo Turf Masters for each additional stroke below Birdie), I was getting maybe a little shy of 1 quarter's worth of playtime on a credit on default settings. I tend to just toss in like 10 credits at once, hit start on all of them and you get a bunch of time to finish a game.
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

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hamfighterx wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 11:10 pm- I really like the environmental "HUD" stuff like the dude running the sideline in the background with a sign showing the score, or the spectators yelling "DUNK!" both audibly and with a word bubble to signify when you're in the DUNK ZONE.
Yes, this is amazing! Reminded me of the super-characterful BGs in Vendetta... there's so many little details to spot, and the functional HUD element is even cooler.
It's worth noting that the regional differences are substantial in this one, and Japanese is far better IMO:
* Japanese version has short games with one period (can set length in the settings), which take place on one of the courts. A credit = you play until you lose. When you win, you go on to face a different team. From what I can tell, the wackyness is dialed up a bit in the Japanese game - stuff like more frequent dog or bird attacks, players falling off the docks, etc. This is a good thing in this goofy-ass game.
* International version has four quarters for each game, each quarter you rotate to a different stage/court. It feels like much more of a slog. Each credit gives you some energy on a timer, that runs out and when you hit zero you need more credits. I'm not quite sure, energy might run out faster depending on in-game actions (sorta like losing more energy in Neo Turf Masters for each additional stroke below Birdie), I was getting maybe a little shy of 1 quarter's worth of playtime on a credit on default settings. I tend to just toss in like 10 credits at once, hit start on all of them and you get a bunch of time to finish a game.
The INT health drain is another slam dunk for this being the stealth fourth HUNGER CITY game. :lol: (or even HUNGER CITY 外伝 :shock:) A dubious inheritance from Crime Fighters itself. Image
Randorama wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 1:39 pmI am finding the way Hamster and Konami are proceeding in releasing titles somewhat hilarious. I suspect that they are trying to atone for decades of absolutely evil corporate obsession with money and sequels by releasing most of their downright obscure (e.g. Punk Shot, Crazy Cop) or at least cult-like games (e.g. Surprise Attack) to the masses. It would be *absolutely fricking hilarious* if somebody in Konami's upper echelons is thinking of something like "Screw money, with HamChan's we are doing the right thing!" (...maybe while burning a 10k yen banknote to light up a cigar :wink:).
We've truly hit levels of Konami Game Music Collection Vol.3 previously unthinkable. Image
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by Daytime Waitress »

hamfighterx wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 11:10 pm - Yes, ref lady in rollerblades from the ad IS in the game too! A little different outfit, black leather, sunglasses, and rollerblades - but she's a badass jumpball tossing lady who improves the game.
The little touches are what make it: these guys have punched, kicked and German'd each other to the point of hospitalisation, but they still toss the ball back to her at the end at the end of the period <3
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by Randorama »

Glad to see that you are enjoying the title, lads, because I had tons of fun playing this game in four players co-op/vs. mode as a kid, and my uncle also made a good profit out of it. It's an easy 1-CC once you understand how to handle the final/special stage's vastly overpowered (but flawed) team, indeed (but yes, the JP version is the "right" one to play). Hint: learn to knock both players down as closely as possible, timewise. You want them both on the floor, twitching in pain, so you can score in peace. Second hint: the guys have overpowered moves but remain completely open to attacks after using them. Go and break them spines, boys! Fun fact: I own physical versions of the Konami Music Collection series, since we did not have youtube and other options to listen to these zany classics, "back in the day" :wink:
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

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Randorama wrote: Sat May 10, 2025 7:01 amFun fact: I own physical versions of the Konami Music Collection series, since we did not have youtube and other options to listen to these zany classics, "back in the day" :wink:
Ah man, I fondly remember the early 00s FTP days, but I just didn't have the vital exploding spark to get into OST collecting. I'm gonna remedy that shortly enough, now that I've attained SDJ2 resources. (Super Dadjin 2 :cool:) Scitron and Pony Canyon and Apollon give me goddamn wood m8. Image Image
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by NightBeast »

Is Punk Ball or whatever fun with only a single player?
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by BIL »

Hm, I wouldn't complain if I were going solo; has tremendous style and some solid mechanics. A good yardstick might be the Kunio dodgeball/sportsball games; if you can enjoy those as solo challenges, you might like this too. :smile:

This said, I am the kinda cat who enjoys Sam Sho 2 all on his own occasionally, howling and barking and gruffing with the all-time GOAT seiyuu. Used to be able to hit Gen-An's high notes, seems a short lifetime of lecturing has deprived me. Gnn! Ku... KOROSHIIII! Image :cool: Ah man fuck I'm losing my rag >w< Subarashii~
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by Steven »

I don't think it gets much better than Galford's "rub my brain".
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by BIL »

ARI-GATOOO :cool:
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by Jeneki »

The most accurate hoops simulator ever. Reminds me of my teenage days, where I regularly got suplexed off a boat dock and just got up and kept playing.
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by Sturmvogel Prime »

Image
This week is the "Bearer of Good News".

Friendly reminder: Arcade Archives NebulasRay is released tomorrow.
https://www.famitsu.com/article/202505/41998

Next week, we don't know what to expect, but on May 29th it will be the last Namco game hinted as "Sports".
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by Marc »

So, not to be 'that guy', but is Nebulas Ray actually any good, or is it just an unconverted white whale?
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by BIL »

I will jump on teh grenade for u Marc (`w´メ)

Nah it always seemed rad BITD. Style fondly recalling of VP1, Souky and Mars Matrix, despite being the eldest of the lot. Can't remember the finer points, other than the aggressive wobble scroll, but it's been ~15yrs. Looking forward to reacquainting this afternoon. I've got barely any time for games ATM but I cleared me calendar for this one. Image

EDIT: out now in Japan. :cool: Gave it a three stage spin. Yep, that wobble is X-TREEM, compounded by the BG rotation. (the cosmos is like a flat paper disc that turns in the direction you're scrolling) Could see it affecting motion sickness-prone sorts, ala Metal Hawk a couple years back. Worth adjusting to though, imo; weapon and stage design are quality. Super fast-paced action with macro sweeps galore. Surprised to see the Xevious Ground Shot went AWOL for this last outing, but at this furious clip I don't miss it tbh.

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

Post by jehu »

Playing NebulasRay on Switch:

Maybe I’ve been spoiled playing on better hardware, but the game feels superlatively swampy. I don’t know what the lag is, and maybe the wobble is exacerbating the feeling, but something seems off.

No scanline options for whatever reason.

Someone give PS4 version a spin and let me know if it feels any better.

Cool game in theory, though!

Edit:

I said fine I’ll do it myself.

PS4 version is night-and-day better for me. The accumulated feeling of the increased lag in handheld with wireless joycons, the weaker hardware, the bullet wobble and the wonky backgrounds makes the Switch version feel plain bad. Avoid if possible, please. PS4 has a share in the wonkiness, but it belongs to the game itself - and it has plenty to deal with on its own. Way, way more responsive.

No scanline features on PS4 either. Must have looked shoddy with the 3D.
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by Jeneki »

I feel like the first stage is just sort of there to let people marvel at the background effects, and is intentionally light on enemies and low excitement. Thankfully the game picks up later on.
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

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jehu wrote: Wed May 14, 2025 5:25 pmEdit:

I said fine I’ll do it myself.

PS4 version is night-and-day better for me. The accumulated feeling of the increased lag in handheld with wireless joycons, the weaker hardware, the bullet wobble and the wonky backgrounds makes the Switch version feel plain bad. Avoid if possible, please. PS4 has a share in the wonkiness, but it belongs to the game itself - and it has plenty to deal with on its own. Way, way more responsive.
Ah jeez, sorry for late reply ol' fren >w< Yeah I did notice a little delay on PS4; specifically the input-sensitive BG rotation effect in Stage 3. Now I'm back home, I'll have to see if the ship moves ahead of the effect, or in sync with it; was busy outmaneuvering those wickedly aggressive striker formations. (love 'em... rollin' up in triplicate like ZAKO REGULATORS :cool: "SUP PADNAH" *BAMBAMBAM*) That monstrous boss too, bustin' up beast rocks like so much cocopuffs :shock:

But as you say, it's entirely in line with Namco's typical standard; noticeable but harmless, and quickly absorbed into muscle memory. They really had a lot of STGs like this, many iconic. (Dragon Spirit, Phelios, Galaga '88, Dangerous Seed, and Pistol Daimyo perform similarly)

I'm a little blown away at just how Rayforce & Souky-esque this game's style is; the second stage's cloud descent is absolutely prefigurative. Lovely to see, with those being some of the best-dressed STGs of all time. Makes revisiting Ray Team SENKI all the more amusing. :mrgreen:

EDIT: ahh, I see now. The st1+st3 "star disc" rotates as you traverse one screen edge to the other. It is synced to player movement, but once you've neared a screen edge, it'll stop. Then you can waggle back and forth like crazy, and it won't budge. (or will barely budge) Cute effect, like a physical papier mache disc.

Much easier to absorb the wobble, once I noticed that. With this said, I wonder if the delay I felt was mostly on account of that position-triggered BGFX. Stage 2's planetside sortie has no such visual tomfoolery, and feels much more consistent, almost snappy.

Haha, even the BGM in st2's cloud descent is Souky-esque... that expectant drum array.

I love how bluntly aggressive this game's strikers are. The snipers roll in, lock on and let rip. The blindfires charge downscreen ready to smoke any My Ship in their way. Plays perfectly off your indulgently big guns and lightning speed. With RF, Souky, Mars Matrix, and Blazing Star all being quite involved scoring affairs, it makes me realise how good this ultra-chunky aesthetic pairs to straight-up blasting. Speaking of, this game also has some serious Viper Phase 1 destruction cachet. The ever-wonderful Advent Calendar zako pops/flameouts, and big targets that don't just *woop* out of existence, but detonate, capsize, and start on fire before shattering into chunky pieces.

Good to see the Xevious Ground Shot is here after all, in the form of the Orange powerup. Would feel wrong without it! (even got Rayzors too, in R-Gray Red at that :cool:)
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by TransatlanticFoe »

1994 is a weird time to try to wow punters with effects in a 2D game. Dammit Namco, Ridge Racer was last year and you do this in a shmup to try to impress people? Yeah I can't play it, watched a video and it made me feel sick - opening stage of R-Type Final 2 did the same, for the same reason :(
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by Jonpachi »

Killing me the Switch port is busted. I was really looking forward to playing this one, but my PS4/5 stuff is in storage atmo. Buuuuurn.
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by OldSkoolShmuper »

I have nearly all my Arcade Archives games on my PS4 Pro so hopefully there won't be much of an issue.

Even if there is, hopefully there's a patch or updated version like there was with Viper Phase-1.
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by valziman »

BIL wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 9:17 pm Basically, your shot trajectory lags behind your character's visible sprite. It's common in 80s run/guns with 16-way aiming; most famously arcade Contra and Super Contra. An interesting example is IREM's Saigo no Nindou, which features both 8-way and 16-way shots.
This was verrrrrrrrry helpful. Forgot to reply. Thanks!
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by valziman »

Arcade Archives sale happening

- DIG DUG
- GAPLUS
- PAC-MAN
- DRAGON SPIRIT
- PAC-LAND
- MAPPY
- The Genji and the Heike Clans
- DRAGON BUSTER
- ORDYNE
- YOUKAI DOUCHUKI

Youkai Douchuki seems pretty cool. Is it?
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Re: I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

Post by jehu »

Nebulas is a ride. Great title - highly recommended.

It’s a visually heady game. If you’re prone to nausea, motion sickness, vertigo, epilepsy, excessively watery eyes, or an aversiveness to early 3D, you might not like it. Incidentally, it’s Sol Cresta that comes jumping to mind when calling up a visual comparison. (Though Namco’s gem is much nicer, let’s get that out of the way.)

The 3D modeling gives it a war-in-a-toybox feel that I really dig. Visual camp. Not too many STGs in this awkward early moment of the 2D to 3D transition, so it’s really a treasure in this regard. And the music is really doing it for me.

Gameplay feels surprisingly good. Bullet wobble isn’t bothering me much on PS4. Both the spread and laser feel useful. I like all four of the subweapons. (The aforementioned Xevious ‘L’ powerup goes crazy with pointblank autofire. Good alternative to the barrier on boss 3.) A significant chunk of the difficulty comes from the soar in, pump and dump em shooting pattern of the zako. Keeps you on your toes - very easy to collide with a last ditch ejaculation. Bosses feel good - challenging but not too difficult to learn. Bombs seem to have a solid damage utility, not just for pure survival.

Stage 4 is an all-timer for me. Great showcase of the game’s strengths. A desert chase with popping music, enemy vehicles skidding all over the dunes, sandworms popping in and out of the ground, and a cantankerous boss to cap it off.

(And I’m willing to bet that scanline options were removed for the warpspeed section of stage 5. It’s already a visually overblown chaos cloud - scanlines would make it into a totally illegible fart soup.)
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