Mr. Driller Great (and the series in general)
yesterday I got Mr. Driller PC. It has some issues running on Windows XP and it doesn´t support a joypad out of the box, but with Compatibility Mode for 98/ME and the JoyToKey tool, I´m able to play it smoothly. It´s basically the same as the Dreamcast version, but with no noticeable loading times and MUCH better sound. The sound is actually better than any other version I´ve played, especially better than the PCB (I´m playing on high quality sound setting). Things that bug me are black borders on the side of the screen, and controls are clearly worse than any console version, but still better than the DS version.
A very nice touch is the fact you don´t need the CD in drive to play it. While the new Namco collection for PC uses the hardware-busting Starforce copy protection, this old little gem doesn´t have any copy protection at all. With high quality sound, it requires 150mb HD space. I bought the game from Amazon for about €3, and I´m getting a perfect performance on a slow 1,2ghz CPU rig.
Zoo Keeper (DS) is the best incarnation of this kind of puzzle game, and I´m saying this as a former rabid fan of Bejeweled 1&2 for Windows. I still don´t really like the sprites from Zoo Keeper, but the thing that sets it apart is the fact you can launch several combos simultaneously by using the stylus. This way, the game easily plays 3 times faster than any Bejeweled, where you have to wait for a combo to finish before you can start another one.
A very nice touch is the fact you don´t need the CD in drive to play it. While the new Namco collection for PC uses the hardware-busting Starforce copy protection, this old little gem doesn´t have any copy protection at all. With high quality sound, it requires 150mb HD space. I bought the game from Amazon for about €3, and I´m getting a perfect performance on a slow 1,2ghz CPU rig.
Zoo Keeper (DS) is the best incarnation of this kind of puzzle game, and I´m saying this as a former rabid fan of Bejeweled 1&2 for Windows. I still don´t really like the sprites from Zoo Keeper, but the thing that sets it apart is the fact you can launch several combos simultaneously by using the stylus. This way, the game easily plays 3 times faster than any Bejeweled, where you have to wait for a combo to finish before you can start another one.
That's pretty odd. I was able to get it running without compatibility mode. Screen is a little smaller than fullscreen for me as well.It has some issues running on Windows XP and it doesn´t support a joypad out of the box, but with Compatibility Mode for 98/ME and the JoyToKey tool, I´m able to play it smoothly.
well, I wasn´t really precise. The game behaves strangely regarding input. Whenever I press an undefined button on the joypad, the game hangs. Calling up the task manager exits the game, but scores will not get saved this way. So the compatibility mode probably didn´t do anything, I just tried it to see whether it changes something, but at the same time I configured a few more buttons in JoyToKey and made sure not to hit any undefinded buttons any more.
btw. there are cases where old games have 2 versions, one that works under Windows XP and one that doesn´t. Examples would be Gothic 2 and Crazy Taxi 1.
btw. there are cases where old games have 2 versions, one that works under Windows XP and one that doesn´t. Examples would be Gothic 2 and Crazy Taxi 1.
Re: Mr. Driller Great (and the series in general)
Actually, the US Game Boy Player will work on a Japanese console, but you need the Japanese GBP disc to get it to work. If I remember correctly, the GBP discs do not work with Freeloader. As far as I know, the GBP is region free, but the disc that comes with it isn't.dave4shmups wrote:Thanks for the review Neon; I have a modded PS1 and wasn't even aware of this title!Neon wrote: Based on this game's greatness I've decided to get a Gamecube for Drill Land and gameboy player for Ace...will a Japanese GC work with a US gameboy player?
Accessories are always region-free, so I'm sure that a Japanese GC would work with a US Game Boy Player-however, I would just go with an American Game Cube, and then get a Freeloader disc to play imports.
The Freeloader is good for many imports, but Mr. Driller Drill Land won't save (though it does play) and other games have problems with it as well. There are no compatibility problems when the GCN is modded with a region switch.
Few more things:
Drill Spirits has an endless mode. It's unlocked only when you beat 2000M (which I've only done with items, sadly). I'll still be picking up the JP version cause I need money from selling the US copy and the voice acting fucking sucks. Hopefully there'll be cute goofiness like in Ace with the import version.
PSX port of G is annoying in 2000M and endless, lowered resolution effecting visibility, same in multiplayer as I originally mentioned though not as bad. It also effects gameplay as pieces/air capsules that go off the board, stay off the board. I'm glad I've got the PCB.
Time trials in G aren't saved like in Driller 1. Darius Gaiden ish route selection, if your time doesn't meet goal it might not be a problem since you can make it up in the next course. I guess it's good they didn't just do the same old thing, though saving would be really nice for non-extended sessions.
Does PSX Driller 1 have any goofy resolution issues etc? Might pick it up for play on ps2/general curiousity.
Drill Spirits has an endless mode. It's unlocked only when you beat 2000M (which I've only done with items, sadly). I'll still be picking up the JP version cause I need money from selling the US copy and the voice acting fucking sucks. Hopefully there'll be cute goofiness like in Ace with the import version.
PSX port of G is annoying in 2000M and endless, lowered resolution effecting visibility, same in multiplayer as I originally mentioned though not as bad. It also effects gameplay as pieces/air capsules that go off the board, stay off the board. I'm glad I've got the PCB.
Time trials in G aren't saved like in Driller 1. Darius Gaiden ish route selection, if your time doesn't meet goal it might not be a problem since you can make it up in the next course. I guess it's good they didn't just do the same old thing, though saving would be really nice for non-extended sessions.
Does PSX Driller 1 have any goofy resolution issues etc? Might pick it up for play on ps2/general curiousity.
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professor ganson
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professor ganson
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Sorry to hear that Pa, get well soon
ritchie: Survival mode off the main menu, then go to 10 thousand meters (hardest)
I'm playing it on PC and the modes in the main game are 2500 and 5000...I guess PC and Japanese DC aren't the same...I'll get it for DC and jps2 eventually and compare.
I did 1 life 5000 meters but that was last school year, I can't even come close currently.
ritchie: Survival mode off the main menu, then go to 10 thousand meters (hardest)
I'm playing it on PC and the modes in the main game are 2500 and 5000...I guess PC and Japanese DC aren't the same...I'll get it for DC and jps2 eventually and compare.
I did 1 life 5000 meters but that was last school year, I can't even come close currently.
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Yeah mr driller is pretty sweet. I've had the psx version on that NamCollection for the ps2 for a while but my woman, being the considerate bird she is got me the last copy of Mr Driller Drill Spirits on sale for $20AU recently and I got badly addicted to it to the point where she'd say things like "I wish I hadn't got you that fu****g game now" I've cleared most of the goals so I go a bit easier on it now but yeah, great game/concept.
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Bloodreign
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BulletMagnet
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If you're talking about what I think you're talking about (it's late, at this time of night I never know what I'm seeing), the screenshots aren't in a folder, but rather on a clipboard. Open Paint and hit "paste" and the whole screen should appear there. Save it as a file and from there you can do what you please with it.Neon wrote:which folder do the SS's go in?
Yep, it's like BM said. It's a feature of Windows, not of the game itself.