the Raiden Fighters series (which one is tops?)

scrilla4rella · Post by **scrilla4rella** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 2:25 am

Out of the Fighters series I have only played Raiden Fighters for a good amount at my local, tiny-ass, arcade. Great game, it really does a good job of being a modern super-technical shooter that doesn't just rely on endless bullet-mazes. I have also had a little time with JET. I really liked the different progression of stages based on performance. The crazy medaling system really put the action over the top and the detailed graphics seem very unique compared to most Raizing and Cave shooters from the late 90's.

I am wondering what some of you guys think is the best game in the series is? How does RF2 compare to JET? One of the Raiden Fighters games will be my next PCB purchase, unless I find Capcom's Alien Versus Predator for a good price...

Twiddle · Post by **Twiddle** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:23 am

RF2 I haven't played properly yet, but RF is fairer to those who don't choose special ships.

RFJ would be the best if all of the ships were viable to clear to Phase 2 with, which sadly isn't the case.

I'd say get the original RF, and make sure it's a 2 loop version (Dream Island, Metrotainment, Fabtek). The second loop is a blast and gives bosses some extra patterns and tweaks some existing ones. (And no, it doesn't have suicide bullets, but it clamps the difficulty to Very Hard at max rank.)

scrilla4rella · Post by **scrilla4rella** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:23 am

yeah the ship selection in RFJ is ridiculous. When you stare at a ship selection screen that big you gotta wonder about balancing issues...

"Dream Island, Metrotainment, Fabtek"

does the board have these companies<?> written on it? Good to know that some versions dont have the 2nd loop.

sven666 · Post by **sven666** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:34 am

RF2 is the best, no question.. tho neither is bad

jet is bloody brilliant and pt:1 is pretty damn god too.

rf2>avp>jet>1

thats how id rank/buy the games you mentioned

Twiddle · Post by **Twiddle** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:36 am

scrilla4rella wrote:yeah the ship selection in RFJ is ridiculous. When you stare at a ship selection screen that big you gotta wonder about balancing issues...

"Dream Island, Metrotainment, Fabtek"

does the board have these companies<?> written on it? Good to know that some versions dont have the 2nd loop.

Not that I know of, but the flyers, if present, usually have the distributor names on them, as well as the splash screen.

Bishamon · Post by **Bishamon** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:39 pm

Hmmm. That's a tough one, but I think I'd have to go with Jet.

My '2000' revision PCB of Jet has ceased to function for some reason, but luckily my SPI version still works just fine.

Limbrooke · Post by **Limbrooke** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:56 pm

I haven't put much time into Jet so currently I'll say Raiden Fighters.
Really nice change of pace for Seibu when it came out and whenever I spotted one in a movie theatre or the rare arcade I had to play. Lots of fun. It's also nice to pick the bonus ships, specifically the Raiden MkII.

I think I saw RF2 once but had no change at the time and the next time I came back it was gone. Until emulation comes through (if not already) it's probably going to be a while before I play that one.

Mills · Post by **Mills** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 11:22 pm

Raiden Fighters & Raiden Fighters2 for me were the best shooters. Raiden Fighters jet was a waste of space. cant speak for Raiden Fighters Revolutions as ive never seen it in action.

JBC · Post by **JBC** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 11:30 pm

Viper Phase 1

...

Vexorg · Post by **Vexorg** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 11:35 pm

I've got both 1 and 2 in my collection (still haven't found a copy of Jet) and between them I think 2 is a bit more refined and a bit tougher, but I still think 1 is a bit more enjoyable overall (I haven't played either in a while though, Raiden DX is currently in my cabinet.)

scrilla4rella · Post by **scrilla4rella** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 3:30 am

alright, what is the deal with Viper Phase 1. All I know is that it is a Seibu Kaihatsu game. Damn, I guess I never realized that the makers of Raiden ever made anything other than Raiden 2. Talk about pigeon-holed-

Twiddle · Post by **Twiddle** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 3:32 am

Viper Phase 1 is a more sadistic Raiden.

CHI · Post by **CHI** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 8:42 am

from my experience i only took RFJET seriously (cheers Mills) ie: ship selections and medalling.....
but after that i started playing RF2: operation helldive which is pretty good, plays more or less the same, graphics on this are much better than the JET though.....

and i still dont know how to activate the gold medals.....

sorry not much help here, im not really a 'raiden' fan, but the 2games are recommended.....

scrilla4rella · Post by **scrilla4rella** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 6:42 pm

after hearing the feedback, I think I'm gonna go with RF2, if I can find it. It seems to be the most rare if the series. After hitting up every single arcade that I have come across in my travels I have never once seen RF2. I guess I am most atrracted to RF2 because its the one I have not been able to play it.