Help out a fellow (wanna be) shmuper!

cdawg4949 · Post by **cdawg4949** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 2:31 am

So after getting married and finally settling down a bit, I decided to pull out my shmups again and dig in! Basically, I have been looking into getting some of the new jap import shmups for my US PS2

1) I don't see NCS mentioned often here. Are they a pretty good source?

2) I have the small ps2 with the pop top. I would rather not mod it. Can I even Mod the new ones? Anways, I want some opinions on how the pop top disc switch mods work out...and which one to get.

3) What games!!!! I am excited about the new Taito's Best line, as I am a fairly thrifty gamer. Looking at Homura, Mushimiesama, GigaWing Generations, Twinkle Star Princess. Any other good ones?

I am pretty much stocked on all but the newest DC games.
Thank you all for any help.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 2:58 am

Welcome to the forums.

I'll let someone else answer your first two questions, but...

cdawg4949 wrote:3) What games!!!! I am excited about the new Taito's Best line, as I am a fairly thrifty gamer. Looking at Homura, Mushimiesama, GigaWing Generations, Twinkle Star Princess. Any other good ones?

I own all four of those, and I'd say that they're all worth the 30-35 bucks you'll pay for 'em new. TSS: Petite Princesse is a console exclusive, Homura got a good port, Mushi got an okay port and GWG got a poor port, but the quality of the games themselves, imo, is good enough to warrant a purchase for even the latter bunch. Of course, none of them ever made it to the US (though Homura and GWG, IIRC, did make it to Europe), so make sure to sort out your method of playing imports if you buy 'em.

As for other games that have gotten re-releases, I think that at least two or three of the 2-game Psikyo Collections got "Best" releases, so you might want to look into those...there are probably a couple of other re-releases I'm forgetting.

Arvandor · Post by **Arvandor** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 3:20 am

I still can't help with your first question =/

2: Depends on your model of slim. I forget the model numbers, but the easiest way to tell, is to open up the lid, and look at where the hinge to the lid goes into the system on the left. Is there a metal piece blocking the hinge-hole, or could you stick a chopstick or something small down there? If there is no metal piece, you can easily stick some magic keys in there, get a magic swap disc, and have at it, easy as pie. If there IS a metal piece there, magic keys (or a custom mod, but the keys are so much easier) are still the easiest way to go, but you have to open up the system to get that third sensor blocked off.

3: The first two volumes of the Psikyo Shooter Collections got budget releases (Strikers 1945 1 & 2 for one, and Sengoku Ace and Sengoku Blade [aka Tengai] for the second). The third one (Sol Divide and Dragon Blaze) unfortunately did not. Mushihimesama is a very cool Cave game, not my favorite, but... It's Cave ^_^ Homura looks pretty alright, but I haven't actually played it yet, and the port of Giga Wing Generations is awful beyond belief. The 30fps frame rate is just... nasty...

incognoscente · Post by **incognoscente** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:40 am

If NCS = National Console Support ( www.ncsx.com ), then yes, they are a good source. I've ordered from them several times and was never disappointed.

They don't offer coupon codes, affiliate programs, or anything like that which is part of why you don't see them mentioned as often as Play-Asia.

eretsua · Post by **eretsua** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:26 am

incognoscente wrote:If NCS = National Console Support ( www.ncsx.com ), then yes, they are a good source. I've ordered from them several times and was never disappointed.

They don't offer coupon codes, affiliate programs, or anything like that which is part of why you don't see them mentioned as often as Play-Asia.

QFT

very helpful people and friendly people. i placed a bunch of orders and all was fast & smooth. the only things is that you have to ask them how the shipping will be to europe as their onsite shipping calculator is for the US only. then again if you're in the US that's not an issue.

~eretsua.

Monk 0 Nuggets · Post by **Monk 0 Nuggets** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 12:27 pm

Thanks for all of the good info guys! I'm snooping around for the stuff to mod my PS2. I wasn't too keen on the idea of modding it, but I really want to play these supposed Cave masterpieces.

Just to be sure. All I need to play imports is:
http://www.estarland.com/Playstation2.c ... 22064.html
and
http://www.estarland.com/Playstation2.p ... 20766.html

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 1:15 pm

I'd get a mod-chip instead. It's roughly the same price and is much more comfortable. You should also note that for several PS1 imports CD audio doesn't work correctly with Swap Magic.

Monk 0 Nuggets · Post by **Monk 0 Nuggets** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 1:20 pm

Due to the fact that I have no idea how to install one and I also live in a small town and don't know of anyplace that would install it for me, I don't really have that many choices. Unless someone has some really good instructions on how to do it.

sven666 · Post by **sven666** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 1:51 pm

if you mean NCS/masaya (assault suits for instance, many greats, especially for pcengine!) then yeah,their glory days are long gone (if they even exist any more?)

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:11 pm

Ceph wrote:I'd get a mod-chip instead. It's roughly the same price and is much more comfortable. You should also note that for several PS1 imports CD audio doesn't work correctly with Swap Magic.

Swap Magic only works for PS2, so what he'll need for PS1 games is a Breaker Pro, or an exploit disc with Cogswap. *winks*

Monk 0 Nuggets · Post by **Monk 0 Nuggets** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 12:06 am

Although I would love to get my hands on some of those PSX gems, I really don't have the cash right now, so it looks like I'll probably just get the magic swap discs for now. If I end up with more cash than I had planned on I might change my mind.

freddiebamboo · Post by **freddiebamboo** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 12:40 am

cdawg4949 wrote: 3) What games!!!! I am excited about the new Taito's Best line, as I am a fairly thrifty gamer. Looking at Homura, Mushimiesama, GigaWing Generations, Twinkle Star Princess. Any other good ones?

Those are good games (although Giga Wing is a poor port for it's graphics and to a lesser extent Mushi) but I'd reckon ESPGaluda is the weapon of choice if I was starting out in the PS2 scene. It isn't intimidating for beginners and looks arcade perfect AND comes with a lovely superplay DVD of two awesome replays.

I don't know much about modding and swap disks, but a quick search in the hardware section should tell you a fair bit. If you can afford to import a JP PS2 (or buy in the trading section) I'd say thats the best option.

Gakidou · Post by **Gakidou** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 12:56 am

Yeah, Espgaluda is really good. So is Dodonpachi Dai Ou Jou and Ibara. I would advice you to buy all the Cave releases, since they're all more or less great games. Espgaluda and DDP are supposed to be almost arcade perfect, Mushihimesama and Ibara are not as good ports but still nowhere near unplayable.

cdawg4949 · Post by **cdawg4949** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 2:20 am

But ibara and ESPgaluda are not in the bargain bin as the other ones are. It looks like I will steer clear of Giga Wing generations for now as that one gets the worst response.(At least for the PS2 port) What makes it bad, just the framerate? Mushi and Homura it is then, Great. As for NCS. I was refering to National Console Support.

http://www.ncsx.com/

I like that he is in the US so that means quicker. And I want to support him in his importing business.

Thanks for all of the help so far.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 2:32 am

cdawg4949 wrote:It looks like I will steer clear of Giga Wing generations for now as that one gets the worst response.(At least for the PS2 port) What makes it bad, just the framerate?

The cut frame rate is one big thing, the lack of a full-screen vertical view mode is another. There's also a sizeable amount of load time, but that's nowhere near as critical as the aforementioned stuff. It's really unfortunate, as the game itself is quite good imo, and the omissions are long-standard shmup stuff that easily could, and should, have been included.

cdawg4949 · Post by **cdawg4949** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 6:09 am

How about Double Shienryu? Is that worth a gander. I already have the US PS1 Gekioh Shooting king.

NTSC-J · Post by **NTSC-J** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 6:45 am

No, Double Shienryu is junk and should be avoided.

Giga Wing Generations on the other hand gets way more shit than it deserves. Yea it isn't the best port, but it's a great game and well worth the price. I think it's the best non-Cave shooter on the system and is easily the most underrated.

Post by **Ghegs** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 4:22 pm

NTSC-J wrote:No, Double Shienryu is junk and should be avoided.

Lies, it's a nice lil' package. Possibly the best version of Shienryu available (doesn't save scores, though) and the sequel is decent enough, albeit extremely easy even on the hardest difficulty setting.

Arvandor · Post by **Arvandor** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:40 am

cdawg4949 wrote:But ibara and ESPgaluda are not in the bargain bin as the other ones are.

If it were between getting any two budget releases, or getting ESPGALUDA, I'd honestly HIGHLY suggest going for ESPGALUDA. It's just that good, and insanely accessable, being Cave's easiest shooter. And while being Cave's easiest shooter, it's still not TOO easy, and going for score makes it quite difficult. Very great game.

cdawg4949 · Post by **cdawg4949** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:13 am

Well, I am secretely hoping that a Taito's best version of ESPGaluda comes out. Or something comprable. I honestly want a console version of Dangun Feveron. I love that game. Doesn't seem to get much love here though.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:15 am

cdawg4949 wrote:Well, I am secretely hoping that a Taito's best version of ESPGaluda comes out. Or something comprable.

I honestly want a console version of Dangun Feveron.

Seeing as Galuda was ported by a company (Arika) which no longer works with Cave, and Feveron was released close to a decade ago, the chances of either of these things ever happening is slim to none.

Monk 0 Nuggets · Post by **Monk 0 Nuggets** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 3:40 am

I'd actually rather pay a higher price for the non-best version, but that is just because I can't stand not to have original releases of games. In the next month I'm definitely picking up ESPGaluda and DoDonPachi ------ for PS2.

bVork · Post by **bVork** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 4:12 am

Monk 0 Nuggets wrote:I'd actually rather pay a higher price for the non-best version, but that is just because I can't stand not to have original releases of games.

I've never understood this aspect of collecting? Why bother? It's the same frickin' game!

Monk 0 Nuggets wrote:DoDonPachi ------ for PS2.

Good luck finding a nonexistent game. I presume you either mean DDP:DOJ for PS2 or DDP for PSX.

Monk 0 Nuggets · Post by **Monk 0 Nuggets** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 4:51 am

bVork wrote:Good luck finding a nonexistent game. I presume you either mean DDP:DOJ for PS2 or DDP for PSX.

Thats why I put the dashes. I couldn't remember the last part of it.

cdawg4949 · Post by **cdawg4949** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:14 am

I would rather pay less for the same game new, as it also gives money to the developer and distributer and shows our thirst for more shmups, than buying the origional used for more.

Monk 0 Nuggets · Post by **Monk 0 Nuggets** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:21 am

I'm buying them both from Play-Asia brand spankin' new and I'm stoked about!

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