Shmups Suggestions?

[Circa2113]

I curretly own 3 pcbs, and I'm getting to the point where I'm ready to move on to some new games. I already have:

ESPrade (LOVE it)
Feveron (good, although I don't think it is all it's made out to be)
Raiden Fighters 1 (very good, first shmup I ever made it to the 2nd loop in!).

I should have ~350 USD to spend the first day of April and since I can't decide on what to buy, I figured I'd ask the experts. I'm mostly interested in arcade stuff, but I would consider console games also.

So far, I've considered picking up a cave title like ibara, ddp, ESPgaluda, guwange etc. As much as I love cave though, I wouldn't want to limit myself. Games like batrider, brave blade, battle garrega, mars matrix and many others also interest me. I'm really just looking to get the most value for my money...I could probably manage to get 2 (or possibly even more) rock-solid pcbs for $350, no?

Opinions are greatly appreciated...

[cigsthecat]

Ibara or Batrider, that's it.


(ps Ibara is Raizing)

[shoe-sama]

For more fastpaced learning/memorization based gameplay, you can try some of the Psikyo games.

[Circa2113]

(ps Ibara is Raizing)

Really? I know a lot of people mention it has a very "Raizing feel", but I thought it was still a cave game?

[Circa2113]

For more fastpaced learning/memorization based gameplay, you can try some of the Psikyo games.

I own gunbird 2 and strikers 1945.

I can't play either for shit.

[shoe-sama]

For surprise patterns that have little or no warning (basically requires some memorization), Donpachi, Giga Wing, or Mars Matrix could work.

[Rob]

I can't imagine the Mars Matrix PCB turning anyone into a serious fan of the game, but better than nothing. Maybe you'll be one of the people who thinks the 1 button setup was a good idea?

[CIT]

Ibara is most certainly a Cave game. Although with Raizing-esque gameplay mechanics, since it was developed by Shinobu Yagawa who was also the mastermind behind Battle Garegga, Batrider, etc.

Anyway, how about Batrider? It's not that expensive, more accesible than Ibara and has lots of replay value, with 3 different gameplay modes. Also, it would be a nice contrast to you other games.

If you want something more oldschool and straight forward how about a Toaplan game? Dogyuun, Outzone and V-V are all great, and not properly emulated so the PCB is the only way to enjoy them.

[Circa2113]

Ibara is most certainly a Cave game. Although with Raizing-esque gameplay mechanics, since it was developed by Shinobu Yagawa who was also the mastermind behind Battle Garegga, Batrider, etc.

Anyway, how about Batrider? It's not that expensive, more accesible than Ibara and has lots of replay value, with 3 different gameplay modes.

If you want something more oldschool and straight forward how about a Toaplan game? Dogyuun, Outzone and V-V are all great, and not properly emulated so the PCB is the only way to enjoy them.

Batrider is a strong possibility and I think it usually sells around $100 or so I'd have cash left over.

As for toaplan, I really like batsugun (have it on saturn), Dogyuun, and the truxton games. Are those PCBs reasonably priced?

[Circa2113]

I can't imagine the Mars Matrix PCB turning anyone into a serious fan of the game, but better than nothing. Maybe you'll be one of the people who thinks the 1 button setup was a good idea?

Nope, I think the DC version will suffice.

[iatneH]

I think Dogyuun comes up for sale here every few months for $90 or so.

OutZone is superb. I sold mine a while back for $90, and bought it again for $110 or so (I think)... the more normal price is around $150 now, but highly worth it. One of my favourites.

Both of these games get even better in 2-player mode.

[BulletMagnet]

For something a little more unusual/obscure, I recommend Vasara and Vasara 2...I love both, though I recommend trying them out in MAME or the like before buying them, as the gameplay's not for everyone.

[Circa2113]

For something a little more unusual/obscure, I recommend Vasara and Vasara 2...I love both, though I recommend trying them out in MAME or the like before buying them, as the gameplay's not for everyone.

I've played both, and really they just seem....decent.

Nothing really makes me want to go out and get them but they still seem like quality games.

[Circa2113]

I think Dogyuun comes up for sale here every few months for $90 or so.

OutZone is superb. I sold mine a while back for $90, and bought it again for $110 or so (I think)... the more normal price is around $150 now, but highly worth it. One of my favourites.

Both of these games get even better in 2-player mode.

Hmm, I need to check out outzone, thanks for the tip.

I could see myself paying $90 for dogyuun, I really enjoy it.

[subcons]

I don't buy shooter PCBs, but if I were going to, I'd at least stick with the top titles that don't have ports at all.

I'd personaly go for Guwange myself. That's just one of the most beautiful works of shooter art ever IMO. I've always said that if I were to get a vert cab this would be the first PCB I'd track down.

[Circa2113]

I'd personaly go for Guwange myself. That's just one of the most beautiful works of shooter art ever IMO. I've always said that if I were to get a vert cab this would be the first PCB I'd track down.

Guwange is great, but the price has gone up a little more than I'm willing to pay.




I've been offered an STV package with radiant and soukyugurentai. Should I go for it? What does everyone think a fair price would be for the lot?

[sven666]

Batrider and raiden fighters 2

youll absoluteley love both of em.

ed: if youre lucky you might be able to sqeeze outzone into that package for $350.. if you do youll have the best of raizing, seibu AND toaplan in one go.. not bad at all..

[BulletMagnet]

I've been offered an STV package with radiant and soukyugurentai. Should I go for it?

Personally I'd follow subcons' advice to buy arcade-exclusive stuff, especially considering that Souky and RSG both got very good home ports on the Saturn, which include extra stuff (Saturn mode in RSG, stage attack mode in Souky, etc.).

[Circa2113]

I've been offered an STV package with radiant and soukyugurentai. Should I go for it?

Personally I'd follow subcons' advice to buy arcade-exclusive stuff, especially considering that Souky and RSG both got very good home ports on the Saturn, which include extra stuff (Saturn mode in RSG, stage attack mode in Souky, etc.).

True, but laying down so much cash to have dual egret II's in the basement loses some value when I buy the console versions.

To sven, that would be an amazing package if I could squeeze all three of those into $350.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

For Circa2113,

You might want to check out the classic Seibu Kaihatsu's Raiden PCB, Raiden II PCB, or the Raiden DX PCB -- all are very excellent arcade shmup PCB choices that won't break your limited budget. ^_~

Try to find a Raiden II or Raiden DX PCB with a built-in "back-up" battery (to save your high scores for posterity), you won't regret doing so going that route. Although most arcade game PCBs don't save such high scores upon being powered down for the night, some are the exception such as the previously mentioned Raiden II & Raiden DX PCBs themselves. ^_~

A Japanese Bios region Sega ST-V Titan motherboard with both ST-V cartridges of Radiant Silvergun and Soukygurentai for $400.00 USD is considered a reasonable deal IMO. (Just a single ST-V cart of RSG can fetch upwards of $200-250 USD easily due to not as many being produced for the arcade game market in general -- hence the solid price it commands on the secondary arcade gaming collector's market...) ^_~

And by getting a Japanese Bios ST-V PCB, it allows one to have the much desired "three-button" arcade setup that is required for such an ST-V cart of RSG. By using a USA Bios ST-V PCB, then you'd end up with a "two-button" setup if such ST-V cart of RSG is booted up..... ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[HeLGeN-X]

Mars Matrix PCB would be a good buy, Ibara.... eh, Ibara is decent, but I don't like it much. Giga Wing is somewhat easy, but it's somehow very fun, and I've been playing it a lot since it came out. How much is Mushihimesama? That game makes me thirst for it, I dunno, and DDP should always be in every collection.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

For HeLGen-X,

And just how often does a lone Cave Dodonpachi PCB appear for sale in the wild? Rarely, if ever IIRC. ^_~

Of course, there's always eBay and Yahoo Japan auctions to source for the elusive DDP PCB -- good luck on finding one! ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Circa2113]

For Circa2113,

You might want to check out the classic Seibu Kaihatsu's Raiden PCB, Raiden II, or the Raiden DX PCB -- all are very arcade shmup PCB choices that won't break your limited budget. ^_~

Try to find a Raiden II or Raiden DX PCB with a built-in "back-up" battery (to save your high scores for posterity), you won't regret doing so going that route. Although most games don't save such high scores upon being powered down for the night. ^_~

A Japanese Bios region Sega ST-V Titan motherboard with both ST-V cartridges of Radiant Silvergun and Soukygurentai for $400.00 USD is considered a reasonable deal IMO. (Just a single ST-V cart of RSG can fetch upwards of $200-250 USD easily due to not as many being produced for the arcade game market in general -- hence the solid price it commands on the secondary arcade gaming collector's market...) ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

I think I saw a Raiden 1 go for about $50 a month or two ago. Should have snagged it.




To the seller, don't worry, I re-hosted those images.



I think this should hold me over for a long while, but there have been some excellent reccomendations in this thread so far. I think my next purchase will be one of these:

Batrider, DDP, Ibara, Outzone or Dogyuun.

Necroedit---Image Grab

[Circa2113]

Mars Matrix PCB would be a good buy, Ibara.... eh, Ibara is decent, but I don't like it much. Giga Wing is somewhat easy, but it's somehow very fun, and I've been playing it a lot since it came out. How much is Mushihimesama? That game makes me thirst for it, I dunno, and DDP should always be in every collection.

Mars matrix is cheaper than I had thought. Coinop has one for $80 for an A+B board set.

Mushi is way out of my price range. Even a bare PCB is listed at $544 (I think) at excellentcom.

[Circa2113]

For HeLGen-X,

And just how often does a lone Cave Dodonpachi PCB appear for sale in the wild? Rarely, if ever IIRC. ^_~

Of course, there's always eBay and Yahoo Japan auctions to source for the elusive DDP PCB -- good luck on finding one! ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Fujita has them at 20,000 yen at the moment and excellent at 188 USD. I don't think they are really all that hard to find...


EDIT: BTW, anyone have an estimate on what shipping costs usually are from those 2 to the US?

[LUNardei]

You know what I'm going to say. Easy +1 with Mushi

[EOJ]

Fujita has them at 20,000 yen at the moment and excellent at 188 USD. I don't think they are really all that hard to find...

Yeah, DDP is pretty damn easy to find from any major PCB seller, and for not too much money either. I'm not sure what PC-engine fan X is talking about.

Mushi bare PCBs are dropping in price, they are now about $450 from Fujita. Any real fan of the game needs to dump the crap PS2 port and play the game the way it's meant to be played.

[LUNardei]

Mushi bare PCBs are dropping in price, they are now about $450 from Fujita. Any real fan of the game needs to dump the crap PS2 port and play the game the way it's meant to be played.

Of course I'd like to buy the pcb someday, I hope as soon as possible. But if you can stand the graphic of the port, the rest is not that bad. I mean, you can use autofire hacks, that's the key. I agree that the slowdown issues are crap, but still we're not talking about two different games.

[Circa2113]

Fujita has them at 20,000 yen at the moment and excellent at 188 USD. I don't think they are really all that hard to find...

Yeah, DDP is pretty damn easy to find from any major PCB seller, and for not too much money either. I'm not sure what PC-engine fan X is talking about.

Mushi bare PCBs are dropping in price, they are now about $450 from Fujita. Any real fan of the game needs to dump the crap PS2 port and play the game the way it's meant to be played.

If mushi were to ever drop into the $300 range, I'd pick it up. $350 is about the highest I'd ever go on a single title. (although I used to say $150 was the highest I'd go )

[EOJ]

Of course I'd like to buy the pcb someday, I hope as soon as possible. But if you can stand the graphic of the port, the rest is not that bad. I mean, you can use autofire hacks, that's the key. I agree that the slowdown issues are crap, but still we're not talking about two different games.

Yeah, I don't mind the graphic problems as much as the gameplay problems. The difference in slowdown really makes it a different playing field. Ultra mode runs faster on the PCB as well, so I'd think that particularly in your case you'd want to play the same speed as those Japanese scores you compare yourself to.

Yeah, the port has autofire settings. That's good if you're into that (and I was for awhile), but personally I never want to play with autofire again. I find it far less satisfying than playing the game on its default setup. But that's just my personal opinion.

Back on topic: get the Ibara PCB. It's pretty cheap these days and it's a killer game. I've just gotten back into it, and I'm loving it. Way better than Ibara Black Label.