How do PSX & PS2 vers. of G-Darius compare to PCB ver.?

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 2:11 am

My shmup related question of the day is this:

How does the Taito PSX port of G-Darius (and the later release Taito Legends 2 release with G-Darius included) fare to the original Japanese 1997 arcade PCB version of the same name?

I read here on the shmups forum in the past that the PSX ver. of G-Darius could've run the ending cutscenes graphics along with the ending credits in 'real time' and had to resort to those crappy looking FMV clips. I'm surprised that Taito managed to cram all those "low-quality" looking FMV clips + the entire G-Darius gaming engine on to just one PSX CD-Rom disc is an impressive feat unto itself at the expense of "slow-down" in certain areas of each stage... ^_~

Of course, the original arcade hardware of G-Darius is running on ZN-1 (or is it ZN-2 based hardware), right? This arcade PCB would have to be regarded as the "definitive" version to own/play then.....

So that would explain such a PSX release then -- but the benefits of the arcade PCB would be 60 frames per second framerate and no crappy FMV scenes to deal with -- on the other hand, Taito whipped up a brand new FMV opening intro for the PSX version (ever notice that the same PSX G-Darius FMV opening cutscene runs faster on the PS2 powered Taito Legends 2 version)... ^_~

I do recall that there was a PSX G-Darius strategy guide in one issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly back in 1998 and has a bunch of cool stuff for all the different stages should one decide to forage their own path to an eventual ending -- I still have it to this day... ^_~

Taito did produce a limited version of G-Darius Contest Version PCB (where only a certain number of stages were played with the player aiming for the highest score) -- it did fetch a very pretty penny several years ago on the eBay site being sold from a USA eBay seller... ^_~

So yes, there are two different versions of JPN G-Darius PCBs in existence today..... ^_~
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Mortificator · Post by **Mortificator** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 1:57 pm

Comparing the PS1 version to the arcade version in Zinc (which can't emulate G. Darius's music BTW), the arcade version had slightly better graphics, which is to be expected. The visual difference isn't as noticable as some other arcade games that used PS1-derived hardware, like Ehrgeiz. It also lets you skip the first couple of stages. And you've already noted the FMV differences.

But I think the PS1 version's worthwhile. It has an "easy mode" that isn't necessarily easier (you can adjust the difficulty settings the same as arcade mode), but is a little better balanced now that Taito's not trying to suck quarters from you. For example, your firepower doesn't drop if you lose a life (though it does drop if you use a credit). The PS1 version also has a fully-editable boss rush mode where you can choose which bosses are included. And it has some other little touches, like built-in controller customization and autofire, a cool new FMV opening, an FMV viewer, and rumble support.

AVT · Post by **AVT** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 4:04 pm

Do not ever touch the PS1 version. Its horrible. Slowdowns will kill you. Actually, it looks better than PS2 version when using "texture smoothing", but slowdowns...

Post by **system11** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 9:25 am

The arcade PCB slows down like a bitch too, which isn't very surprising given that it's just a PSX on a board. The later revision (there are two) is supposed to have slightly less slowdown - I have that one and it's still dreadful, although it doesn't feel /quite/ as bad as the ports.

MJR · Post by **MJR** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 9:48 am

edit: [Euggh, I'm a moron, I mixed up G Darius and Darius gaiden - again]

thanks for the link, though

P_HAT · Post by **P_HAT** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:02 am

just try Zin'c =)

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 1:43 am

bloodflowers wrote:The arcade PCB slows down like a bitch too, which isn't very surprising given that it's just a PSX on a board. The later revision (there are two) is supposed to have slightly less slowdown - I have that one and it's still dreadful, although it doesn't feel /quite/ as bad as the ports.

ports? plural? Edit: The PS2 version is lacking the slowdown of the PSX version. It may be faster than the arcade original.

dpful · Post by **dpful** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 2:07 am

I think the psx version pauses a bit longer between stages, right before you blast off to the next stage.