Is the PS2 port of Ibara even worth it?

[Milkgoat]

I always hear about how blurry it is and how bad of a port it is. Is the game unplayable, or are these just minor inconveniences?

[elfhentaifan]

the ps2 version is a venerable port, refering to Ibara.
It was done very well and there are almost no differences, between pcb and ps2 arcade mode (just something like the girls pants are smaller in pcb...etc)

The big plus goes to the ps2 version this time, because of the Arrange mode, which actually BELONGS to a Cave shmup.

I already played Ibara, also once had it and want to have it again too.
I am going to buy the ps2 version of the game, it is highly recommended, so no hesitation

[Kiken]

the ps2 version is a venerable port, refering to Ibara.
It was done very well and there are almost no differences, between pcb and ps2 arcade mode (just something like the girls pants are smaller in pcb...etc)

You forgot the changing of several enemy placements and the removal of a lot of slowdown (especially in stage 3). I'm sure some of the others can fill in the rest.

The PS2 visuals are tolerable in tate... but don't even think about playing this in yoko.

[EOJ]

It was done very well and there are almost no differences, between pcb and ps2 arcade mode (just something like the girls pants are smaller in pcb...etc)

Quite far from reality. The Ibara port is horrendous: all the slowdown was removed (which drastically changes many parts of the game), some enemy placements were changed, the overall speed of the game is slightly different, the load times are excessive, the graphics are blurred and ugly, and yes, they censored the boss pictures as well.

It all adds up to a game that plays so different from the PCB as to not even be comparable in terms of a scoring competition. The Ibara PCB never ceases to amaze people who have only played the PS2 version-- it's like night and day. And the fact you can get an Ibara PCB for $170 (roughly the price of a RSG) is great. It's one of the cheapest Cave shooters out there.

[Milkgoat]

I think I'll get the PS2 version now then, and once I get a job and a steady income, I'll get into PCB buying and eventually get the pcb of this. Thanks everyone.

[Pirate1019]

Sell the PS2 version to me on the cheap when you get the PCB.

I'm not getting a cab or supergun anytime soon, so w00t for blurry pink shit.

[Zebra Airforce]

If you want you can change the bullet color to blurry grey shit. Looks rad.

[iatneH]

I have not played the PCB for comparison, I only own the PS2 port. Definitely one to play in tate, but as for the other gameplay differences, it's good enough for someone such as myself who is not playing at world-class competitive levels.

[MA7]

I've not played the pcb, but the game you get on PS2 is a reet good blast.

Lots of people talk about the differences between the two, but I'd go
ps2 ibara>>>>>not playing ibara
how much do you care you're not playing the 'true' version, i guess?

[Gakidou]

It's an okay port. Sure there are differences between the two versions, but IMO it's an exageration to call them different games or even call the port horrible. These are the differences I can think of right now:

1. Long load times between levels on the PS2 version. This really gets annoying after a while.
2. PCB has a lot of slowdown in places, while the PS2 version almost hasn't got any slowdown. This is especially apparent on level 3, which is much easier on the PCB due to the extreme ammount of slowdown present.
3. Two animations are simplified on the PS2 version: the wheels of the second boss (which animate separately on the PCB) and the trains in the third stage.
4. The large tanks in the beginning of the fifth stage come in a few seconds later in the PS2 version.
5. Some strange bugs, probably related to if your console's laser is worn out, are present in the PS2 version. For me one of the trains in the third stage wouldn't load, and also I've noticed there are a lot less popcorn enemies in the beginning of some of the stages (stage 1 and 5 come to mind).
6. And of course the most important difference of them all:



I also think there are more, a lot more subtle, changes to game that makes playing the PCB feel a bit different than the PS2 version. I think the speed of the ships might be slightly altered, and also suspect the movement of some of the bosses may be a bit different.

Despite the differences the port is a good alternative. I would recommend trying the PS2 version and then, if you fall in love with the game (not many do), upgrade to the PCB.

[CMoon]

6. And of course the most important difference of them all:

Yeah, but we all know the ps2 hasn't got enough vram to display all that skin!

[Sonic R]

…it's good enough for someone such as myself who is not playing at world-class competitive levels.

Lots of people talk about the differences between the two, but I'd go
ps2 ibara>>>>>not playing ibara
how much do you care you're not playing the 'true' version, i guess?

I am share similar feelings with these fellows. I am not PCB player I'm just a peice of shit console dude

I think Ibara is a fine game, its tough (for me ) but for me it is feel like a marrige of Cave and Raizing style game play with more style toward Raizing.

I am not high brow enough to ever experience PCB and I thank Taito for their effort to even attempt to bring Ibara to my living room. Thank You. You are appreciated.

[EOJ]

I am not high brow enough to ever experience PCB and I thank Taito for their effort to even attempt to bring Ibara to my living room. Thank You. You are appreciated.

You can thank Taito for slapping their name on the package and publishing it, but it was ported by Cave.

[auryn]

If you're a low-res scanline purist, you should probably get the PCB. If you're a casual player, then the PS2 port is fine. It's the ps2 shooter I play most, and I find it visually excellent.

[Kaiser]

6. And of course the most important difference of them all:

Yeah, but we all know the ps2 hasn't got enough vram to display all that skin!

Yeah, it has not enough ram to display uncensored version of first boss pic (look at her bottom from PCB and compare it to PS2)

[elfhentaifan]

the ps2 version is a venerable port, refering to Ibara.
It was done very well and there are almost no differences, between pcb and ps2 arcade mode (just something like the girls pants are smaller in pcb...etc)

You forgot the changing of several enemy placements and the removal of a lot of slowdown (especially in stage 3). I'm sure some of the others can fill in the rest.

The PS2 visuals are tolerable in tate... but don't even think about playing this in yoko.

i played both versions and for me the ps2 port was okay, but i admit i dont know every detail of this game.
the only thing that really annoys me is the fact, that every ps2 CAVE shmup has MUCH less slowdowns then it´s pcb original.

And right this makes me thinking to buy a mushi pcb, although i already have the ps2 taito version.

Plus, the pcb games are running much softer (slowdowns, anymations), it looks just better, so i prefer the original too.
Just Ibara made no big difference for me in that case, but as i mentioned i dont know about this one so much details then in mushi or doj

edit: I ALWAYS PLAY YOKO, HELLLLLLLL

[Icarus]

To be honest, the load times for Ibara are virtually the same length as those for Garegga on Saturn, so for me it's not a problem, as I'm accustomed to the waiting period. The screen filtering I can live with. (I can't even tell if it's there or not anyway.)

The only thing that bothers me about the PS2 port is the changing of enemy positions that affects scoring in some stages, and the lack of slowdown in key sections. That and the lack of software autofire - I would have killed for the ability to set up rapidfire buttons a-la Garegga, and not have to rely on the standard fire rate or mashing the button to build up the firing rate.

[Sonic R]

I am not high brow enough to ever experience PCB and I thank Taito for their effort to even attempt to bring Ibara to my living room. Thank You. You are appreciated.

You can thank Taito for slapping their name on the package and publishing it, but it was ported by Cave.

Then I am thank Taito for putting their name on it and I am express my thank yous to Cave for taking time to allow a console playing peice of shit like me to play their game(s)

[Limbrooke]

To be honest, the load times for Ibara are virtually the same length as those for Garegga on Saturn, so for me it's not a problem, as I'm accustomed to the waiting period. The screen filtering I can live with. (I can't even tell if it's there or not anyway.)

The only thing that bothers me about the PS2 port is the changing of enemy positions that affects scoring in some stages, and the lack of slowdown in key sections.

And here I thought we'd never agree on anything. I have no problems at all with the per level loading in Garegga or Ibara. I do wish I had the ability to TATE, as that would make the visuals a bit easier to read. Rather than saying '(dies) Alright, what the shit just happened?!'.
Unlike yourself I know very little about the PCB/Arcade game so until things get a bit more serious I'm pretty content with the PS2 port.

That and the lack of software autofire - I would have killed for the ability to set up rapidfire buttons a-la Garegga, and not have to rely on the standard fire rate or mashing the button to build up the firing rate.

Good thing you own a Real Arcade Pro. Although having not used it's auto-fire setting in Ibara personally, I don't know if the rate is too fast or not fast enough. It's too bad it doesn't have the a rate bar to change the speed of auto-fire not like the Sega Saturn Virtua Stick (import).

[freddiebamboo]

All the negetive comments on the port are really just minor flaws.

It's an awesome game and plays brilliantly, well worth the money IMO.

[Icarus]

Good thing you own a Real Arcade Pro. Although having not used it's auto-fire setting in Ibara personally, I don't know if the rate is too fast or not fast enough. It's too bad it doesn't have the a rate bar to change the speed of auto-fire not like the Sega Saturn Virtua Stick (import).

The RAP's autofire rate is actually pretty good, it speeds up the firing rate to something similar to the "hold fire button down " rate in Arrange Mode. There is the obvious negative side-effect of using this firing rate, however, which has to be considered.

[RGC]

.

[GaijinPunch]

All the negetive comments on the port are really just minor flaws.

Only if you've never played the PCB.

[freddiebamboo]

All the negetive comments on the port are really just minor flaws.

Only if you've never played the PCB.

Maybe true, I've not played the PCB, but ignorance is bliss

[Daigohji]

If you're not a PCB buyer or can live with the fact that it isn't The Port Ever (tm), the PS2 version will do you just fine. It's a less than perfect port of a great game. People here always seem to get hung up on the "less than perfect port" part of that concept, obscuring the fact that it is a great game.

The loading in Ibara is nothing. Want to see a shmup with ridiculous loading times? Try Psyvariar 2: Ultimate Final. As for the filtering, it doesn't bother me (and I only play in yoko these days).

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I first bought the Taito published port of Ibara and after seeing how blurry it was -- I wanted to get the PCB version instead.

The Ibara PCB is really the "one to get" (assuming if you can afford it and have the proper means to play it, of course)...

For those of you whose only sole way of playing Ibara on an import PS2 console or variation on that matter -- you aren't missing too much...

The PCB version is super razor sharp display-wise thanks to it's RGB output and no worries about the "blurriness" featured in the PS2 port. Of course, it's the "lean & mean" version of Ibara with no extra frills whatsoever + absolutely no loading times & has been designed from the start to earn $$$ for the arcade owner/operator in a true arcade enviroment setting anyways.

And does my Ibara PCB earn profit to pay for itself? No, it doesn't -- but it could if placed under the right circumstances/situations... ^_~

By getting either the PS2 port or the PCB (or even both for that matter) version of Ibara, you can't go wrong -- I've got no regrets by getting the PCB version... ^_~

By coughing up 170 smackers is such a small price to pay for the opportunity to play Ibara PCB the way it was meant to be played -- with real arcade controls setup from the beginning to the eventual "staff credits" roll... ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[gameoverDude]

The PS2 version is fairly good in its own right and it'll do for now, but I'm getting tempted to spring for the PCB later on. OTOH- even if I get the PCB, I'll be keeping the PS2 one around for the Arrange mode.

I wish Cave would've tried to simulate slowdown when they ported Ibara. Without it, some areas are harder than they should be.