Port Nazis... I'm beginning to understand

[Arvandor]

I still think it's better to be able to play a game than not, like in the case of Mushihime-sama. But dang, after playing a bunch of Dodonpachi in MAME and then going back to my Saturn version... Even tated the game is almost unplayable. The screen feels more crowded, the bullets are fuzzier and feel more bunched up, which makes navigating clouds a great deal more difficult. That spot in stage 3 with the warp in green ships is like... 8 times harder on the Saturn version.

Kind of frustrating... but... what're ya gonna do, ya know?

[Damocles]

Try playing Ibara on the PS2. Concerning DDP...yeah, there is definately a cramped feeling.

[D]

I still think it's better to be able to play a game than not, like in the case of Mushihime-sama. But dang, after playing a bunch of Dodonpachi in MAME and then going back to my Saturn version... Even tated the game is almost unplayable. The screen feels more crowded, the bullets are fuzzier and feel more bunched up, which makes navigating clouds a great deal more difficult. That spot in stage 3 with the warp in green ships is like... 8 times harder on the Saturn version.

Kind of frustrating... but... what're ya gonna do, ya know?

You need an RGB monitor/tv and a scart cable, but even than it is a bit messy 480i signal. I know Cave does this on purpose. If the put the ps2 in 240p mode or is they used 480p and just double lined everything there would be less point in buying the pcb's now would there.

[Arvandor]

Oh, now that you mention RGB and scart and whatnot... I wonder how much it would help to upgrade my coax cable to an s-vid -_^ I'm sure things would still feel cramped, but perhaps it would help with the fuzzy bullet syndrome.

[Ceph]

And it would look even better if you played the PS1 version, which, unlike the Saturn version which has ugly, pixelated explosions, is graphically identical to the arcade game.

[Frederik]

Is there any screenshot comparison of the Saturn version versus the original game floating around? I have never played any of the "bad ports" people talk about, but I´d love to see how bad someting like that really looks.

[BulletMagnet]

It's been a little while since I've played it, but I don't recall the Saturn port looking that bad...yeah, the pixelated explosions are pretty bad-looking, but I recall the rest coming out pretty well, not that different from the PS1 version...then again, I play it in tate via an RGB cable, so maybe that helps some. Either way, playability-wise it still works.

[Arvandor]

I couldn't care less about the explosions or graphical quality in general. It's the cramped feeling on the screen, and the fuzzy bullets. Those pink arrowhead bullets in particular are a lot harder to navigate in the Saturn version. Which makes the green teleport ships in stage 3 difficult, the second pattern of the 4th boss more difficult, and the very beginning of stage 5 more difficult.

Also, those buildings in stage 4 you destroy to reveal the tanks that spray the U-shape spread of aimed blue bullets with two pink streams that fire straight. In the arcade version you can sit in front of them and there's this HUGE gap between the three front-most bullets. Not on the Saturn version. You have to be insane to try to fit through there on the Saturn version. The gaps to the sides are still big and gaping, but that gap up front is non-existant on the Saturn version. Little things like that add up to give the Saturn port an overall cramped feeling. At least after playing the arcade version a bit.

[Ceph]

Erm, are you playing this in tate or yoko???

When played in TATE the PS1 version is pixel perfect, and aside from the exposions so is the Saturn version.

[Shatterhand]

Yeah, I was going to say the same.

in Yoko mode the game feel cramped to the point of being unplayable. I can't see someone trying to play this game at a competitive level in YOKO mode.

But in TATE, the game plays better than in MAME IMO, pixellated explosions aside.

[Arvandor]

Saturn version is played on a tated panasonic 19" flatscreen tube. MAME version is played yoko (not that it makes a huge difference with MAME) on a 17" standard computer monitor.

I STILL feel more cramped on the Saturn version at the warp in green ships half-way through stage 3. Well, I feel more cramped most places, but it's most notable there.

I wonder if distance from screen has much effect? I play about 4-5 feet away from my TV, but only 2-3 feet from the computer monitor. I should experiment by sitting further back from the monitor or something.

[SamIAm]

It's basically your TV and your connection. I've played the MAME and Saturn versions both on the same TV, even through the same input (s-video). Aside from the pixellated explosions in the Saturn version, the two looked the same in TATE mode.

[Arvandor]

Well, I've been meaning to get an S-Video cable anyways. Guess we'll see if that makes a difference eh? =D

[evil_ash_xero]

I still think it's better to be able to play a game than not, like in the case of Mushihime-sama. But dang, after playing a bunch of Dodonpachi in MAME and then going back to my Saturn version... Even tated the game is almost unplayable. The screen feels more crowded, the bullets are fuzzier and feel more bunched up, which makes navigating clouds a great deal more difficult. That spot in stage 3 with the warp in green ships is like... 8 times harder on the Saturn version.

Kind of frustrating... but... what're ya gonna do, ya know?

Play the PS1 version.

I got the Saturn version first, and was sorely disappointed. The PS1 port is VERY good.

s/m

[Arvandor]

I don't care enough to get an import able PSX AND DDP (the PS1 version being quite a bit more expensive) just to play a SLIGHTLY superior version of DDP. I've HEARD that using a PS1 gameshark in a PS2 will allow you to play PS1 imports, but I've never actually tried.

[MikeB]

Never really got the 'buzz' on DDP from experience with the Saturn version. Malc sorted me out by getting me the arcade board and it was only then I understood..

Never played the Sat one since. The PSX version is vastly superior in quality though. It's certainly worthy of investigation.

[szycag]

The PSX port is way way better, not slightly better...

[Neon]

A better way to compare would be to run your Saturn DDP disc through tated SSF

Even then there might still be difference in the filtering or whatever

[Arvandor]

I've found a bunch of discrepancies in the gameplay I've never heard about before. After playing the MAME version a whole lot, then after a quite some time playing the Saturn version, I've noticed some things.

-In stage 1, you can't pick up the powerup before the midboss in the Saturn version, and have the 4 big green ships show up. You HAVE to aura-damage him. Not so in the arcade version.
-The big red tank enemies that fire the twin sprays of pink cluster bullets aim at you differently than they do in the arcade version.
-Some enemies spread bullets take slightly different trajectories (less symmetry on tri-shots and things like that)
-The teleporting green ships in the middle of stage 3 start firing sooner both after teleporting in, AND after bullet canceling. VERY aggravating getting point blanked that way when it would never happen in the arcade version.
-I don't care what anyone says. Any part with spearhead bullets is NOTICEABLY more crowded and difficult on the Saturn version.
-A-L ship's normal shot feels A LOT weaker. I can't tell whether it's doing less damage, firing at a lower overall rate, or both, but it's definitely weaker, I guarantee it.
-Bosses move different, or aura + laser damage is handled differently (or both). I'm not certain... Either way, I always do the 4th boss the exact same way, every time, and playing the Saturn version, it screwed up my positioning. When starting his second spray of pink+blue large round bullets, he was in the middle instead of near the left side. That got me nice and killed.
-Rank feels like it behaves a bit different on the Saturn version. I could be very wrong on this one, but it's a definite feeling I got.

There are probably others, but this is what I noticed playing the Saturn version today.

[Fighter17]

Interesting.

When I play my PSX copy of DoDonPachi it plays just like the arcade. From graphics, bullet patterns, and etc.

Well more reasons why I didn't like the Saturn port from the start and never will.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Interesting.

When I play my PSX copy of DoDonPachi it plays just like the arcade. From graphics, bullet patterns, and etc.

Well more reasons why I didn't like the Saturn port from the start and never will.

Very handy to have such an original copy of PSX DDP as insurance in case the ol' DDP PCB decides to "bite the dust"... ^_~

[Fighter17]

Very handy to have such an original copy of PSX DDP as insurance in case the ol' DDP PCB decides to "bite the dust"... ^_~

Yeah, but remember I play DoDonPachi on MAME for reference.

[BrianC]

I would like some more info on the Saturn port of Dodonpachi. I heard it's faster than the arcade and doesn't add slowdown, but I also heard it has more slowdown. I heard it's either slightly worse than PSX or much worse. Now I'm hearing that the display may be more cramped than the arcade, despite other posts saying it plays close to the original. Now I'm hearing for the first time on shmups forums that the DDP Saturn behavior may be vastly different from the arcade as well. I'm having a hard time deciding between Souky and Dodonpachi for the Saturn and I would like some solid info to go by.

[bsidwell]

Well, I've been meaning to get an S-Video cable anyways. Guess we'll see if that makes a difference eh? =D

S-Video will be a *big* improvement.

[Fighter17]

I would like some more info on the Saturn port of Dodonpachi. I heard it's faster than the arcade and doesn't add slowdown, but I also heard it has more slowdown. I heard it's either slightly worse than PSX or much worse. Now I'm hearing that the display may be more cramped than the arcade, despite other posts saying it plays close to the original. Now I'm hearing for the first time on shmups forums that the DDP Saturn behavior may be vastly different from the arcade as well. I'm having a hard time deciding between Souky and Dodonpachi for the Saturn and I would like some solid info to go by.

From a guy who played a lot of DoDonPachi on the Saturn and on the PSX:

Just get the PSX version. It's much better than the Saturn version (both by graphics and arcade behavior). Plus it's the closest thing to the PCB you can get on a console port. It might cost a lot more, but trust me it's worth it.

If you have both a Saturn and a PSX, get Souky for the Saturn and DoDonPachi on the PSX. You'll be glad you did.

[Limbrooke]

I'm having a hard time deciding between Souky and Dodonpachi for the Saturn and I would like some solid info to go by.

Don't worry about Saturn, just get the PS1 versions. Compared to most people (who've played both Soukyu versions) I have no complaints whatsoever. Plus, it features a bonus mode with exclusive ship. I also found the DDP PS1 iteration to be satisfactory. Moreso enjoyable than Saturn, which I also owned, if but for a brief time.

[BrianC]

I'm having a hard time deciding between Souky and Dodonpachi for the Saturn and I would like some solid info to go by.

Don't worry about Saturn, just get the PS1 versions. Compared to most people (who've played both Soukyu versions) I have no complaints whatsoever. Plus, it features a bonus mode with exclusive ship. I also found the DDP PS1 iteration to be satisfactory. Moreso enjoyable than Saturn, which I also owned, if but for a brief time.

I already decided that I want to get the Saturn Soukyugurentai. I read about the issues, and it sounds like the Saturn one plays much better. I heard the extras don't add much to the game.

I know the PSX version of DDP is the superior. I would like to know how superior. I have a method to play PSX imports, but DDP won't play with it. I'm looking for solid information on the Saturn DDP so I can decide between DDP and Souky for the Saturn. Edit: I'll probably just get Souky since I heard it's the much better port.

I was also thinking of getting a JPS2, but I don't like the idea of a system where the only games I can get for it have to be ordered online (not that I mind ordering online). It seems the games I'm interested in are a handful compared to US PS2 games. While the SEGA Ages packs sound awesome, I'm not sure if I want to get a PS2 just for them, especially with Gunstar where DH and Gunstar aren't too expensive for the MD or the Genny and Monster World where most of the games are cheap and the most expensive one is only around 50-60. Espgaluda and DDP DoJ sound awesome, but Mushihime-Sama and Ibara don't sound like they are worth getting a JPS2 for.

[Limbrooke]

I read about the PSX and Saturn port differences and I have already decided on Saturn over PSX for Souky. However, that's not the issue here. I want solid info on the Saturn Dodonpachi so I can decide between Souky and DDP. It's between these two games, nothing else.

I understand, slight joke on my part. To provide actual insight, since Soukyu isn't well emulated, unless you have no preferred PC/Mame control method, it's probably wiser to go with Soukyu. Pretty simple if you ask me. Either that, or just get both since they're both cheap enough.

[BrianC]

I read about the PSX and Saturn port differences and I have already decided on Saturn over PSX for Souky. However, that's not the issue here. I want solid info on the Saturn Dodonpachi so I can decide between Souky and DDP. It's between these two games, nothing else.

I understand, slight joke on my part. To provide actual insight, since Soukyu isn't well emulated, unless you have no preferred PC/Mame control method, it's probably wiser to go with Soukyu. Pretty simple if you ask me. Either that, or just get both since they're both cheap enough.

oh ok. I already chose Cotton 2 for my other game. I like cute 'em ups and throwing enemies sounds cool. I'm actually trying to decide on Christmas games.

[GaijinPunch]

I know Cave does this on purpose.

Most likely, yes, but not for the reasons stated. They aren't bothered by the handful of people that buy their PCBs...especially about a year after it's been released. The 480i was very likely Taito's doing.