Hopping into the PC-Engine market

Cthulhu · Post by **Cthulhu** » Fri May 27, 2005 4:08 am

Let me know what you think of Sapphire~

Hell, let us know what you think about all the Duo games you get.

jp · Post by jp » Fri May 27, 2005 5:24 am

Cthulhu wrote:Let me know what you think of Sapphire~

Hell, let us know what you think about all the Duo games you get.

I definitely plan on it!

Sad to say, I already have Sidearms Special, Rayxanber II, and Nexzr Special, but the person I bought my Duo-R yet STILL hasn't shipped it. *sigh* I won't be getting it til Tuesday at the earliest.

Post by **Ghegs** » Fri May 27, 2005 6:24 am

jp wrote: Sad to say, I already have Sidearms Special, Rayxanber II, and Nexzr Special, but the person I bought my Duo-R yet STILL hasn't shipped it. *sigh* I won't be getting it til Tuesday at the earliest.

Heh, I feel your pain. I had Gate Of Thunder and some other stuff waiting for my Duo to arrive. Then the Duo arrived, and I shipped it straight off to England to get it RGB-modded.

Luckily I had an original PCE to play hu-cards on to tide me over.

PsikyoPshumpPshooterP · Fri May 27, 2005 9:44 am

can a US Turbo Duo play back ups?

captain ahar · Post by **captain ahar** » Fri May 27, 2005 5:43 pm

PsikyoPshumpPshooterP wrote:can a US Turbo Duo play back ups?

dracula x works fine for me.

and it kicks some major ass as well. a real copy should be mine in the coming months.

Bar81 · Post by **Bar81** » Fri May 27, 2005 5:52 pm

Yes, like the Mega CD, there is no copy protection on the games as CD Burners weren't affordable at the time.

PaCrappa · Post by **PaCrappa** » Fri May 27, 2005 5:53 pm

PsikyoPshumpPshooterP wrote:can a US Turbo Duo play back ups?

I haven't bothered to check every possible hardware configuration possible, but I have never seen a Duo from either region that wouldn't readily play a backup. Which is good. I was able to save $400 by learning that Sapphire sucks enough that I won't even play the backup I've had for the past four years.

Pa

OmegaFlareX · Post by **OmegaFlareX** » Fri May 27, 2005 8:57 pm

PaCrappa wrote:I was able to save $400 by learning that Sapphire sucks enough that I won't even play the backup I've had for the past four years.

You should mail it to me, then. If it works on your PCE/Turbo CD/Duo/whatever system you have, then I'll find out once and for all if it's my console or my burning process.

This goes to anybody who plays backups on their Duos. PM me if you want to help out.

BTW, I got Nexzr Special from GaijinPunch today, and it's really good so far. Excellent graphics and sound (I'm pretty sure I saw some sprite scaling/rotation, OMG). Very challenging, too. I didn't make it past level 3. The space backgrounds are kinda boring, but level 3 has some interesting stuff in it. My only real complaint thusfar is a lack of sound effect when you die. They at least could've put something in there instead of dead silence.

I've got Bloody Wolf on the way to me, as well. The seller is from Canada, and said it would take two weeks to ship to me (wtf!?). Whatever, it was only 5 bucks. I'll have forgotten about it by the time it gets here, so it'll be a nice surprise.

jp · Post by jp » Sat May 28, 2005 1:52 am

OmegaFlareX wrote: BTW, I got Nexzr Special from GaijinPunch today, and it's really good so far. Excellent graphics and sound (I'm pretty sure I saw some sprite scaling/rotation, OMG). Very challenging, too. I didn't make it past level 3. The space backgrounds are kinda boring, but level 3 has some interesting stuff in it. My only real complaint thusfar is a lack of sound effect when you die. They at least could've put something in there instead of dead silence.

Nice to hear. Nexzr Special is sitting snugly in my game collection right now... just waiting to be played... *sigh*

How much did you pay for it btw? My copy is in somewhat mediocre condition and is missing the spine... as is my copy of Sidearms Special. And these days that snotty collector in the back of my head is throwing a hissy fit over his frothing demand for spine cards... so I may wind up selling Nexzr Special and Sidearms Special after I get a few more games under my belt (unless I just love one of them so much that they're my most played PCE game anyways).

OmegaFlareX · Post by **OmegaFlareX** » Sat May 28, 2005 2:09 am

jp wrote:How much did you pay for it btw?

30. I got the Summer Carnival '93 version. I'd say 40 is average for the re-release. GaijinPunch offers great prices on his stuff.

After many trials, tribulations, and continues in level 3, I got to level 4 tonight. This level is fucking NASTY. Almost as hard as Raxan 2 level 4, but in Nexzr everything moves so goddamn fast and suicide bullets are everywhere. It'll be quite an uphill battle, especially if I'm stuck with a pea shooter (which I was).

jp · Post by jp » Sat May 28, 2005 2:11 am

Dammit... I paid 80 fucking dollars for my beat up ass copy of the Nexzr Special. Guess I need to start shopping with Gaijin.

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Sat May 28, 2005 4:45 am

Yup, I've just started with Gaijin too, sorry to cap'n ahar but I've gobbled up Gaijin's copy of Coryoon like the lil dragon does with a huge pineapple.

To OmegaFlareX's quote of 2 weeks to receive stuff... It seems reasonable for shipping from Canada... although for some reason UFO got his stuff from me in 6 days..
It sucks even more to ship TO Canada. I've waited close to a month for a couple of gamebits to get to me. The wait for Zeroigar is getting close to 3 weeks and still counting. Sin & Punishment is getting there too.
Still had the occasional shipping anomaly though, with Gate of Thunder arriving at my door by airmail from Japan in fewer than 60 hours post-auction-close...

Palmer Eldritch · Post by **Palmer Eldritch** » Sat May 28, 2005 5:38 am

PaCrappa wrote:I was able to save $400 by learning that Sapphire sucks enough that I won't even play the backup I've had for the past four years.
Pa

How about some constructive criticism instead? This is the second or third third time you´ve stated that Sapphire sucks.
I can respect why some people just don´t think it´s that great a game, but that it sucks, really just puzzles me.

--Michael

PaCrappa · Post by **PaCrappa** » Sat May 28, 2005 5:47 am

Sorry man, my hands are tied here. If it didn't suck I wouldn't have to say that it did. I'm sure the developers will contact me if I hurt their feelings.

Pa

Nemo · Post by **Nemo** » Sat May 28, 2005 6:00 am

Sapphire sucks and Sylphia is the best vert on the platform??? I'm not following Pa, I haven't played Sapphire, but I do have Sylphia and that game is nothing special (for those interested, Compile didn't develop it either). Outside of the mythology theme it's your run of the mill vert.

PaCrappa · Post by **PaCrappa** » Sat May 28, 2005 6:36 am

One man's trash is another man's treasure. Remember that my young friend. I need not give reason for one sucking and another shining. I'm not a journalist. Some people like watching MTV or eating avocados. I don't ask why.

At the end of the day jp plays Sapphire and makes his own judgement. So should everyone here. At least all the shooter enthusiasts.

Pa

jp · Post by jp » Sat May 28, 2005 6:49 am

PaCrappa wrote:
At the end of the day jp plays Sapphire and makes his own judgement.

Pa

Indeed. Same goes for Sylphia. I'll give just about any shmup at least one chance (Planet Joker, Terra Cresta 3D). And if it doesn't impress, ah well, +1 to teh collection.

Palmer Eldritch · Post by **Palmer Eldritch** » Sat May 28, 2005 9:10 am

PaCrappa wrote:Sorry man, my hands are tied here. If it didn't suck I wouldn't have to say that it did. I'm sure the developers will contact me if I hurt their feelings.

Pa

Heh!

But seriously, I think you misunderstood me. I´m not challenging your right to state that a game sucks, and you certainly (as you put it yourself)don´t have to justify your statements.
I´m just curious, that´s all, because in my book Sapphire is not even close to being in the area of where you´d start talking about games that suck.
There are good as well as bad things to be said about the game, but for a game to suck, there´s got to be something fundamentally wrong with the game mechanics, which is hardly the case with Sapphire.
Unless, of course, the phrase "it sucks" is something you just throw around casually....

--Michael

Palmer Eldritch · Post by **Palmer Eldritch** » Sat May 28, 2005 11:42 am

jp wrote:I'll give just about any shmup at least one chance (Planet Joker, Terra Cresta 3D). And if it doesn't impress, ah well, +1 to teh collection.

Planet Joker. Your thoughts please

--Michael

Post by **Ghegs** » Sat May 28, 2005 1:47 pm

Got my L-Dis and Cho Aniki on Friday. While Cho Aniki didn't feel too special (not too bad, just not too good either) after few runs, L-Dis quickly secured a place in my "I <3 these games"-list. Thanks to whoever recommended it (OmegaFlareX, was it?)

After figuring out the power-up system the game turns really fun, and I'm seeing plenty of homages to other games, at least Gradius and R-Type are represented. The weapon system works nicely, and it's cool how you can easily change your weapon layout by mixing up different colored options. And they're even recoverable after death.

Sweet stuff.

PaCrappa · Post by **PaCrappa** » Sat May 28, 2005 3:33 pm

In real life, where I spend a good portion of my time, it's okay to say things suck. Sports teams, radio shows, slow drivers, Wendy's hamburgers, sushi containing avocado, uptight neighbors, Blink 182, undisciplined dogs, smelly girls, hippies, corporate videogame shops, the weather, Tito Ortiz, anime, broken fingers, getting woke up during a nap, dogfarts, the post office in Magnolia, George Bush and any videogame I don't enjoy all suck real bad. And I'm afraid there's nothing to discuss. My mind isn't going to be changed.

Some guy on the internet saying that game X sucks should only make you want to play it more. Know yourself and know your games

Pa

PS: L-Dis absolutely rocks! I say that very casually.

Palmer Eldritch · Post by **Palmer Eldritch** » Sat May 28, 2005 5:53 pm

PaCrappa wrote:And I'm afraid there's nothing to discuss. My mind isn't going to be changed.

I´m not trying to change your mind any more than you can mine.
Just wanted to pick your brains with regard to exactly what you didn´t like about the game.

Anyway, I give up. That comment about Blink 182 sucking, was totally uncalled for

--Michael

jp · Post by jp » Sat May 28, 2005 6:26 pm

Palmer Eldritch wrote:
jp wrote:I'll give just about any shmup at least one chance (Planet Joker, Terra Cresta 3D). And if it doesn't impress, ah well, +1 to teh collection.
Planet Joker. Your thoughts please

--Michael

Avoid it like the plague.

Horrendous 3D graphics. God awful slanted top-down view. The gameplay is boring, enemy/ship designs are boring... and the final boss is one of the biggest travesties I've ever witnessed in a video game.

Stay.the.fuck.away!

Cthulhu · Post by **Cthulhu** » Sun May 29, 2005 2:09 am

I picked up Super Darius II and Macross 2036 yesterday... I'm coming close to having every PCE shmup CD game I think. I'm missing -tons- of the HU-Card games, but as for CDs I know I'm getting close. I don't have Legion (which I've heard is arse anyway) and the Summer Carnival version of Nexzr ... just the regular version. Ehh, maybe someday. I'll give those two a shot (har har) and see if they're any good later. I seem to recall liking Super Darius a lot (the only Darius games not from Taito, right here on the PCE!) so I'm looking forward to number two.

I also picked up Iga Nin-den Gaou (what a name huh?) since I saw it for cheap. It's reputed to be rather mediocre, but it stars a ninja. I'm a sucker for ninjas.

Bar81 · Post by **Bar81** » Sun May 29, 2005 2:23 am

I really like Legend of Iga Ninja/Iga Ninden Gaou but then again I'm a sucker for ninja games too

Cthulhu · Post by **Cthulhu** » Sun May 29, 2005 5:32 am

Okay, I just gone done trying out the games I mentioned... opinions:

Super Darius II: Good, solid Darius fun. The bosses are a bit easy compared to most of the new Darius games *quivers at the thought of G-Darius bosses* but it has all the usual Darius elements. Even if it's not made by Taito, it sure as hell feels like a Darius game.

Macross 2036: Hrm. My hopes for this one had been put up really high due to the inane amount of fanboyism for the game I guess. It's a good, solid, fun 16 bit shmup, but the bosses are kinda silly, and really easy. The levels themselves are fun. I like the UN Squadron-ish powerup purchasing too. There are some neat touches, like the well done cinemas and some "reflections" on level 3. Perhaps not worth the high price it goes for, but a fun game still.

Iga Ninden Gaou: What can I say, I like ninjas. This game is a ton of fun. If you like cheesy 16 bit (this one looks 16 bit, but "feels" 8 bit) platformers, go for it. Fight one legged horses (really), cyber-ninjas, and ... lots of other weird crap to save some hapless maiden. But do it ninja-style with throwing daggers, ninja magic, and some swooshy swordsmanship!

Bar81 · Post by **Bar81** » Sun May 29, 2005 6:13 am

Cthulhu wrote:
Iga Ninden Gaou: What can I say, I like ninjas. This game is a ton of fun. If you like cheesy 16 bit (this one looks 16 bit, but "feels" 8 bit) platformers, go for it. Fight one legged horses (really), cyber-ninjas, and ... lots of other weird crap to save some hapless maiden. But do it ninja-style with throwing daggers, ninja magic, and some swooshy swordsmanship!

To me it feels like Revenge of Shinobi light.

OmegaFlareX · Post by **OmegaFlareX** » Sun May 29, 2005 2:18 pm

Cthulhu wrote:Macross 2036: Perhaps not worth the high price it goes for, but a fun game still.

Thanks for that impression. I almost picked it up at reduced price when Wolfgames was selling off his stuff, but I'm glad now I didn't. I'm not a fan of the series (never seen the anime or anything), so if I were to go for a Macross shmup, I figured I'd get Scrambled Valkyrie SFC (which is cheaper).

I wish I were in Japan so I could go to the used game shops and look through the stacks of loose hucards I've seen in the pictures. I bet there are some real gems here and there among the Power Leagues and Appare Gateballs. If you can find a cheap Legend of Hero Tonma, send it my way!

Cthulhu · Post by **Cthulhu** » Sun May 29, 2005 2:53 pm

OmegaFlareX wrote: Thanks for that impression. I almost picked it up at reduced price when Wolfgames was selling off his stuff, but I'm glad now I didn't. I'm not a fan of the series (never seen the anime or anything), so if I were to go for a Macross shmup, I figured I'd get Scrambled Valkyrie SFC (which is cheaper).

You're welcome. I'll post an update later if I suddenly find my opinion changing when I play it more.

OmegaFlareX wrote: I wish I were in Japan so I could go to the used game shops and look through the stacks of loose hucards I've seen in the pictures. I bet there are some real gems here and there among the Power Leagues and Appare Gateballs. If you can find a cheap Legend of Hero Tonma, send it my way!

To be honest, the used game market in Japan has dried up a lot even over the few years I've been here. (I was in Osaka for a year, then went back to the US for a year, then came back to Japan for another year.) Most small game shops around the country have stopped carrying anything older than PS1 games (and GameBoy Color games too, I guess), and even in Akiba the number of retro game stores has dropped some.

The stores that do have a decent collection of stuff know what it's worth, and generally charge quite a bit - the days of real deals are pretty much gone. You get a good find once in a while still, but the days of finding rare games in the bargain bins are gone. *sigh* If I do see a cheap Tonma though, I'll let ya know

jp · Post by jp » Sun May 29, 2005 5:57 pm

Speaking of Ninja games...

There was a game on the NES where the ninjas could transform into different animals pending on what weapons they were using (i.e. ball-n-chain = scorpion, sword = dragon), did this game wind up on the PC-Engine as well?