Is it worth getting Ikaruga because it supports high res?

[noisuf]

I'm going to receive my blast city cabinet in the next two weeks.

Can't wait to play my shmups on them. However, they're all 15K resolution.

One of the best rated games is Ikaruga. I'm not so sure about the polarity changing (it must be so hard to change the brain from avoid things to eating them). But it does look great.

Is it worth going to all the trouble to get the Naomi setup for Ikaruga...if one of my objectives is to see the blast city in it's prime driving 31K?

[DEL]

Is it worth getting Ikaruga because its a puzzle game?

[Matsunaga]

No.

[evil_ash_xero]

Well, it's an amazing game, so it wouldn't be a bad buy. And it is great to look at too.

[jonny5]

I'm going to receive my blast city cabinet in the next two weeks.

Can't wait to play my shmups on them. However, they're all 15K resolution.

One of the best rated games is Ikaruga. I'm not so sure about the polarity changing (it must be so hard to change the brain from avoid things to eating them). But it does look great.

Is it worth going to all the trouble to get the Naomi setup for Ikaruga...if one of my objectives is to see the blast city in it's prime driving 31K?

just get a DC and a VGA adapter......same thing, and much cheaper

then just hack a controller to your CP and you are good to go

[SuperPang]

If you get a good monitor, yes. Its an extremely pretty 31k showcase and the Blast is a pretty JVS friendly JAMMA cab. Sounds incredible too.

[Alec]

I'm going to receive my blast city cabinet in the next two weeks.

Can't wait to play my shmups on them. However, they're all 15K resolution.

One of the best rated games is Ikaruga. I'm not so sure about the polarity changing (it must be so hard to change the brain from avoid things to eating them). But it does look great.

Is it worth going to all the trouble to get the Naomi setup for Ikaruga...if one of my objectives is to see the blast city in it's prime driving 31K?

just get a DC and a VGA adapter......same thing, and much cheaper

then just hack a controller to your CP and you are good to go

this is how i did it when i had a vertical 31hz cab. i had more fun with under defeat though to be honest.

[jonny5]

I'm going to receive my blast city cabinet in the next two weeks.

Can't wait to play my shmups on them. However, they're all 15K resolution.

One of the best rated games is Ikaruga. I'm not so sure about the polarity changing (it must be so hard to change the brain from avoid things to eating them). But it does look great.

Is it worth going to all the trouble to get the Naomi setup for Ikaruga...if one of my objectives is to see the blast city in it's prime driving 31K?

just get a DC and a VGA adapter......same thing, and much cheaper

then just hack a controller to your CP and you are good to go

this is how i did it when i had a vertical 31hz cab. i had more fun with under defeat though to be honest.

very true....

[FIL]

I'd say there are better reasons to get a Naomi set up.

[noisuf]

Thanks for all the replies!!!

I'm starting to now sway over to the DC option as it will be easier and cheaper. A few questions:

1) Will you be able to tell any difference between the Naomi version and DC version? Graphics quality? Resolution?

2) How about the orientation of the screen? The DC I'm assuming was designed for 4:3 TVs whereas the shooters/monitor are North South?


Thanks for all your advice!!!

[noisuf]

Hmm...maybe I asked too many questions.

I'm sure I can find the answers to the other questions I had. Hope my revised list are not 'stupid' questions.

Looking for guide/faq on doing this...if anyone has any links, shoot them through. Cheers.

[2dvertical]

Is it worth getting Ikaruga because its a puzzle game?

I have the gc disc and was playing it on the wii last night. I was just thinking how much it really is just a puzzle game. Ive only played it a couple of times and really havent enjoyed it that much at all. It just seems like a chore to play.

[jonny5]

Thanks for all the replies!!!

I'm starting to now sway over to the DC option as it will be easier and cheaper. A few questions:

1) Will you be able to tell any difference between the Naomi version and DC version? Graphics quality? Resolution?

2) How about the orientation of the screen? The DC I'm assuming was designed for 4:3 TVs whereas the shooters/monitor are North South?


Thanks for all your advice!!!

its has screen flip options.....as for the graphics, you shouldnt notice any difference at 31khz.....with a VGA adapter the DC version is running @31khz so its the same.....

[emphatic]

Thanks for all the replies!!!

I'm starting to now sway over to the DC option as it will be easier and cheaper. A few questions:

1) Will you be able to tell any difference between the Naomi version and DC version? Graphics quality? Resolution?

2) How about the orientation of the screen? The DC I'm assuming was designed for 4:3 TVs whereas the shooters/monitor are North South?


Thanks for all your advice!!!

its has screen flip options.....as for the graphics, you shouldnt notice any difference at 31khz.....with a VGA adapter the DC version is running @31khz so its the same.....

IIRC it has zero loading screens in-game. And I've heard that the DC boots up into the game faster than the NAOMI system. I have a DC in my tri-sync cabinet, but I mostly play Zero Gunner 2 or Under Defeat. Ikaruga sure is pretty though.

[D]

Is it worth getting Ikaruga because its a puzzle game?

I have the gc disc and was playing it on the wii last night. I was just thinking how much it really is just a puzzle game. Ive only played it a couple of times and really havent enjoyed it that much at all. It just seems like a chore to play.

That's what I've been telling people from the beginning. And I like puzzle games: tetris, driller, etc
It was just a big dissappointment, sure a shmup could have some puzzle elements, but the switching, blah. late mj had tips, doesn't matter if you are black and white.

[ilazul]

I got ikaruga on naomi, and I wouldn't reccomend it unless you got it for a good price. It's an amazing game, and great for parties... but not worth it's normal asking price.

Also, gd rom set ups are notoriously difficult. It took me a month to get both of mine running. Naomi set ups are awesome, and there's tons to get on them. But DC to VGA is definately the cheap way to do it.

[lgb]

why are people always saying something is a "big disappointment" when it's commercially successful

[Super Laydock]

why are people always saying something is a "big disappointment" when it's commercially successful

Basically because they expect more from something that is more universally embraced then from a niche game that only a few dozen people buy.

Sure this isn't the way they people should necessarily be thinking, but it's the way things work as people have more in common with sheep than they'd like to admit.

There's also the group of people just disliking stuff because the mainstream embraces it. Those people feel
that their own "raison d'etre" is their niche and if this becomes mainstream they'll lose their distinct identity. (sad but true).

On topic: Only get this game if you both like your shmups AND puzzlers.
It's a beautiful game but I hate having to puzzle to get best results in a shmup which to me should be about blasting and surviving only.
That said it is possible to play the game only caring about survival.

[evil_ash_xero]

There is always people that don't like a game. But seriously, if you look into it, it's probably the the the most critically embraced shmup...well, ever.

And I think that turns some people here off..for some reason or another.


But it's a phenomenal game.

[Davey]

I don't think people are turned off by its success, they're turned off by the gameplay. If you're looking for a visceral blast-a-thon, Ikaruga ain't it. Whether it sold 100 copies or 100,000, I wouldn't be a fan of it either way.

That's what I've been telling people from the beginning. And I like puzzle games: tetris, driller, etc
It was just a big dissappointment, sure a shmup could have some puzzle elements, but the switching, blah.

There are different types of puzzle games, just as there are different types of shmups (e.g., memorizers from the 80's are a lot different from manics of the late 90's).

Games like Tetris, Mr. Driller, etc. are dynamic puzzle games. They never play exactly the same way twice, so the problem solving has to be done in real time. Games like Lolo, Braid, or Sudoku are static puzzles; they either don't change or they change in predictable ways. Some puzzle games feature both types of gameplay in separate modes (e.g., Tetris Attack, Devil Dice, probably many others). I don't know if static and dynamic are standard terms to label puzzle games, but that's how I distinguish them.

Liking one type of puzzle game doesn't mean you like the other, nor is either type superior to the other, they're just different. Ikaruga is a static puzzle - the stages and enemy formations are known in advance. So doing well requires knowing what's coming and having a plan already worked out before you get there. That's a lot different from always having to think on your feet like you do in a game like Tetris.

I strongly prefer dynamic puzzles, although static puzzles can be fun too. I can't think of any games that mix dynamic puzzle elements with shmup elements, except maybe doujins with randomized patterns (which I often enjoy despite the lack of balance). I'm drawn to shmups because of the fast action and spontaneity; static puzzles work against that, not with it. That's why I don't like Ikaruga. It draws you in with action, but that action is just a veneer for the underlying puzzle. You could probably say the same thing about advanced play in any score-based shmup, but Ikaruga makes it blatantly obvious.

Having said all that, any shmup fan who hasn't played it really should. It's very well done and a lot of people like it; it's just not everyone's cup of tea.

[Elixir]

There is always people that don't like a game. But seriously, if you look into it, it's probably the the the most critically embraced shmup...well, ever.

And here I thought it was because the scoring system was ridiculously anal.

[evil_ash_xero]

There is always people that don't like a game. But seriously, if you look into it, it's probably the the the most critically embraced shmup...well, ever.

And here I thought it was because the scoring system was ridiculously anal.

Well, guess again, my friend.


Seriously though, the reason I see people as not liking it is because lots of people on here like really fast paced shooters, with lots of bullets. Ikragua isn't so visceral or fast, and I think the black/white thing is a very simple yet great concept that keeps it from getting boring after a few plays, but also makes the game less of a blast a thon. I can understand why some don't like it, I just disagree emphatically.

[Rob]

it's probably the the the most critically embraced shmup...well, ever.

Because critics are ignorant. They love it for innovations that weren't innovations, and suck at or overlook its primary focus (chaining). If they actually knew what they were looking at and playing, it'd be as well received as a punch to the gut. It's decent for what it is, though. Don't get the concern for the graphics - I mean, it is more stylish than Trizeal.

[ncp]

I think Ikaruga's scoring is more lenient than, say, the pachis', and look how loved those are. People just love to hate Ikaruga. Hell, even just watching a good player chain is damn beautiful.

[Raizen1984]

You should get Ikaruga because it's awesome. Screw the haterz.

[Ed Oscuro]

Major Stryker supports true EGA low rez

DEL's post = post of the year

Hell, even just watching a good player chain is damn beautiful.

You love watchin them stripes go down the side of the road? Cool

[Elixir]

Well, guess again, my friend.


Seriously though, the reason I see people as not liking it is because lots of people on here like really fast paced shooters, with lots of bullets. Ikragua isn't so visceral or fast, and I think the black/white thing is a very simple yet great concept that keeps it from getting boring after a few plays, but also makes the game less of a blast a thon. I can understand why some don't like it, I just disagree emphatically.

Ikaruga is just as fast as the majority of Cave shooters. So, that's out. No, it's the anal-as-hell scoring system and the fact that you can't dodge everything; you need to change colours constantly, that turns people away. I seriously doubt anyone who has any proper interest in Ikaruga would honestly give a shit about how popular it is.

[noisuf]

Wow, thanks all for your advice and discussion!

Can't reply personals because we had our 2nd child this morning!

But I can say, just purchased DC off ebay and will be looking forward to getting Ikaruga, Under Defeat and other DC shmups. I will tune in when I can...just have hands full at the moment...

[Herr Schatten]

That said it is possible to play the game only caring about survival.

It's possible, but it's not much fun if you play it that way. It's painfully obvious that the levels are designed around the chaining in such a way that ignoring it makes them feel bland and hollow.

You won't enjoy Ikaruga unless you're really into ridiculously anal chaining. Considering this, the game's popularity is really surprising. But Rob explained that beautifully.

[evil_ash_xero]

Wow, thanks all for your advice and discussion!

Can't reply personals because we had our 2nd child this morning!

But I can say, just purchased DC off ebay and will be looking forward to getting Ikaruga, Under Defeat and other DC shmups. I will tune in when I can...just have hands full at the moment...

Well, congrats!