Best version of the Strikers 1945 games?

[Chacranajxy]

I've been wanting to check out the Strikers 1945 series for a little while, but I'm not sure which version I should get, since it's on like... 8 platforms. I want it arcade perfect, so is there any home version that would fit the bill, or would I have to seek out the arcade boards?

[Herr Schatten]

If you have access to most platforms the games were released for, get

Strikers I for Saturn
Strikers II for PS1

Make sure you get versions with proper TATE mode, though.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

If you want the authentic arcade experience, then it is recommended to get the PCB versions of the following:

Strikers 1945

Strikers 1945 II

Strikers 1999 (aka Strikers 1945 III in the USA/World PCB versions)

and lastly,

the Neo-Geo MVS cartridge of Strikers 1945 Plus (a remixed version of Strikers 1945 II PCB running on the Neo-Geo MVS hardware -- is one of those arcade verizontal-type of shmups though)

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Chacranajxy]

If you want the authentic arcade experience, then it is recommended to get the PCB versions of the following:

Strikers 1945

Strikers 1945 II

Strikers 1999 (aka Strikers 1945 III in the USA/World PCB versions)

and lastly,

the Neo-Geo MVS cartridge of Strikers 1945 Plus (a remixed version of Strikers 1945 II PCB running on the Neo-Geo MVS hardware -- is one of those arcade verizontal-type of shmups though)

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

What's wrong with the console releases, out of curiosity?

[louisg]

I like the Saturn port of 1945 II, but it does have a bit of slowdown in tate mode during a couple sections. It's mostly noticeable in the boats level.

[BulletMagnet]

What's wrong with the console releases, out of curiosity?

If you buy the versions Herr Schatten suggests above there's nothing really "wrong" with them - they're not quite arcade-perfect but are accurate in the ways that count (and a ways cheaper). There was also a PS2 compilation of the first 2 games, but I don't know much about it offhand...Strikers Plus recently came to PSP (though again, I know little about it offhand) and Strikers 3 has yet to come out on a home console.

[chempop]

I just got Strikers 1945 part 2 for the Saturn and I'm very happy with it although the slowdown is absurd on the boat stage. Still though, it's only for a short segment so it doesn't actually bother me at all.

Overall a really great experience for something in the $30 range.

[Riot Zone]

Have the PSX and Neo MVS versions I like them both! I would like that game even better if the stages weren't so damn short though

[antron]

Have the PSX and Neo MVS versions I like them both!

I put a neo-geo multicart in my cab because my wife loves Bust-a-Move (it was a deal to get the cab in the living room), but the Strikers Plus makes it worthwhile.

[Riot Zone]

Have the PSX and Neo MVS versions I like them both!

I put a neo-geo multicart in my cab because my wife loves Bust-a-Move (it was a deal to get the cab in the living room), but the Strikers Plus makes it worthwhile.

It's a good game for sure. I like how the MVS has a extra stage in it too. Just wish that game was longer though. If all the stages were as long as the stages in say Ghost Pilots that game would be badass!

[Mero]

Dont bother with the PS2 ports, Completely fucked up sound and the screen shakes so much you'll think theres a mini earthquake going on. Also no save option and bad loading times

[Gespenst]

Dont bother with the PS2 ports, Completely fucked up sound and the screen shakes so much you'll think theres a mini earthquake going on. Also no save option and bad loading times

And I somewhat feels the BGMs doesn't fit sometimes (especially S1945 II player select screen)
Get the PSX version, IMO.

[Dave_K.]

Can someone answer this question: do the Strikers ports (specifically the PS2 port of I+II) have a wider range of difficulty options similar to the Gunbird port (which has "baby" difficulty for example)?

Same question for Sengoku Ace/Blade PS2 port if anyone know...

[Ghegs]

The PS1 versions of I and II, as well as Sengoku Blade/Ace for PS2 all have seven difficulties - Monkey, Child, Very Easy, Easy, Normal, Hard and Very Hard.

Don't have the PS2 Strikers pack anymore, but I seem to recall it's the same.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

The PS1 versions of I and II, as well as Sengoku Blade/Ace for PS2 all have seven difficulties - Monkey, Child, Very Easy, Easy, Normal, Hard and Very Hard.

Don't have the PS2 Strikers pack anymore, but I seem to recall it's the same.

The Japanese PSX version of Strikers 1945 II (the 1st print version from Psikyo themselves) has the above described difficulties: Monkey, Child, Very Easy, Easy, Normal, Hard and Very Hard. I've got it set on Normal and the high scores are indeed saved to memory card but you have to manually save it for posterity (and vice versa if you want to load your current high scores & game settings). ^_~

The USA region Agetech variant of Strikers 1945 has the same difficulties listed in order as that of the original JPN PSX S-1945 II port.

There was a rumor going around that with the proper Gameshark codes, that it would be possible to implement tate in the Agetech S-1945 release but it never panned out. Stick with either the original PSX or Superlite 1500 release of S-1945 II for tate. I should do a comparision check between both the JPN and USA releases of S-1945 II to see what was added/taken away. Both Agetech and XSGames were notorious for removing tate and/or memory saving functionality in Gunbird, S-1945 and Sol Divide releases for the USA PSX/PSone consoles.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[dpful]

The Playstation ver. of strikers II deosn't have a tate mode, plus it's a port of the Japanese region PCB, so you start all the last levels at the beginning (after death), which total ruins it if you're in the mood to credit feed. Besides that, it seemed like a pretty good version-

I know this isn't asked for, but just in case you havn't looked them up, the MAME's of I,II and III are just amazing. My fav's for those is PCB, then MAME, then home TV (for picture and color and that stuff, too).

[BIL]

The JP Strikers 1945 II for PS1 does have TATE (activated by selecting "Arcade" mode). The US one from Agetec (misleadingly titled "Strikers 1945") doesn't, though.

[Herr Schatten]

The JP Strikers 1945 II for PS1 does have TATE (activated by selecting "Arcade" mode). The US one from Agetec (misleadingly titled "Strikers 1945") doesn't, though.

The european version does have it again, iirc.

[Shatterhand]

I confirm the european version os Strikers 1945 II on the PS1 *does* have the tate mode, as its the version I own.

[originalz]

Hahaha, Monkey is the greatest difficult level ever.

[Enhasa]

Monkey, or Baaaaaby.

[chempop]

I got Strikers pt 2 for SAT last week and it is really kicking my ass. I've got to level 7 only once....... ON EASY! bleh, need to keep training!

[Large]

Every Striker is a great game in my opinion. But I like Strikers 1945 Plus on MVS the most. It's just a perfect Psikyo game, great bullet visibility, great patterns, overall great. I love it. If you want to buy a Strikers 2 oder the Strikers collection for PS1/2, just beware of the european release. It's technically ruined by the PAL format conversion.

Best Regards
Large