Giga Wing

[pooch]

I've done a search, but it seemed to return general discussion about the mechanics of the game, rather than critical discussion. What I was wondering is: How does Giga Wing compare to its sequel? Is is worth picking up, given that I like GW2? Your advice is appreciated!

[Battletoad]

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... =giga+wing

It´s definitely worth it. The shield reacts a little slower than in GW2 and the Dreamcast port has butchered music. But aside from that both are quite equally great. The style of play has of course a lot of similarities regarding bullet leading and shield usage. But it still plays different because you can point blank the enemies and collect the medals faster/instantly while you had to wait for the volcanons in GW2.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

If you can find a CPS2 variant Gigawing on the cheap for say $115.00 USD or thereabouts, that's a pretty good deal right there. It sure plays great on a supergun or candy cab setup indeed. Plus you get the full arcade-spec 60fps framerate experience not to be missed either. There's something about playing GW properly with dedicated arcade hardware/software (compared to playing it on console hardware) that makes it special. Still cool to be able to play GW on the DC.

Plus the Asian region CPS2 Gigawing has the proper all-English text as well (along with the USA region CSP2 GW variant as well). You can even get the single layer CPS2 GW PCB (without the dreaded stock noisy cooling fan setup found on the original CPS2 "A + B" board setup).

I've got to admit playing Gigawing 2 on the DC via viletim's Scart to Jamma adapter setup on a candy cab is super sweet even though one is playing it in 480i @ 60fps indeed. Sure, it'd be better to play in 31kHz format with a dedicated SVGA CRT monitor. Still looks stunning/jaw-dropping nevertheless. Sure, there is the orginal Naomi-based GW2 cart setup to play in either 15kHz or 31khz setup as well if you want to play it in it's original arcade format.

I recall getting word that the USA DC version of GW2 up for pre-order back in 2001 at my local Gamestop and ponying up the required five bucks to secure a copy on day one of release. When I finally got the call that DC GW2 was in, sped down to the local GS and paid the remaining difference of $24.99 + tax and it was mine to keep. Still have it in my gaming stash alrighty.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[pooch]

Thanks for the link Battletoad, looks like I'll be picking it up then!

PC Engine Fan X, your enthusiasm shows! However I'll only be getting the DC version. I don't know about all that kHz and CPS nonsense, i am a dog.

[CIT]

Giga Wing 2 may look more impressive, but part 1 is also really fun and the cheapest shooter on DC, so there's no excuse not to get it.

You should also check out Mars Matrix, if you like the Giga Wing games. It's an expanded and very challenging take on the "reflect 'em up" concept.

[pooch]

I've got Mars Matrix. It's strangely compelling, and has a "so ugly it looks good" thing going on, plus i got to level 3 the other day and the music almost started getting not horrible. On the whole though I think I'm filing it under "return to when i'm better."

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

I'm a bit biased towards this game because this is what got me into the whole bullet hell shmup thing, but I still think it's quality stuff. And although I love danmaku in all its forms, I suck terribly at them; Giga Wing is comparatively easy, so that's another thing that speaks for it (depending on your taste, of course). I would recommend the usual route: Mame first, and if you like what you see, get the PCB. Note there's a pretty cool multi game CPS2 pcb out there that includes a handful of other Capcom classics (Battle Circuit, among else) apart from Giga Wing. If there are otehr CPS2 games you like, maybe you should get one of those.

edit: I just checked, actually it contains 18 games and can be had for a bit more than 200 bucks, e.g. here:

http://www.jammaboards.com/store/capcom ... cc8c9a395d

I can imagine you can find it even cheaper, I don't know as I don't buy PCBs, but this is a good place to start I suppose.

edit 2.0: Shit, I just saw it's out of print here... well, it's been a long day. Anyway...