The best Raiden home ports...Genesis,Pc-engine,Snes or PSX?

[nsonthi77@hotmail.com]

Out of the 4 home ports for the Genesis,PC-Engine, Snes, and PSX...I think the PSX version is the best. The PSX Raiden has the best balance between difficulty, graphics and control.

Snes version was way too easy and the pc-engine one was a little too hard, and it doesn't have parallax during the bridge part. The Raiden for the Genesis was buchered beyond belief...it had horrible controls,choppy animation and the music sounds like static farts...well, you could say for most of the audio on other Genesis games.

[llabnip]

The Raiden for the Genesis was buchered beyond belief...

I thought the Genesis Raiden was great! It's the SNES one that I found really poor.

Anyway, the PSX Raiden Project is tops.

[nsonthi77@hotmail.com]

The Raiden for the Genesis was buchered beyond belief...

I thought the Genesis Raiden was great! It's the SNES one that I found really poor.

Anyway, the PSX Raiden Project is tops.

The Genesis version I run it on a emu, so maybe thats why it was horrible. Every other Genesis game runs smoothly on the emu though, so I figurred it was the game itself..but who knows?

[PFG 9000]

*ahem*

Whattabout the Jag version?

I'm having a hell of a time finding the Raiden Project for PSX, so the only versions I've played are the Jag one and the Genesis one. I definitely prefer the Jag version, though I like the Genesis one quite a bit as well.

[Elixir]

Is this thread a question or a statement? It's hard to tell with the jumbled lack of concentration the first post has.

[kemical]

for a home conversion, i'd say the PCE / TG16 version, I used to play it all the time and out of all the raiden conversions i've played it feels the best.


but then of course there was the psx version, but it is more or less a direct port of the game.. so I don't feel it is really fair to be added.


the worst has to be the PC version..

[CIT]

*ahem*

Whattabout the Jag version?

I'm having a hell of a time finding the Raiden Project for PSX, so the only versions I've played are the Jag one and the Genesis one. I definitely prefer the Jag version, though I like the Genesis one quite a bit as well.

Can you talk a little bit about the Jaguar version as I've never played it? I hear it's quite good. How is the screen in the game?

[PFG 9000]

Well, since I haven't played the arcade original (shame, shame, I know), I can't compare it to that. But I'd say the Jag version plays very smoothly. I have compared the soundtracks, and the Jag's is identical to the original in composition, but the instrumentation is somewhat different.

In the Jag version, your ship seems to move a bit slower than I would expect in the arcade version. It's definitely a bit slower than the arcade version of Raiden II. But it's still playable.

Right off the bat you get to choose your number of credits. I think your choices are 3, 5, and 8 credits. Your lives are set at 3/credit. Since I'm quite bad a vertical shooters, I haven't gotten past the third level on one credit. I have "beaten" the game while credit feeding with a buddy though. You share credits just like many other 2-player simultaneous shooters.

As far as graphics, it's your typical condensed vertical shooter. There is no TATE mode available. In the Jag version, the playable area is all the way to the left of the screen, and the right third-or-so portion of the screen is your status bar. I'm sure the graphics have been condensed a bit from the original, though in this Atari fanboy's opinion they look much better than the Genesis version. I'd say the graphics are about what you would expect from a 32-bit system - like most Jag ports, they definitely didn't use the machine's capabilities to enhance the game. But Raiden Jag is both addictive and very playable, and recently it eclipsed Rayman, Alien Vs. Predator, and Tempest 2000 as my favorite Jag game.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to give more relevant information until I've found the Raiden Project.

EDIT: If anybody cares, the Atari Lynx version is well done in some ways, but overall it's not too playable due to the large sprite size relative to overall screen size. One of the cool things is that the Lynx was made to be playable both rotated 90 degrees and 180 degrees (for left-handed play), so naturally Raiden was programmed to play in what essentially is a handheld TATE mode. The first level at least is more or less the same as the Jag and Genesis versions. It plays very smoothly and the colors are used just right, so that the bullets and other sprites stand out well from the backgrounds...but it's just too dang hard with such a "zoomed in" viewpoint. I'm not sure if the game is even commercially available. I know they were developing it near the end of the Lynx's life, but I think the system got canned before it was released. But I've got the rom, and it's definitely a true Raiden port.

[FraGMarE]

Here's my opinion of how the Raiden home ports stack up from best to worst...

1.) Raiden Project (PSX) - Basically a near arcade perfect port.

2.) Raiden (Jaguar) - An excellent port! It even simulates tate mode via putting the status info on the right side of the screen.

3.) Raiden (PC-Engine) - For it's time, a great port. Probably the best during the 16-bit era. No 2 player simultaneous play, though. the Super Raiden CD redbook soundtrack and extra levels are also ace!

4.) Raiden (Genesis) - A decent port with nice gameplay, but horrible sound and muddy graphics. Also no 2 player, if i remember correctly.

5.) Raiden (PC) - This isn't too hot, but I think the SNES version is worse. Enjoy the MIDI music.

6.) Raiden Trad (SNES) - This is terrible. Seems like a very rushed and/or sloppy port.

7.) Raiden (Lynx) - Ugh. Just.... ugh.

[Leeloo Minaï]

I would like to talk about the Lynx port... you did not forget it i hope

[Brian]

I don't think the Lynx port actually ever saw the light of day. Or maybe I am mistaken and I just never saw it see the light of day.

[BrianC]

I don't think the Lynx port actually ever saw the light of day. Or maybe I am mistaken and I just never saw it see the light of day.

It did see the light of day. It was one of the late Telegames releases along with Qix. I don't remember if it was avaliable in stores, but I know that it was available direct from Telegames.

[Damocles]

Yes, the PSX rev seems to be the best. The SNES rev, like many have said, has hideous framerate, and looks like shit. Play is alright, however. The graphics in the Genny rev are slightly changed, namely, the ship itself has had an upgrade, and to me looks better than the original. Play is, once again, quite fine. PC-Engine rev is quite good. Framerate isn't an issue, neither is muddiness. Nothing more to say about that.

[PFG 9000]

Huh, being the Lynx fanboy that I am, I may have to pick that up. I've got the rediculously elusive Alien Vs. Predator Lynx beta, so perhaps I owe it to my shooter-addicted self to find Raiden as well. Unplayable as it may be.

[Turrican]

Huh, being the Lynx fanboy that I am, I may have to pick that up. I've got the rediculously elusive Alien Vs. Predator Lynx beta, so perhaps I owe it to my shooter-addicted self to find Raiden as well. Unplayable as it may be.

http://forum.shmups.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3874

Ask him, maybe it's still available ^_^

[PFG 9000]

*faints*

Crap, I'm trying NOT to spend money on stuff like this now. *sends PM*

I definitely need to check out the trading station more. Thanks for the heads up!

[FraGMarE]

ahh, yes... the Lynx version of Raiden. I have indeed played this one. Unfortunately, it is the worst of them all.

[al138]

Super Raiden for the PCE is my personal favorite--at least of the 8/16-bit generation. The music is nice, and the controls are spot on.

I still have yet to play it on the PSX. That could change my mind.

[FatCobra]

SNES port was utter crap.

The Raiden Project for PSX is pretty good and faithful to the arcade verisons.

[Defcon 5]

Funny, today I read on gamefront.de that Raiden Fighters Evolution for Xbox will not be developed anymore. I mean this is old news, but why did they told us now ?

Very funny, because gamefront.de is never late, even with Shooter related things.

[thesuperkillerxxx]

Quick Question:

Any other versions of Raiden II besides the PSX and PC?

[sjewkestheloon]

and another question. is a jag + controllers and cables + raiden and another game i can't rememeber worth £25? they have it bundled in my local game store and i've been debating it

[PC Engine Fan X!]

If you recall when the U.S. PSX launched on September 5th 1995, there were a handful of PSX launch software titles including Raiden Project. Seibu Kaihatsu had some hand in developing the PSX version of Raiden Project for it's original Japanese PSX release, hence it's almost arcade perfect port of the original Raiden & Raiden II coin-op games.

Only the shmuppers who have both Raiden II Jamma PCB and a copy of Raiden Project will say there are only slight differences between the two versions of arcade PCB vs PSX CD-Rom version of Raiden Project.

I bought my copy of Raiden Project brand new at a local Kay-Bee's Toys store when they were selling brand new PSX software titles at $20 USD a pop in late October 1997. Yes, it really is hard to find a used copy of Raiden Project unless you look on eBay these days as it came in a "big CD-Rom" crystal box that original housed Sega CD games. (Originally Sega of America had an excess amount of empty Sega CD crystal boxes and Sony of America bought them up for when they launched the U.S. PSX software lineup...so that's why the 1st edition U.S. PSX games came in the "big" CD box cases.) Kay-Bee's Toys store even had brand new copies of PSX "In The Hunt" shmup title as well for a mere $20 USD!

At my local Wal-Mart in Modesto, CA, there is an old original Fabtek Raiden arcade upright...haven't seen one of those shmup babies in a long time. (The joystick controls need to be replaced but still work and the arcade monitor needs a new "re-cap" job badly.) Still sounds pretty good even though sound is presented in "mono" only through the Jamma setup.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[TWITCHDOCTOR]

Best Raiden home ports...

Super Raiden.......Turbo Duo/PC-Engine
Raiden Project.......PLaystation

Worst...SNES

[CIT]

Yes, it really is hard to find a used copy of Raiden Project unless you look on eBay these days as it came in a "big CD-Rom" crystal box that original housed Sega CD games. (Originally Sega of America had an excess amount of empty Sega CD crystal boxes and Sony of America bought them up for when they launched the U.S. PSX software lineup...so that's why the 1st edition U.S. PSX games came in the "big" CD box cases.) Kay-Bee's Toys store even had brand new copies of PSX "In The Hunt" shmup title as well for a mere $20 USD!

That's really bizarre, cuz didn't the US Saturn games also come in those ridiculously large CD-Rom cases? So why would Sega have sold them then?

BTW, I still believe the Saturn would have done better in the West if they had packaged the games in Jewel Cases, as in Japan.

[toiletduk]

Raiden on PC Engine isn't really a port. All the levels are compressed, so you'll see enemy patterns a lot earlier on shorter stages due to space concerns on the HuCard. It's still competent, but it doesn't really count.

[Dice]

The Jaguar version is awesome. It does have a quasi simulated tate, but I'd gladly get rid of that just to make it so you don't have to scroll the screen left and right. Thats the only annoying thing about the Jag version. I thought it was actually upgraded in that the music was remixed, and the asteroids in later levels were graphically enhanced over the original arcade version. The Jag version must get some credit for being a direct port without any slowdown too. No other version (other than RP)I've played has as many on-screen objects as the Jaguar game, plus the levels are all full length.

Nothing beats Raiden Project that is no contest. The question should be which port other than RP is the best. I vote Jaguar.

[PFG 9000]

and another question. is a jag + controllers and cables + raiden and another game i can't rememeber worth £25? they have it bundled in my local game store and i've been debating it

That depends on the "other game." If it's Alien Vs. Predator, Tempest 2000, Iron Soldier, or Rayman, then it could be worth the price. Or, if you think you would likely pick up some of the above games, it might be worth it. But it seems the bulk of Jag games only appeal to a small percentage of gamers. It's certainly a weak console for shooters, as Trevor McFur (the only other genuine shooter on the console, to my knowledge) is certainly not worth the purchase of the system.

AvP, Raiden, and Tempest 2000 are fantastic, of course.

[welcometoyourdoom]

Raiden for Genesis is the best pre-PSX port. The SNES version has too many liabilities to list, so it's down to Genesis vs PCE. The PCE version is decent, but more like a remix with its changes to level design and enemy placement. The Genesis version retains the original aspect ratio (as well as it can without TATE) and imo this works better than a PCE full screen style solution (much like comparing Truxton on both systems), is more accurate graphically (but no color-cycling rivers and somewhat less color), and sounds much closer to the arcade version as well, with accurate sound effects and real bass instead of beeps and white noise on the PCE side. As for the Jaguar rev, I haven't played it, but that grossly ornamental status bar on the right side is just ugly. Finally, comparing any of these to the PSX rev would be unfair, as it is by far the the best port of Raiden to this day.

[PFG 9000]

As for the Jaguar rev, I haven't played it, but that grossly ornamental status bar on the right side is just ugly. Finally, comparing any of these to the PSX rev would be unfair, as it is by far the the best port of Raiden to this day.

Wait wait wait...how can you admit that you haven't played all the versions out there, then in the next breath declare another to be the best of all these versions? Especially when you're docking one for an issue completely unrelated to gameplay?