Gradius V is just beautiful

[toaplan_shmupfan]

$20 for Gradius V is too much for you? How fucking cheap are you?

Still can be seen in some game stores (such as Gamestop stores that still have a small section of new PS2 games) for $29.99 new.

And is it just me, but it seems that Laser has too much of a firing delay and Double is just too weak.

[kid aphex]

This game is 60 bucks new - twice as much as it used to cost when it was first released.

Negative

I could buy a new release Japanese import for that amount.

Negative

Even a used copy/beater of this goes for 20. Screw that. I'd settle for a ROM of this until the price is lowered

?????? Are you a real thing????????

[Raytrace]

And is it just me, but it seems that Laser has too much of a firing delay

yeah I did notice holding down fire does leave a fair gap between each laser shot

[Obiwanshinobi]

yeah I did notice holding down fire does leave a fair gap between each laser shot

Seems to be the case only with Vic Viper's own laser. The options fire constantly.
As for playing PS2 games on a backwards compatible PS3, apparently there is some extra input lag induced this way, which is bad for shmupping.
Are you folks sure Type 2 laser was done before exactly the way it works in V? I'm talking the peculiar "laser pissing" experience. Like fiddling with your willy as you urinate.

[BiQ]

Seems to be the case only with Vic Viper's own laser. The options fire constantly.
As for playing PS2 games on a backwards compatible PS3, apparently there is some extra input lag induced this way, which is bad for shmupping.
Are you folks sure Type 2 laser was done before exactly the way it works in V? I'm talking the peculiar "laser pissing" experience. Like fiddling with your willy as you urinate.

Only directional (type 2) and rotating (type 4) options' lasers are constantly firing. With option type 1 (lock in place) and 3 (spread formation) the options seem to have the same firing delay as the main ship laser. But those lasers have also the feature of following the vertical position of the ship / option even after firing (as long as you keep the fire button down) which can be helpful too. Personally, I haven't had too much problems with type 1 because of this, then again, I can't even clear the first loop yet. Even after logging 100+ hours into it. There are only handful of places where the firing delay of laser would be real problem and those can be cleared with tap-tap-tap firing.

On another note, I kind of found this game again just recently when I got the 2 weeks of stay-at-home flu. Credit fed three loops to cure boredom, and it was surprisingly fun experience.

[NzzpNzzp]

damn I really should get a J-360

You're not missing that much, neither of the Otomedius games are honestly that good, and you can't even get Falchion Beta girl (the only one who gets rolling options) in the first game without paying extra.

The main fun in them is just the chance to have Flintlock/Blue Thunder/Metalion and Covered Core MK 2/Manbow/Neo Big Core in the same game, to be honest. With pictures of Brain Golem in the background, and a last boss who claims she was born out of the greediness of mankind. Just two decade old game fanservice. If you're looking for gameplay you're probably gonna be disappointed.

[Raytrace]

yeah I did notice holding down fire does leave a fair gap between each laser shot

Seems to be the case only with Vic Viper's own laser. The options fire constantly.
As for playing PS2 games on a backwards compatible PS3, apparently there is some extra input lag induced this way, which is bad for shmupping.
Are you folks sure Type 2 laser was done before exactly the way it works in V? I'm talking the peculiar "laser pissing" experience. Like fiddling with your willy as you urinate.

yeah lag is bad - I'd say on the original original PS3s (i.e. the American ones that had an actual PS2 chip (as opposed to European ones with soft emulation)) it might be ok though...

[Raytrace]

damn I really should get a J-360

You're not missing that much, neither of the Otomedius games are honestly that good, and you can't even get Falchion Beta girl (the only one who gets rolling options) in the first game without paying extra.

The main fun in them is just the chance to have Flintlock/Blue Thunder/Metalion and Covered Core MK 2/Manbow/Neo Big Core in the same game, to be honest. With pictures of Brain Golem in the background, and a last boss who claims she was born out of the greediness of mankind. Just two decade old game fanservice. If you're looking for gameplay you're probably gonna be disappointed.

thanks - that's good to know

[professor ganson]

yeah lag is bad - I'd say on the original original PS3s (i.e. the American ones that had an actual PS2 chip (as opposed to European ones with soft emulation)) it might be ok though...

That sounds right. I've never experienced any lag playing PS2 games on an original PS3.

As far as aesthetics go, I prefer the Parodius games. Also, Gradius V isn't terribly expensive or rare, so I'd strongly recommend to the op that you play it on the hardware it was made for.

while of course I am playing 'using a real disc on my PC, and need a new box...' (obv)

yes I should definitely - I havent used her in ages, but the PS2 is still connected by RGB SCART...

if I had an original PS3 I'd play all my PS2 games more

I know what you're saying. (Well, I'm not sure what you meant in the first sentence.) I still have an older tv that I use my PS2 on, but on a modern tv-- forget it.

[Raytrace]

I know what you're saying. (Well, I'm not sure what you meant in the first sentence.) I still have an older tv that I use my PS2 on, but on a modern tv-- forget it.

well yeah while RGB SCART are the best of the SCART's but still I find it hard to go back from HDMI - and I've no excuse, I have a SCART junction box so they're all connected at same time (Wii, DC, PS2), but the blurriness just gets to me - I suppose on a CRT it wouldn't be so bad.

[xbl0x180]

Negative

Negative

?????? Are you a real thing????????

Wrong. Wrong. Well, not totally wrong. I meant the re-release/repriced edition of Gradius V was $29.99. Other than that, are you reeeeeeeeally lazy? Do a quick search on Amazon, e-bay, or just on Google, and see for yourself. Some sellers are charging 15-20 for disc-only used copies. F*** that.

[Paradigm]

Since the massive sum of $20 is too expensive for you.

Here's
what you
could have
won.

[Icarus]

Gradius V may be nice to look at, but the game is boring as hell until you get to stage 7.

[Estebang]

Gradius V may be nice to look at, but the game is boring as hell until you get to stage 3.

Fixed. Tunnel of Big Cores says hi.

[Raytrace]

They're in MSX Gradius 2

Just been playing that - god it doesn't scroll too well - cool colours though

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

Treasure completely missing the point in making Gradius

[J-Manic]

I'd also rather play Gradius Gaiden. Now THAT game is a beauty with an even better soundtrack.

that is indeed a beautiful game, but I still find it hard to place pre pic-mipped 3D games over later era games looks wise, maybe as I get older that transitionary period will be nicer looking to my eyes

It's more of a nostalgic thing for me. But my opinions about it remain nonetheless. For me, it's Konami's finest hour (right next to Castlevania-SOTN).

[Mortificator]

pre pic-mipped 3D games

Uh, Gaiden used sprites. Maybe you're thinking of Gradius IV.

There's a patch that gives the MSX Gradius 2 smooth scrolling, though you could go one step better and play the X68k remake.

Concerning Gradius V's graphics, the first stage really drew me in visually, but I think the game played the space techbase note a little too often.

[Raytrace]

pre pic-mipped 3D games

Uh, Gaiden used sprites. Maybe you're thinking of Gradius IV.

There's a patch that gives the MSX Gradius 2 smooth scrolling, though you could go one step better and play the X68k remake.

Concerning Gradius V's graphics, the first stage really drew me in visually, but I think the game played the space techbase note a little too often.

yep you're absolutely right - and Gradius Gaiden is very nice - plus the option to change the order of the powerups is brilliant -

yeh I have x68K installed so I'll check that version of Gradius 2 now

[Sly Cherry Chunks]

I'd rather play GV over Gaiden. I never beat GV and theres more than one way to play it. Unfortunately I lost my P2 somewhere.

I have this emulated but I got horrible imput lag and some borked textures during the cutscenes last time I tried. Has emulation been improved recently?

[Raytrace]

I'd rather play GV over Gaiden. I never beat GV and theres more than one way to play it. Unfortunately I lost my P2 somewhere.

I have this emulated but I got horrible imput lag and some borked textures during the cutscenes last time I tried. Has emulation been improved recently?

there is a slight bit of lag for me - and yes there are some weird test-card looking textures replacing some alpha channels during the cutscenes but the I have yet to see any glitches in the actual gameplay...

[Raytrace]

pre pic-mipped 3D games

There's a patch that gives the MSX Gradius 2 smooth scrolling, though you could go one step better and play the X68k remake.

I've been playing Gradius II on x68k just now - is it considered better than the 'Gradius Deluxe Pack' Saturn version?

also is there a specific remake of the MSX version you're talking about?

and for that matter - is Gradius II on the PCE CD the same game as the Saturn and X6800 one?

Thanks a lot for any help

[burgerkingdiamond]

Yes sir it is a great game. I would love to see what it looks like in Hi-res, but I don't have nearly a powerful enough PC.

[richter3456]

Okay, maybe I'm late to the party too but I just got the game and I'm really enjoying it. It has the same formula as previous Gradius games. I mean, if you lose... it's pretty difficult to get back into the game. I've noticed that in all the Gradius games. You just gotta do a near perfect run. This one might be a tad more forgiving since when you lose, your options linger on the screen so you are able to get them back. It's tough, but not impossible.

[Estebang]

Okay, maybe I'm late to the party too but I just got the game and I'm really enjoying it. It has the same formula as previous Gradius games. I mean, if you lose... it's pretty difficult to get back into the game.

Not with Salamander respawning. You get to keep your options (though it's often advisable to lose one, to keep the rank down). Also, your default shot is far more powerful than in earlier Gradii, and you don't start quite so sluggish. And the game hands out powerups like candy at certain points.

[xbl0x180]

Okay, maybe I'm late to the party too but I just got the game and I'm really enjoying it. It has the same formula as previous Gradius games. I mean, if you lose... it's pretty difficult to get back into the game. I've noticed that in all the Gradius games. You just gotta do a near perfect run. This one might be a tad more forgiving since when you lose, your options linger on the screen so you are able to get them back. It's tough, but not impossible.

Otomedius G also has the options lingering on the screen for a while so that you may get them back again. Of course, the shots are so weak, you may as well start all over again

[Raytrace]

Okay, maybe I'm late to the party too but I just got the game and I'm really enjoying it. It has the same formula as previous Gradius games. I mean, if you lose... it's pretty difficult to get back into the game.

Not with Salamander respawning. You get to keep your options (though it's often advisable to lose one, to keep the rank down). Also, your default shot is far more powerful than in earlier Gradii, and you don't start quite so sluggish. And the game hands out powerups like candy at certain points.

yeah while I'm by no means good at the game - it is very forgiving - and yeh that bit between level 1 and 2 when they just drop powerups all over the place is hilarious - you're scrambling to get them all and then the cutscene starts

[Mortificator]

I've been playing Gradius II on x68k just now - is it considered better than the 'Gradius Deluxe Pack' Saturn version?

also is there a specific remake of the MSX version you're talking about?

Yeah, it's called Nemesis '90 Kai. Weird choice of name, huh?

The Deluxe Pack version of arcade Gradius II lets you use the Konami code and has options to eliminate slowdown and enable continues. Other than that, it should be identical to the arcade game. The PCE version has an added intro scene, a new stage with a new boss, and also adds the Konami code and continue option, but continuing in this port boots you back to the start of the stage. The graphics are bit worse than the arcade and some sections play out a little differently, so tactics that worked there may not work here. I haven't played the x68k version.

I'd probably say arcade Gradius II is better on the Deluxe Pack than the PCE, even though it has one stage less. But I'm not sure how much my opinion's worth, since I don't actually like arcade Gradius II.

[dunpeal2064]

Gradius V may be nice to look at, but the game is boring as hell until you get to stage 3.

Fixed. Tunnel of Big Cores says hi.

If you use type 2 options, that part is pretty easy after you get used to it. I don't have much trouble until the stage 5 boss, which will end up getting me once or twice.

Then stage 6 is just nasty. But, it takes way too long to get there, so I very rarily pop this one in.

It does look and sound nice. Definitely has that "epic" treasure feel. If only they would have implimented any kind of scoring system, I think it would have really helped the game.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

How does G5 emulate? I dont have a ps2 and cant see myself buying the system at the moment