Just bought Dodonpachi Saturn rev. How is it ?

[housevibe]

Bought it yesterday along with MSH vs SF. Because I wasn't able to wait anymore, I downloaded the Mame version and oh boy, is that game the greatness !!!!!

I sincerely hope the saturn version is a worthy port. I've already heard about the minor problems, but if it's anywhere 90% as good as the coin-op rev. then I'll be happy. I also hope the soundtrack is the same !

[NTSC-J]

Most prefer the PSX port, but I don't, the Saturn DDP is excellent.

Cons:
-Chunkier graphics
-Audio skips

Pros:
-Closer to the original than the PSX rev (very minor differences, really)
-The pad kicks ass
-Saturn mode is fun, cool first level (more DonPachi-ish), plus only one loop and Hibachi at the end
-More slowdown than in the PSX rev, but less than the arcade

[Neon]

It seems closer to the arcade speed wise. The PSX version seems fast to me.

[D]

For two players in the PS rev you HAVE to select the same ship, which is very lame.

Explosions are a very pixelly albeit very good animated

Welocme to the board

[Naiera]

Saturn version is crap in Yoko, a bit better in Tate. PSX version is better in all modes.

[llabnip]

Bought it yesterday [snip]

It's a solid port and a good pickup. The Saturn port is good. The PSX port was the more lovingly crafted port, but only by a minor amount (this is quite different to DonPachi [which I consider to be a better game] where the PSX rev is quite superior to the Saturn port).

As for DoDonPachi, the PSX rev has crisper graphics (saturn GFX are highly pixelated esp explosions), slightly better sound overall and is generally a smoother playing port (though they added in a WAIT option to add back in some slowdown to make it a bit closer to the Arcade rev though neither the PSX port nor the Saturn port are identical in terms of pacing). Most people find the PSX port a bit more difficult - but much of that comes from the fact that it runs buttery-smooth and takes some getting used to. The Saturn rev adds a new bonus stage at the beginning of the game... but it's not great and isn't a "feature" that most care about. The PSX port forces the use of the same ship for both players in 2P mode (so if you play 2P mode with friends and use different ships, the PSX version would be no good). The price of Saturn DDP is cheaper - and since it is a good port (just not the best port, IMO) it's perfectly fine to own and play - you should get lots of enjoyment from it.

I bought and own both 'Pachi's for both the PSX and Saturn and the PSX got the better ports. For DoDonPachi, the differences are minor enough that you'll be plenty pleased with the Saturn port of DDP and hopefully you'll get a lifetime of enjoyment from it!

[BulletMagnet]

Methinks llabnip covered most everything; the Saturn port's not perfect, but at least for me it's still a worthy purchase. I'll hafta reiterate that in this case the game looks MUCH better in tate than in yoko, after I got my RGB monitor and tried it out I was floored by how much closer to the arcade it appeared (though the explosions are still pretty pixelated, almost everything else looks great). As was said, it's also much cheaper and easier to find than the PSX version (it was also re-released, so a copy of that might be had for even cheaper). Enjoy!

[housevibe]

thank you everybody ^_^

But seriously, is the Yoko mode that bad, because it'll be most likely the way I'll play the game, until I have a new LCD screen, or unless I simply use my freaking old TV...

Plz tell me the game the game still looks good using Yoko...

[BulletMagnet]

It's playable, but imo it doesn't look nearly as good as it ought to...others might disagree though. In any event I managed to survive using yoko until I got my tate monitor, so it's not like you'll want to use the game as a frisbee or anything, heh.

[Shatterhand]

I don't have any problems in how yoko mode LOOKS, but more in how it PLAYS.

I can barely survive level 1 playing in Yoko. There's a part in the middle of the level, for example, where a tank showers you with lots of bullets.

In Tate, the tank does that close to the top of the screen.

In Yoko, it does in the MIDDLE of screen, making it a bitch to dodge.

Stuff like that happens through all the game when playing in yoko.

Psikyo always did the best jobs when porting a game to yoko mode...

[housevibe]

Oh, so it does break the gameplay ? Oh, well, I'll have to use my old TV then

[Naiera]

Plz tell me the game the game still looks good using Yoko...

Honestly, I'd say it looks like crap.

[housevibe]

Bah, like I said, I have a freaking old Zenith 20" that I'll be glad to "tate". The thing is so old that it wouldn't bother me even for one second if it explodes or anything. The picture quality on it isn't that good, but it will certainly looks better anyway than Yoko, from what I hear....

[gundamalpha]

hello housevibe, remember me from gamefaqs?

[housevibe]

Hey, glad to see some fellows...

Anyway, I just received My action Replay Plus 4M yesterday. That thing rocks, period....Working as an ST- key and an expansion at the same time, how could I ask for more ? Now to play Fragon Force and Guardian Heroes in English, yay !


Oh, also for my next fighting game and shmup, what do you people suggest ?

I was thinking about SFA3, but I already have on PSX. I know the game's pretty much arcade perfect on Saturn, having all the animations and whatnot, but I would like something different for now, like Vampire Savior, or maybe SFA2...


For my Shmup, I was considering Battle Garegga, Soukyugurentai, Shenryu, Batsugun, Blast Wind, Gunbird, Thunder Force V, donpachi and Strikers 1945. What the one I should choose for now ?


My collection is tight, as I only have Layer Section, Radiant Silvergun and (soon) Dodonpachi...All great games, but I would like MORE, as always !!!!

[DC906270]

For me it would be Battle Garegga or Strikers 1945.

Battle Garegga is a mammoth of a game which you will be playing for years. However, a lot of input is required to get good or even stand a chance of coming anywhere near good enough to complete it. Also, has some strange game mechanisms (harsh ranking system)

Strikers 1945 is a very good casual shmup players shmup. Good for a quick blast, but challenging enough to provide many hours trying to gain that elusive 1cc.

[housevibe]

Bump. I need tons more opinions...

[BulletMagnet]

For my Shmup, I was considering Battle Garegga, Soukyugurentai, Shenryu, Batsugun, Blast Wind, Gunbird, Thunder Force V, donpachi and Strikers 1945. What the one I should choose for now ?

Well, for starters, I haven't played Blast Wind or the Saturn Shienryu, though I own the rest. Here are my opinions on each, if you're interested. The prices I give are hopefully not TOO far off the mark, though obviously it varies depending on who's selling it.

Battle Garegga: The Saturn port is excellent, but as was said before this game is not for everyone. Lots of good things going on, but very demanding...have a look at the ST in the Strategy forum to get an idea of how complex the thing is. Also expensive, near 100$...

Soukyugurentai: Better than the PS1 port, better graphics and less slowdown, though it doesn't have the extra ship (no big loss imo). Good game overall, but like Garegga it's got a good deal of background stuff going on which demands a certain play style. Relatively inexpensive, around 30-40$. "Otokuyo" re-release has a Garegga demo if you'd rather try it first.

Batsugun: Another excellent port, includes both "regular" and "special" versions of the arcade release. One of the first (if not the first, period) real "manic" shooters, loads of bullets and really big weaponry abound. In the 50$ range.

Gunbird: Considered better than the PS1 port, both US and Japanese versions. Graphics and sound scaled back a bit, but otherwise faithful. Relatively simple in structure, but if you don't mind that then that's no problem. As with most Psikyo games, a good deal of memorization is needed to play well. Around 20-25$.

Thunder Force V: Better graphics than the PS1 version, but fewer extras, otherwise mostly the same. Good and fast-paced, as most TF games are, but I sometimes find it hard to tell what's what onscreen, and you still lose any extra weapon you're using when you die (and in some spots that's BAD). Split opinions on this one. 30-40$, maybe (I got mine really cheap though). US PS1 version is less expensive.

DonPachi: Bad port. Scaled-back presentation and lots of slowdown. PS1 port is supposed to be much better (though tougher to find), try for that if you can. Gameplay is sort of a slower-paced DoDonPachi, a bit more oldschool, though still manic. 30$ or so, maybe?

Strikers 1945: Generally considered superior to the PS1 port, got much the same treatment as Gunbird did. Gameplay is also much the same, except you have a WW2 theme rather than a fantasy one. 30$, maybe?

Hopefully that'll give you at least some idea of what you're looking at. As for fighters, the only one I own (oddly enough) is Astra Superstars, which is expensive and hard to find, and definitely an oddball, so I don't know if I can recommend it to someone looking for fighters in general, heh.

[Jedah Doma]

Hey, glad to see some fellows...

Anyway, I just received My action Replay Plus 4M yesterday. That thing rocks, period....Working as an ST- key and an expansion at the same time, how could I ask for more ? Now to play Fragon Force and Guardian Heroes in English, yay !


Oh, also for my next fighting game and shmup, what do you people suggest ?

I was thinking about SFA3, but I already have on PSX. I know the game's pretty much arcade perfect on Saturn, having all the animations and whatnot, but I would like something different for now, like Vampire Savior, or maybe SFA2...


For my Shmup, I was considering Battle Garegga, Soukyugurentai, Shenryu, Batsugun, Blast Wind, Gunbird, Thunder Force V, donpachi and Strikers 1945. What the one I should choose for now ?


My collection is tight, as I only have Layer Section, Radiant Silvergun and (soon) Dodonpachi...All great games, but I would like MORE, as always !!!!

I would have to tell you that Street Fighter Alpha 3 is a must buy. I had the DC version, and loved it, but once I got the Saturn version, my world was rocked.

For starters, the graphics look just like the arcade. The biggest difference is that the characters don't looked stretched out (vertically) like they do in the DC version. It looks much more colorful then the DC version, which looks washed out. The biggest thing about this game is the 2 player co-op. Now, I know the DC version let's you play two players against all the bosses of the game, but once you beat all the bosses (only 5 off the top of my head) it's over. In the Saturn version, you play through every character! So it's much more enjoyable and lasts a lot longer which I enjoy. Load times are decently quick in menu, but between fights are lighting fast (just like Vampire Savior).

If you have any doubts about this game, doubt no more. Street Fighter Zero 3 is the best port I've played of the game IMO. Pick it up, you won't regret it.

[housevibe]

Awesome explanations and opinions so far : Keep 'em coming !

[ResOGlas]

I own the PS port of DoDonPachi as well as the actual arcade board. I have to say that I can't really tell much of a difference between the two, so hopefully the Saturn port holds it's own...

Also, you should play in TATE on your new TV. It's not going to break.