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[Cagar]

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[ebarrett]

Region-free releases, NTSC-U releases, upcoming NTSC-U and PAL releases, etc. I won't make a list because I don't care. You do care, it's your money - you should care, at least.

If you are uncomfortable with emulating DOJ and Ketsui - buy the ports, put them in a drawer, play on MAME. It's what I do these days - and I do own a J360.

[Cagar]

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[ebarrett]

It's not as good a deal as buying a local or US console (buying the JP versions of region-locked games available in other regions also adds up later, by the way), both in money spent and time/patience invested - getting my J360 (from Play-Asia) was extremely painful, even if things worked out nicely in the end. "Safe and sure" and "importing" sometimes do not agree with each other. Of course, it's probably your parents' money, time and receding hair, so whay do you care, right.

I'm not telling you to not get a J360 - I was telling you that it's nowhere near the no-brainer you think it is, and presenting facts to back that up, and you were replying with false arguments and being generally a moron who can't read what a lot of people already wrote.

[Special World]

You lose money. But it's a great investment if you're interested in STGs. Mushihimesama Futari Black Label alone would have been well worth the entry price of a 360 and game, imo.

Ebarrett: There's no reason to be a dick. Tone it down. It's an internet forum where somebody's interested in videogames. Chill.

[ebarrett]

Ebarrett: There's no reason to be a dick. Tone it down. It's an internet forum where somebody's interested in videogames. Chill.

It's shmups chat, I thought being a dick was how one was supposed to fit in.

[dunpeal2064]

The Ketsui port does have some advantages, such as:

Arrange Mode, and a god one to boot
Arrange bgm, can be set to either mode
Replay saves, which are also in mame
Replay uploads, I love this feature.
Level Select, including loop and doom. Mame does have savestate though.
No Demo bug, although I assume this is fixed in mame too.

So, its a great port. Whether those extras are worth the price of purchase is are up to the buyer. Ketsui and DOJ together will run maybe $150, and they are free in mame. Didn't stop me from buying both ports, but I like the consistency of consoles ( as far as running the game goes. If it boots it will run perfect every time. Of course, my console is more likely to stop working)

[IDruggedShamu]

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[nZero]

No Demo bug, although I assume this is fixed in mame too.

Shouldn't be. That is, it should happen in MAME when using the ROM revision that has the bug on the PCB. Otherwise the emulation isn't correct.

[cpcbautista]

Currently I have the money for JPN 360, but is it worth it?

For the most part, everyone went over the advantages and disadvantages of getting a J360. I literally ordered my jap slim console from play asia on Sunday and I received it this morning. I based my purchase on the fact that I wanted to play the console ports of Ketsui, DDP: DOJ, Deathsmiles IIX (I know it's on games on demand but I like having physical copies of games). I knew i was buying a system for only a few titles, but I felt like I could find enough replay value to warrant my purchase. I can also try out the other non-cave games that are not region free.

[Elixir]

Did you miss the part where almost all shmups on the J360, and pretty much all CAVE releases, are either properly emulated or available in other, less expensive regions?

edit: despite some three or four people saying it in this very thread?

?

OP, from a PAL standpoint, here's what's accessible to you in green and partially accessible in orange, inaccessible in red.

Senko no Ronde Rev.X - Jul 25, 2006 (worldwide release)
Shikigami no Shiro III - Dec 12, 2007 (PC, Wii releases)
Raiden Fighters Aces - Mar 25, 2008 (US and JP port only; MAME, lacks downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc)
Raiden IV - Sep 30, 2008 (US and JP ports only)
Otomedius Gorgeous - Nov 19, 2008 (JP port only)
Dodonpachi Daioujou Black Label Extra - Feb 19, 2009 (JP port only; MAME, lacks arrange, downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc)
Shooting Love 200X - Feb 19, 2009 (JP port only)
Death Smiles - Apr 24, 2009 (JP and US ports only)
Mamoru-kun wa Norowarete Shimatta - Jun 25, 2009 (JP port only)
Mushihimesama Futari - Nov 26, 2009 * (region-free) (or MAME without slowdown)
ESPGaluda II - Feb 25, 2010 * (region-free)
Ketsui - Apr 22, 2010 (MAME, lacks arrange, downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc)
Senko no Ronde DUO - May 20, 2010 (JP port only)
Death Smiles II X - May 27, 2010 (JP port, US digital release only)
Strike Witches Shirogane no Tsubasa - July 29, 2010 (JP port only)
Radirgy Noah - Oct 28, 2010 (JP port only)
Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu - Nov 25, 2010 (PAL release)
Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu: Black Label - Feb 3, 2011 (JP port only)
Muchi Muchi Pork & Pink Sweets - February 24, 2011 * (region-free)
Bullet Soul - Apr 7, 2011 * (region-free)
Eschatos - Apr 7, 2011 * (region-free)
Otomedius Excellent - Apr 21, 2011 (US port only)
Akai Katana - May 26, 2011 (JP port only, PAL port eventually)

It's pretty much 50/50, or less accessible if you're wanting to avoid MAME (no arrange music, arranges, DLC, downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc).

[Cagar]

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[Casper<3]

Did you miss the part where almost all shmups on the J360, and pretty much all CAVE releases, are either properly emulated or available in other, less expensive regions?

edit: despite some three or four people saying it in this very thread?

?

OP, from a PAL standpoint, here's what's accessible to you in green and partially accessible in orange, inaccessible in red.

Senko no Ronde Rev.X - Jul 25, 2006 (worldwide release)
Shikigami no Shiro III - Dec 12, 2007 (PC, Wii releases)
Raiden Fighters Aces - Mar 25, 2008 (US and JP port only; MAME, lacks downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc)
Raiden IV - Sep 30, 2008 (US and JP ports only)
Otomedius Gorgeous - Nov 19, 2008 (JP port only)
Dodonpachi Daioujou Black Label Extra - Feb 19, 2009 (JP port only; MAME, lacks arrange, downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc)
Shooting Love 200X - Feb 19, 2009 (JP port only)
Death Smiles - Apr 24, 2009 (JP and US ports only)
Mamoru-kun wa Norowarete Shimatta - Jun 25, 2009 (JP port only)
Mushihimesama Futari - Nov 26, 2009 * (region-free) (or MAME without slowdown)
ESPGaluda II - Feb 25, 2010 * (region-free)
Ketsui - Apr 22, 2010 (MAME, lacks arrange, downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc)
Senko no Ronde DUO - May 20, 2010 (JP port only)
Death Smiles II X - May 27, 2010 (JP port, US digital release only)
Strike Witches Shirogane no Tsubasa - July 29, 2010 (JP port only)
Radirgy Noah - Oct 28, 2010 (JP port only)
Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu - Nov 25, 2010 (PAL release)
Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu: Black Label - Feb 3, 2011 (JP port only)
Muchi Muchi Pork & Pink Sweets - February 24, 2011 * (region-free)
Bullet Soul - Apr 7, 2011 * (region-free)
Eschatos - Apr 7, 2011 * (region-free)
Otomedius Excellent - Apr 21, 2011 (US port only)
Akai Katana - May 26, 2011 (JP port only, PAL port eventually)

It's pretty much 50/50, or less accessible if you're wanting to avoid MAME (no arrange music, arranges, DLC, downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc).

^^^This ....plus you know if you're into fighting games at all (which also go hand in hand with a lot of this community ...theres Arcana Heart 3, Ougon Musou Kyokai (Umineko fighting game), Nurarihyon no Mago, and the other JP only oddball stuff you probably can't read Idolm@ster, Dream Club, Gal*Gun.

Not to mention you'll have earlier access to shmups released in the future which may or may not be released or playable domestically.

[matrigs]

why not buy another console and jtag it to make it region free, still buying the original game ?

would give you less moral issues than using mame.

[Gus]

why not buy another console and jtag it to make it region free, still buying the original game ?

would give you less moral issues than using mame.

Have fun getting banned from Xbox Live.

[matrigs]

why not buy another console and jtag it to make it region free, still buying the original game ?

would give you less moral issues than using mame.

Have fun getting banned from Xbox Live.

that's true (although as far as i know there are some ways to prevent that ? too lazy to google). but were talking here about exclusively
playing shmups on it which i doubt you will play multiplayer over the internet. might be an issue if you care about scoreboards though, yes.

[KidQuaalude]

Did you miss the part where almost all shmups on the J360, and pretty much all CAVE releases, are either properly emulated or available in other, less expensive regions?

edit: despite some three or four people saying it in this very thread?

?

OP, from a PAL standpoint, here's what's accessible to you in green and partially accessible in orange, inaccessible in red.

Senko no Ronde Rev.X - Jul 25, 2006 (worldwide release)
Shikigami no Shiro III - Dec 12, 2007 (PC, Wii releases)
Raiden Fighters Aces - Mar 25, 2008 (US and JP port only; MAME, lacks downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc)
Raiden IV - Sep 30, 2008 (US and JP ports only)
Otomedius Gorgeous - Nov 19, 2008 (JP port only)
Dodonpachi Daioujou Black Label Extra - Feb 19, 2009 (JP port only; MAME, lacks arrange, downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc)
Shooting Love 200X - Feb 19, 2009 (JP port only)
Death Smiles - Apr 24, 2009 (JP and US ports only)
Mamoru-kun wa Norowarete Shimatta - Jun 25, 2009 (JP port only)
Mushihimesama Futari - Nov 26, 2009 * (region-free) (or MAME without slowdown)
ESPGaluda II - Feb 25, 2010 * (region-free)
Ketsui - Apr 22, 2010 (MAME, lacks arrange, downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc)
Senko no Ronde DUO - May 20, 2010 (JP port only)
Death Smiles II X - May 27, 2010 (JP port, US digital release only)
Strike Witches Shirogane no Tsubasa - July 29, 2010 (JP port only)
Radirgy Noah - Oct 28, 2010 (JP port only)
Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu - Nov 25, 2010 (PAL release)
Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu: Black Label - Feb 3, 2011 (JP port only)
Muchi Muchi Pork & Pink Sweets - February 24, 2011 * (region-free)
Bullet Soul - Apr 7, 2011 * (region-free)
Eschatos - Apr 7, 2011 * (region-free)
Otomedius Excellent - Apr 21, 2011 (US port only)
Akai Katana - May 26, 2011 (JP port only, PAL port eventually)

It's pretty much 50/50, or less accessible if you're wanting to avoid MAME (no arrange music, arranges, DLC, downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc).

Slightly out-of date. Deathsmiles has been available in PAL regions for ages now.

[Special World]

Hey Casper, how are those fighting games? I've played Arcana Heart 3 and liked it a good deal, but never heard of those other two.

[Nasirosuchus]

Did you miss the part where almost all shmups on the J360, and pretty much all CAVE releases, are either properly emulated or available in other, less expensive regions?

edit: despite some three or four people saying it in this very thread?

?

OP, from a PAL standpoint, here's what's accessible to you in green and partially accessible in orange, inaccessible in red.

Senko no Ronde Rev.X - Jul 25, 2006 (worldwide release)
Shikigami no Shiro III - Dec 12, 2007 (PC, Wii releases)
Raiden Fighters Aces - Mar 25, 2008 (US and JP port only; MAME, lacks downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc)
Raiden IV - Sep 30, 2008 (US and JP ports only)
Otomedius Gorgeous - Nov 19, 2008 (JP port only)
Dodonpachi Daioujou Black Label Extra - Feb 19, 2009 (JP port only; MAME, lacks arrange, downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc)
Shooting Love 200X - Feb 19, 2009 (JP port only)
Death Smiles - Apr 24, 2009 (JP and US ports only)
Mamoru-kun wa Norowarete Shimatta - Jun 25, 2009 (JP port only)
Mushihimesama Futari - Nov 26, 2009 * (region-free) (or MAME without slowdown)
ESPGaluda II - Feb 25, 2010 * (region-free)
Ketsui - Apr 22, 2010 (MAME, lacks arrange, downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc)
Senko no Ronde DUO - May 20, 2010 (JP port only)
Death Smiles II X - May 27, 2010 (JP port, US digital release only)
Strike Witches Shirogane no Tsubasa - July 29, 2010 (JP port only)
Radirgy Noah - Oct 28, 2010 (JP port only)
Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu - Nov 25, 2010 (PAL release)
Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu: Black Label - Feb 3, 2011 (JP port only)
Muchi Muchi Pork & Pink Sweets - February 24, 2011 * (region-free)
Bullet Soul - Apr 7, 2011 * (region-free)
Eschatos - Apr 7, 2011 * (region-free)
Otomedius Excellent - Apr 21, 2011 (US port only)
Akai Katana - May 26, 2011 (JP port only, PAL port eventually)

It's pretty much 50/50, or less accessible if you're wanting to avoid MAME (no arrange music, arranges, DLC, downloadable replays, leaderboards, etc).

The SH3 games (Deathsmiles, Espgaluda II, Mushihime-sama, Mushi Futari, Mushi Futari BL, Pink Sweets, and Muchi Muchi Pork) have slowdown if you use Metallic's build.

Is it 100% accurate to the PCB? No, but neither are the ports. You don't get arrange modes or leader boards, but if you only care about being able to play the games, then it really doesn't matter.

The Raiden IV hack as well as Shiki III are available on PC, and Shooting Love 200X and Radirgy Noah can be played via Makaron.

As has been stated, most replays end up on youtube and nicovideo anyway.

[Casper<3]

Hey Casper, how are those fighting games? I've played Arcana Heart 3 and liked it a good deal, but never heard of those other two.

There is a demo of the Umineko fighter on live. I've never played the other but I have heard good things, it certainly is not an in-depth take serious fighter though.

[Gus]

The SH3 games (Deathsmiles, Espgaluda II, Mushihime-sama, Mushi Futari, Mushi Futari BL, Pink Sweets, and Muchi Muchi Pork) have slowdown if you use Metallic's build.

Is it 100% accurate to the PCB? No, but neither are the ports.

Deathsmiles Arcade and 360/arcade in both versions of Futari are very accurate to PCB. Also from what I've heard the only slowdown that got removed from Espgaluda 2 is the jerky Futari slowdown everybody hates. Dunno about PS/MMP.

[dannnnn]

As has been stated, most replays end up on youtube and nicovideo anyway.

The JP leaderboards were a massive help to me when I started playing Deathsmiles a few months ago. You're far more limited by what you can find on the net, perhaps one or two good replays for your chosen game/mode/character if you're lucky.

[Elixir]

Is he comparing Metallic's mock slowdown build to the ports? I'm dumbfounded, I can't even think of a reply.

It also matters if the OP wishes to submit scores here. Arranges can be ignored sure, but that's part of the price.

[Kiken]

that's true (although as far as i know there are some ways to prevent that ? too lazy to google). but were talking here about exclusively
playing shmups on it which i doubt you will play multiplayer over the internet. might be an issue if you care about scoreboards though, yes.

It would also make downloading updates and add-ons (like Black Label content) a pain-in-the-ass.

Deathsmiles Arcade and 360/arcade in both versions of Futari are very accurate to PCB. Also from what I've heard the only slowdown that got removed from Espgaluda 2 is the jerky Futari slowdown everybody hates. Dunno about PS/MMP.

Arcade Mode Deathsmiles is incredibly close to the PCB. Futari in both 360 and Arcade modes is close but there are some minor differences. ESP 2 in Arcade Mode is a good conversion but there are numerous differences with the PCB (everything from slowdown inaccuracies to differences in enemy health).

[Nasirosuchus]

As has been stated, most replays end up on youtube and nicovideo anyway.

The JP leaderboards were a massive help to me when I started playing Deathsmiles a few months ago. You're far more limited by what you can find on the net, perhaps one or two good replays for your chosen game/mode/character if you're lucky.

One or two? There are plenty of replays on youtube of any game you'd like. Heck, this board has an entire youtube thread.

[Nasirosuchus]

Is he comparing Metallic's mock slowdown build to the ports? I'm dumbfounded, I can't even think of a reply.

It also matters if the OP wishes to submit scores here. Arranges can be ignored sure, but that's part of the price.

I'll say it again:

The slowpoken build isn't perfect, but it's playable. Just like the ports. Myself and plenty others are satisfied. If you aren't, then that's fine, but from a basic playability standpoint, you can get that from the slowpoke build. Besides, there are other games in MAME that have more issues that inaccurate slowdown and no one complains about them.

[iconoclast]

The JP leaderboards were a massive help to me when I started playing Deathsmiles a few months ago. You're far more limited by what you can find on the net, perhaps one or two good replays for your chosen game/mode/character if you're lucky.

One or two? There are plenty of replays on youtube of any game you'd like. Heck, this board has an entire youtube thread.

The keyword is "good". How many Death Smiles replays can you find where the player scores over 300 million? Not a whole lot, but I'm sure there are plenty of them on the JP leaderboard.

[DrTrouserPlank]

The simple answer is that you should buy a J-360 if you are interested in playing region-exclusive shmups and/or don't want to wait for localised versions that may or may never come.

Whilst the loaclisations are coming thick and fast the the moment there's no telling how suddenly they could dry up, and I expect there's a few more shmups to be released yet, some of which could take over a year to get loacalised, and as the generation draws to a close some may never get localised.

Whilst there's less reason now (than say a year ago when I bought my J-360) to buy a J-360 I still think there is a compelling case for it. I also believe that even with localised versions of games being released, the Japanese versions will still hold a reasonable value as collector's items, as will the J-360 required to play them. That's one of the good things about shmups. I always know that I can buy them new, and even if I hate them I could recoup 90% of my money by reselling it (in many cases for a long time after the game has been released)

[Nasirosuchus]

The JP leaderboards were a massive help to me when I started playing Deathsmiles a few months ago. You're far more limited by what you can find on the net, perhaps one or two good replays for your chosen game/mode/character if you're lucky.

One or two? There are plenty of replays on youtube of any game you'd like. Heck, this board has an entire youtube thread.

The keyword is "good". How many Death Smiles replays can you find where the player scores over 300 million? Not a whole lot, but I'm sure there are plenty of them on the JP leaderboard.

Oh, come on. Now you're just grasping at straws.

The issue here was replays, which can be found online. Perhaps you won't find something as specific as what you referenced, but is that really going to be a deal breaker for most people who simply want to play the game?

Next you'll be going on and on about the fresh smell when you open the game case.

[ebarrett]

Look, Elixir can post all the (wrong, biased, shit) lists in the world, and Cagar can come up with all the excuses to buy a J360 for unreasons ("I can play games I don't really want to play on it!"), the only arguments that hold up (edit: if you're really in it for shmups exclusively, as you said yourself more than once) are really wanting a game that's not available in any other way otherwise (until you pulled a ketsuipachi out of your ass you never once hinted at this being the case, so I'm assuming you invented that just to spite me), replays (arguable), and protecting yourself against future releases not making it to other regions (again arguable - don't bet the farm on the 360 being flooded with much more stuff).

Slowpoke MAME isn't really an argument against getting a J360, by the way - you need an extremely beefy computer to run it (PS runs like a slideshow in mine, Ibara is reasonably less bad but still chokes here and there) and even if you can run it "properly" who knows how (in)accurate that thing really is. Most of the SH3 stuff is available legally outside of JP region anyway, so that's a moot point.

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG BLAHBLAH AAAAASS

How cute, keep ignoring civilized arguments and behaving like that and you'll go far.