Raiden II and III for PC?

[zaphod]

Raiden II for pc has dithering effects that replace the transparencies the real game has. That's why it looks horrible.

Raiden III is great, if the video card cooperates. Depending on what card you have, you may get slowdown.

But yeah, it's a type x game, so you won't need too much to play it, so the PC port was very easy.

Raiden project is very solid, and is probably the best bet until mame really gets it right.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

According to Interplay, in the instruction manual, it mentions that the Win95 version of Raiden II was based on the earlier PSX port of Raiden Project and still retains the fucked-up controls if played in tate (that plagued the U.S. region PSX Raiden Project release). It's great to listen to the Redbook audio of Win95 Raiden II's original arcade BGMs (as you can't do this with the PSX version of Raiden Project anyways since it's in Yellowbook audio format).

Software Etc. sold brand new boxed copies of PC Raiden II for a mere $9.99 back in 2000. I recall buying one when they were placed in the SE's software bargin bins back in the day.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[BPzeBanshee]

According to Interplay, in the instruction manual, it mentions that the Win95 version of Raiden II was based on the earlier PSX port of Raiden Project and still retains the fucked-up controls if played in tate (that plagued the U.S. region PSX Raiden Project release). It's great to listen to the Redbook audio of Win95 Raiden II's original arcade BGMs (as you can't do this with the PSX version of Raiden Project anyways since it's in Yellowbook audio format).

Software Etc. sold brand new boxed copies of PC Raiden II for a mere $9.99 back in 2000. I recall buying one when they were placed in the SE's software bargin bins back in the day.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

I'm sure I ran the PC version and was able to play TATE without altering the controls. Maybe the US version of the PC Raiden II is different again from the Japanese PC Raiden II?

Either way, no legit CD = no music. Then there's the input lag seems way off compared to running it under PSX emulator + no force 3:4 aspect = fail.

If you're going to try and run Raiden II on the PC run The Raiden Project in an emulator. I recommend getting the US version and hacking the savefile to use proper TATE, then flipping your monitor.

[Zeron]

According to Interplay, in the instruction manual, it mentions that the Win95 version of Raiden II was based on the earlier PSX port of Raiden Project and still retains the fucked-up controls if played in tate (that plagued the U.S. region PSX Raiden Project release). It's great to listen to the Redbook audio of Win95 Raiden II's original arcade BGMs (as you can't do this with the PSX version of Raiden Project anyways since it's in Yellowbook audio format).

Software Etc. sold brand new boxed copies of PC Raiden II for a mere $9.99 back in 2000. I recall buying one when they were placed in the SE's software bargin bins back in the day.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

I'm sure I ran the PC version and was able to play TATE without altering the controls. Maybe the US version of the PC Raiden II is different again from the Japanese PC Raiden II?

Either way, no legit CD = no music. Then there's the input lag seems way off compared to running it under PSX emulator + no force 3:4 aspect = fail.

If you're going to try and run Raiden II on the PC run The Raiden Project in an emulator. I recommend getting the US version and hacking the savefile to use proper TATE, then flipping your monitor.

Well if you burn the iso to a disc you get sound if you have it in the disc tray.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

According to Interplay, in the instruction manual, it mentions that the Win95 version of Raiden II was based on the earlier PSX port of Raiden Project and still retains the fucked-up controls if played in tate (that plagued the U.S. region PSX Raiden Project release). It's great to listen to the Redbook audio of Win95 Raiden II's original arcade BGMs (as you can't do this with the PSX version of Raiden Project anyways since it's in Yellowbook audio format).

Software Etc. sold brand new boxed copies of PC Raiden II for a mere $9.99 back in 2000. I recall buying one when they were placed in the SE's software bargin bins back in the day.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

I'm sure I ran the PC version and was able to play TATE without altering the controls. Maybe the US version of the PC Raiden II is different again from the Japanese PC Raiden II?

Either way, no legit CD = no music. Then there's the input lag seems way off compared to running it under PSX emulator + no force 3:4 aspect = fail.

If you're going to try and run Raiden II on the PC run The Raiden Project in an emulator. I recommend getting the US version and hacking the savefile to use proper TATE, then flipping your monitor.

It's a known fact that the USA region PC Raiden II port released by Interplay still has the same control issues if playing it in tate (as the controls aren't properly rotated anyways).

Yep, I do have a copy of SCEA's Raiden Project & with a proper Gameshark/Gold Finger cheat device on a PSX console, the controller issue is fixed to properly play it if playing in tate.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[BPzeBanshee]

(removed the first section of this post, don't even joke about that /nZ)

It's a known fact that the USA region PC Raiden II port released by Interplay still has the same control issues if playing it in tate (as the controls aren't properly rotated anyways).

Yep, I do have a copy of SCEA's Raiden Project & with a proper Gameshark/Gold Finger cheat device on a PSX console, the controller issue is fixed to properly play it if playing in tate.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

I must've tried the Japan version of the PC port then. My point still stands though, until the not-really-Raiden II dev team work miracles and fix the graphics for Raiden II in MAME (music is fine, unlike the Seibu SPI driver) the US PSX port with cheat hacks for TATE is the way to go. The Japan version has it off the bat but the main menu runs horribly and it doesn't work at all for those running it with a Wii.

[Zeron]

Anyways I got the Raiden II PC US version running with sound and yes I was too close to comfort with it

The drive you mount the cue file must be the lowest letter disc drive(or you just burn it and pop in her in the lowest lettered drive and be sure to crank up that little volume wheel on the disc drive if you have one) Now to get TATE you go to Options Display properties select FULL SCREEN then off to the settings tab and cross in horizontal mode. It will now switch to 640x480 fullscreen abit of a pain for me who runs my desktop at 85hz but all my games at 60hz so you have to switch the desktops hz to correspond to whatever you use. Now of course it shares the same bug as the NTSC-U Raiden Project but of course thats not a problem because all you need to do is reassign the keys and you are good to go.

Abit of a hassle but if you really want to play Raiden II, you happen to not own a PS1 and don't feel like emulating it due to input lag or whatever this is the way to go! outside of owning the pcb that is...


also I happen to have gotten my hands on a japanese pc port and yes you can have it running with sound if you have the US version mounted just for its CD tracks the exact same indivuduals are credited with the job and yes this version has the inverted TATE control bug. For the love of me I can't figure out what the hell Start back mode is supposed to be in the settings menu and Gameplay mode: EXTRA SMOOTH, TURBO...


pardon my weak english

Playing for about 30 seconds lead to discovery of a bug or whatever I am supposed to call it


Arcade
http://i43.tinypic.com/2ewe6i0.jpg


PC(Both US and Japan) the roof flickers back after you have passed it and no you cant damage him untill he leaves the roof

http://i42.tinypic.com/317h000.jpg

[Leandro]

Raiden II PC looks like complete utter shit on my machine, unless I play it on standard mode, which is a tiny rectangle in the middle of the screen.

[Zeron]

It does infact look like pile of dogshit I agree, I am thinking about getting a PS1 again then 60hz modding it just for Raiden II and DX so I dont have to deal with emulation and this ugly port or I just wait for MAME devs

[BPzeBanshee]

(removed the first section of this post, don't even joke about that /nZ)

Spoilsport.

It does infact look like pile of dogshit I agree, I am thinking about getting a PS1 again then 60hz modding it just for Raiden II and DX so I dont have to deal with emulation and this ugly port or I just wait for MAME devs

We could get the "RFA for PAL" team to nag the "not-really-Raiden II" dev team until they say something but I doubt they're as weak as Tradewest so I'm probably going to have kids by the time they do anything (at least trap15's blog has stuff happening on it, kudos to him). Get that modded PS1 for the games man, you'll be so much better off.

[stryc9]

Slightly off topic, but if I was to hunt for the Japanese Raiden DX and play it on the modded slimline PS2 I have, would I be a happy camper, or slightly pissed off with unintended slowdowns etc?

I heard Gradius Gaiden has slowdown on some levels that appears whens playing the game on a PS2.
How is the backwards compatibility with DX? and for that matter, Raiden Project?

[zaphod]

Start back mode=checkpoints instead of instant respawn in one player mode.

[nZero]

How is the backwards compatibility with DX? and for that matter, Raiden Project?

I haven't noticed any differences on either of those between an SCPH-7501 Playstation and an SCPH-70012 Slim PS2 on default PS1 driver settings. I haven't tried to compare them side-by-side, but there weren't any slowdowns or graphic/sound glitches.

[Rozyrg]

I remember finding the Interplay/Cyberfront PC version in the bargain bin at Electronics Boutique (man, that name takes me back..) once. I got it as a gift for my buddy since we always used to play Raiden 2 at this little game shop near his house.

I only played it a few times, so I can't remember any specific audio/video issues; but I did buy a few other PC ports in the same "Ultimate Arcade Power Pack" line. Darius Gaiden is probably the best out of those and still runs awesome (on WinXP at least); but it always crashes mysteriously after the first stage...hmm.

[BrianC]

louisg> of the ones you mentioned, I have several, but the japanese versions by CyberFront/SourceNext.

Layer Section: a horrible port by CyberFront that got rid of the TATE, reduced difficulty and has uglier graphics than the Saturn or arcade counterparts, it also has trouble running in many configurations. Its only redeeming value is the awesome redbook audio. I'm glad I got this one for $1. Stick to MAME or Saturn versions or, if you want to go for PC, the Taito Legends that comes with RayForce.

Galactic Attack/Layer Section's audio on the Saturn is also in redbook. I haven't played the PC one, but with the Saturn version being awesome and including redbook, I have no plans to play the CyberFront PC version.

[Austin]

Raiden II PC--I thought you can configure your controls? If not, then I used Xpadder when I played it in TATE. My complaint with it is that the framerate is inconsistent and choppy when I run it like that, or least on my current system running Win 7. I'm surprised it ran at all, actually, but regardless, I think it's best to stick to the PlayStation version for that reason alone.

Regarding the person who commented on Darius Gaiden crashing after the first stage in XP--I have the same problem in Windows 7, even with the compatibility options on. Funny thing is, it worked once, then the second time I tried loading it, it began crashing. Hasn't worked properly after stage 1 since.

[BPzeBanshee]

Speaking of shoddy arcade PC port collections, I've had no end of issues with Taito Legends for PC. I'm still not sure how I manage to get it working half the time, but then the emulation of the games on it are pretty shit (see Phoenix) so worst case scenario you can grab the ROMs from the install folder and commandline them into MAME (since half the time the CRC/SHA1 checks will fail).

[Mordecai Walfish]

Sorry to necro it up here, but I just have to say that Raiden III's pc port is likely the best quality arcade shmup release I've yet to experience on PC.

People dislike this game commonly because of the speed of the player ship and that not being negotiable.. but when the game is built around that speed and thus a very tailored experience as it is here, you truly see the quality of the design from the beginning to the end. Difficulty in the game ramps up at a very appropriate pace and makes it easier for a new player to adapt. (My roommate played this for the first time tonight and had a BLAST) Features like seeing ace replays that are shipped with the game for each level unlock after you beat that point in the game also drive the player to partake in scoring runs and record their own outstanding replays.. and while the online scoreboard has apparently been hacked and the score codes decrypted, its still fun to get your personal best up there.

And thank goodness they baked in some solid tate for those with the appropriate setup (or, like in my case, a corner to prop my 16x9 lcd up).

This game is a shining example of how to do justice to a PC port in every possible way. It's a shame that they did not make a proper port for Raiden IV, I would purchase that in a heartbeat if they had a solid PC port. With the rising interest shmups are getting on Steam it seems so obvious that a game of this quality would sell like hotcakes, priced $5-$10 and with global/localized leaderboards. If they could work out how integrate sharing saved replays and maybe co-op internet play, this title would easily sell 1,000,000 on a platform like Steam.

just my 2c

[Despatche]

Guess I'm the only one here who actually likes Raiden II PC and would rather play it over Raiden Project.

[Mordecai Walfish]

Guess I'm the only one here who actually likes Raiden II PC and would rather play it over Raiden Project.

If it's a well done conversion, I'm sure I would enjoy it. (havent played the PC port of that yet) But if it's just a slapped together PSX port with crappy redbook audio implementation (like G-Darius was), I would just as soon play the mame version instead... that is.. unless the soundtrack is anywhere near as good as G-Darius'. That's the only reason I keep the PC version installed, mame's lacks music & emulating the superior PS2 version has some issues as well).

You seem like you're comparing two very similar things here though.. I cant think of anyone who's made a compelling argument for either.

[BPzeBanshee]

When I ran it last, Raiden II's PC version had graphical glitches (kinda like early working builds of Raiden Fighters in MAME) and the shadow rendering is inferior to the PSX port apparently (no alpha blending or something like that).