Gunhound EX: PSP sidescrolling mecha game from G.Rev

[Op Intensify]

http://www.mechadamashii.com/news/news- ... announced/ (trailer in link)

Whilst we meant to review the awesome PC version of Gunhound we never got around to it (it is awesome though). However, we now know that there will also be a PSP version released in December of this year called Gunhound EX. Sort of a remake(ish), it’s being co-developed with G.Rev this time. In addition, it will still feature music by the lovely Kinuyo Yamashita as well as new tracks from the pretty mad Hyakutaro Tsukumo. The game will also be released on PSN but a limited edition box set will also come packaged with cels and an all important soundtrack CD. We’ll be picking this up though and definitely reviewing it this time.

The game's doujin roots are still obvious, but this looks like a pretty substantial improvement on what I thought was a competent but rather dull Valken clone. Seems to be taking some inspiration from Wolf Fang/Rohga as well! Too bad the only physical release will likely be stupid expensive, if they're including CELS with it.

[KAI]

Hyakutaro Tsukumo! I'm buying it.

[Op Intensify]

This also reinforces even further just how hard it's going to be to kill the PSP in Japan, to make room for the Vita. It's like the PS3 in the late PS2 era all over again.

[Domino]

Damn I need to get a PSP. Is the PSP 3000 good for shmups and emulators?

[Gespenst]

A question: from what I can read in Dracue's homepage, is Gunhound EX itself originally created as update/expansion pack of the original?.

also, lol @VF-25 alike as boss.

[Ghegs]

Very cool that Gunhound is getting a port/update, but sad that it's for the PSP only. I have the original game (props to rancor for hooking me up) and it's pretty good. I hope, albeit futilely I'm sure, that the EX update will come to the PC original as well.

[Gespenst]

that the EX update will come to the PC original as well.

Maybe this? (taken from a banner in their homepage) Looks like some sort of patcher that could upgrade the game version to Ex version.
http://gunhound.dracue.co.jp/update/upGrade.zip

Found a strange, Pocket Station-ish version as well, here's the trial version
http://gunhound.dracue.co.jp/ghp/gunHoundP.zip

[Friendly]

This also reinforces even further just how hard it's going to be to kill the PSP in Japan, to make room for the Vita. It's like the PS3 in the late PS2 era all over again.

Sony should start selling PSP games on PS Vita game cards.

Regarding the game, it looks very cool; I'll most likely import it. Thank goodness for PSP being region-free.

[BIL]

that the EX update will come to the PC original as well.

Maybe this? (taken from a banner in their homepage) Looks like some sort of patcher that could upgrade the game version to Ex version.
http://gunhound.dracue.co.jp/update/upGrade.zip

I'm pretty sure this is the case. Macaw made a topic about it over at Gamegai some months ago, finally convinced me to pick it up sometime (thought vanilla GH was a bit weak compared to Gigantic Army).

[shmuppyLove]

Damn I need to get a PSP. Is the PSP 3000 good for shmups and emulators?

The only emulator I've tried so far was for SNES, and it runs quite well. Not perfect, but well enough for a handheld.

PS1 games run amazingly though, which is something I didn't even know was possible.

[Friendly]

PC Engine emulation is perfect on PSP. So is Sega Mega Drive and Master System. Famicom should be perfect, too. Haven't tested it but from what I've heard, Neo Geo should be fine, too.

[KAI]

PSP is the best PSX emulator so far.
No info about this game on G.Rev's site.

[MOSQUITO FIGHTER]

This looks pretty fun. I really liked Cybernator.

[cfx]

.

[Kyper]

The update/expansion works with the download-only version. The update also adds a separate exe file so you can play the original or the upgraded version.

[Jeneki]

Normally this is when I'd silently start wishing for a version on anything non-handheld. But hey, it's already on PC? Awesome, I'll have to do some scrounging later.

[Ghegs]

I had actually found that PC upgrade file some months ago but couldn't get it to work, so I figured it was meant for something else entirely. Inspired by the thread I went and tried again, and turns out I just hadn't figured out how to use it last time. So, for anybody else who's wondering: After unzipping the file, start ghSupport.exe, then drag the main executable (GunHound.exe) to the empty window of ghSupport.exe. Now the program will download the updated files from some server in Japan, and after it's finished, you have GunHoundEx.exe which will start the EX revision.

My Gunhounding is a bit rusty, but EX feels a lot harder. There's new enemies, the pace seems a bit faster, the bosses have new attacks...well, I only saw the first boss in EX, I couldn't even beat him. So, good stuff. I wonder if they removed the annoying "protect the helicopter"-bit from Stage 3...

Hey you people localizing and bringing over japanese PC games. This is the one to do.

[BIL]

Cool, thanks for the confirmation - definitely picking it up now.

I hope Astro Port give the subgenre another go. They nailed the foundation with Gigantic Army's perfectly-judged feel and incredible sense of violent impact, it just needed a bit more theatrical scale ala the Assault Suits games. Needs more colony drops, fatal atmospheric re-entries and last-ditch assaults on enemy capitals.

[Op Intensify]

A bit confused, is the EX version already fully available for PC via a patch?

[KAI]

According to this and this patch, yes. But I think Tsukumo's music for the PSP version is a new feature.

[CID]

Stoked. I'll be picking this up for sure!

[Op Intensify]

I should probably reiterate that the only physical release of this on PSP is going to be a likely very pricey and limited special edition.

[CID]

Suppose I'll start saving now then.

[Cacophanus]

I should probably reiterate that the only physical release of this on PSP is going to be a likely very pricey and limited special edition.

The source I linked to stated that the download version would be 2,500 yen with a boxed released at 3,129 yen. A limited edition (boxed release) would also be sold at 5,229 yen.

So even the limited edition still costs less than most Japanese PSP games. It's meant as a budget title of sorts, so it won't be expensive.

As for whether the original game was any good, I personally preferred it over Gigantic Army.

[Drum]

This also reinforces even further just how hard it's going to be to kill the PSP in Japan, to make room for the Vita. It's like the PS3 in the late PS2 era all over again.

PSP will die eventually, but it won't help the Vita.

I have this on PC but I don't think I ever played it, lol.
We need more Thexder-likes, Valken has done quite well enough thanx.

[Ed Oscuro]

Man, I still remember the original (well, almost-original) PC Thexder with...a feeling approaching disdain. Surely it wasn't much better on the MSX.

[Op Intensify]

It's still an acquired taste, but the PSP/PS3 remake Thexder Neo is a huge improvement.

[Drum]

Firehawk is awesome (tho it gets less awesome as the level design gets more and more mazelike).

[KAI]

Now I can confirm it, you can update the PC game to EX. The patch change the music, the graphics, the mechanics and add some missions.

[Obiwanshinobi]

PS1 games run amazingly though, which is something I didn't even know was possible.

Zanac X Zanac, then. Get busy to it. I bought a PSX for the thing and this thing alone is reason enough for me to consider buying a PSP. Portable Zanac, whoa.
I know I'm repeating myself and being off topic at that, but Zanac remade for GBA (not emulated as neither downscaled nor cropped graphics will meet my expectations) is my idée fixe. Some homebrew GBA ports/remakes of shooty games I keep trying out are technically okay, but have yet to scratch that itch. I'm still waiting for the platform's quintessential shmup. Gradius Advance/Galaxies is cool and all, but where's the Caravan variety? And so on, and so on.

We need more Thexder-likes, Valken has done quite well enough thanx.

Don't know about you, but I need exactly Valken and such for my PlayStation-style controllers (including CCP) every now and then. Isn't CCP the only Nintendo peripheral without a single Nintendo game designed with it in mind? Rather unlike Nintendo. As if they released a controller with so many buttons only to regret it immediately and choose to pretend it didn't happen.
Rather like some doujin developers actually. I still wonder why Gigantic Army is designed as if controllers still had only three buttons each.