Japanese PS2 thread

[Zaarock]

Any reason to get Virtual On if I already have the games for the Saturn and Dreamcast? I guess it has dual analog sticks.

The PS2 port of moongate has some extras like being able to play as Z-Gradt and a variant of fei-yen I think. Also some mode where you don't need to jump cancel to lock-on easily(sounds silly)

[Obiwanshinobi]

Virtual-On is the first game's most faithful home iteration with some extra features to boot. Better framerate than on Saturn and, yeah, twin sticks. Apparently it can be played via LAN on two consoles and two TVs (thus even building your own cab would make some sense).
Last but not least, it outputs resolutions up to 1080i or so (although I think it's just upscaling).

[null1024]

Virtual On for the Saturn is a quite different game from the arcade/PS2 version. Lots of minor things involving attack properties are wildly different, many of the stages are different [most notable is the Green Hills stage in the Saturn version only has that one hill in the middle, which changes up how you'd fight on it quite a bit], and the biggest change about the Saturn port is that your dash stun is a fair bit shorter.

Oh, and 20fps. It's charming in a way [like Panzer Dragoon], but it's a crazy low framerate.

I prefer the Saturn port in some aspects [especially the shorter dash stun], but the PS2 version is nearly ideal [and 60fps!]. Hook that baby up to a progressive monitor and obtain twinsticks [I don't think they ever made actual twinsticks for the PS2 though, the DualShock doesn't count -- you might just set it up to how VOOT controls on the DC because of how awkward the sticks on the DualShock feel for this], and you've got the arcade experience right there.
I know a Saturn -> PS2 controller adapter exists, can't remember where I saw one, you could reasonably use that to plug in Saturn twinsticks.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I wouldn't be surprised if it was playable with two standard arcade sticks, Assault PSX port way. Not that it would make much sense for most people.
Sega Ages game where the PS2 controller works a treat is Alien Syndrome (although the US Sega Classics Collection is where it's at). Tons of slowdown, but at least the singleplayer mode seems more accomplished to me than Shadowgrounds and Alien Swarm. Also, co-op is on one telly.

[greg]

For anyone into Sakura Taisen games, a similar---make that a VERY similar game series is the Galaxy Angel games for the PS2. The first game was released on the first Xbox in Japan, and I own that one. The premise is very similar, and it's basically Sakura Taisen in space. Instead of steampunk mecha, they fly starfighters. The Galaxy Angel anime is great fun, but it is only vaguely like the video games. The Galaxy Angel manga, released by Broccoli Books in English, follows the story of the video games. I've only played it a bit, but you play the role of Takuto, who is also in the manga, and your relationship with the five girls depends on how you interact with them through the game.

I own Super Robot Taisen Alpha 2 and 3. They feature mecha from the original Macross, Evangelion, Dancougar, and even Virtual On!

Shining Wind is the sequel to Shining Tears. Japan only.

Arcana Heart, Elemental Gelade, Melty Blood, and Fate/Unlimite Codes are all great fighting games that I own that were never released in English (as far as I can tell, but I am feeling pretty lazy right now since it's close to bed time).

[KAI]

Talking about Taito games, has anyone here played the Rozen Maiden series? they look like a mix of Psychic Force and Senko no Ronde.

Some of the anime fightans made by Eighting are fun to play with friends:
Konjiki no Gash Bell!!:: Yuujou Tag Battle 2!!
Fullmetal Alchemist: Dream Carnival