Taito collections

Guardians Knight · Post by **Guardians Knight** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 9:09 am

got the pal version of Taito Legends yesterday, only had half an hours play but it seems nice, with a bit more thought this could have been an absolute killer package, eg. better controls for the likes of Operations wulf and thunderbolt - how mint would they have been with light gun support? and same goes for tate mode, its still a great package like, cant wait for number two

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 10:03 am

PAL version comes with 60hz, or so I've been told.

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 1:49 pm

Just be nice to have these games in a legal form once more. Volume 2 could really be something special though... If all retro comps were done this way I'd be a happy man, shame about TATE though.

Post by **system11** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:09 pm

Got mine today. Xbox version is excellent. All those people who seemed to think Europe was being screwed by this release - you're so, so wrong. It's just not shmup-heavy, but there are some great games on here, and they run pretty well too. Colony 7 is owning my world right now.

Marler · Post by **Marler** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:42 am

What to say about taito legends...
Pros.
60hz
Rainbow islands
Thunder Fox (What a fun game!)
Less 'fuzziness' compared to the japan release (Rastan shows this
especially)
Nice interviews, presumably the ones from the 'bonus' DVD that came
with the japanese release.
Cons.
DOES NOT WORK WITH NON-ANALOGUE CONTROLLERS!!!
(ie - My Hori real arcade pro - VERY annoying)
Unmappable controls - WHY GOD WHY?
(Thunder Fox controls need fixing so bad!!)
Too many Taito America titles, hardly legendary.
I hope they sort this stuff out for the second one, but it's unlikely.
I wish more companies would put in the effort Namco put into their
early collections, they actually made me appreciate some of their games
more than I did previously. Stuff like this and the midway collections
are just like buying the rights to run the games on mame or something.
Umm....anyway, it cost me £15, so mustn't grumble I suppose.

sjewkestheloon · Post by **sjewkestheloon** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 4:07 pm

oh fantastic. get it home, plug in my namco arcade stick and nothing. so you're tellimg me they thought that it would be a good idea to release a retro compilation of ARCADE games that aren't compatible with ARCADE STICKS? basically (since they removed any shmups fromt eh pal release) i got this for versions of bubble bobble and rainbow island for use with my arcade stick. might as well have waited for the ds conversions which have the arcade original as well as complete new 100 level modes.

other than that it seems solid and has a 60hz. i just see no reason why people would want to play arcade games with a ps2 pad. ruins it. gutted.

E. Randy Dupre · Post by **E. Randy Dupre** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 6:12 pm

Anyone know if it's possible to turn that really fucking annoying purple background off on the vert monitor games? It's really doing my head in - totally distracting me from the games. The screenshots on the back of the box show Pheonix and Space Invaders Part 2 with black vertical borders, so there must be some way of doing it.

There better had, anyway.

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 8:35 pm

Oh as an intresting side point I downloaded the fan kit the other day and uploaded the video on to my site. It apears that there may be 'hidden' games just like the JAP released because a lot of the games on the video are not listed so I think they may be unlockable and it's a video for the PAL vol.1 to...

THE LINK!

You might be suprised to see what games that are on this video that are not officaly listed but saying that the offical xbox mag also said that some of the best stuff on this collection is not playab;e straight away... the plot thickens ladies and gentalfriends!

E. Randy Dupre · Post by **E. Randy Dupre** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:05 pm

I think that video was probably created before they'd finalised the list of games for the first pack. For one thing, it's advertising it as being on Empire's Xplosiv label - as it was intended to be originally - but that's not the case with the released disc.

For another, if you look carefully at the snippets of Operation Wolf and Operation Thunderbolt in that video, the aiming cursor isn't the same as in the console versions. I'm guessing that the video is from the games running under MAME on a PC.

Oh, and those bloody awful purple borders aren't there, either.

There's a fuss been kicked up about this compilation on other boards - apparently, Empire were meaning to include a number of other games on this disc, but because they couldn't get them running properly on the PS2 in time for release, they pulled them from both the PS2 and Xbox discs. Bearing all that in mind, I'd be pretty surprised if those other games in that vid are hidden away on the disc. Especially when you're talking about some pretty big names - if you were including a Darius game on the comp, would you really not mention it on the box or in the manual?

Taito Legends 2, I reckon.

gameoverDude · Post by **gameoverDude** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:07 am

sjewkestheloon wrote:oh fantastic. get it home, plug in my namco arcade stick and nothing. so you're tellimg me they thought that it would be a good idea to release a retro compilation of ARCADE games that aren't compatible with ARCADE STICKS? basically (since they removed any shmups fromt eh pal release) i got this for versions of bubble bobble and rainbow island for use with my arcade stick. might as well have waited for the ds conversions which have the arcade original as well as complete new 100 level modes.

other than that it seems solid and has a 60hz. i just see no reason why people would want to play arcade games with a ps2 pad. ruins it. gutted.

Welp, there goes my plans of using the Namco Tekken 5 stick on it.

I've found no mention of GunCon 2 support for Space Gun, Operation Wolf, & Thunderbolt either. Pity if these don't support the gun.

E. Randy Dupre · Post by **E. Randy Dupre** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 12:04 pm

No, it doesn't support lightguns either.

And Bubble Bobble is seriously buggy - I got up to level 97 in a two-player run last night and it became impossible to progress, for a number of reasons - bubbles misbehaving, enemies managing to get themselves stuck in areas they shouldn't. It also went totally loopy and started awarding the second player points just for moving backwards and forwards.

I really wanted to love this pack, but the more time I put into it, the more it begins to look like a gigantic cock up.

gameoverDude · Post by **gameoverDude** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 6:34 pm

E. Randy Dupre wrote:No, it doesn't support lightguns either.

And Bubble Bobble is seriously buggy - I got up to level 97 in a two-player run last night and it became impossible to progress, for a number of reasons - bubbles misbehaving, enemies managing to get themselves stuck in areas they shouldn't. It also went totally loopy and started awarding the second player points just for moving backwards and forwards.

I really wanted to love this pack, but the more time I put into it, the more it begins to look like a gigantic cock up.

MAJOR faux pas there, Empire. Operation Wolf with no lightgun = BULL SHIT. My enthusiasm has fallen even more. Thank goodness for Taito's own Memories pack. It's a shame that they didn't just release the 2 TM packs together in the other territories.

If Bubble Symphony and Rayforce at least would've stayed, I'd have been more interested. Perhaps these will end up in volume 2- I hope.

As for the 2nd player getting points for moving in BB, I was sure there was a powerup that would give a player points for just moving and/or jumping. That itself may have been due to the 2nd player taking a certain item.

E. Randy Dupre · Post by **E. Randy Dupre** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:48 pm

Really? I've never seen it before. It also looked like the level timer went doolally, because once we noticed the score thing we decided to just let the countdown run out so that Baron von Blubba could kill us and we'd get game over - problem being, the 'Hurry Up!' message never popped up and von Blubba never appeared. That's why I was pretty sure that it had all gone tits-up.

There's definitely a problem with the bubble movement, though. Level 95 is one of those where you need to bounce on your own bubbles to climb up the screen to where the bad guys are, but when we got there last night 1P's bubbles were going outside the level boundary - into the unreachable area where the EXTEND letters collect. Very, very frustrating.

As for lightguns in Op Wolf, I was reading somewhere a couple of days ago that the original arcade cab doesn't actually use them. Instead, the gun on it is simply part of a cleverly-calibrated analogue joystick that moves an invisible cursor around the screen, so that you're given the impression that it's a full-on lightgun. That'd explain why support for lightguns wasn't included here, to an extent.

But yeah, it doesn't make it any less idiotic. I've only had a couple of quick goes on each of those games - Op Wolf, Op Thunderbolt, Space Gun, that submarine one - and they're pretty rubbish when you're having to use the analogue stick.

theevilfunkster · Post by **theevilfunkster** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:35 pm

It should at least work with an X-Arcade stick. You can change the X-arcade so the sticks are the analog sticks instead of the dpad. I'll have to get it and give it a try. Would have bought it at the weekend but all the stores were selling it for £20.

Hopefully Volume 2 will have more shmups on it. I cant fully understand just why there arent any Darius games on it.

hikarutilmitt · Post by **hikarutilmitt** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 5:27 am

Ugh, I hope the US version doesn't suffer as a result of the Euro release being so weird. Chances are, though, it will.

Neon · Post by **Neon** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 6:20 am

So Plump Pop runs perfectly in Taito Legends? I'm using mame .99 and it's listed one of the roms for it as 'no good dump known' and the control seems wonky.

chtimi-CLA · Post by **chtimi-CLA** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:44 am

E. Randy Dupre wrote:No, it doesn't support lightguns either.

And Bubble Bobble is seriously buggy - I got up to level 97 in a two-player run last night and it became impossible to progress, for a number of reasons - bubbles misbehaving, enemies managing to get themselves stuck in areas they shouldn't. It also went totally loopy and started awarding the second player points just for moving backwards and forwards.

I really wanted to love this pack, but the more time I put into it, the more it begins to look like a gigantic cock up.

i'm currently playing taito vol.1, especially bubble bobble and dondokodon.
-it works perfectly with the PS2 neo-geo stick
-even in the arcade version, baron von blubba never appears on level 97. it's supposedly to take a break before the final boss, but take care that no enemy gets stuck in a water flush (it should be rare unless you're trying)
-the power-up item that gives you points for walking is the blue ring. the effect only lasts 1 level like all rings.

i recommend you this link for great info on bubble bobble.
so far i haven't seen any bug but i've only been to level 42 (a horrible level) since i play single player .

so far my only problems are no tate on tate games (i pretend they don't exist) and fake low res, which is less annoying on single screen platformers since there isn't the fucked up scrolling effect.

is anyone interested in discussing bubble bobble strats (general, and specific levels)?

Thunder Force · Post by **Thunder Force** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 2:58 pm

E. Randy Dupre wrote:I think that video was probably created before they'd finalised the list of games for the first pack. For one thing, it's advertising it as being on Empire's Xplosiv label - as it was intended to be originally - but that's not the case with the released disc.

According to the packaging the Xbox version is on Empire's normal label and the PS2 version is on Xplosiv.

E. Randy Dupre wrote:And Bubble Bobble is seriously buggy - I got up to level 97 in a two-player run last night and it became impossible to progress, for a number of reasons - bubbles misbehaving, enemies managing to get themselves stuck in areas they shouldn't. It also went totally loopy and started awarding the second player points just for moving backwards and forwards.

That sounds horrible.

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 3:04 pm

Doesn't vol. 1 come out today in the States?

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 7:18 pm

your new avatar is totally ace Ganson!

Sorry for the OT reply ^^

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 8:32 pm

Thanks, Turrican. It captures how I feel most of the day.

Bloodreign · Post by **Bloodreign** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:36 pm

It was supposed to be here today, but like Capcom Classics Collection EB and Gamestop here won't get it in store until tomorrow, with these next two days off I really would've loved to pick Taito Legends up today.

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:25 pm

Bloodreign wrote:It was supposed to be here today, but like Capcom Classics Collection EB and Gamestop here won't get it in store until tomorrow, with these next two days off I really would've loved to pick Taito Legends up today.

Yeah, in spite of its flaws this collection is still something I plan to support, hopefully on the day it comes out. EB Games told me they're getting it tomorrow here as well.

chtimi-CLA · Post by **chtimi-CLA** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 11:17 am

Thunder Force wrote: That sounds horrible.

these aren't porting bugs, see my post.

elbarto · Post by **elbarto** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 4:42 pm

chtimi wrote:is anyone interested in discussing bubble bobble strats (general, and specific levels)?

Count me in

chtimi-CLA · Post by **chtimi-CLA** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 7:34 am

elbarto wrote:
chtimi wrote:is anyone interested in discussing bubble bobble strats (general, and specific levels)?
Count me in

ok, i'll create an off-topic thread then.

Bloodreign · Post by **Bloodreign** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 7:02 pm

I've noticed Rainbow Islands music is ever so slightly off, the high notes seem missing, no biggie really, but the only thing I can nitpick about.

xexex · Post by **xexex** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 9:02 pm

I was wondering if there were any differences between the arcade and playstation versions of G-Darius and Raystorm, and if so, is the taito memories version superior to the playstiation versions? Enough to warrant a purchase if I already own the playstation versions?

E. Randy Dupre · Post by **E. Randy Dupre** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 3:12 pm

chtimi wrote:
Thunder Force wrote: That sounds horrible.
these aren't porting bugs, see my post.

What about the thing with bubbles going outside the level boundary on level 95? Surely that's not supposed to happen?

By the way, I'm talking about the PAL Legends release, not the JPN Memories one. Dondokodon isn't in it, so I guess you're playing the import, yeah? As I understand it, they run under different emulators.

Bloodreign wrote:I've noticed Rainbow Islands music is ever so slightly off, the high notes seem missing, no biggie really, but the only thing I can nitpick about.

It's that thing with the original music being based on Somewhere Over the Rainbow again - legally, they can't use it. I don't really understand why they decided to cut the melody out and leave the rest of the tune in, though - it would have been far better to use the rejigged music from the Saturn conversion, imo. As it is now, it just sounds dull and gets irritating pretty quickly.

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 9:43 pm

Hey versions of the game are you geezers playing? My Xbox version does not have any of the bugs you guys have mentioned above but it does have some very slight bluring. Played Bubble Bobble with a friend yesterday and got to round 97 (damn!) but died since we set a continue limit on our game and did not notice any problems and I checked the message boards around the net and none have reported any bugs yet... I wonder if it was just an unlucky turn of events?