PGM2 Game Versions

[DasFool]

I purchased some PGM2 games a while back (Knights of Valour 2 New Legend and Oriental Legend 2) and I believe they are single language. From what I've seen online, there are newer versions of these games that have English language as an option. Does anyone know if you can update these with just a simple ROM rewrite?

[muckyfingers]

On the PGM1, the bios on each game decided the language displayed. So if you had a chinese version of a game then the bios needed to be hacked in order to display English language or properly programmed/replaced by IGS for your Region/Language preference. It is probably the same for PGM2.

Also the English versions function the same as the Chinese versions, 1 language per game. There is no option to change to another language from any sort of menu.

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

That can't be right. Have you ever seen that done? The region is programmed into the IGS027A. I've never heard of a PGM1 hacked bios doing that.

[mastercello]

Me neither!

[muckyfingers]

That can't be right. Have you ever seen that done? The region is programmed into the IGS027A. I've never heard of a PGM1 hacked bios doing that.

I got the hacked bios idea from one the FBA Devs. He's going to help me convert my KOV2ND when he has some time.

[DasFool]

Here's the thread that got me thinking about this. As you can see in the pictures, there is a language option. That is making me think it is possible to switch out a ROM. Also, Excellentcom has a description for their PGM2 games that says, "Chinese Title - But able to adjust into English language."

[muckyfingers]

Here's the thread that got me thinking about this. As you can see in the pictures, there is a language option. That is making me think it is possible to switch out a ROM. Also, Excellentcom has a description for their PGM2 games that says, "Chinese Title - But able to adjust into English language."

That was for KOF98UM, which was programmed with both languages on the Taito Type X2 before being ported over to the PGM2.

[DasFool]

Any thoughts on Excellentcom's quote?

"Chinese Title - But able to adjust into English language."

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

It looks like some PGM game was like that and then they just assumed they all were and copy/pasted that text for every game.

[system11]

Is the PGM2 KOF any good? Also wonder about Knights Of Valour 3 PGM2 vs PGM3. There seems to be no real information at all on PGM3.

[DasFool]

This is the most information I've been able to find.

http://arcadeheroes.com/2013/01/04/igs- ... -hardware/

[system11]

Yeah, same here - I'm wanting to know if the PGM3 can also run in low res. Does the game include the HD and low res graphics (scaling down would look worse than the PGM2 version)? Is KOV3 on PGM3 different to KOV3 on PGM2 in other ways?

I can't find answers to any of these questions.

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

Looks like they seem to be going toward a pay for time model instead of skill based. Which means it sucks. The whole point of an arcade game is to increase your skill and be rewarded by getting a longer game, not pay the same amount no matter how much you suck.

[system11]

Where did you get that from? I think I'll be picking up KOV2 at least, at some point when I've payed for my crazed spree of buying lately.

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

I would hold off on the spree. In that video there is a down-winding clock timer going down from 815 and I've heard from 2 different people that this is the way some of their new beatemups are, paying for the clock.

[system11]

I wonder if it's optional settings... At least KOV2 is safe and I've no wish to go back to the bad old days of (for example) Crime Fighters where your life ticked down constantly. I had Oriental Legend 2, that was normal. Is it just a very generous level timer? I don't see any videos where it's low and players have life bars.

[muckyfingers]

Is the PGM2 KOF any good? Also wonder about Knights Of Valour 3 PGM2 vs PGM3. There seems to be no real information at all on PGM3.

KOF98UM is a KOF98 (Maybe the greatest KOF ever) update/upgrade. It has a few more characters, new gauge mode, new stages than regular 98 and it also has bug fixes from the Taito Type X2 version and no loading. The TX2 had just a little bit of loading of the stages after you select your character order. I've haven't played the PGM2 version only the TX2 version, and the loading really is miniscule, like 3 seconds.

KOV3 on PGM2 uses both lives and a timer system. You start with 1 life with a double health bar (Yellow then Red so kinda like 2 lives) and a 999 second timer which counts down pretty slowly. If you die you have insert another credit, if the timer reaches 0 you have to insert another credit. The game is big and there is alot of level grinding if you want items and a powerful character. The game is also a 4:3 aspect ratio.

I don't know anything about the PGM3, but from the looks of the board it only runs in Hi-Res mode.

[system11]

Does the timer reset each level? If so that's not much different to similar timers in many games over the years.

[muckyfingers]

Does the timer reset each level? If so that's not much different to similar timers in many games over the years.

No, the timer does not reset when you clear a stage. You do get to buy items in between stages with the money you've earned/collected during the stage. Though I don't know if there are any time adding items, there are food items to replenish health. It is all in Chinese, which I do not speak, read or write so I don't know what most of the items actually do, except for the obvious ones.

[system11]

Have you played KOV2 and 3? I played 2 in MAME and it seems really nice, 3 seemed to have a lot of 'crazy effects making it hard to look at', would that be your experience?

[muckyfingers]

Have you played KOV2 and 3? I played 2 in MAME and it seems really nice, 3 seemed to have a lot of 'crazy effects making it hard to look at', would that be your experience?

I've only played the PGM1 version of KOV2 Nine Dragons, I have PGM2 KOV2 New Legends on its way. Hopefully in a week or 2, I can share my thoughts on it. KOV3 is definitely flashier with nicer backgrounds and smooth gorgeous sprites. I wouldn't say it is crazy until you start to do juggling combos with or without a partner.

Oriental Legend 2 and KOV2 are definitely similar and closer to the old school beat'em up style. OL2 can do some pretty cool combos and be pretty flashy and crazy at times as well though, it has gorgeous sprites as well.

[system11]

Ah - yes please let me know - is the PGM2 version 'new legends'? They made it quite confusing with revisions and releasing on multiple hardware. I had Oriental Legend 2, it wasn't bad but not as fun as I'd hoped. I prefer KOV2 from what I've tried in MAME.

[muckyfingers]

Ah - yes please let me know - is the PGM2 version 'new legends'? They made it quite confusing with revisions and releasing on multiple hardware. I had Oriental Legend 2, it wasn't bad but not as fun as I'd hoped. I prefer KOV2 from what I've tried in MAME.

PGM2 KOV2 New Legends is basically KOV2 Nine Dragons+, from what I have read. It adds some extra sub bosses, some more paths and the memory card systems to save progress/items, and the 1000 troops mode, where wave after wave of troops attack you (survival mode basically). Supposedly they redid character frames/animations, but I won't know until I get it. I have PGM1 KOV2 Nine Dragons already so I'll be able to compare them both. KOV2 Nine Dragons is definitely one of my favorite beat'em ups of all time.

I'm still getting accustomed to KOV3, but I haven't invested much time in that or into OL2, damn real life always taking up my time

[system11]

Did your New Legends arrive, if so how is it?

The atmosphere in KOV2 base version in MAME seems quite subdued in terms of the music which I like, how does KOV3 compare?

[muckyfingers]

Did your New Legends arrive, if so how is it?

It did arrive, I love it. I have English versions of OL2 and KOV2NL now, KOV3 is Chinese only unfortunately. It's not easy to swap back and forth between KOV2ND and KOV2NL to try and compare. If I had 2 cabs or 2 superguns then it wouldn't be an issue, but I only have 1 supergun. PGM2 KOV2NL is definitely an upgrade over KOV2ND, controls are tighter making it easier to combo and do specials. It has added sub-bosses and added paths in stages, I haven't found nearly all as I haven't played more than 30 minutes here and there. I hope to have time this weekend to put some serious play time into it. I can't really tell if the game has smoother animations or not since I can't compare both at the exact same time. It may just be the better controls that give that illusion.

The characters have a slight costume color change compared KOV2ND, once you select 1 of the 9 characters you are given the option to select the alternate version by pressing left or right on the joystick.

The added "War Mode" is fun, basically a time attack mode, you start with 40 seconds on the timer and for each enemy you defeat 1 second is added to your timer, they drop plenty of health and other items, you eventually get to the stage boss and must defeat him before the timer runs out to move on to the next stage.

Overall if you enjoy KOV2/KOV2ND I recommend KOV2NL, especially if you don't own either I would recommend getting KOV2NL.

side note - the program rom hack worked on my chinese version of KOV2ND on PGM1, it now plays in English. There is no point in keeping it though since KOV2NL has everything and more that KOV2ND has.

The atmosphere in KOV2 base version in MAME seems quite subdued in terms of the music which I like, how does KOV3 compare?

KOV3 has a more energized soundtrack compared to KOV2, again nothing crazy, just more upbeat and faster tempo with some interesting rock guitar mixed in. KOV3 is huge and overwhelming sometimes, definitely requiring a memory card to get the most out of it.