Question about PS1 releases of Shienryu

[Pretas]

Spun off from the Warashi thread. Was curious enough to want to clarify this once and for all.

I've only played the definitively arcade-perfect Saturn version of Shienryu, but there is some confusion over its various releases on PS1. It was first released on the system in Japan as Geki-Oh Shooting King (self-published by Warashi), and I'm told that this version has a greatly reduced difficulty level. It's apparently also the version that was later localized in the US by Natsume with the same name. A few months after the localization, Japan got a rerelease, this time with the proper title of Shienryu and published by Major Wave under their Arcade Hits label. This version was the one used for the eventual PSN downloadable release in all regions.

Is it true about Geki-Oh being much easier, and does the release retitled Shienryu restore the original challenge of the arcade/Saturn version?

[louisg]

I'm not sure about the difficulty level. Out of the PS releases, I've only played the US PS1 one, which wasn't tate. I remember there being a lot of slowdown. The PS version does add a ton of new modes though, if that's a concern.

The Saturn original isn't all that hard either IIRC.

[Kollision]

I have played both Saturn and PS1 (US) versions, and I thought they were pretty much the same in regards to difficulty.

[antron]

doesn't the PS1 have a laugh track mode or something?

[louisg]

doesn't the PS1 have a laugh track mode or something?

YES! And old timey mode, and pocket station mode.. it's great Most of the modes are really just for a quick laugh, but here's a rundown of them all that I just found:

http://digitalmonkeybox.com/gekioh_shooting_king.htm

[Pretas]

No, the game isn't that hard to begin with.

So Geki-Oh has added slowdown? Was it fixed for the PS1 rerelease?

[BulletMagnet]

If memory serves the US PS1 release of Geki-Oh also has more slowdown than the arcade version. It's also probably the cheapest version, though, and has some extra stuff, so if you can get it for a song I'd say go for it if you like Shienryu.

[Pretas]

If memory serves the US PS1 release of Geki-Oh also has more slowdown than the arcade version. It's also probably the cheapest version, though, and has some extra stuff, so if you can get it for a song I'd say go for it if you like Shienryu.

It can't be much cheaper than downloading the Japanese rerelease (properly titled Shienryu) off the American PSN store. I'm interested to know if that version is arcade perfect, or nearly so. It's far from my favorite shooter, but it plays well enough and the high level of graphical detail is impressive.

[Kiken]

I'm pretty sure the J PS2 version bundled with the sequel is pretty spot on in terms of conversion (includes tate and 240p display options). Can't comment on the Euro release (Steel Dragon EX) though.

[Pretas]

According to the Xenocide Files review here, Steel Dragon EX (Euro) has a far easier version of Shienryu Explosion, as well as the requisite PAL speed/screen border issues. I'm not sure if they touched the original game, though.

The review also has a mistake; there's no US version.

[professor ganson]

I'm pretty sure the J PS2 version bundled with the sequel is pretty spot on in terms of conversion (includes tate and 240p display options).

Yeah, this version is no nice that I've never been too tempted to get the arcade cartridge. Makes me want to get out the PS2 just thinking about it.

[Despatche]

iirc the problem with gekioh isn't that it's easier, but that they completely removed the looping system. i'm sadistic, so that keeps me from trying to take it seriously.

as to what that later ps1 "shienryu" release is, i'm pretty sure it's just a rebadged version of the gekioh port. or at least, i remember looking into this... please correct me if i'm wrong.