Quick pair o' questions...

[BulletMagnet]

Since they aren't entirely shmup-related this time around I figured I'd be safest sticking 'em here...as usual, once I get the info I need I'll give the okay for the mods to delete this and free up some space.

First question: I recently got DoDonPachi for the PSX, and the thing that strikes me most about it is that it seems to play a bit faster than either in MAME or on Saturn (assuming that the previous two play it at the "correct" speed). I don't consider the speed increase as "unplayable" or anything, but just for my own information, does the PSX port of the original DonPachi have the same speed increase? IIRC the same company ported both to the system...since the Saturn port of DP is rather sloppy overall, I've considered trying the PSX version, but knowing whether the speed is different might be nice for me to factor in (though if you know of any other notable differences between the ports, feel free to mention 'em while you're here).

Second question: Some time back there was a mini-comparison somewhere on here about the differences between the PSX and Saturn ports of Magical Drop III; I just recently discovered that Puyo Puyo Sun and Kyutenkai (aka Fantastic Pinball) also have PSX ports as well as Saturn ones. Are there any major differences between the ports of each that anyone knows of? Also, mention was made of a PSX-exclusive "Magical Drop F"; since then I've become aware of another PSX-exclusive (as far as I've been able to tell) puzzler, "Puyo Puyo ~N." Anyone know anything about it?

As always, any help here is appreciated.

[SAM]

First question: I recently got DoDonPachi for the PSX, and the thing that strikes me most about it is that it seems to play a bit faster than either in MAME or on Saturn (assuming that the previous two play it at the "correct" speed). I don't consider the speed increase as "unplayable" or anything, but just for my own information, does the PSX port of the original DonPachi have the same speed increase? IIRC the same company ported both to the system...since the Saturn port of DP is rather sloppy overall, I've considered trying the PSX version, but knowing whether the speed is different might be nice for me to factor in (though if you know of any other notable differences between the ports, feel free to mention 'em while you're here).

You have to set the Wait option to ON. The Wait option of PSX DDP is strangely not in the game's option menu. Try press start to pruse the game during play, and you could change Wait ON/OFF by pressing left/right during purse.

People said the PSX version running faster than the PCB. But I cann't confirm this since I haven't got the chance to play this game in the acrade.

Well, IMO PSX version of DP run at the same speed as the Saturn one. DP of both the PSX & Saturn got the same yoko mode... (You should already know the problem, since you have the Saturn version) The Tate mode of both game are good, especially in RGB. (The right and left most part of the screen on displaying on the TV would be on the screen in RGB ) The sound quality of the PSX version is better. Also If you use a PS2 to run the PSX version you would shortern the loading time between stages. The Saturn version display a slight clearer screen in RGB.

Both version of DP must be play in Tate mode.

Sorry I don't know much about Puyo Puyo. Through sometimes I did play the game.

[BulletMagnet]

Thanks for the info, I'll hafta try the "wait" thing, see if it does anything...anyone else know anything about question number 2?

[Neon]

the PSX port is Puyo Puyo Sun Ketteiban, Ketteiban meaning 'expert.' And I think that was the difference.

'wait' just turns on slowdown I think. The port still runs too fast. Saturn DDP's much better for scoreplay. But then once you've mastered both loops, the PS port will give extra challenge

PSX Donpachi I only recently reacquired and I haven't had the chance to do any comparisons. I think they're the same speed mostly, though SS version has massive slowdown in parts. The PS also has less in the way of downsampled sound effects and it loads quicker. Saturn port has a score attack mode which is nice since you can practice individual stages. So the Saturn port is best for practice.

I think the only port that is outright superior to the other is the case of PS vs. SS Strikers 2. So it's nice to have all the ones available.

[BrianC]

I've become aware of another PSX-exclusive (as far as I've been able to tell) puzzler, "Puyo Puyo ~N." Anyone know anything about it?

Puyo Puyo~n is not a PSX exclusive. It's aslo on GBC, DC, and N64. The PSX version has some exclusive Pocketstation feature with Kaa Kun, but I don't know much about it. The DC and N64 versions have 4 player play. The N64 one is called Puyo Puyo~n Party and supposedly has some more multiplayer modes. The GBC version is a bit different from the others and is supposedly faster paced with some different characters. All versions have some new super powers for each of the characters, though they are supposedly different in the GBC one (not sure about this).

The PSX exclusive Puyo Puyo is Puyo Puyo Box. It's a combination of Puyo Puyo and a JRPG. It has Puyo Puyo based battles instead of menu based battles.

[BulletMagnet]

Puyo Puyo~n is not a PSX exclusive. It's aslo on GBC, DC, and N64.

Hm, interesting...I'd heard of "Puyo Puyo 4"and "Puyo Puyo Fever" on the DC (as well as "Puyo Puyo Da," which IIRC isn't really a Puyo game at all), but had no idea this made it there...as for the other 2 systems, I just plain had no idea at all, heh heh.

The PSX exclusive Puyo Puyo is Puyo Puyo Box. It's a combination of Puyo Puyo and a JRPG. It has Puyo Puyo based battles instead of menu based battles.

I've seen copies of "Waku Waku Puyo Puyo Dungeon" (and, more rarely, a game I believe might be a sequel, I forget its name offhand) on eBay for the Saturn...I guess that's the RPG thing?

[BrianC]

Waku Waku Puyo Puyo Dungeon is a dungeon crawler that plays like the mysterious dungeon games (or so I heard). It doesn't have a sequel, but there is a Puyo Puyo related RPG on the Saturn called Madou Madogarti (spelling is off). Puyo Puyo Box is only on PSX and it's a completely different game. Puyo Puyo~n IS Puyo Puyo 4. The title itself is a pun on the number 4.

Hardcore Gaming 101 has a good article on the Puyo Puyo games. http://www.classicgaming.com/reviews/puyo/puyopuyo.htm

Puyo Puyo Museum is another good Puyo site that is worth checking out. http://www.pp-museum.org/PPM/home.html

[professor ganson]

Hmmm, you've now got two different ports of DDP? That sounds a bit hardcore for the BulletMagnet we all know and love.
You said, some months back, that DDP is the closest to perfect that a shmup has come. Would you also say it's your favorite shmup ATC (all things considered)?

[BulletMagnet]

'wait' just turns on slowdown I think. The port still runs too fast.

Believe it or not, Neon, I tried turning on the option earlier today and I believe that SAM is right! While turning "wait" on does add in some slowdown, it also seems to slow the game's overall speed a little; I can't tell whether it's exactly the same speed as the Saturn or MAME versions once activated, but if it's not exact, it's darn close. I've honestly never heard of a "wait" option like that before...I wonder if anyone who's spent some time on a DDP arcade machine could comment on the exact "original" speed of the thing as compared to the ports? Thanks again for the tip, SAM!

It doesn't have a sequel, but there is a Puyo Puyo related RPG on the Saturn called Madou Madogarti (spelling is off).

Yeah, it was something like that, I figured that the games were related since there were some of the same characters on the cover art. Thanks for the Puyo links btw, I just bought Puyo Sun, I'll hafta see how it is once it gets here (I liked Kirby's Avalanche back in the day).

Hmmm, you've now got two different ports of DDP? That sounds a bit hardcore for the BulletMagnet we all know and love.

Yeah, seems I'm slipping...fear not though, my skills are just as awful as ever. But indeed, I own both ports now...the Saturn port was one of the first Saturn games I bought, so I've had that for awhile, but recently I saw a forum member selling the PSX port for a ways below market value, and I just had to spring for it.

You said, some months back, that DDP is the closest to perfect that a shmup has come. Would you also say it's your favorite shmup ATC (all things considered)?

Indeed, in terms of "overall execution" (for lack of a better term) I do tend to view DDP as perhaps the most well-tuned shmup I've played...do I think it makes other shmups irrelevant, no, but I do think that it has something in there for almost everyone (basic dodging and such for the "manic" lovers, and chaining and bee finding for "memorizer" players, for instance), and also manages to avoid almost every pratfall that the genre routinely takes (invisible bullets, imbalanced planes, lack of accessibility, lack of precision, etc.). Of course, I'm not so obsessed with it that if someone disagrees I go off on them, heh heh. I hesitate to name a single game as "the" favorite of mine, but DDP is about as close as a game has come to that declaration.

Also, in case you're interested, DDP isn't the only shmup I own multiple ports of; I also have both the Saturn and PSX ports of Souky and TFV. Admittedly, though, both of those sets were cheaper, heh heh.