How good are console ports vs PCB and MAME?

[E-Type]

For example, later Cave stuff on Xbox 360. Is it emulated or semi-native? Or a mix depending on title? How is resolution handled?

I have Metal Slug Anthology on PS2 and find it unacceptable. It's laggy and simply stretched to 640x480 with blurry pixels. No effort was put into it.

On the other hand, I find the Cave games on iOS to be excellent control-wise. Can't comment on graphics since the screen is so small and retina display. Looks good though.

EDIT: Reason I ask is because I want to convert a cabinet with CGA monitor.

[cave hermit]

I haven't emulated the later cave games, and I never used a PCB, but I can safely say that the Cave ports are fantastic: the user interfaces are (for the most part) user friendly, even for people who can't read japanese, there are leaderboards of course, and most of the ports have HD optimized visuals. I also heard that the PCBs use sub-standard sound hardware, so the music quality should also be better in the ports.
As for resolution, the ports use a "letterbox" layout similar to vertical shooters in MAME, but you can tweak screen settings down to the smallest details, and even add filters and extra screens to highlight certain parts of the main display.

[E-Type]

I'm particularly interested in standard-res performance, as I want to convert a cabinet with a CGA monitor.

[IseeThings]

the 360 port are better than the emulation is, or the emulation ever will be, and considerably cheaper than buying a PC capable of running the emulation at full speed.

there's really no reason at all you'd want to run the games in MAME, that's why I don't see why some people make a big deal about them being there.

there are also extra modes etc. in the ports that will never be in the emulated versions.

[Wyrmnus]

What exactly are PCBs? WHY buy PCBs?

[E-Type]

What exactly are PCBs? WHY buy PCBs?

See: Metal Slug Anthology

[Wyrmnus]

A real, accurate answer, please.

[E-Type]

???

I don't know how to clarify further my OP. Metal Slug Anthology sucks on many levels compared to the MVS carts. It's fact. I play the MVS nearly daily on our office's cabinet. Before investing in an Xbox, I want to be sure that other arcade ports are better made than that re: how they are upscaled to 640x480.

[KAI]

Metal Slug anthology sux cause it was ported by a shitty company.

[Wyrmnus]

Still doesn't tell me WHAT a PCB is, and WHY EXACTLY do people invest money in them?

[KAI]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_arcade_cabinet

Printed circuit boards (PCB) or arcade system boards, the actual hardware upon which the game runs.

People by PCBs cause... Elitism?

[Wyrmnus]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_arcade_cabinet

Printed circuit boards (PCB) or arcade system boards, the actual hardware upon which the game runs.

People by PCBs cause... Elitism?

Exactly what I was thinking.

[E-Type]

But if the PCB actually plays better (as is the case with Metal Slug), there is a reason beyond elitism. That's the point of this thread.

[KAI]

Play a better port instead.

[Ed Oscuro]

But if the PCB actually plays better (as is the case with Metal Slug), there is a reason beyond elitism. That's the point of this thread.

You know the score, do what you must. Those guys just have axes they've been grinding on since ancient times.

KAI: Stop being a moran plz.

[rancor]

People by PCBs cause... Elitism?

oh, come on....

It's part of the full experience. Why go to an arcade, when I can have my own at home? In fact, I don't even like going to arcades anymore. I have every game I could want right here at my house. I choose the background music. I choose how bright / dim I want the lights. No smoking in my house! I don't have to wait my turn, or push my way through the crowds. No train to go downtown.. Hell, I don't even have to wear pants!

[Chromecha]

For the 360, most of the ports are arcade perfect.

However, there are three Cave ports which are not:

DoDonPachi DaiOuJou - This game was very glitchy when it was first released, although this was fixed in a patch. Sadly, the patch was applied after the game was out of print.

Deathsmiles IIX - This one got hit by some bugs when playing Arcade Mode (IIDX Mode is fine, but it's not similar to the arcade game), and although Cave released a patch, it didn't fix all of the issues.

Muchi Muchi Pork & Pink Sweets - Muchi Muchi Pork has a minor flaw where sometimes, the turrets take longer to destroy, and one enemy pattern from Stage 5 doesn't show up until later in the stage. However, only masters of the PCB will notice this, so it's acceptable (and to my knowledge, Pink Sweets has none of these flaws).

The rest, like Mushihimesama Futari, Deathsmiles, and DoDonPachi DaiFukkatsu, are all perfect on the 360.

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_arcade_cabinet

Printed circuit boards (PCB) or arcade system boards, the actual hardware upon which the game runs.

People by PCBs cause... Elitism?

Exactly what I was thinking.

If you've never played a Cave board then how could you know what you are talking about? Just talking out your ass.

For the 360, most of the ports are arcade perfect.

However, there are three Cave ports which are not:

DoDonPachi DaiOuJou - This game was very glitchy when it was first released, although this was fixed in a patch. Sadly, the patch was applied after the game was out of print.

Deathsmiles IIX - This one got hit by some bugs when playing Arcade Mode (IIDX Mode is fine, but it's not similar to the arcade game), and although Cave released a patch, it didn't fix all of the issues.

Muchi Muchi Pork & Pink Sweets - Muchi Muchi Pork has a minor flaw where sometimes, the turrets take longer to destroy, and one enemy pattern from Stage 5 doesn't show up until later in the stage. However, only masters of the PCB will notice this, so it's acceptable (and to my knowledge, Pink Sweets has none of these flaws).

The rest, like Mushihimesama Futari, Deathsmiles, and DoDonPachi DaiFukkatsu, are all perfect on the 360.

Bullshit. The ports are all of varying accuracy and the ones that mix HD and low res like Galuda 2 should be puked on. Not one is arcade perfect.

[Wyrmnus]

If you've never played a Cave board then how could you know what you are talking about? Just talking out your ass.

There's elitism, and then there are the types who make the SHMUP community look like bullies. You didn't have to say it like that

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

You are the one trying to bully pcb owners into feeling some sort of guilt for paying outrageous money simply to "feel elite". I know for a fact you've never played one (you never stated it) because nobody who has played one thoroughly would ever say what you did. How about you give it a try before you shit talk it. With real arcade controls and a real CRT monitor. Then tell me it's the same.

[Wyrmnus]

Why would I do that? It's only common sense to take a cheaper approach to playing a video game. And If you wanted to correct me on a way of thinking, there are better ways to do so without snapping at someone like you did.

[chempop]

I play ports and pcbs and I can tell you for a fact that there are lots of advantages to the pcb. There are also some advantages to the ports. I'll let your imagination run wild with that.

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

Why would I do that? It's only common sense to take a cheaper approach to playing a video game. And If you wanted to correct me on a way of thinking, there are better ways to do so without snapping at someone like you did.

Again, I see it as you and KAI doing the snapping and me on the defensive. I definitely hope someone will show you the real deal one day and you go into it open minded. As for KAI I think he's in Brasil and after I've seen what they pay for Nike's down there, I would say Cave boards are out of the question.

[Bananamatic]

the ones that mix HD and low res like Galuda 2 should be puked on

this guy

pretty much every game can be either MAME'd or has a good port, the only exception is Ibara I think

You are the one trying to bully pcb owners into feeling some sort of guilt for paying outrageous money simply to "feel elite". I know for a fact you've never played one (you never stated it) because nobody who has played one thoroughly would ever say what you did. How about you give it a try before you shit talk it. With real arcade controls and a real CRT monitor. Then tell me it's the same.

to be honest pcbs are ridiculously expensive though unless you are a real enthusiast
and on top of that you are forced to use a stick and it comes with no replays/practice modes/arrange modes so I would argue that you are paying for the inferior version here

don't take this as an offense, but I don't think most people would think it's worth the money

[Squire Grooktook]

Yeah, as much as I would love to own some of these pcb's, I just don't have the money.

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

Cave PCBs may not be worth the money in an era where people pay nothing to 99 cents for the latest ios game but put up "1:1 if money is no object" are most often superior options.

Hard to imagine Ibara being the biggest exception.

You're never forced to use a stick. If you are a keyboard junkie, albeit an unnatural bastardization you could just as soon make a custom control panel with all buttons including movement.

[Wyrmnus]

I definitely hope someone will show you the real deal one day and you go into it open minded.

I would love to, so as long as said person oesn't go 'I have this and you don't. Ha ha.'

[E-Type]

I'm an arcade cabinet collector so I'm trying to get it as close to the original look as possible on a CGA monitor.

Shmup PCBs are absurdly expensive as others note, so I'm willing to compromise. But if it's absolute shit like Metal Slug Anthology, I'll need to pass. It sounds like (between the off-topic ranting) these ports are at least playable, but not arcade-perfect graphics wise.

[Bananamatic]

Cave PCBs may not be worth the money in an era where people pay nothing to 99 cents for the latest ios game but put up "1:1 if money is no object" are most often superior options.

i'm pretty sure this is typical elitist talk

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

I definitely hope someone will show you the real deal one day and you go into it open minded.

I would love to, so as long as said person oesn't go 'I have this and you don't. Ha ha.'

I agree with you. I don't think you will run into that. I hope not. Anyone who thinks they are superior because they own a video game is someone you should pity though.