Cave shmups coming to X360 confirmed!

[professor ganson]

Anyone know the file size of Ketsui and DDP? Live has a 150 meg limit.

The code hasn't been cracked, so how is anyone going to know?

[malik11]

Anyone know the file size of Ketsui and DDP? Live has a 150 meg limit.

This was discussed earlier.

Actually, Ketsui uses MOD Tracker format for it's music, so you'd probably be talking well under 150MB, even uncompressed.

-just an approximation, I guess

[Dale]

Can you download Japanese games, on a Japanese 360 if you live in America?

[Dave_K.]

It'll knock your socks off.

No, thats Air Gallet.

[EOJ]

@Dale: Yes.

[P_HAT]

i love G.I. Joe arc.

[themachinist]

Can you download Japanese games, on a Japanese 360 if you live in America?

The japanese police might not let you download from their sector of the internet.

[jp]

Can you download Japanese games, on a Japanese 360 if you live in America?

The japanese police might not let you download from their sector of the internet.

And doing so will result in prosecution to the full extent of the jam.

[undamned]

Can you download Japanese games, on a Japanese 360 if you live in America?

The japanese police might not let you download from their sector of the internet.

And doing so will result in prosecution to the full extent of the jam.

Excellent, JP, the circle is now complete
-ud

[Kiken]

NONE of the XBLA releases like Triggerheart or Omega Five stayed JP only so every claim that the Cave ports will stay in Japan is nothing but a guess, not even a very informed one.
MS's strategy is pretty simple - make a lot of money, on a global scale. Pleasing a couple of japanese fans who can go to the arcade and play the games there anyway doesn't exactly sound like a smart business strategy.
The XBLA people do surf the web and they are perfectly aware of places like this forum and the fanhype/adoration around titles like Castlevania-Symphony, Metal Slug 3, Ikaruga or Ketsui.
Though I don't expect Cave to put a lot of work into this I'll wager that both titles will end up as global XBLA releases.

Ketsui and DOJBL aren't XBLA. They are physical media releases.

Also, it's been stated that Cave have little to do with these ports, it's mostly all 5pb.

[jpj]

if the games receive an asian release, they have a chance of being region-free. if they are exclusively released in japan, chances are slim.

i don't know why this thread is so long though - both games are fucking wank

[FIL]

You are the guru and I claim my £5.

[kengou]

The XBLA people do surf the web and they are perfectly aware of places like this forum and the fanhype/adoration around titles like Castlevania-Symphony, Metal Slug 3, Ikaruga or Ketsui.
Though I don't expect Cave to put a lot of work into this I'll wager that both titles will end up as global XBLA releases.

Are you kidding? Hardly anyone in America knows any Cave shmups. Ikaruga is the most well-known shmup in America, probably, along with R-Type and Gradius, because it got a lot of press when it was released and was pretty highly praised. Most gamers know what Ikaruga is and will say that it's a good game even though they've probably never played it. Same with Castlevania or Metal Slug. These are well-known games. Ketsui or Dodonpachi though? I highly doubt most people are aware of these games whatsoever. When seeing them, the average gamer (in other words, the XBLA gamers) would probably scoff at how impossible it looks and how short it would be if you credit-feed through it. Triggerheart had a little hype simply because it was a pretty recent Dreamcast release which surprised people. When it did come out, most people didn't much like it. Look at the IGN and gamespot reviews.

ketsui and DDP really don't fit with the Xbox demographics, at least in the US. In Japan, hardly anyone has a 360 anyway. I don't really get what Cave is trying to accomplish with these ports. They'd be more profitable on the Wii or PS3.

[Shmupdoctor]

This is the best gaming news I've heard in awhile. Never been prouder of being a 360 owner. To the people calling the 360 a heap of shit: It's the best tasting shit in the world right now

[MX7]

Awesome news, and I'm late to the party again

This has been the kind of thing I've been hoping for for ages. Given that they're fairly old ones, I doubt there's much hope behind them selling much. I hope I'm wrong: I'd do anything for a deathsmiles and/or mushi 2 port

[MathU]

ketsui and DDP really don't fit with the Xbox demographics, at least in the US. In Japan, hardly anyone has a 360 anyway. I don't really get what Cave is trying to accomplish with these ports. They'd be more profitable on the Wii or PS3.

I agree. I believe the Wii has a large (probably larger than the 360, considering worldwide Wii sales) untapped market of "hardcore" gamers that nobody has taken advantage of yet. I myself would really like to take advantage of my awesome Classic controller already.

[GaijinPunch]

This is the best gaming news I've heard in awhile.

You clearly didn't hear abou the Cave NDS dance simulator then.

[Limbrooke]

unlikely to be localized

Fuck you...

I'd rather get the DS version because it comes with a superplay DVD.

Plus my DS won't blow up and all games are region free.

...fuck you...

...(moonspeak)...

...fuck you...

This was discussed earlier.

You're cool...

Guilty as charged.

And fuck you, I'm out.

Gotta love Ketsui for bringing out the best in people.

[neojma]

1. As a Neo Geo AES collector, I'm not so sure that in the long run the PCB prices will change all that much. Yeah, there's likely to be an initial drop in prices as some people scramble to sell (this is a typical trend when a new console port is announced/released). But the original PCB of a rare title always has a way of getting back up to that high collector's price. You can get really good Metal Slug, Garou, or KOF 2003 ports, play the arcade versions with near perfect emulation, and get much more affordable MVS carts. But the AES price remains high.

2. Saying "well, Senko no Ronde got a US port so maybe it will happen with future shooters" is missing a vital point - Senko tanked hard in the US and disappointed Ubisoft, retailers marked it down to clear it out in the bink of an eye, and virtually all of the mainstream press was brutal toward it. It looked like a blessing for genre fans to be getting a port, but publishers seeing the results may have actually killed chances for future 360 retail release shooters getting US localizations. Note that this doesn't really apply for XBLA, but even in that format people whine about paying $10 for "short" shooters instead of $5.

3. The audience that bought 2D shooters for PS2 DOES own 360s in Japan. Overall sales for 360 are of course really low, but that core audience that actually buys console games in this genre supports 360 just fine.

4. Where's the Pink Sweets love? People asking for Espgaluda 2, Mushihimesama 2, MMPork, Daifukkatsu... But poor Pink Sweets gets left out. Boo.

[malik11]

1. As a Neo Geo AES collector, I'm not so sure that in the long run the PCB prices will change all that much. Yeah, there's likely to be an initial drop in prices as some people scramble to sell (this is a typical trend when a new console port is announced/released). But the original PCB of a rare title always has a way of getting back up to that high collector's price. You can get really good Metal Slug, Garou, or KOF 2003 ports, play the arcade versions with near perfect emulation, and get much more affordable MVS carts. But the AES price remains high.

Sounds like you have it backwards. AES represents the home version label and MVS represents the arcade scene.

[Enhasa]

Why is everyone so surprised by the choice of console and reading things into it such as "oh it will come out in the US for sure, it's the only reason"?

The fact of the matter is, the 360 is the STG console in Japan. There are a bazillion more Wiis in circulation, yet the 360 sales of Shiki 3 were over 3 times more for the first week of sales. People have said before, the Japanese consider both Call of Duty and Ketsui to be in the STG genre. While westerners have gotten a good laugh out of that before, it actually makes a big difference here. While the 360 is derided by some as a console just for FPS's, this association is what makes it the console for shmups in Japan.

Not to say we don't have our own dumb categories, such as calling both Puyo Puyo and Lemmings, puzzle games.


Edit:

2. Saying "well, Senko no Ronde got a US port so maybe it will happen with future shooters" is missing a vital point - Senko tanked hard in the US and disappointed Ubisoft, retailers marked it down to clear it out in the bink of an eye, and virtually all of the mainstream press was brutal toward it. It looked like a blessing for genre fans to be getting a port, but publishers seeing the results may have actually killed chances for future 360 retail release shooters getting US localizations. Note that this doesn't really apply for XBLA, but even in that format people whine about paying $10 for "short" shooters instead of $5.

Exactly, and this is why I am deathly afraid about Senko 2 localization. As is the case for this and everything else, I'm hoping for a region-free Asia release.

[malik11]

calling both Puyo Puyo and Lemmings, puzzle games.

Don't forget the DDR games - also "puzzle games".

[jp]

2. Saying "well, Senko no Ronde got a US port so maybe it will happen with future shooters" is missing a vital point - Senko tanked hard in the US and disappointed Ubisoft, retailers marked it down to clear it out in the bink of an eye, and virtually all of the mainstream press was brutal toward it. It looked like a blessing for genre fans to be getting a port, but publishers seeing the results may have actually killed chances for future 360 retail release shooters getting US localizations. Note that this doesn't really apply for XBLA, but even in that format people whine about paying $10 for "short" shooters instead of $5.

Yeah, because they did so much for that localization. You know, changing one piece of script so that it was no longer region coded. I'm sure Ubisoft poured a ton of money into Senko no Ronde. And I'm sure, after it sold about 2000 its first few weeks out, that Ubisoft was horribly disappointed in the free $120,000 that was handed to them by G.Rev's US fanbase.

[EOJ]

And I'm sure, after it sold about 2000 its first few weeks out, that Ubisoft was horribly disappointed in the free $120,000 that was handed to them by G.Rev's US fanbase.

How did you get $120,000? If the game was sold for $60 in the USA, Ubisoft would see less than $30 a copy after all fees, production costs, and dealer takes were subtracted. So more like $60,000, which is chump change.

[jp]

I said first few weeks out. That does not account for the entire time its been out. *shrugs*

When it came out it sold 2000 in the first couple of weeks. After that it probably sold some more.

Edit: Actually, it seems it has sold 10,000 now. Though I have no clue how much of that was after its price drop. So Ubisoft probably pressed 10K, shipped those out, made their money, and let the gamestores deal with the rest.

So even at $30/game, they still have $300,000 off of it.

[Ceph]

I wonder what would have happened if they had sold it with the original cover and not renamed it "Wartech".

[pixelcorps]

it realy doesnt make sense for cave to do these as physical releases in the US - even tho senko TANKED and is being sold everywhere for $9 nowadays, at least it had the idiot appeal of it being 3D.

the mainsteam 360 FPS gaming brigade will laugh this out of town, and the usual blinkered western gaming press will bury it, if it happens, which it won't - not unless they do XBLA versions.

i'm selling my US 360 anyway, I won't accept shoddy build quality and RROD's - yes I know that you can get it replaced, but FUCK! - WHATS WRONG WITH PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT WORKS FIRST TIME, AND STAYS WORKING?

I cant stand the US made grunting space marine mentality of the games that are on it, eventually i might get a japanese one (once they have new models out there).. at least that way I can play idolmaster as well... yes, i'm out of the closet now and feel a lot better for it, thanks...

[Necronom]

The XBLA people do surf the web and they are perfectly aware of places like this forum and the fanhype/adoration around titles like Castlevania-Symphony, Metal Slug 3, Ikaruga or Ketsui.
Though I don't expect Cave to put a lot of work into this I'll wager that both titles will end up as global XBLA releases.

Are you kidding? Hardly anyone in America knows any Cave shmups. Ikaruga is the most well-known shmup in America, probably, along with R-Type and Gradius, because it got a lot of press when it was released and was pretty highly praised. Most gamers know what Ikaruga is and will say that it's a good game even though they've probably never played it. Same with Castlevania or Metal Slug. These are well-known games. Ketsui or Dodonpachi though? I highly doubt most people are aware of these games whatsoever. When seeing them, the average gamer (in other words, the XBLA gamers) would probably scoff at how impossible it looks and how short it would be if you credit-feed through it. Triggerheart had a little hype simply because it was a pretty recent Dreamcast release which surprised people. When it did come out, most people didn't much like it. Look at the IGN and gamespot reviews.

ketsui and DDP really don't fit with the Xbox demographics, at least in the US. In Japan, hardly anyone has a 360 anyway. I don't really get what Cave is trying to accomplish with these ports. They'd be more profitable on the Wii or PS3.

Didn't mean the XBL players. I meant the people at MS, working at the XBL division or what it's called.
This is not about fitting things into demographic but about an aggressive expansion of the only factor/component which is miles ahead of the competition, namely XBL. Porting a title like Ketsui and putting it on XBLA is WAY cheaper than producing (and keeping on the shelves) a boxed version. The financial risk when releasing stuff through XBLA isn't that big.
MS knows that LOTS of people use Mame and some of them play Cave shooters. Hell, somebody at MS probably reads forums like this while looking for potential release candidates. Even in western countries shmups are a profitable niche market, even more so if you can minimize the costs of production and distribution (XBL). MS knows this.

[Ceph]

it realy doesnt make sense for cave to do these as physical releases in the US - even tho senko TANKED and is being sold everywhere for $9 nowadays, at least it had the idiot appeal of it being 3D.

the mainsteam 360 FPS gaming brigade will laugh this out of town, and the usual blinkered western gaming press will bury it, if it happens, which it won't - not unless they do XBLA versions.

i'm selling my US 360 anyway, I won't accept shoddy build quality and RROD's - yes I know that you can get it replaced, but FUCK! - WHATS WRONG WITH PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT WORKS FIRST TIME, AND STAYS WORKING?

I cant stand the US made grunting space marine mentality of the games that are on it, eventually i might get a japanese one (once they have new models out there).. at least that way I can play idolmaster as well... yes, i'm out of the closet now and feel a lot better for it, thanks...

Word.

[jp]

And even with 2D shooters coming out on a more rapid pace than on any console since the 32-bit generation, and even with stuff like Lost Odyssey selling 100K+ its first week, and even with virtually none of MS's first party games this year being FPSs...


... the 360 is still magically nothing but a FPS machine.

Seriously, what do you people do? Buy a 360, put it in your car, go back into the store, and give the Halo 3 display mean looks until you go off and sell your console?


In so far as Senko no Ronde:

G.Rev sold what? 12,000 copies of Border Down in Japan? 10,000+ of Under Defeat?

G.Rev sold 10,000 copies of Senko no Ronde in Japan and Ubisoft sold 10,000 copies of it in the US. I doubt G.Rev was unhappy selling 20,000 copies of a game worldwide as opposed to 10,000+.

And how many copies have Cave games been selling? Didn't EOJ say Ibara sold like, 3000? With the earlier stuff selling 15,000 a piece?

I highly doubt 5PB or whoever is sitting there going, "Well this port of a 2D shooter isn't going to outsell Halo 3 and Bioshock, so why should we bother? Bah!"