Best Gradius port?

GaijinPunch · Post by **GaijinPunch** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:44 am

Y'know, all of the games in the Gradius Portable/Gradius Collection for the PSP are practically arcade-perfect,

I know my thoughts on the matter, but can we in our right minds call any port to a handheld "arcade perfect"? It will, ever be even close to the same experience.

Krimzon Kitzune · Post by **Krimzon Kitzune** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:31 am

GaijinPunch · Post by **GaijinPunch** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:48 pm

I'm not talking about the accuracy. I'm talking about the fact that you're playing it on a 2 inch screen with a D-pad. I can buy the pads versus sticks debate, and the super gun versus cab debate. But arcade to handheld ports make baby Jesus cry.

eight · Post by **eight** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:53 pm

GaijinPunch wrote:I'm not talking about the accuracy. I'm talking about the fact that you're playing it on a 2 inch screen with a D-pad. I can buy the pads versus sticks debate, and the super gun versus cab debate. But arcade to handheld ports make baby Jesus cry.

+1

doctorx0079 · Post by **doctorx0079** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:47 pm

Don't forget how ppl hate the PSP thumb nub. Even the DS has a better pad than that.

DJ Incompetent · Post by **DJ Incompetent** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:57 pm

BrianC wrote:I feel the DS version in Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits is well done.

Portable Gradius problem kill.

Best

seb · Post by **seb** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:04 pm

Otherwise the games are identical
With the way the resolution is on the Saturn Gradius Deluxe Pack, I'm a bit skeptical of that. The Saturn version has bars on the side and the graphics are slightly squished compared to the original arcade. There is a full mode that removes the bars, but doesn't change the resolution. It actually extends the play area further than that of the arcade. Is the PSX version like this too?

No you're right. The PSX version supports the original game's resolution and has no bars on the sides.

I don't remember if it has the "extend the play area" option though (I can't check, I sold my PSX a long time ago).

Cheers!

Kiken · Post by **Kiken** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:11 pm

seb wrote:
Otherwise the games are identical
With the way the resolution is on the Saturn Gradius Deluxe Pack, I'm a bit skeptical of that. The Saturn version has bars on the side and the graphics are slightly squished compared to the original arcade. There is a full mode that removes the bars, but doesn't change the resolution. It actually extends the play area further than that of the arcade. Is the PSX version like this too?
No you're right. The PSX version supports the original game's resolution and has no bars on the sides.

I don't remember if it has the "extend the play area" option though (I can't check, I sold my PSX a long time ago).

Cheers!

Most likely because they have different default resolutions.

Somebody might want to check on these numbers though:
Saturn: 352x224
PSX: 320x224
Arcade: 336x240

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:38 pm

GaijinPunch wrote:I'm not talking about the accuracy. I'm talking about the fact that you're playing it on a 2 inch screen with a D-pad.

The same 2" screen argument, even for the PSP, which has one of the biggest screens on a handheld ever? The d-pad isn't the best on the original PSP, but it can be modded to be much better. In the case of the PSP, you aren't even stuck with a d-pad, though the alternative isn't the best for shmups.

ubersaurus · Post by **ubersaurus** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 9:37 pm

GaijinPunch wrote:I'm not talking about the accuracy. I'm talking about the fact that you're playing it on a 2 inch screen with a D-pad. I can buy the pads versus sticks debate, and the super gun versus cab debate. But arcade to handheld ports make baby Jesus cry.

Doesn't the new PSP have tv-out capabilities?

That should pretty much negate that argument.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:35 am

ubersaurus wrote:
GaijinPunch wrote:I'm not talking about the accuracy. I'm talking about the fact that you're playing it on a 2 inch screen with a D-pad. I can buy the pads versus sticks debate, and the super gun versus cab debate. But arcade to handheld ports make baby Jesus cry.
Doesn't the new PSP have tv-out capabilities?

That should pretty much negate that argument.

It's a cool feature, but handhelds aren't about big joysticks, gigantic 32-50 inch screens, or gigantic speakers. They are about portability and providing quality while still keeping the system small. Also, for games, TV Out is progressive scan only for the PSP. The screen for the PSP is 4.3", not 2". The DS screens are 3" with a different aspect ratio than the odd one used by GBA. Even the GBA SP screen is about 2.9". GB Micro is one of the only handhelds with a screen at 2".

TaxiTitan · Post by **TaxiTitan** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:43 pm

[quote="sideshow"]If you play Gradius Deluxe Pack on your PS2 then you will encounter horrendous slowdown for Gradius 2 but it plays fine on a PS1 console. Gradius Gaiden level 7 also has the slowdown issue on the PS2 but not the PS1. Has anybody played these games on the PS3 to see if the slowdown occurs or is there a thread already about this?[/quote]

Agree here.
Its like the ps2 is using an emulator for ps1.
Im lucky to play the PCE CD version of gradius 2 witch is the best version.
Playin it on wii virtual console enables 480p and faster loading times.
Gradius 1 looks very nice on DX pack.
Im gonna play PCE gradius for the xtras.
Gonna play both.

Zeether · Post by **Zeether** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:34 pm

Now if only Nintendo would fucking bring PCECD Gradius II to US VC...assholes.

kozo · Post by **kozo** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:00 pm

Random chip in: PCE Gradius I is the first non-doujin shmup I ever 1CC'd.

It was an awesome, happy day.

Bloodreign · Post by **Bloodreign** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:06 pm

So the only minor quips for Gradius Deluxe Pack PSX vs. Saturn is a minor resolution issue and grainy FMV on the Saturn version? Guess I'll skip on the PSX one I saw for a little less than $50 because I already own the Saturn version (though to be fair I have the complete Konami Saturn shooters collection AFAIK, and am missing a few on the PSX side of things, Twinbee Deluxe, Sexy Paro, and Gradius Deluxe PSX to complete that side, won't bother with the MSX collections on PSX, as all 3 are on one disc for Saturn, own that one too). And to think I almost went crazy and bought the PSX Gradius Deluxe Pack, and Twinbee Deluxe Pack for a little less than $90 combined. Definitely not for 2 minor issues like this.

ED-057 · Post by **ED-057** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:59 am

according to MAME:
Gradius is 256x224
Gradius 2 is 320x224

Saturn's lowest resolution is 320x224, hence the unused display area on the sides for Gradius

I think the Playstation can do 256x224 so I would expect that it doesn't have the same issue (not sure since I don't own one)

Kiken · Post by **Kiken** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:55 pm

ED-057 wrote:according to MAME:
Gradius is 256x224
Gradius 2 is 320x224

Saturn's lowest resolution is 320x224, hence the unused display area on the sides for Gradius

I think the Playstation can do 256x224 so I would expect that it doesn't have the same issue (not sure since I don't own one)

Correct. The PS1 has a SNES resolution setting that it can run in (256x224). Akumajou Dracula X Gekka No Yasokyokku runs at this setting.

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:15 pm

I owned both the salamander packs on PSX and saturn. Both of them had the screen cropping on the sides.... was there an option I over looked in those collections for the psx for full screen?

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:10 pm

If it weren't an entirely new game, and if it weren't so choppy, I'd go with the Game Boy "port" of Gradius.

As per Spadgy's post: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?t=20777

When I started playing the game a few years ago I hated how choppy it was, but when I went back to it I found it very playable.

The same thing happened yesterday when I tried it out again - initially ugh, later "this is pretty cool."

It doesn't work well in a window much larger than a Game Boy's, for the same reason a low-FPS video looks worse in a larger screen (at least to me)...

Other than that, the original Gradius and Gradius II both got ports to X68000, although I imagine Gradius II's music is all fuxed up and of course you're somewhat limited in display options by the X68000 monitor output.

Galaxius · Post by **Galaxius** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:33 pm

I couldn't say which port is the *best* or closest to arcade perfect, but for fun I'd have to say the PCE version.

It's easier (more balanced), and has a variety of extras-

Exclusive level

catchy ending theme

Five bonus levels (much like the bonus levels found in Gradius 2 MSX/Nemesis 90 Kai, Gradius III SNES).

Konami code

A more robust experience.

Mortificator · Post by **Mortificator** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 3:01 pm

I like playing it in MAME, the American (Nemesis) version. It's more forgiving than the Japanese one since a bunch of gold ships are spawned on death to let you get somewhat more powered-up.

Post by **spadgy** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:10 pm

The PSP port is far from perfect, but it's given me plenty of fun on the bus (using the nub - I've never used the D-pad, oddly enough).

However, I heard it scores a little differently. Maybe even from the Gradius high-score thread here. Is that true?

TaxiTitan · Post by **TaxiTitan** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:40 pm

[quote="ZeetherKID77"]Now if only Nintendo would fucking bring PCECD Gradius II to US VC...assholes.[/quote]

Read how to install wads and dont update your wii to 3.3

heres our release of gradius 2 vc regionfree jap

http://www.mediafire.com/?mlmz9mpr9xo

Yes its better then DX pack or arcade.. read this http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/ ... eview.html, or compare