PS2 Racketboy Shmup Article is UP!

[Limbrooke]

"Sega Ages" section of the article

Fantasy Zone II DX should not be burried in a small section about Sega Ages in general. It's much more than an usual Ages release. As the only new System16 release in the past decade, it's more or less a milestone in retro development and IMO one of the best PS2-exclusive shoot'em up all around. Just my 2 cents, but I would assume quite some people concur.

Agreed in full. FZ2DX was a really surprising release since it seemed such a long shot to develop a new game for the System16 platform. It's really remarkable the dedication and interest the developers must have showed towards re-doing the original FZ2 greatly surpassing its System E incarnation.

[professor ganson]

Yes, in retrospect it stands out as one of the nicest PS2 shmup releases period.

[BulletMagnet]

I'm definitely down with what you're saying, but at this point I plan to keep all of the Sega Ages stuff together, if only for space constraints: I've already forced RB to rework his site twice to fit my last two articles in there, and since I'm compacting several other "series" which I'd have preferred to separate (Psyvariar, Shikigami no Shiro, XII Stag/Trizeal) it'd come across as a tad strange to make an exception for Fantasy Zone Complete, regardless of how impressive a collection it is. That said, it is pretty much a given that it's the shmup highlight of the Ages series, so I'll try to give it as much attention as it deserves under the circumstances.

[BulletMagnet]

Okay everyone, the article's just about finished, and will be submitted to Racketboy in the next few days: I've made a few final additions to the questions in the first post, in hopes of filling in the last few blanks before sending this in. Please re-read that post in case something new has appeared that you might help with: once again, any assistance is greatly appreciated!

[Obiwanshinobi]

The first Twinkle Star Sprites is on the ADK Tamashii compilation. It's a typical buget collection of Neo Geo games for the PS2: upscaled, interlaced and defilckered. Twinkle Star Sprites received the worst treatment of the whole bunch - it looks like some VHS material (the other games don't look all that disastrous) - I have no idea why the colours got so badly butchered in this particular game. The slowdown seems identical to the arcade original (I'm not an expert player, mind you).
Still: Ninja Master's, Twinkle Star Sprites, Ninja Commando, Tsuukai GANGAN Koushinkyoku/Aggressors of Dark Kombat and Ninja Combat on one DVD, all of them at least playable. Plenty of local multiplayer goodness from ADK.
Perhaps you should count Ninja Commando in too.
Moreover, there should be a list of PSX shooters not quite compatible with the PS2. The best known examples (Gradius Gaiden and Gradius Deluxe Pack) aside, there's a handful of games sporting extra input lag when played on a PS2: Zanac Neo (Zanac Special Version plays fine) and Night Raid (reportedly). I also suspect that there's the same matter with Strikers 1945 II (the Japanese version), at least on certain PS2 models. I played it just after Sonic Wings Special on hard and Sengolu Ace (very similar games all around), and the controls in Strikers II felt less acurate.
Oh yes, Assault Suits Valken for the PS2 really is not that bad, and the PAL release is the first ever uncensored western edition of Valken as well as the first PAL edition outputting 60 Hz. As I see it, Cybernator on the PAL Virtual Console has very little on it. If you need an excuse to mention it, it's got a side scrolling shmup prologue which wasn't there on the SNES.
Also, Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box (pixel perfect ports of Gunstar Heroes, Dynamite Headdy and Alien Soldier on one CD). Just sayin'.
Panzer Dragoon can be played in new, optional "rebalanced" mode. I've got a hunch that it's a port from the PC version (still playable under WinXP) rather than Saturn, but nothing to back it up. The opening video is smoothed, the real time 3D graphics look like on the PC. The lot is displayed in non-interlaced lo-res (no various resolution selectable).
Actually, if you are goning to mention Rez, ommitting Space Harrier (I'm not sure whether it's a remake or a port) and Galaxy Force II would be no fair.

[Mero]

Thanks for mentioning the Alpha Denshi compilation Obiwanshinobi, I didn't know it existed.

[Ghegs]

The first Twinkle Star Sprites is on the ADK Tamashii compilation

It's also unlockable in TSS: La Petite Princess.

[BulletMagnet]

The first Twinkle Star Sprites is on the ADK Tamashii compilation.

Good catch, I'd forgotten about that one: I'll probably squeeze it into the LPP section, as it's probably not worth its own subheading.

Perhaps you should count Ninja Commando in too.

It definitely needs to be in there someplace, I'll probably stick it in the "borderliners" post-script just to be safe.

Moreover, there should be a list of PSX shooters not quite compatible with the PS2.

Hmmm...I'll have to ask RB what he thinks of this.

Oh yes, Assault Suits Valken for the PS2 really is not that bad, and the PAL release is the first ever uncensored western edition of Valken as well as the first PAL edition outputting 60 Hz.

Another good catch, I'll add that to the "borderliners" mini-segment.

Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box, Panzer Dragoon, Space Harrier, Galaxy Force II

All of these will get a mention in the "Sega Ages" portion of the article.

It's also unlockable in TSS: La Petite Princess.

That tidbit's already in there, but thanks for mentioning it.

Keep 'em coming!

[Koa Zo]

Yeah, I'm confident about that lack of tate in Tera Cresta. It was a serious disappointment. The menus were not in English, as I recall, so there's always a small chance that the community here overlooked something, but I wasn't the only one complaining about the surprising lack of tate.

I'm not so sure you're correct.
I would swear I've played Tera Cresta in tate orientation. I just got my Oretachi Geasen collection out of storage and will confirm tate tonight.

Bullet Magnet, don't know if you were going to... but it might be worth mentioning that Time Pilot and Scramble are also playable in tate. AFAIK these are the only two home versions of those games that allow to be played in original acrade presentation. (well, besides Scramble on Vectrex)

Also, in regards to boarderliners, maybe Pooyan is worth mentioning, which is also playable in tate orientaion.

The Trigger Heart Exelica baloon was indeed a pre-order bonus. (not sure if it came with all pre-orders, or just the limited edition package pre-orders)

For the System 16 Collection it might be worth mentioning that SDI supports USB mouse control, and that the Super DX Pack of that volume (21) included a mini USB mouse in a metal tin (along with the soundtrack and a small pin)
And Volume 30 Galaxy Force II supports the Hori Flight Stick 2.

The Taito Memories Korean releases all come with the booklet (translated to Korean).

And there is also a Korean "Strikers 1945 I & II + Gunbird Premium Package Shooting Collection." It is two discs and has both Gunbird games on one disc, and then the two Strikers 1945 games on the other.

sorry I didn't see this thread sooner.
Will report back tonight about Terra Cresta tate, but I am 99% certain it does have tate option.

[BulletMagnet]

I would swear I've played Tera Cresta in tate orientation. I just got my Oretachi Geasen collection out of storage and will confirm tate tonight.

That'd be great, thanks.

Bullet Magnet, don't know if you were going to... but it might be worth mentioning that Time Pilot and Scramble are also playable in tate. AFAIK these are the only two home versions of those games that allow to be played in original acrade presentation. (well, besides Scramble on Vectrex)

If it turns out that Terra Cresta does have tate, then I'll just mention that all verts in the series have that screen option present (otherwise I'll just name it as an exception).

Also, in regards to boarderliners, maybe Pooyan is worth mentioning, which is also playable in tate orientaion.

I'd overlooked that one, I'll give it a mention as well.

And the Trigger Heart Exelica baloon was a pre-order bonus. (not sure if it came with all pre-orders, or just the limited edition package pre-orders)...And the Taito Memories Korean releases all come with the booklet (translated to Korean).

Okay, glad to have that nailed down, finally.

For the System 16 Collection it might be worth mentioning that SDI supports USB mouse control, and that the Special DX Pack of that volume (21) included a mini USB mouse in a metal tin (along with the soundtrack and a small pin)
And Volume 30 Galaxy Force II supports the Hori Flight Stick 2.

Wasn't aware of that stuff, will definitely add it in.

And there is also a Korean "Strikers 1945 I & II + Gunbird Premium Package Shooting Collection." It is two discs and has both Gunbird games on one disc, and then the two Strikers 1945 games on the other.

Someone else mentioned that earlier, but a bit of extra confirmation's always nice.

Thanks again for the help!

[Koa Zo]

Space HarrierAll of these will get a mention in the "Sega Ages" portion of the article.

along with my note about Galaxy Force II in my previous post, it is worth mentioning that Vol. 20 Space Harrier II ~Space Harrier Complete Collection~ (as opposed to the vol.4 Space Harrier) has the 3D version of Space Harrier and that the instruction manual included red and blue cellephane(?) and instructions to make your own 3D glasses. The Super DX Pack of Vol.20 included premade commorative 3D glasses (red/blue type).

[BulletMagnet]

Great, I'll toss those tidbits in too.

[Koa Zo]

OK, confirmed: Terra Cresta does have tate display.
And that game kicks my ass.

Another boarderliner/hybrid came to mind. Quarth saw an Oretachi Geasen release.

The tate orientation option for Time Pilot and Scramble might deserve special mention since most gamers wouldn't even guess that those games were originally on vertical monitors (considering they are not vertically scrolling games).

Glad I could contribute a little. Looking forward to reading the article!

edit: just thought of another tidbit: There was a Space Invaders 25th anniversary release titled "Space Invaders Anniversary" most noteworthy for the fact that the special edition included a replica miniature cocktail cabinet control which allowed the PS2 Dual Shock to be placed inside and then the player could simulate the arcade control layout.

Speaking of anniversaries, the Sega Ages Vol.20 Space Harrier Complete Collection is branded with a "20th Anniversary" emblem on the back of the box.

And did you get an answer about the image galleries for Tecmo Hit Parade? I have the PS2 release, but haven't put much time into it. If you'd like I could try to find out.

[BulletMagnet]

OK, confirmed: Terra Cresta does have tate display.

Great, thanks much.

Another boarderliner/hybrid came to mind. Quarth saw an Oretachi Geasen release.

That one I was already aware of, it's all set.

The tate orientation option for Time Pilot and Scramble might deserve special mention since most gamers wouldn't even guess that those games were originally on vertical monitors (considering they are not vertically scrolling games).

I'll try to squeeze a mention of that in there someplace if I can, but as I said before I was hoping to just say "everything in this series that uses tate has it" (and now thanks to your confirmation I can, heh).

just thought of another tidbit: There was a Space Invaders 25th anniversary release titled "Space Invaders Anniversary" most noteworthy for the fact that the special edition included a replica miniature cocktail cabinet control which allowed the PS2 Dual Shock to be placed inside and then the player could simulate the arcade control layout.

Ack, another one I'd forgotten about: to be added!

And did you get an answer about the image galleries for Tecmo Hit Parade? I have the PS2 release, but haven't put much time into it. If you'd like I could try to find out.

I'm honestly surprised ANYone has it...if you get a chance for a quick look that's be great.

Glad I could contribute a little. Looking forward to reading the article!

Thanks a bundle for the help, it's little things like these that make 'em more worth reading in the end.

[professor ganson]

What the hell! I got rid of the game for nothing. I love that game, and was so disappointed that I couldn't get a tate display. Now I've got to pick it up again.

Sorry for the misinfo, BM, and thanks to Koa Zo for that valuable correction!

[professor ganson]

Phew... just got the last copy of Terra Cresta at NCSX. I may need to pm you, KZ, for instructions on getting tate. Those menus were rough!

[BulletMagnet]

Heh, I somehow picture your life suddenly turning into an action movie the second you found out about that tate option, prof.

By the way, not "directly" related to the article, but I was wondering whether it would be appropriate to include a quick "dedication" at the end to the memory of ROBOTRON - he'd certainly have liked to be mentioned in a write-up like this, but perhaps not under these sorts of circumstances. Thoughts?

[professor ganson]

I think a dedication is in order. Very nice idea, BulletMagnet.

[Koa Zo]

Prof, yeah def hit me up when u get Terra Cresta.

BM, do you think the Tecmo image gallery is an unlockable? I'm not familiar with the Xbox version.


I'd missed the news about Robotron. So bummed. Of all the forums I've ever posted on he was one of the members that i really wanted to meet one day. it was clear he was a true gamer, with a great sence of humor. Rest in peace. And never forget "Stop the humanoid! Stop the intruder!"

[BulletMagnet]

BM, do you think the Tecmo image gallery is an unlockable? I'm not familiar with the Xbox version.

I'm not sure, as I don't own the game myself: the back of the box on the US release mentions the "Tecmo Gallery" which contains all the extra stuff, but whether it's an unlockable or not is ambiguous. The reviews I've glimpsed of it seem to suggest that it's available from the start, though: any sign of it on the PS2 edition? (For whatever it's worth, the Japanese box doesn't seem to mention it, at least not very visibly...)

I think a dedication is in order.

Hmm...I'll float the idea in the "official" remembrance thread to try to get a few more opinions before moving forward.

[BulletMagnet]

Making final edits now: added one or two more questions to the first post, most importantly seeking details on PS1 shmups which don't work properly on a PS2. Almost there!

[Koa Zo]

Tecmo Hit Parade on J-PS2 does have the image gallery. It is the second of two options on the title screen

You're probably aware that PS2 version only has 7 games as opposed to Xbox version with 11 games.
There is also no tate opion for any of the games. The emulation seems spot on, afaik. All the original arcade dip-switch options are present.

This was the first time I really sat down to play each game on the disc with intention to do well. They are all really enjoyable games.
Star Force is an incredible shooter for 1984. I'd always written it off as a Star Soldier rip-off, but little did I realize until now that Star Soldier came out two years later!
Pleiads was also a pleasant surprise! I absolutely love how the city structures on the first stage take damage, and then the docking sequence for stage 4 is a real treat too. And from 1981! How have I missed this game all these years?!

It is really unfortunate that a gamefaqs reviewer dismisses Pleiads as a Galaga clone. Pleiads is as similar to Galaga as Super Mario Brothers is to Milon's Secret Castle! I mainly feel bad for the reviewer for having such a dense and clouded appreciation of videogames.

Besides the number of games, another difference for the PS2 release is the inclusion of a pretty cool/bizzare music-video-montage before the title screen comes up. The music is by the Japanese punk-rock band called "The Sect" (advertised on the back of the manual) The video is oddly retro-liciously grainy/pixelated, and the high energy song gets you hyped while images of super pixelated scaled-up graphics intersperse with images of the tatooed Japanese punk-rockers!

5) is there a difference between the "Sono" releases and the "non-Sono" ones - did the latter not come with the extra pack-in items or something? Were all of the games on CD, or did the format vary?

The most obvious difference is that the later "non-Sono" releases have an updated DVD-case deisgn which includes a graphic pixel image of the main game character on the spine of the case. The first 14 ("Sono") releases all have very uniform packaging and being unable to read Japanese makes it difficult to identify a game without looking at the screenshots on the back on the box.

The internal packaging, including the disc graphics and manual cover and everything is identical through all 18 releases.
All 18 in the series include the game on CD media; a manual; a 4 page strategy booklet; an arcade handbill trading card; a mini-CD ~ original BGM,SFX and remix-arrange song*; a mini-DVD ~ containing long advertisement/infomercial, 15 second television commercial, a sentimental video with a watery sunset backdrop and a recap of significant pop-culture events of the 1980's, and then an example play-through of one or two levels of the game (these are not Superplays); and finally on the DVD is a graphical music video for the remix song included on the audio CD.
These two 80mm mini discs are held in an ecomomical paper-board binder thingy which also has the original arcade instructions printed full-color on one side.
* the remixes on the audio CD are one thing that changed between the first 14 and the last 4 ("non-Sono") releases. All 18 volumes include a "Super Sweep Remix", but the first 14 volumes also have either a House, Techno, Dance, or HipHop remix as well.

The games themselves are all presented uniformly across all 18 volumes. All game's options are accessed by pressing both shoulder buttons at any time. The option menus are mostly uniform, and stangely every game includes the ability to scale the screen in or out rather significantly. (It is actually pretty neat playing some games with the graphics scaled to huge pixel proportions)
All games support memory cards to save your difficulty/display configurations. High scores are not saved (though I haven't confirmed this for every game).

There may have been different developers doing the emulation/programming for the later releases. I recall seeing or reading that "M2" did some games, while "Jenny" (iirc) did some others, and other's are simply only credited to "Hamster."
There was some issue about MAME code being used for the Thunder Cross release.
There was(is?) a youtube video showing some sound and graphical issues with the Thunder Cross port. I have had RabioLepus freeze-up on me while playing. In Pooyan there is a slight graphical glitch (black pixel thin lines sometimes appear vertically). All the other shmup releases are near perfect as far as I can tell.

One last tidbit came to mind: back in early 2006 Hamster had a poll on their website (still up!) asking fans what games they would like to see ported (from a provided list), Xexex was one selected and was eventually listed for pre-order at Play Asia and NCSX as Volume 7 in the series.
The series seemed to stall-out with no updates from Hamster for some time, Xexex dropped to TBA status, and then disapeared all together. Ultimately the Oretachi Game Center series would continue with Burger Time as the entry at volume 7, and Xexex would later appear on the PSP courtesy of Konami themselves.

If my info is correct, first-print Japanese copies of Gradius V got the "History of Vic Viper" booklet, while US pre-orders got the "Breakdown" DVD - are there any other such bonus items I'm forgetting?

-Did you remember the booklet that came with Ibara pre-orders?
And not a bonus, but there was the "Capture Box" and "Sound Box" limited editions of Psyvariar Complete Edition.
-There is the limited edition of Mushihimisama with the figure.
-The limited edition of Shikigami no Shiro 2 also included a figureine.
-Thunder Force VI had some sort of promo music CD as a pre-order bounus, but I don't know if this was common or limited to only some retail locations.
-And the Sega Ages releases almost all had Special DX Packs afaik. When SegaDirect closed down the name changed but the contents were basically the same: an OST, special commemorative item, and a badge pin.
Vol.33 Fantasy Zone Complete Collection limited edition included a 4 disc OST spanning all Fantasy Zone musics, and the commemorative item is a wind-up music box which plays the main theme. (Panzer Dragoon also got a music box!)
...don't know about others off the top of my head.

[Ghegs]

2) Could someone give a quick synopsis of the PS1 games which don't work correctly on the PS2? Not super-detailed, but just a general blurb about what exactly is screwed up on each.

Lessee what I remember offhand...

*Gradius Gaiden's Stage 7 "On the Event Horizon" runs in slow-motion until the boss.
*In Toaplan Shooting Battle, Kyūkyoku Tiger and Twin Cobra run in slow-motion. Tiger Heli, however, runs fine.
*R-Type Delta has a very minor and inconsequential graphical glitch, I think it was the "Loading memory card"-screen that flickers. Might not be even worth mentioning.
*I seem to recall Darius Gaiden has some speed issues as well, but I don't remember what exactly.

There's probably a few more...

[Obiwanshinobi]

Reportedly there is something wrong with Toaplan Shooting Battle's performance on the PS2.
I also recall certain sound effects in Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams missing, barely audible or altered. That was a backup copy, though, so maybe the CD-R was bad. Image worked fine on ePSXe.
Rolling Thunder on Namco Museum Encore runs at like a half of the original speed. Sky Kid and Dragon Saber are okay.
Incompatibility symptoms may vary on different models of PS2.

[professor ganson]

Toaplan Shooting Battle is definitely inoperative on a Jap PS2. It's been quite a few years now, but I believe the problem was that it played at 2 miles an hour.

[BulletMagnet]

Excellent stuff, all!

Tecmo Hit Parade on J-PS2 does have the image gallery. It is the second of two options on the title screen

Okay, noted.

Star Force is an incredible shooter for 1984.

It was featured in a STGT week within the past few years, were you around for that? I agree that it's somewhat impressive for its age, but that wacky million-point scoring trick throws things off a ways in a competitive setting.

Besides the number of games, another difference for the PS2 release is the inclusion of a pretty cool/bizzare music-video-montage before the title screen comes up.

I wonder if anyone's ever uploaded it to YouTube?

Vol.33 Fantasy Zone Complete Collection limited edition included a 4 disc OST spanning all Fantasy Zone musics, and the commemorative item is a wind-up music box which plays the main theme.

I'd remembered all of the bonus items you mentioned except this one: it's been added.

Thanks much for all the invaluable Oretachi info as well!

*I seem to recall Darius Gaiden has some speed issues as well, but I don't remember what exactly.

Anyone have any more concrete info on this one? An earlier poster mentioned the Gradius Deluxe Pack as well, I'm not familiar with its supposed issues off the cuff...

I also recall certain sound effects in Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams missing, barely audible or altered. That was a backup copy, though, so maybe the CD-R was bad. Image worked fine on ePSXe.

I'll hafta test this one myself, as I've got Cotton and a JPS2. Outta curiosity was the CD of the original release or the "Superlite" one?

Thanks again everyone!

[Obiwanshinobi]

Come to think of it, that Cotton image was too small to contain the PC Engine version soundtrack, so maybe it was a hack of sorts. In any case, the game was perfectly playable.

An earlier poster mentioned the Gradius Deluxe Pack as well, I'm not familiar with its supposed issues off the cuff...

Gradius 1 runs fine (at least the first level does), but 2 is VERY slow and choppy.

[BulletMagnet]

Gradius 1 runs fine (at least the first level does), but 2 is VERY slow and choppy.

Okay, thanks.

I'm planning on submitting this sometime tomorrow, so if anyone's got any last-minute additions to contribute, now's the last chance to so it!

[BulletMagnet]

The article has been officially submitted to Racketboy: thanks so much to everyone for their help! I'll update this thread with a link once it's on his site.

Now, to sleep...

[Mero]

High scores are not saved (though I haven't confirmed this for every game).

I know it's a bit late but OTZ Sonic Wings and Rabio Lepus both save high scores. You have to save manually on the options screen. Sonic Wings has auto load but Rabio Lepus doesn't, so every time you load up RL you have to remember to load up your scores too (I overwrote my scores a few times because of this ).