I have just enough money to buy Radiant Silvergun.

[xghostsniperx]

I have, for once, about $200 in my Paypal account.

The thing is, I'm new to shmups. I haven't played a wide variety but I know I do love the genre. So I'd be buying the "holy grail" of shmups while being a total noob to the genre.

But on the flipside, this is probably my only opportunnity to purchase this game in the next four years. Next fall I go to college, which is going to cost over 100k for the school I'm going to. So it will be at least 6-8 years until I can start shelling out two hundred bucks like its nothing.

So what do you guys think? I know it will just sit on my shelf for a few years until I really play a wide variety of shmups, but I'm very concerned that the price will steadily rise in the next few years.

[Plasmo]

only a handful of people are actually able to appreciate this game.
youll be either "omg its the best game!!!"(because youre a noob) or "omg this game sucks!! DDP is so much better"(because youre a noob)

[Frederik]

If you are new to shmups, try some more accesible games first. It isn´t worth putting down such a big amount of money for a hyped game. It certainly is a good game, but you should find your taste in shmups first. RSG is VERY technical.

And by the time you´re able to buy this game again, it will be perfectly emulated in MAME. I mean, owning games instead of emulating them is certainly a honourable attitude, but not when games cost such huge amounts of money (and for a game that isn´t even rare, just ridiculously in demand).

[professor ganson]

With $200 you surely can afford a new user name.

You might want to start with something loved by all that's MUCH cheaper, like Shikigami no Shiro II.

[DJ Incompetent]

So what do you guys think? I know it will just sit on my shelf for a few years until I really play a wide variety of shmups, but I'm very concerned that the price will steadily rise in the next few years.

This console gen or the next, chances may rise the Silvergun could be ported to some compilation, rerelease, or some next gen Live/VC download. And there's the MAME'ing.

If you're gonna let things sit on the shelf, just splurge on a wide variety of shmups on the systems you own. Or just unload on an import or modded system so you can take in a few of the many Japan-region goodies. A console generation just ended, which means lots of budget pricing. Go capitalize.


You seek a holy grail at the end of your adventures. Not the beginning.

[antron]

And by the time you´re able to buy this game again, it will be perfectly emulated in MAME. I mean, owning games instead of emulating them is certainly a honourable attitude, but not when games cost such huge amounts of money.

is the PCB cheaper than the saturn disc?

because if we are going to tell him to pirate the arcade rom, just tell him to mod his saturn and burn it.

[xghostsniperx]

You seek a holy grail at the end of your adventures. Not the beginning.

Haha, makes sense.

I just want to clarify though, that I have a modded Saturn and a import-friendly DC, and I'm looking for a way to get my PS2 import-friendly, so I could buy quite a few other shmups--I have some options.

Here's my current shmup collection, if you guys wouldn't mind making some suggestions on some games that would better deserve my money, that'd be great:

PS2
R-Type Final
Castle Shikigami 2 (1 CC'd)
Gradius V (I can beat it with two credits, just not 1 yet)
Silpheed: The Lost Planet
Espagulda
Psyviar 2: Ultimate Final
Strikers 1945 I+II
Gunbird I+II
Homura

DC
Giga Wing

Saturn
Assault Suit Leynos 2 (if that's even considered a shooter)

GC
Chaos Field
Ikaruga

Thanks for suggestions


[/b]

[system11]

You are missing Mushihimesama - this should be rectified.

Apart from that, I would say that RSG is worth getting, it's very well designed indeed.

[iatneH]

I think RSG is a great game and worthy to be in your collection, but instead of spending $200 on one game (especially if you are new to the genre and funds are tight), it may be more worth your while to spend that $200 to get 5 or 6 games that you might enjoy just as much.

[BulletMagnet]

I think RSG is a great game and worthy to be in your collection, but instead of spending $200 on one game (especially if you are new to the genre and funds are tight), it may be more worth your while to spend that $200 to get 5 or 6 games that you might enjoy just as much.

I'm more or less in agreement here: while I also like the game, for the time being I'd suggest diversifying a bit, and keeping an eye out for a disc-only copy of RSG or something like that, so you can eventually get it for a bit less than premium price.

In any event, the demand for the game's not going down anytime soon, so you're pretty much assured of getting most or all of your money back if you decide you don't like the game and re-sell it.

[Rob]

So I'd be buying the "holy grail" of shmups

It isn't. It's just another somewhat respected game here (that's occasionally mentioned, usually to say it's overrated).

[Ceph]

So I'd be buying the "holy grail" of shmups

It isn't.

Yeah, there are several (home system) shoot 'em ups which command higher prices. And since the print run of Radiant Silvergun was 50,000 copies, there's a plethora of shmups which are harder to find.

occasionally mentioned, usually to say it's overrated

...usually by people who refuse to learn how to play it or who have never played it.

[Koa Zo]

I'll sell you my Radiant Silvergun for $150 shipped, and you'll still have enough money left over for Mushihimesama.
(unfortunately I've got some serious bills to pay off )

[professor ganson]

From the list of games you have so far, it looks like you might be interested in expanding on your Saturn collection. But since you have a DC and can play PS1 games on your PS2, keep those systems in mind as well-- they have some of the best shmups imo.

My suggestion is to search out our yearly top 25 thread (use the search engine). This is a great place to start for filling out your collection.

[Rob]

Yeah, there are several (home system) shoot 'em ups which command higher prices. And since the print run of Radiant Silvergun was 50,000 copies, there's a plethora of shmups which are harder to find.

I was talking about its be-all end-all status, but this is true. It's not a "holy grail" for any reason. For collectors there's stuff like Darius Alpha and for quite some time complete Cave kits have replaced RS for everyday desireability. Your be-all end-all shooter could be Battle Garegga or even Space Megaforce. The only reason to buy this game is to see what good graphics for the Saturn looked like (ten years ago, we have games like Gradius V now) or you really like Treasure and/or chaining enemies, memorization shooters, etc. RS is no better than much cheaper games of the time like R-Type Delta. Since a concern here is money, there's not much to reasonably discuss unless you really just want that last throwaway purchase.

[stoneroses]

I say go for it. Even if you ever change your mind, you should at least be able to get your money back (or close to it) so you can play it relatively risk free.

[stratos]

Someone mentioned Garegga... ok, that's a great shooter (one of my favourites) but it's pheraphs more technical (eventually frustrating) than RSG!!!

if you are new to the genere and like manic games, I suggest you to buy Espgaluda, easy to pick, rewarding to master, greatly designed, a must have...

For the classic shooters, I suggest Rayforce for the Saturn, playable, well designed, funny to play for survival or for score, and easy to play.

Have fun

[EOJ]

if you are new to the genere and like manic games, I suggest you to buy Espgaluda, easy to pick, rewarding to master, greatly designed, a must have...

Look at his list. He already has Espgaluda.

[stratos]

Ops, forgot me!!! Ok, here in Italy now are 4:01, so I have an excuse

[DJ Incompetent]

You seek a holy grail at the end of your adventures. Not the beginning.

Haha, makes sense.

I just want to clarify though, that I have a modded Saturn and a import-friendly DC, and I'm looking for a way to get my PS2 import-friendly, so I could buy quite a few other shmups--I have some options.

Here's my current shmup collection,

All those games and almost 2 1CCs

Christ...I thought you said you were noob.

K, you sorta have enough stuffs to justify a RSG purchase. If you still believe it will stay that rare in 5ish years, at least you can keep your money upon a resell. It's like a playable bond or something....or a game disc built into a gift card....'n.....stuff.

Or if you decline, do-up: Mushihimesama, Border Down, G-Darius, DoDonPachi, Rayforce/storm/crisis, Einhander, R-Type Delta, Gradius Gaiden, Salamander Deluxe Pack, Dragon Blaze...

[FatCobra]

Buy it if you're crazy enough to do it. Honestly, who in their f**king mind would pay $200 for a single videogame?

[Brian]

Hey, for $200 you can have my RS. Doesn't have a spine card but is in mint condition otherwise. I'll even throw in shipping because I am a nice guy.

[Limbrooke]

Look at it this way.
With $200 you can't buy Sapphire, Sylphia, or Taromaru. So respectively speaking it's cheap.

[Gungriffon Geona]

to be perfectly honest, go with a PS1 title like the marvellous Gradius Gaiden or the graphically better R-Type Delta (even though I find Delta a load of crap, it should be fun for those fans of the series.) RSG is one of those games which require what I'd consider... an acquired taste.
I for one am with those who say Garegga is a better game, but I honestly didn't enjoy it as much as I did Raizing's arcade-only games (Armed Police Batrider, Kingdam Grandprix, Battle Bakraid) but if you like things to be extremely rigid and score-based, it's your game. if however you are the fan of the "blast away and don't get killed" gameplay, you will find Garegga a damn nightmare.
It also depends on whether you like your games really vibrant or not. that does tend to hinge slightly on the enjoyability. (Gradius is a good example of extremely vibrant games, whereas Garegga is quite drab most of the time.)

Also, the mention of Leynos 2 is a BIG yes from me. get it if you want a platformer shooter, as it's one of the best you'll find.

[Dylan1CC]

I say buy it. You have wanted it for a long time and you have the money, so why not get it and experience for yourself whether or not you feel it's good? Even if you don't like it, you can easily sell it later for at least what you originally paid.

It gets a lot of guff from some folks either because of the mainstream press name dropping with it all the time and the chaining system is not for everyone...which is somewhat of a double standard IMHO because there are few "modern" shooters which do not depend on some kind of deeply layered chaining system. You'll be every bit at the mercy of Garegga's rank system and DOJ as you will RS's "evil" chains.

That said, IMHO you can play the game any way you want and you are still going to have one epic experience. Just don't expect to get into the top tier scores though unless you plan on getting your weapons powered up (which again, depends on how much effort you want to put into the chaining).

Personal taste from both camps aside, besides the gorgeous visuals and epic bosses, it is without a doubt one of the most carefully crafted shooters ever made with the best overall presentation (not to mention best soundtrack) you will ever see in any arcade game.

This console gen or the next, chances may rise the Silvergun could be ported to some compilation, rerelease, or some next gen Live/VC download. And there's the MAME'ing.

When asked about this by HGM last year (for their GS SH/Treasure feature in the Sept 05 issue) a Treasure rep responded by saying there were no plans to port RS to a current gen system. Of course, that was over a year ago and the GSH/Alien Soldier comp may bode well, but still, who knows? And if he has the money, why MAME it when the Saturn rev is longer with more features and options?

[xghostsniperx]

You seek a holy grail at the end of your adventures. Not the beginning.

Haha, makes sense.

I just want to clarify though, that I have a modded Saturn and a import-friendly DC, and I'm looking for a way to get my PS2 import-friendly, so I could buy quite a few other shmups--I have some options.

Here's my current shmup collection,

All those games and almost 2 1CCs

Christ...I thought you said you were noob.

K, you sorta have enough stuffs to justify a RSG purchase. If you still believe it will stay that rare in 5ish years, at least you can keep your money upon a resell. It's like a playable bond or something....or a game disc built into a gift card....'n.....stuff.

Or if you decline, do-up: Mushihimesama, Border Down, G-Darius, DoDonPachi, Rayforce/storm/crisis, Einhander, R-Type Delta, Gradius Gaiden, Salamander Deluxe Pack, Dragon Blaze...

I am a noob. I just played the hell out of Castle Shikigami 2 and Gradius V. I probably didn't play any other games for two months.

[shinsage]

Go ahead and buy it, man.
It's better to face disappointment early on.

Sure, it's not accessible to people new to shooters, but hell, it's not accessible to anyone, period. There isn't anything like it that can prepare you for it. Everyone takes forever trying to learn this game. So forget all that nonsense of putting it on the backburner and just go for it.

[xghostsniperx]

Oh, and thanks for the advice everyone. Unless I can get RSG for $150 or less, I won't bother quite yet. Hell, I haven't even played all my PS2 shmups yet.

[Specineff]

Somebody offered you one for 150, and no replies were made. I'd buy it if I had the money.

[Rob]

Specineff likes to buy Radiant Silverguns. How many have you owned?