Recommendations for a n00b

ktownhero · Post by **ktownhero** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:00 pm

Like I said in a previous post, I'm a relative n00b to the scene. I've played a good bit of Ikaruga (still working on that 1cc though), and I'm working on Shikigami No Shiro II on the side (along with some Wii VC shooter releases).

I know it's about 7 years too late, but I just got a PS2, and I was wondering for some recommendations on "top notch" shooters for it. I found a site with Espgaluda and Homura for a reasonable price. Are these games "grade A?" (sorry for my ignorance, I know these games are fairly well known here - i just don't know much about them). Also, what is the recommended method for playing imports on a "slim" ps2? Are these boot disks reliable? I'm not in the mood to solder chip.

DJ Incompetent · Post by **DJ Incompetent** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:16 pm

FAQ-Read-Time! ^_^

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?t=11882

Any title will be "Grade A" to somebody on here.

Cave brand games, a lot more so.

ktownhero · Post by **ktownhero** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:41 pm

Thanks for the input. I actually have read the faq thoroughly as well as all of the reviews, but the information that I needed really is not covered in those areas. I did end up finding the information I needed in some other threads though.

SkylineR32 · Post by **SkylineR32** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:43 pm

While I own them on the Saturn, I'm sure the Strikers 1945 games are available on the PS2 on one disc. They are great games IMO for getting people into the shmup genre.

icycalm · Post by **icycalm** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:13 pm

ktownhero wrote:Thanks for the input. I actually have read the faq thoroughly as well as all of the reviews, but the information that I needed really is not covered in those areas. I did end up finding the information I needed in some other threads though.

You've read ALL the reviews?

ROBOTRON · Post by **ROBOTRON** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:55 pm

Gradius V and R-Type Final I reccomend if your into horis.

ktownhero · Post by **ktownhero** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 3:00 am

icycalm wrote:
ktownhero wrote:Thanks for the input. I actually have read the faq thoroughly as well as all of the reviews, but the information that I needed really is not covered in those areas. I did end up finding the information I needed in some other threads though.
You've read ALL the reviews?

Yes, actually I read all of the PS2 reviews. I read just about every single review in the archive (or at least skimmed it). I see nothing for ESPGaluda or Homura.

neorichieb1971 · Post by **neorichieb1971** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 3:08 am

ESP galuda is a great game if you can play Japanese games on your PS2.

I would get a Japanese PS2 instead of faffing around with modchips and such.

And if you do, put Dodonpachi Dai ou jou on that list of wanted games as well

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 3:17 am

In case you weren't already aware, Homura just got a "Taito Best" re-release which goes for around half of what an original release does/did, so if you weren't looking at that already you might want to do so.

Anyways, methinks most here would tell you that both Homura and Galuda are very good games, I personally recommend both.

icycalm · Post by **icycalm** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 6:29 am

ktownhero wrote:
icycalm wrote:
ktownhero wrote:Thanks for the input. I actually have read the faq thoroughly as well as all of the reviews, but the information that I needed really is not covered in those areas. I did end up finding the information I needed in some other threads though.
You've read ALL the reviews?
Yes, actually I read all of the PS2 reviews. I read just about every single review in the archive (or at least skimmed it). I see nothing for ESPGaluda or Homura.

Oh wow. Good for you!

As for a Galuda review, mine's here.

xghostsniperx · Post by **xghostsniperx** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 7:20 am

Basically, the three consoles you'll eventually need to be a shooter fan are:

PS2
Saturn
Dreamcast

It looks like you're already a third of the way there. In order to play improts on a slim PS2, search for Swap Magic 3.8 and you should get a few results. Basically, it's just installing a couple little switches inside your PS2--no opening required. I did it in less than two minutes, literally.

I reccomend being as economical as possible. For example, you could buy Strikers 1945 I, Strikers 1945 II, Gunbird and Gunbird II all seperately on Saturn and Dreamcast. It probably would end up costing you around $75-100 for the whole lot. Or, you could check on Play-Asia and see if they are collected one on disc for any newer consoles. When I was looking at those four games, I found Play-Asia had a Strikers/Gunbird collection which included all four games for $38+shipping. You just have to be smart like that and save your money.

Of course, you will have to shell out money for some games though. Many of the great Cave shooters for PS2 are holding their price around $60-70, same with Saturn, particularly Radiant Silvergun. See if you can get some good prices from people on the trading forum here. Normally, if you buy larger lots of stuff, you might get price breaks. I've gotten Giga Wing+Giga Wing 2 for $10 shipped when I'd have to pay at least $30 for both of them on eBay.

Also, you're best off buying only a few games at first and investing in a good arcade stick. Try to shop around to find a Tekken 5 Ultimate bundle, which is $29 at Gamestop and comes with one of the best domestic arcade sticks out there. Then you can use it for PS2 and convert it both to Dreamcast and Saturn with some cheap converters. Otherwise, you could get a HRAP or a custom stick.

Some shooters I enjoy most:

PS2
ESPGaluda
Psyvariar 2
Strikers 1945 I+II

SAT
Batsugun
Dodonpachi
Layer Section

DC
Ikaruga
Under Defeat

ktownhero · Post by **ktownhero** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 3:29 pm

Thanks for the input everyone. I actually did order the Swap Magic 3.8 w/ Magic keys yesterday, and ordered ESPGaluda from wolfgames.com. Good stuff. Matt said he should be getting more Homura next month, I will probably order that then.

xghostsniperx,

I actually already have a DC. I have always been a HUGE Dreamcast fan, I just never paid much attention to the shooters. I have Ikaruga and Shikigami No Shiro 2, and love those games. Ikaruga is the only "hardcore" shmup that I have some level of skill in.

I do want a Saturn eventually, mainly just for Radiant Silvergun. I know I'll love that game, but it's down the road.

I actually have a custom arcade stick that I built myself a few years back for dreamcast, but after being moved around over the years it got damaged. Instead of spending the money on fixing it, I just decided to get a Hori RAP. Ordered it last night off of ebay, not too bad of a price: $81 shipped, brand new. I'll get a ps2 > DC converter, and that will cover my apetite for arcade shooters for quiiiiiite some time. I just reached the point in my skill with Ikaruga and CoS2 where I realize I need a stick to really take it to the next level. As nice as some of my pads are, I know I'm just not getting the precsion I need.

So, I guess saying I'm a 'n00b' is a little misleading. Moreso, I just wasn't familiar with what was available on PS2. And, frankly, I am yet to really play a Cave game (blasphemy I know).

gavin19 · Post by **gavin19** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 3:43 pm

ktownhero wrote: I actually already have a DC. I have always been a HUGE Dreamcast fan, I just never paid much attention to the shooters. I have Ikaruga and Shikigami No Shiro 2, and love those games..

Definately look into Mars Matrix, Giga Wing 1 and 2, and Radirgy. Although I'm not really a fan, Under Defeat and Border Down are usually highly praised too.

xghostsniperx · Post by **xghostsniperx** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 3:48 pm

ktownhero wrote:Thanks for the input everyone. I actually did order the Swap Magic 3.8 w/ Magic keys yesterday, and ordered ESPGaluda from wolfgames.com. Good stuff. Matt said he should be getting more Homura next month, I will probably order that then.

xghostsniperx,

I actually already have a DC. I have always been a HUGE Dreamcast fan, I just never paid much attention to the shooters. I have Ikaruga and Shikigami No Shiro 2, and love those games. Ikaruga is the only "hardcore" shmup that I have some level of skill in.

I do want a Saturn eventually, mainly just for Radiant Silvergun. I know I'll love that game, but it's down the road.

I actually have a custom arcade stick that I built myself a few years back for dreamcast, but after being moved around over the years it got damaged. Instead of spending the money on fixing it, I just decided to get a Hori RAP. Ordered it last night off of ebay, not too bad of a price: $81 shipped, brand new. I'll get a ps2 > DC converter, and that will cover my apetite for arcade shooters for quiiiiiite some time. I just reached the point in my skill with Ikaruga and CoS2 where I realize I need a stick to really take it to the next level. As nice as some of my pads are, I know I'm just not getting the precsion I need.

So, I guess saying I'm a 'n00b' is a little misleading. Moreso, I just wasn't familiar with what was available on PS2. And, frankly, I am yet to really play a Cave game (blasphemy I know).

Sounds like you are on your way to being a true shmup fan!

One thing I would advise, however...Make sure you don't dismiss the Saturn off as simply "the one that has Radiant Silvergun". First of all, I have a Saturn and I thought I would eventually get RS, considering it was the "Holy Grail" of shooters, and I didn't even like the game. Really, RS is not for everyone. Luckily, the Saturn is probably the best shooter console behind PS2, and that is only because PS2 has a ton of Saturn ports in cheaper collections.

Diabollokus · Post by **Diabollokus** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:45 pm

Don't forget Gradius V for PS2 contender for greatest horizontal of all time.

Haven't played Homura or seen much of it though.

Edit: R-type final, I bought it last week and to be honest I'm not sure what to think, yet let alone recommend it. Can't tell if I like it or not feels unbalanced.

icycalm · Post by **icycalm** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:49 pm

xghostsniperx wrote:Sounds like you are on your way to being a true shmup fan!

I don't know, man, he already seems like a true shmup fan to me.

arromdee · Post by **arromdee** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 9:20 pm

The Tekken 5 bundle at Gamestop is impossible to find, but I managed to get one at Fry's for $50.

tekneekz · Post by **tekneekz** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:25 pm

mushihime-sama is a must

ktownhero · Post by **ktownhero** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:00 am

g19 wrote:
ktownhero wrote: I actually already have a DC. I have always been a HUGE Dreamcast fan, I just never paid much attention to the shooters. I have Ikaruga and Shikigami No Shiro 2, and love those games..
Definately look into Mars Matrix, Giga Wing 1 and 2, and Radirgy. Although I'm not really a fan, Under Defeat and Border Down are usually highly praised too.

I have played Mars Matrix, I actually don't really like it. Maybe I need to give it more time, but I have plenty of other games that "caught my eye" more immediately. I have Radirgy for Gamecube (Radio Allergy) preordered.

Arvandor · Post by **Arvandor** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 1:50 am

tekneekz wrote:mushihime-sama is a must

Seconded. Also, play normal mode just to see what it's like, and then enjoy the awesomeness that is maniac mode. I haven't tried ultra mode yet. I assume it's like a "loop 2" maniac.