Man, I HOPE we see a home port of Viper Phase 1!!...

[dave4shmups]

I don't know if this game would be included in any RF compilation, but I just played it on MAME, and I actually like it even better then the RF games.

[nullstar]

I also like it more than the RF games -- reminiscent (in my mind) of something Compile-ish. I will probably find room for it on my top 25 vote next year...unless I stick with a Raiden game (II or DX).

[CL@$$!C]

Viper is an awesome shmup. Played it on arcades back when my pizza hut had it (and they had it for quite awhile). That was, until it broke down... along with DonPachi. I remember DonPachi ended up with most of my quarters (well, 25c per play on both of them) but Viper was still a badass game.

[yojo!]

Which one are you playing ?. I own both old and new versions of the PCBs and I like the old one better that the new rev. It much more challenging.

[dave4shmups]

I didn't know there was an old and new rev. I'll have to check out whichever one I haven't played yet. Again, I feel like SUCH a thief playing these on MAME.

Edit: WOW, that is a lot harder! There isn't (at least in Mame) any rapid fire, and the larger enemies seem to take more hits.

Still, both awesome games!

[Melf]

Heh, a bar across from the bank where my wife works has a few cabs. The other day, while waiting for her, I decide to head on over and see what they have. Mixed in among the fighters? Viper! Great little shmup. It's nice to have something so cool nearby to play while I wait!

[yojo!]

I didn't know there was an old and new rev. I'll have to check out whichever one I haven't played yet. Again, I feel like SUCH a thief playing these on MAME.

Edit: WOW, that is a lot harder! There isn't (at least in Mame) any rapid fire, and the larger enemies seem to take more hits.

Still, both awesome games!

The fact that the new rev has no timeout for the weapons make it feels more like a "Raiden" but it makes it far too easy. The old rev is too hard IMO.

[SheSaidDutch]

I haven't tried Viper yet, but has Konami's Thundercross Series ever had a console port?

It sure is like Gradius's sister as stated on this site. I completly agree

[kemical]

I really like viper I like the new version better, but thats all i originally played at the arcade, finally got the pcb a few months ago.

the first version feels more balanced, the new version has some additions to compensate for keeping your powerups, and it results in some annoying stuff, for me at least. (level 3 is easier on the old version for me, on the new version certain enemies shoot aimed sniper shots and its pretty difficult)..


anyway, opinion rant time, viper phase 1 is the type of shooters I enjoy, i'm not big on the constant space theme, but the game feels put together well and far more polished than the raiden fighters series, which i seem to have a like/hate thing going with. i'd also say it makes way better use of the hardware than RF does, especially the sound hardware.

viper feels like the raiden series more than the raiden fighters do, and it's solid like raiden1/2/dx. it's got a solid theme like gunlock, dimahoo, etc.
it's not ridiculous with the gameplay mechanics, you just shoot or bomb, and the scoring involved that isn't over-bloated to make the game seem crazier.

[Ganelon]

Interesting on the 2 versions. Was the US version the original or new?

[EddyMRA]

Viper feels like the raiden series more than the raiden fighters do, and it's solid like raiden1/2/dx.

Raiden Fighters is not part of the Raiden series. The first RF was originally called "Gun Dogs" during development before Seibu changed the name to Raiden Fighters to take advantage of the popularity of the Raiden name in shmups.

The reason Viper Phase 1 feels more like a Raiden game is because it's a spin-off of the original Raiden series.

[SheSaidDutch]

Which version of mame has ViperForce? I had version 0.94 and It's not listed.

[incognoscente]

Technically, Viper Phase 1 was added in MAME 0.81, but it became playable with decrypted graphics in 0.93.

In 0.93u2 (applicable if you are using 0.94 and up), the "viperp1" naming changed to "viprp1" (viperp1.zip->viprp1.zip, viperp1o.zip->viprp1o.zip) If you have the older files around, rename them and try again.

[JBC]

Dude, i love Viper Phase 1! I actually just posted something about it in the trading section a few days ago.

So, we know how Raiden Fighters got started - but has it since become a part of the Raiden universe officially in it's sequels? Maybe by having Raiden enemies or musical themes show?

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Interesting on the 2 versions. Was the US version the original or new?

The Seibu Kaihatsu produced Viper Phase 1 U.S.A. that was distributed by Fabtek U.S.A. (offical U.S. arcade licensee and distributor of the famed Seibu Kaihatsu arcade PCBs) is the second and newer version of Viper Phase 1. A Japanese version of the second version does exist under the name of Viper Phase 1: New Version.

For the U.S. arcade market, the second BIOS Rom version of Viper Phase 1 was simply retitled: Viper Phase 1 U.S.A.

Viper Phase 1 U.S.A. made it's debut in 1995 at American arcades everywhere courtesy of Fabtek.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[LRa]

Does mame emulates sound for Viper Phase 1 ?

[nZero]

Does mame emulates sound for Viper Phase 1 ?

Partially.

[LRa]

Does mame emulates sound for Viper Phase 1 ?

Partially.

I get a weird zzzzzzzzzz sound.
Nothing more.