Good (accurate) Playstation 2 Ports?

[That one scrub]

Hi guys, I'm very new and so I appologise if there's already a topic on this that I couldn't find (apparently search won't look for "PS2")

Basically, I recently got a copy of Dragon Blaze and I've been having a blast (despite the game's insistance on grinding my balls against sandpaper) and was wondering if there were any good arcade ports out there that you guys could recommend?
I have a little experience with shmups but only as far as clearing Deathsmiles on the 360.

if there's already a topic then feel free to link it and close this one

[Kiken]

As in arcade games ported to PS2, right?

Off the top of my head:
ESPGaluda
Dodonpachi Daioujou
Homura
Raiden III
Psyvariar (Revision & Medium Unit)
Gradius III & IV Collection
The Double Shooting: Shienryu
Shikigami No Shiro

[BulletMagnet]

Kiken got most of them, though I might add the Sengoku Ace/Blade package if you like Psikyo stuff (IIRC the Strikers 1945 pack is a bit shakier). The Taito Memories packs are pretty good too, though the first two volumes don't support tate mode for their vertical titles (same goes for both of the Capcom Classics collections).

[KAI]

ADK Tamashi and the Ge-Sen Zoku and SEGAAGES series have perfect ports of shmups.

[Xyga]

Gunbird Special Edition (GB 1&2) - Xplosiv PAL
Dragon Blaze - 505 Games PAL

... aren't too bad ports. Featuring tate and 60hz options.
But I'm talking abouth the PAL releases, the japanese ones are different.
EDIT: er you got the right DB already dr. ^^

[drauch]

Toshio Saeki, right? Welcome!

[eatfrog]

(IIRC the Strikers 1945 pack is a bit shakier)

Right you are, it's quite bad.

Gunbird Special Edition (GB 1&2) - Xplosiv PAL

Have to disagree here. I think it's a pretty bad port.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I believe RayForce on Taito Memories II Joukan and G-Darius on Taito Legends 2 are pretty accurate ports. RayForce is upscaled and interlaced, but serviceable all the same.
I doubt there's anything really wrong with Psyvariar 2. Trizeal and Shikigami Castle 2 (US version for the win) are not 100% accurate, but good games regardless.

[Xyga]

Gunbird Special Edition (GB 1&2) - Xplosiv PAL

Have to disagree here. I think it's a pretty bad port.

Well the graphics look kind of smoothed but are true low-res with 60Hz and tate mode available.
There's a bit of reverb applied on the soundtrack and the overall sound effects sound like low quality encoded audio.
Sure this port doesn't look and sound as clean as the DC version but aside from these issues it is the same game isn't it ?
At least I mean this for GB2 because IIRC GB1 was displayed with a bit of underscan...

[RNGmaster]

You already have a game that can keep you busy for quite a while, why buy more ports to distract you?

[That one scrub]

Cheers for the responses guys.
Taito Legends 2 in particular looks like it has a good few shmups and good value to boot.

Toshio Saeki, right? Welcome!

Indeed! his work is pretty neat. Not really a fan of guro art scene but there's something about his style that's just so captivating.
And thanks I hope to stick around these parts for a while

You already have a game that can keep you busy for quite a while, why buy more ports to distract you?

There's an unending void in this scrub's heart that must be filled with bullets of all kinds, I realise the journey to completing what I have will be long and arduous but there's nothing wrong with stocking up for the future r-right?

[Kiken]

Gunbird Special Edition (GB 1&2) - Xplosiv PAL

Have to disagree here. I think it's a pretty bad port.

Well the graphics look kind of smoothed but are true low-res with 60Hz and tate mode available.
There's a bit of reverb applied on the soundtrack and the overall sound effects sound like low quality encoded audio.
Sure this port doesn't look and sound as clean as the DC version but aside from these issues it is the same game isn't it ?
At least I mean this for GB2 because IIRC GB1 was displayed with a bit of underscan...

GB1 in the collection is ok, but GB2 is way off. The Gem Head in the castle stage has been moved, general enemy bullet speed and rank increase much faster and there are several other minor differences (like numerous enemy formations have been changed). Also, I'm pretty sure both games in the collection are 480i. The DC version is definitely 240p (certain when played in tate) and is pretty damn close to the PCB (aside from having Morrigan as a playable character and an odd missing foreground graphic effect in stage 5).

[Xyga]

GB1 in the collection is ok, but GB2 is way off. The Gem Head in the castle stage has been moved, general enemy bullet speed and rank increase much faster and there are several other minor differences (like numerous enemy formations have been changed). Also, I'm pretty sure both games in the collection are 480i. The DC version is definitely 240p (certain when played in tate) and is pretty damn close to the PCB (aside from having Morrigan as a playable character and an odd missing foreground graphic effect in stage 5).

Thanks for confirming the actual game contents changes. This port is no good then...

But I have to disagree for the resolution, I too actually thought this compilation was 480i... but incredibly it is really something like 240p (probably some 224p or 288p alternative).

[Kiken]

But I have to disagree for the resolution, I too actually thought this compilation was 480i... but incredibly it is really something like 240p (probably some 224p or 288p alternative).

I just double-checked... and yeah, looks like you're correct. The Gunbird Collection does run in 240p. Then again, that collection was handled by Atlus, who are normally sticklers for that sort of thing.. the numbered Psikyo collection packs were all done through Taito.

[Mero]

Cheers for the responses guys.
Taito Legends 2 in particular looks like it has a good few shmups and good value to boot.

Avoid the PAL PS2 version of Taito Legends 2, it has a major problem. Go with the Japanese Taito Memories versions if possible.

[yoyo]

The Gradius III & IV collection comes to mind, I had an absolute blast playing that, just as much as I did in the arcades and their home console ports. Very nice controls as the PS2 controller has always been one of my favorites.

[Squire Grooktook]

The version of G-Darius on Taito Legends 2 is actually a superior/more accurate than the earlier ps1 port. Only thing it lacks is the bonus boss rush mode of the ps1 version, but otherwise it's the best port if you want the real game.

[professor ganson]

Ibara is such a good game that it deserves mention here even if it's not the most impressive port. Worth owning just for the arrange mode.

But you already have one of the very best PS2 ports in Dragon Blaze. I'm on the side of those who say the Gunbird 1 & 2 port is good quality. The Sengoku Ace port is also well done. It's a shame that they were so half-assed with the Strikers port. Still worth having if you're a Psikyo fan, though.