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[Joeholley]

This has already been discussed in the GameSpot review thread, but I figured some of you might miss it there.

Basically, not only does the Japanese version feature single cart multiplayer, but it also includes an additional mode that is entirely absent from the US version.

The mode, Drillstone, is pretty substantial, where players find and use items to restore health, change block colors or cause certain blocks to disappear.

It's also worth noting that the Japanese version is packaged with this swank Mr. Driller DS bag:

Sold.

 

[Great King Bowser]

Man I can only afford one. Jap Driller or Wario ware? Aww man.

 

[BuddyC]

Well, there's an English version of WW due soon that won't lose any gameplay modes on its way across the sea.

I guess it just boils down to what series you like more. I was cool with holding off on Wario Ware, but it was just so damn tempting when I was already importing one game. It's a good thing I can afford to be this weak.

 

[Great King Bowser]

Well, there's an English version of WW due soon that won't lose any gameplay modes on its way across the sea.

I guess it just boils down to what series you like more. I was cool with holding off on Wario Ware, but it was just so damn tempting when I was already importing one game. It's a good thing I can afford to be this weak.

That's good logic. *Orders Driller from Play-Asia*

Anyone got a $5 voucher they can spare?

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

Could the 2500 rumor be true? Please let it be. Knowing that my copy is RARE OOP and may one day be worth hundreds of dollars would really make me feel better about the situation.

Got my import copy procured already, though, thanks to a very kind forum pal!

what's worse is that I live next to Portland, Oregon and not some little podunk town. It should be available, it just isn't. Same thing happened with Katamari Damacy - I had to wait almost a month after release before a store got a copy in for sale.

 

[bobbyconover]

what's worse is that I live next to Portland, Oregon and not some little podunk town. It should be available, it just isn't. Same thing happened with Katamari Damacy - I had to wait almost a month after release before a store got a copy in for sale.

Huh. One of my best friends lives in Portland and got his copy without incident yesterday. In fact, after the news of the import's superiority, he'd probably be interested in selling his copy if you're interested in it! Or at the very least I can find out which exact store he got it from. Let me know?

 

[rawk]

Japanese Driller ordered! Hope it's worth the price difference.

 

[joshschw]

Well there was a therad at the Namco forums about this exact issue over here: http://namco.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=836

Funny thing is up until 5 minutes ago a Namco guy had said that there was no such thing in the Japanese version. But that post magically went bye bye.

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

Huh. One of my best friends lives in Portland and got his copy without incident yesterday. In fact, after the news of the import's superiority, he'd probably be interested in selling his copy if you're interested in it! Or at the very least I can find out which exact store he got it from. Let me know?

That's weird. What store did he go to? I checked online stock at EB and GameStop and called quite a few GameCrazy's. Though, when I went in to get Alien Hominid today the store closest to me had 5 copies of Mr. Driller even though the website said they had none. Guess you can't trust the website.

And thanks, but no. I believe I will be ordering from Lik-Sang. My first import...how quaint.

 

[Mr_Furious]

Although disappointed with the changes, I'll live with the U.S. version.

 

[bobbyconover]

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3136977

Stick it to 'em, DFS!

 

[Patrick Klepek]

so, namco responded.

http://www.gaming-age.com/news/2004/12/2-5

 

[Mr. Lemming]

They have really good engineers and project managers if they can put together a whole additional game mode (Including the gameplay, interface, testing and all that goes with an additional playmode) and single-pak multiplayer (Again with the interface, testing and such) in the space of what... two weeks if the word going around is true.

 

[joshschw]

"The Japanese release was later, so they were able to implement more gameplay content."

so in 2 days they were able to program in single cart multiplay as well as a whole new gameplay mode. Nice try Namco...

 

[bobbyconover]

I'd actually have more respect for them if they just admitted to wanting more money (re: the multi-cart thing). As for the Dristone.. no excuse will do!

That's Tower of Druaga, btw, not Nightmare. Nightmare was the spinoff!

 

[john tv]

There was a 10-14 day difference between mastering of the US version and the JP version.

What irks me is.. THEY MISSED LAUNCH ANYWAY in the US. What would another 10 days have cost to put out a much more complete game?

 

[WarPig]

so, namco responded.

http://www.gaming-age.com/news/2004/12/2-5

It's "Calcagno," dude.

And boy howdy are they completely full of shit. If it weren't for the fucking date line, they woulda come out at the exact same time.

DFS.

 

[john tv]

I'd actually have more respect for them if they just admitted to wanting more money (re: the multi-cart thing).

They're telling the truth about that one, at least.

 

[Patrick Klepek]

thanks for the heads up, dfs and bobby.

 

[FreakyFink]

In response, gamers started throwing down extra cash for the full-featured Japanese release, while some opted to stick with the domestic version, and others bought the bullet and purchased both.

They bought the import and BIT the bullet.

 

[WarPig]

thanks for the heads up, dfs and bobby.

I probably woulda spelled it wrong too. I had to go through my old inbox to find the right version ^_^

DFS.

 

[heidern]

George: Yes initially they will be manufactured in Asia, so we’ll have turnaround time similar to Game Boy cartridges. As we get up to speed we have talked previously about building production facilities here in the U.S. similar to what we did for GameCube discs, but that certainly will not be at the launch.

Maybe this has something to do with it?

 

[BuddyC]

so, namco responded.

http://www.gaming-age.com/news/2004/12/2-5

I'm not sure if Dristone was based off Druaga as much as it was just themed after it in Drill Land. Mr. Driller G actually had the first appearance of the mode, back in 2001.

 

[kiryogi]

So.. I plunged 30 for domestic..... and well if its really that bad. I could sell it off to a friend easily and use proceeds and more for the import ver... Yeah.. Damn Namco.

 

[bobbyconover]

Psst... the Drill Land music rip is finished.

I'm being kinda quiet about it because I'm afraid my server will get totally hammered otherwise. If all goes smoothly I'll probably make a dedicated thread for it later, but for now I figured I'd stick it in here and let you guys grab it. Please, don't go posting links to this on Gamefaqs or whatever. It will kill me and then nobody will be able to rock this awesome music.

http://www.libblerabble.com/music/driller/

The rar is uploading now and will be up in a little over an hour, with individual tracks to follow if anyone happens to want to grab them that way. For now I'm going to bed, so here's hoping everything goes smoothly. Let me know what you all think once you're able to grab it!

 

[Sho Nuff]

Psst... the Drill Land music rip is finished.

I'm being kinda quiet about it because I'm afraid my server will get totally hammered otherwise. If all goes smoothly I'll probably make a dedicated thread for it later, but for now I figured I'd stick it in here and let you guys grab it. Please, don't go posting links to this on Gamefaqs or whatever. It will kill me and then nobody will be able to rock this awesome music.

http://www.libblerabble.com/music/driller/

The rar is uploading now and will be up in a little over an hour, with individual tracks to follow if anyone happens to want to grab them that way. For now I'm going to bed, so here's hoping everything goes smoothly. Let me know what you all think once you're able to grab it!

Can I have your manbabies?

 

[BuddyC]

Psst... the Drill Land music rip is finished.

I'm being kinda quiet about it because I'm afraid my server will get totally hammered otherwise. If all goes smoothly I'll probably make a dedicated thread for it later, but for now I figured I'd stick it in here and let you guys grab it. Please, don't go posting links to this on Gamefaqs or whatever. It will kill me and then nobody will be able to rock this awesome music.

http://www.libblerabble.com/music/driller/

The rar is uploading now and will be up in a little over an hour, with individual tracks to follow if anyone happens to want to grab them that way. For now I'm going to bed, so here's hoping everything goes smoothly. Let me know what you all think once you're able to grab it!

Thanks bobby!

Here's a mirror:
http://www.zombieculture.com/music/driller

Please don't spread this link around too much guys, let's try to keep it in the GAF.

edit: I just realized that Namco's probably reading this thread. Hrm.

 

[bobbyconover]

I almost hope they get mad, as it'll show that they are at least aware of the presence of Drill Land. Maybe it'll wake their asses up and they'll realize that the few people who have played the game really love it.

The soundtrack rip did wonders for Katamari, anyway. Could have the same effect here.. just maybe!

 

[onion_pixy]

a million thanks for the Drill Land rip.

 

[fennec fox]

The soundtrack rip did wonders for Katamari, anyway. Could have the same effect here.. just maybe!

Not to rain on the parade (and yes, it's a fine soundtrack), but I think it was more the absolutely stellar E3 response Namco received for Katamari than a bunch of pir8s spreading the soundtrack around. I'm sure the SRS guys were bemused that people were ignoring Namco's girly show over Katamari.

Also the fact that Katamari was on the most popular console.

 

[Great King Bowser]

Just ordered from Play-Asia, but it won't ship until the 8th, what gives?

 

[Patrick Klepek]

Not to rain on the parade (and yes, it's a fine soundtrack), but I think it was more the absolutely stellar E3 response Namco received for Katamari than a bunch of pir8s spreading the soundtrack around. I'm sure the SRS guys were bemused that people were ignoring Namco's girly show over Katamari.

Also the fact that Katamari was on the most popular console.

yikes. want to be a little harsher? i think he just meant opinion around here.

 

[fennec fox]

Aww maybe you're right. But I'm a professional! I can't help it!

 

[Patrick Klepek]

i'm going to start digging up dirt on you at school if you don't stop it!

 

[bobbyconover]

Fen - please don't pretend to have any regrets about equating the distribution of 2 year old never-OST'd (and extremely obscure) game music to shameless 'piracy.' I have seen your many, many other posts on the subject, including in pretty much every thread related to the Katamari rip (where your point was a little more valid, but in my defense I did that one well before an OST existed), and I'm well aware of your opinion on the matter!

But yeah, I'm not at all serious about wanting Namco to be mad at me, or in thinking that ripping some music from their game will really help the sad US Driller situation. In the case of Katamari, it's really hard to pinpoint whether the US release came as a result of press responses to their E3 showing, or whether the E3 showing itself was brought on by the couple months of heavy pre-E3 buzz, which could very well have been fueled in part by us pir8z0rz and our OSTz. I'm not really deluded enough to think it had a major impact or anything, though. Like eXxy says, I just meant that it seemed to turn a lot of GAF people onto the game.

Anyway, c'mon. Anyone who's anyone managed to catch both Katamari and the SRS girly show. That shit was hot! I almost felt dirty watching it while listening to the happy, poppy tunes blast from the Taiko kiosk nearby.

 

[JackFrost2012]

I would like to recommend everyone in particular check out My Earth, Our Earth the BEST SONG NAMCO HAS EVER MADE.

Once you listen to this song you will run out and import Mr. Driller Drillland immediately, and if you don't you have NO SOUL!

 

[bobbyconover]

I'll throw a couple other choice tracks out there too, in case anyone is still on the fence about grabbing the entire rar and still needs convincing.

Heading Back to Town (dig the John Tesh action that kicks in at 2:49!)

Balance

The Dragon's Feed is the People

Really though, every song in the game is insanely awesome. I could've picked 3 completely at random and they would've been just as good.

 

[fennec fox]

OK, I thought it over, and I've decided to apologize for my behavior earlier in this thread. The music is just too happy.

 

[Mermandala]

Fennec converted like an mp3 file? sometimes it is good to wear the eye-patch, like when De La Soul's "Eye Patch" is on for instance. After that JackFrost exercise videoodle and this I can go to sleep full of nana happy and weirdness.

*does the bobbyconover dance maneuver*

 

[krypt0nian]

Be sure to email namco if you're importing to let them know that they lost revenue credit in the states.

"The Japanese release was later, so they were able to implement more gameplay content."

Simply ridiculous...

 

[bobbyconover]

I love you, Fenegi. And Susumu loves you too. ^__^

 

[JackFrost2012]

I love you, Fenegi. And Susumu loves you too. ^__^

That explains the dress. Susumu's, at least.

 

[Great King Bowser]

I'll throw a couple other choice tracks out there too, in case anyone is still on the fence about grabbing the entire rar and still needs convincing.

Heading Back to Town (dig the John Tesh action that kicks in at 2:49!)

Balance

The Dragon's Feed is the People

Really though, every song in the game is insanely awesome. I could've picked 3 completely at random and they would've been just as good.

Do I need any particular codec to play these? WMP won't let me.

 

[BuddyC]

OK, I thought it over, and I've decided to apologize for my behavior earlier in this thread. The music is just too happy.

<3

 

[bobbyconover]

Do I need any particular codec to play these? WMP won't let me.

No, you shouldn't need anything special. This worries me, though. Anyone else had any problems so far?

 

[Mr. Lemming]

iTunes 4.7 likes it. As do I.

 

[PkunkFury]

Thanks Bobby, the Katamari rips are what made run out to purchase the domestic release on day 1. If these tracks are as good as Katamari's I may decide to mod my cube and import Drill Land after all. I was hoping Drill Spirits would be good enough to skip over Drill Land, but I guess that is not the case...
How do you get such good rips??

No problem with WMP for me

 

[8bit]

No, you shouldn't need anything special. This worries me, though. Anyone else had any problems so far?

They look like normal layer 3 mpegs. Bowser, your computer is fucked.

 

[Great King Bowser]

Fucking weird.

Where's a good source of general Codecs? Maybe Firefox downloaded them funny, as it's playing in iTunes, bearly. All distorted with clicks and pops like crazy.

I'm on 56k at the moment, so will probably download again later.

 

[bobbyconover]

How do you get such good rips??

There's no big secret, I think it's just that I'm pretty careful about how I do it. I just run the audio outs straight from the Cube (no special gold-plated cables or anything) to my "livedrive" thing, which comes with the Soundblaster Audigy. That's just for convenience, though, and doesn't really affect the quality - the Katamari rips were done by running the lines straight to a rca-to-mini phono convertor and then into my old Soundblaster Live. I set up the levels carefully and make sure none of the tracks peak. Usually if the track repeats endlessly, I let it loop twice and then I end it with a 10 second fade-out starting from the exact start of the third loop. That wasn't a problem this time, since most of the tracks automatically stopped at the right spots. I recently ripped the music from Feel the Magic (which I haven't put up yet, as several tracks aren't in the sound test and might be impossible to rip from the game itself) and had to do a lot more of that.

Thanks for the compliments, it's awesome to know this stuff has helped turn you on to the games!