Remembrance
Member
Edit: Already covered by someone else.
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
The Mega-Cave Shooter Post, because they're totally awesome and sweet
- Thread starter Victrix
- Start date
StarCreator
Member
The decision to go region free was made late and the LEs were printed first presumably because they needed the extra time to prepare its packaging since it originally included a 360 faceplate. I don't see the faceplate pictured in your photo so I guess it got separated from the game at some point before it made it to you.
Yeah, I saw some that included the faceplate but they were stupid expensive and I didn't want it taking up space. I thought this one had nicer cover art and I thought it was the only one that included the CD but oh well. Live and learn.
StarCreator
Member
Well, think of it as a blessing in disguise, because Espgaluda II is balls hard and you'll need all the practice you can get before you're ready for it.
Sir Ilpalazzo
Member
My copy of Ketsui finally arrived (picked the slowest available shipping, so I was waiting for a month and a half).
Game is fantastic. After a couple of hours of play I started making it to the stage 3 boss, so hopefully I can make some more progress next time.
Game is fantastic. After a couple of hours of play I started making it to the stage 3 boss, so hopefully I can make some more progress next time.
sixteen-bit
Member
I need to get Ketsui. I only ever owned the DS one.
Mushihimesama HD on 360 (which is the game that's also on PS2) is region locked. The sequel, Mushihimesama Futari, on the other hand is region free on 360 (and not available on PS2).
Mushi 1 on 360 is region locked unfortunately, and I'm pretty sure it's the preferred one. The PS2 one was done by a different dev than the DOJ/Espgaluda ports and didn't do as good a job iirc.
It is really sad about the region-lock as the HD version is so stunningly beautiful. One of Cave's last releases wherin everything kinda comes together in presentation.
StarCreator
Member
Mushi PS2 isn't worth the time. Your money is better spent on a Japanese 360 and the 360 release, and given secondary prices it's probably not even that much more expensive to go that route, and you get the better port out of it.
sixteen-bit
Member
Mushi ps2 is dog shit.
I wish I could play the HD version. I'd say if you can get the PS2 version under $40 bucks than go for it as it's definitely not nearly as bad as the Ibara port. But stage 3 is when things start getting brutal. There are ways to just emulate it, but I won't really tell you how.
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
Ok now I'm lusting after Mushi 360. It's so annoying as most everything I want is region free. Buy a j-360 for just that? I don't see it..... sigh.
I'm just going to throw this out there: If you buy a J-360, you can play 100% of Japanese releases, and something like 90% of US games. That percentage drops slightly if you're in PAL land, but it's still pretty high. The only question marks become Japanese-developed games that receive domestic localizations. For instance, in a mind-numbingly ironic twist, I can't play the US version of DoDonPachi DaiFukkatsu on my J-360.
But, I've owned one for years, and have played tons of games from all over the place. (Currently enjoying the hell out of Red Dead Redemption. Bought a US version from amazon for like $10.) If there is a game released in your local region that isn't playable, there is most surely an Asian equivalent (HK for the win) that is compatible with your console region, and language of choice. I frankly don't see a single reason for NOT owning a J-360.
But, I've owned one for years, and have played tons of games from all over the place. (Currently enjoying the hell out of Red Dead Redemption. Bought a US version from amazon for like $10.) If there is a game released in your local region that isn't playable, there is most surely an Asian equivalent (HK for the win) that is compatible with your console region, and language of choice. I frankly don't see a single reason for NOT owning a J-360.
I agree. Why the hell Cave wouldn't either port games like this to PS3 (especially when 99% of games on PS3 are region free), or make the games region free for 360 is beyond me.
I shouldn't have to shell out $300-$400 plus extra for shipping & handling just for a Japanese Xbox 360 to play most of the Shoot-'Em-Up games in which they're region locked on a US 360.
I guess the reasoning is that at this point they're just a little hard to come by and pricey considering shipping. I'd try and own one if it was convenient but personally a couple good shmups aren't worth it for me on a dying console unless it was convenient.
OK, sure, price is a bit of a kick in the ass. But, it is a one time investment. (I replaced mine in '09. Still going strong. They've ironed out the reliability issues since then.)
StarCreator
Member
There isn't a US version of DFK. It was released in PAL land but their license with Cave allowed them to open it up to the US region as well since it had no publisher over here. Presumably Cave was the one calling the shots with the localized versions' regioning.
You say that as if it doesn't take many hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of R&D to learn how to develop for a console they've never developed before, when at the same time it has been proven that multi platform STG releases don't actually perform any better than single platform releases - the few releases that did get released on multiple consoles simultaneously still had the same number of people buy the game on one console or the other, splitting the sales in a way that both versions fail to chart.
Play-Asia has an Asian 360 S Arcade for $260, last I checked. It comes with a 220v power brick but if the brick doesn't also take 120v, it can easily be swapped out with a brick from a US 360.
I looked up this up for my (PAL) collection. Out of the 21 PAL games I own, 15 are region locked. So a Japanese console wouldn't work well as a replacement for my current PAL console.
If you already own a 360, nowadays what you gain by getting a Japanese 360 is hardly worth the price it costs to get one. Of the Cave games it's Mushihimesama HD, DDP DaiOuJou and maybe Instant Brain, if you want to count that (+Deathsmiles II for us PAL folk).
StarCreator
Member
The dedicated DFK BL disc should be on that list too, as it's the only way to play the Ketsui inspired arrange mode.
Speaking of Ketsui, that should also be on the list if you don't have a PS3, since it is also region locked on 360.
sixteen-bit
Member
that makes sense, considering there was never a US release of this game
SOME-MIST
Member
they have to pay additional money to buy a region-free license, and it hasn't proven useful in the past with their other region-free releases. it's smarter for them to have other publishers pick up their titles for localization... which is also hilarious because those publishers (like RSG) have also seen that there isn't enough of a consumer base to make a profit on.
If you're a CAVE fan it makes more sense for you to support the company by importing than to complain to CAVE (not saying you're complaining but many do especially in petition form) that CAVE should be supporting them.
Sir Ilpalazzo
Member
Sooooo close to reaching stage 4 in Ketsui. The stage 3 boss didn't even have any color left in his lifebar the last time he killed me! Considering my skill I'm sure stage 4 will shit me out as soon as I get there though, haha. At least I broke 4 million points on my last attempt.
I should probably start using the stage select option so I can develop a strategy for getting the stage 3 1up. I've only ever gotten it once, and that time I died.
Even though I've only experienced a little of it, I have to say that this is a godlike game.
I should probably start using the stage select option so I can develop a strategy for getting the stage 3 1up. I've only ever gotten it once, and that time I died.
Even though I've only experienced a little of it, I have to say that this is a godlike game.
To get the 1up you need to destroy every section of the mid boss (turrets, etc.) and then kill him without bombs. It's not as hard as it seems, even the final pattern can be dodged pretty easily thanks to the minuscule hitbox you have.
Stage 4, on the other hand, is brutal. It's mandatory to memorize the enemy position an destroy them before they flood the screen with bullets or you won't survive.
Stage 4, on the other hand, is brutal. It's mandatory to memorize the enemy position an destroy them before they flood the screen with bullets or you won't survive.
CaseyTappy
Member
Oh my ,
Look what the cat dragged in today !
Look what the cat dragged in today !
Oh my ,
Look what the cat dragged in today !
Sweet Jesus, that´s gorgeous. Aero City cab as well, one of my Sega favs right next to the Blast City.
Sir Ilpalazzo
Member
Well, I actually know how to get the 1up, and I did get it once before. It's just that I haven't worked out a strategy for getting it consistently.
Bassmastergeneral
Member
Do any of you folks have a copy of Muchi Muchi Pork & Pink sweets 360 that you would be willing to sell? (maybe some of those who bought the awesome cave collection and don't need the extra copy?)
It is damn silly how this two-fer is always expensive and hard to find. Even the cheapy Cave Best is OOP and expensive. Kinda a crummy set in presentation, too.
Bassmastergeneral
Member
Right? And the 'best version yellow labeling is such an eyesore. I've been collecting the region free shooters as of late but would you say that this one is worth skipping?
Negative...you have to grab it for sure. Two totally awesome games, both with fantastic remix versions. Just a little chunky on the presentation. There are a lot of ways to get around it though...play on a CRT, for example, or just go with it as is, chunky graphics and all. Must purchase, though.
Bassmastergeneral
Member
I was kind of afraid you would say that lol
Anyone with a spare copy (and hopefully a fair price) send me a pm.
Edit:
Unrelated to my previous post
I have a couple of cave statues from Mushihimesama and Ibara that I haven't been able to find any information on. I got them both buying a large soundtrack collection so I thought maybe they were bonuses with an LE or something. Can anyone shed some light on these?
Anyone with a spare copy (and hopefully a fair price) send me a pm.
Edit:
Unrelated to my previous post
I have a couple of cave statues from Mushihimesama and Ibara that I haven't been able to find any information on. I got them both buying a large soundtrack collection so I thought maybe they were bonuses with an LE or something. Can anyone shed some light on these?
SOME-MIST
Member
Oh my ,
Look what the cat dragged in today !
holy jealous. that set you back an easy couple grand? I would love a kuro and/or a futari bl board but those are currently out of my price range.
I've been playing regular ibara myself and have been getting my ass handed to me too... though I can make it to the S4 boss at least. 3mil extend is a crazy scoring hump for me to get over too..
It doesn't seem that expensive or hard to find? I see a bunch of copies on ebay, one used for $80. On amazon, there are new copies for around $100 and I see a used in very good condition for just $60...
SOME-MIST
Member
I have a couple of cave statues from Mushihimesama and Ibara that I haven't been able to find any information on. I got them both buying a large soundtrack collection so I thought maybe they were bonuses with an LE or something. Can anyone shed some light on these?
One on the left was a stand alone puchase thing, one on the right came with an OST.
I have both of these plus the Ltd PS2 with a mini figure ... somewhere in the loft.
sixteen-bit
Member
Looking at holes in my Cave library... is Espgaluda worth it? I know it's one of the good Arika PS2 ports and not a crappy Taito one like Mushihime or Ibara.
Yeah, one of the best. Perfect presentation. 240p is godlike on it. Far better (game-wise) than the other Arika game. I'm surprised you don't have it yet!
sixteen-bit
Member
I was a lot more stingy in the PS2 era. I remember waiting until a sale at Play Asia to pick up DOJ for ~$30 USD before I felt compelled to buy it, lol. I'm sure Galuda was sold out by then.
Bassmastergeneral
Member
Great, thanks! While looking around for these I also saw the great looking max factory mushihime statue.
To Far Away Times
Member
EspGaluda is one of their best. It's a really neat game.
Seconded. I recently got the PCB because I was so enamored with it. Espgaluda II is also one of the best...that art and music...my god.
It is a nice figure but her face is just waaaaaayyyyyy nasty. And she is big-bosomed as a character but something is just a little off with her chest on this one...maybe the nipples are too aggressive.
Agreed, the original EspGaluda is fantastic. E.S.P.ra de is great too.