Messages

[PC-FX Discussion / Re: PC-FX: Polygon Capable?]

So we all know this pic of SSS3D:
But is it real? It looks to be about the level of the Namco System 21 hardware, however like in the case of SEGA CD Silpheed it can be easily faked.

Actually, what that article says about MCD Silpheed is technically incorrect.  In truth, things were far more complicated and Game Arts deserve some credit for what they accomplished with the hardware.

Mega CD Silpheed actually renders all of the textures (in this case, flat shaded polygons) in real-time.  What's being streamed off of the CD (in FMV-like format) is the actual vector data to which the polygons are applied.  So the cinemas and the in-game backgrounds are both streamed and generated in real time.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Gradius II]

I recently completed a No Miss play-through of the first loop of PC-E SCD Gradius II.  For those interested in seeing this demonstration, the link is here:
http://www.super-play.co.uk/index.php?superplay=660

Differences between the arcade original and the PCE-SCD version are subtle (much like the differences between Salamander arcade and Salamander on HuCard):

The resolution is stretched out a bit on the PC-E SCD version, making the sprites (and their hit-boxes) a bit larger.  The number of fire dragons appearing in stage 1 is less than the arcade, and they are far stingier with releasing power-ups.  Stage 6 (ruined temple) is a PC-E exclusive stage which appears in no other version (like the bone yard in the PC-E HuCard of the original Gradius).  The PC-E version also features a second intro as part of its attract mode (once again, a PC-E exclusive).  The shattering crystals in stage 3 move and react a little differently to the ones in the arcade original.  It seems that the milking trick with Gau in the arcade version can not be done in the PC-E version (Gau will continue to move instead of getting stuck at the bottom of the screen).  The gunpods on Keeper's Core can not be destroyed until the main core unit becomes active (in the arcade version these gunpods can be destroyed almost immediately).

Also, while we're on the topic:
PC-E Gradius Loop 1 No Miss demonstration
Famicom Gradius II Loop 1 No Miss demonstration

[General Gaming / Nintendo Revolution gets a new name!]

It's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. It's going to go over even worse in places where wee is most commonly understood as pee. The most I can say is I don't see it having the same connotations for Japanese gamers.

Actually, the Japanese don't like it either.  Wii (uii) is a drunken slur.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Gradius II]

Have you guys heard that they're releasing a Gradius compilation for the PSP in February in Japan?  It includes Gradius 1, 2, 3, 4, and Gaiden. Cool, eh?

Yes.  Gradius and Gradius II will include the "wide screen" option from the PlayStation/Saturn Gradius Deluxe Pack.  The disc will also contain music from many of the games and remastered cinemas from Gradius Deluxe Pack, Gradius III & IV, and Gradius Gaiden.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Gradius II]

I've heard from Michael here on the boards that the PCE version of Salamander has less levels than the NES version? Does the PCE version of Salamander have less levels than the original arcade version or does the NES version just have more levels? Overall I prefer the NES version over the arcade and PCE versions. The NES is such a wonderful console because usually when it gets a port of the game, it ends up actually being better than the others!

The Famicon/NES version of Salamander/Life Force has 6 stages.  The PC-Engine Hu-Card of Salamander also has 6 stages.

However, the FC/NES game has an altered level order, plus two of the arcade-original stages (levels 2 and 5, both of the asteroid levels) were removed and replaced with new ones (the side-scrolling Egyptian level and the vertically scrolling inner-body level).  Then there's the whole change of the power-up system from the predetermined power-ups of the arcade to the Gradius-esque "purchase your power-ups" system.  One final note, in the FC version of Salamander you can activate up to 3 Options; in the NES version, you can only activate 2.

The PC-Engine Hu-Card of Salamander is very close to the original arcade PCB (which I have played) as well as Salamander on the Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus for PlayStation and Saturn (obviously since it's the arcade game).  The primary difference is that the PC-Engine version doesn't have instant-respawn in single player (it's still in 2-player though) and you can not hit a boss' baricades or core unit until they become "active" (this removes much of the instant Option-Raping that was possible in the arcade version).

It should be noted though that I find the check-point system of play preferable in Salamander because of it's power-up system.  Once you respawn, you normally have a chance to collect a Speed-Up, Missiles (at least level 1 missiles) and an Option or two.  This combined with the drop in rank due to power-down/death results in a more balanced game (it's much easier to recover).

I did make a video of myself playing through the first loop of Beginner in a single credit (although it's not the greatest replay as I died twice, once at the Stage 4 boss and once half-way through Stage 6) some time back, but it was more intended to show a friend the game.  More recently I've been working on playing through Expert in a single life.  Once I nail that, I'll be sure to post a link to the video here.

The farthest I've managed to get in a single credit in the Hu-Card total is:
Beginner Loop 3 Stage 1
Expert Loop 2 Stage 5