Homebrew Suggestion: R-Type

nat · 02/13/2011, 06:24 PM

Quote from: esteban on 02/13/2011, 05:58 PM
Quote from: guest on 02/13/2011, 05:17 PMI do.
It appears a bunch of us are in love.

Quote from: nat on 02/13/2011, 05:50 PMI fucking love Bloody Wolf, but I don't recall all that much flicker, to be honest. I don't really remember ANY flicker, for that matter.
Tons of flicker (and slow down) in Bloody Wolf, especially when (obviously) several sprites are in the same horizontal/vertical plane.

Then, to make matters worse, toss a special weapon (e.g. grenade, flame thrower): more flicker, plus the resulting explosions lead to flicker.

Or, hop on a motorcycle and you'll notice the flicker/slowdown.

Not that I doubt you, I just don't recall it. It's been a number of years since the last time I played it, probably.

Either way, R-Type is one of the few games where the gameplay is actually IMPACTED by the flicker (see: level 4 boss, for instance) and has the potential to cause "unfair" deaths.

Keranu · 02/13/2011, 07:01 PM

I remember some heavy slowdown in Bloody Wolf for sure. I think Ninja Spirit would be among the top flicker titles on the system!

CrackTiger · 02/13/2011, 09:35 PM

No one loves Bloody Wolf more than me. I even sent in a winning amount of a high score for the monthly contest but they never used it (probably because I'm Canadian).

Bloody Wolf is one of those "perfect" games where I love it exactly how it is and never felt like anything is lacking. To get some good slowdown going, trying flying through the game as fast as you can with guns blazing under Bloody Wolf 3.

RyuHayabusa · 02/14/2011, 07:42 AM

Keep up the good work, Chris. There are so many questions I've had over the years about whether or not this or that port of a game could've been improved, if a console was capable of certain things, etc. It's nice to see one of those questions being answered. Ah, the Supergrafx, what could've been done if you had been properly supported.

shubibiman · 02/14/2011, 10:47 AM

Ninja Spirit is a big offender too.

Ceti Alpha · 02/14/2011, 02:07 PM

R-Type and Ninja Spirit are probably the worst, although in Ninja Spirit it's probably not going to kill you. In R-Type the flicker could very well be the cause of your death. Not sure why IREM had such an issue with flicker. Does Image Fight, or Image Fight 2 suffer from a lot of flicker? I've played a little of IF, but can't remember anything too serious.

Quote from: guest on 02/13/2011, 09:35 PMNo one loves Bloody Wolf more than me. I even sent in a winning amount of a high score for the monthly contest but they never used it (probably because I'm Canadian).

Bloody Wolf is one of those "perfect" games where I love it exactly how it is and never felt like anything is lacking. To get some good slowdown going, trying flying through the game as fast as you can with guns blazing under Bloody Wolf 3.

Damn Canuckistanian prejudice. Being Canadian back then, it was almost like you were from another planet.

I played the arcade version of Bloody Wolf/Battle Rangers, and while the colour was deeper and the sound was more "arcadey", i.e. sampled voices, it wasn't really much better than the TG port. In many ways I like the TG port more, though the emulation on the Mame ROM was definitely not 100% for Battle Rangers. The two things I wish the TG port carried over from the arcade were the sample voices and how the enemy dudes died - they made a groaning sound and had blood coming out of their chest didn't fly off the screen.

Edit: I just noticed that in the TG Bloody Wolf the enemies inside the houses actually had the similar arcade death (minus the groan), but when outside they flew off the screen. Kinda strange.

Arkhan Asylum · 02/14/2011, 02:10 PM

Quote from: RyuHayabusa on 02/14/2011, 07:42 AMAh, the Supergrafx, what could've been done if you had been properly supported.

I really think the SuperGrafx failed in favor of the SCD since CD medium = tons of storage and <3, along with redbook... for a cheap as hell price.

had the CD unit come out AFTER the super grafx was established, I bet it'd have a larger library. There'd be more reason to develop for it.

and then, super grafx uber arcade CD ROM games would exist, and we would all have permanent erections because of it.

OldRover · 02/14/2011, 02:18 PM

Quote from: ceti alpha on 02/14/2011, 02:07 PMDoes Image Fight, or Image Fight 2 suffer from a lot of flicker? I've played a little of IF, but can't remember anything too serious.

Flicker tends to happen more with h-shooters rather than v-shooters.

Quote from: ceti alpha on 02/14/2011, 02:07 PMDamn Canuckistanian prejudice. Being Canadian back then, it was almost like you were from another planet.

...what's changed?

Ceti Alpha · 02/14/2011, 02:27 PM

Quote from: OldRover on 02/14/2011, 02:18 PM
Quote from: ceti alpha on 02/14/2011, 02:07 PMDoes Image Fight, or Image Fight 2 suffer from a lot of flicker? I've played a little of IF, but can't remember anything too serious.
Flicker tends to happen more with h-shooters rather than v-shooters.

Quote from: ceti alpha on 02/14/2011, 02:07 PMDamn Canuckistanian prejudice. Being Canadian back then, it was almost like you were from another planet.
...what's changed?

Oh, our dollar isn't at $0.68 US anymore, for starters. lol. But I think Canada is just a little more mature 20 years later. Maybe it was NAFTA, or maybe it's just my imagination. But even within Canada there seemed to be a lot of difference among the provinces. When I moved from Ontario to Nova Scotia, BITD, there was no Voltron, Transformers were still quite new, and you just felt far more removed from everything. Now, there's really no difference going from province to province.

Arkhan Asylum · 02/14/2011, 02:40 PM

Canadia has way more Sailor Moon stuff than America.

I like it.

ParanoiaDragon · 02/14/2011, 03:03 PM

Quote from: ceti alpha on 02/14/2011, 02:07 PMR-Type and Ninja Spirit are probably the worst, although in Ninja Spirit it's probably not going to kill you. In R-Type the flicker could very well be the cause of your death. Not sure why IREM had such an issue with flicker. Does Image Fight, or Image Fight 2 suffer from a lot of flicker? I've played a little of IF, but can't remember anything too serious.

Quote from: guest on 02/13/2011, 09:35 PMNo one loves Bloody Wolf more than me. I even sent in a winning amount of a high score for the monthly contest but they never used it (probably because I'm Canadian).

Bloody Wolf is one of those "perfect" games where I love it exactly how it is and never felt like anything is lacking. To get some good slowdown going, trying flying through the game as fast as you can with guns blazing under Bloody Wolf 3.
Damn Canuckistanian prejudice. Being Canadian back then, it was almost like you were from another planet.

I played the arcade version of Bloody Wolf/Battle Rangers, and while the colour was deeper and the sound was more "arcadey", i.e. sampled voices, it wasn't really much better than the TG port. In many ways I like the TG port more, though the emulation on the Mame ROM was definitely not 100% for Battle Rangers. The two things I wish the TG port carried over from the arcade were the sample voices and how the enemy dudes died - they made a groaning sound and had blood coming out of their chest didn't fly off the screen.

Edit: I just noticed that in the TG Bloody Wolf the enemies inside the houses actually had the similar arcade death (minus the groan), but when outside they flew off the screen. Kinda strange.

I seem to recall someone saying the our Bloody Wolf runs faster then the arcade one(maybe in regards of FPS?), & it seems like there was something else that was better in our version. As for the guys flying off the screen, I always loved that, I think it's hilarious, but, that's just me. Oh, & even though our version is only 1 player, it's twice as long IIRC(cuz of the whole rescuing the other guy thing). It's basically, Bloody Wolf 1 & 2 in a way.

Ceti Alpha · 02/14/2011, 03:05 PM

Quote from: guest on 02/14/2011, 02:40 PMCanadia has way more Sailor Moon stuff than America.

I like it.

The Canadian dub of Astro Boy was also the best version. I watched a little of the American dub and it was horrible, in comparison. Sadly, the Canadian dub is lost in archives somewhere, if it survives at all.

Anyway, this is way off topic. heh

Nazi NecroPhile · 02/14/2011, 03:15 PM

Quote from: ceti alpha on 02/14/2011, 02:27 PMNow, there's really no difference going from province to province.

Except for Quebec, where there's nothing to be found but cheese, wine, white flags, and failure.

Ceti Alpha · 02/14/2011, 03:26 PM

Quote from: guest on 02/14/2011, 03:15 PM
Quote from: ceti alpha on 02/14/2011, 02:27 PMNow, there's really no difference going from province to province.
Except for Quebec, where there's nothing to be found but cheese, wine, white flags, and failure.

To be fair, I will add to your list, an uncommon amount of very hot women, at least in Montreal.

CrackTiger · 02/14/2011, 06:54 PM

Quote from: ParanoiaDragon on 02/14/2011, 03:03 PMI seem to recall someone saying the our Bloody Wolf runs faster then the arcade one(maybe in regards of FPS?), & it seems like there was something else that was better in our version. As for the guys flying off the screen, I always loved that, I think it's hilarious, but, that's just me. Oh, & even though our version is only 1 player, it's twice as long IIRC(cuz of the whole rescuing the other guy thing). It's basically, Bloody Wolf 1 & 2 in a way.

The Turbo/PCE PSG soundtrack destroys the arcade's fm music.

I owned a Bloody Wolf pcb for a while and if I remember correctly, it didn't scroll at 60fps. Pretty much all of the backgrounds were updated for the home version, even if only by color in places.

TurboXray · 02/14/2011, 07:13 PM

QuoteI played the arcade version of Bloody Wolf/Battle Rangers, and while the colour was deeper and the sound was more "arcadey", i.e. sampled voices, it wasn't really much better than the TG port. In many ways I like the TG port more, though the emulation on the Mame ROM was definitely not 100% for Battle Rangers. The two things I wish the TG port carried over from the arcade were the sample voices and how the enemy dudes died - they made a groaning sound and had blood coming out of their chest didn't fly off the screen.

Edit: I just noticed that in the TG Bloody Wolf the enemies inside the houses actually had the similar arcade death (minus the groan), but when outside they flew off the screen. Kinda strange.

The arcade version is shorter then the TG16 version, has the same 9bit color palette but the colors and detail were upgraded in the TG16 version. The arcade version also ran at a less smooth rate; 30fps vs 60fps of the home version. The music is also much better on the TG16 port. The TG16 is superior in many ways and overall to the arcade port. The only real downfall to the home version was the lack of 2 player. But IMO that can easily be forgiven. 2 player options in games were nice, but not required in the least. My friends and I would often take turns playing stages/areas or just watch the other person play. We did this with RPGs, shmups, platformers, run'n'gun, etc. Any game. Tag team style.

ParanoiaDragon · 02/14/2011, 09:17 PM

Ofcoarse, IIRC, the music not only is better in the TG version, but, is totally different, like with the arcade port of Riot City to Riot Zone, totally different music among other things.

IIRC, Tom got a rom of the arcade version working on PCE emu's, though, I feel like there was some drawback to it, something missing, can't quite remember....

Ceti Alpha · 02/14/2011, 11:33 PM

The guys flying off the screen in the TG Bloody Wolf is actually pretty hilarious.

But yeah, the TG Bloody Wolf is a far better experience than the arcade.

CrackTiger · 02/15/2011, 12:42 AM

Quote from: ceti alpha on 02/14/2011, 11:33 PMThe guys flying off the screen in the TG Bloody Wolf is actually pretty hilarious.

But yeah, the TG Bloody Wolf is a far better experience than the arcade.

The flying enemies are priceless. On an awesomeness scale of 1 - 10, Bloody Wolf would plummet from 13 to 9 without them.

esteban · 02/15/2011, 12:57 AM

Quote from: guest on 02/15/2011, 12:42 AM
Quote from: ceti alpha on 02/14/2011, 11:33 PMThe guys flying off the screen in the TG Bloody Wolf is actually pretty hilarious.

But yeah, the TG Bloody Wolf is a far better experience than the arcade.
The flying enemies are priceless. On an awesomeness scale of 1 - 10, Bloody Wolf would plummet from 13 to 9 without them.

TRUTH.

Back on topic:

Ninja Spirit (as two folks have already mentioned).

TurboXray · 07/07/2011, 12:02 PM

Quote from: ccovell on 01/28/2011, 06:41 PMOK, this hack is coming along nicely. Many routines had to be changed, from VRAM tile writing, to sprite positioning, and even scrolling and screen setup. I've also begun hacking the vertical res, scrolling code & logic to make the game completely full-screen, as the arcade version was. Let me know if you like it.

A flicker comparison between R-Type (U) on the left and the SG hack on the right.

Any news on this, Chris?

ccovell · 07/17/2011, 06:29 PM

Uh, no progress since the earthquake, but I'll get back to it after I finish the update to my Fractal Engine program.

2022 PATCH:
chrismcovell.com/creations.html#courrtype
chrismcovell.com/data/R-Type%20(U)%20%5BUnfinished%20SGX%20Hack%5D.zip

Mathius · 07/31/2011, 01:16 AM

Just saw this thread thanks to the bump! I would love to play this when it is completed, but the horror stories I have heard about the PCE Flash Carts have me spooked. And as far as emulators...don't get me started!

Mishran · 07/31/2011, 07:17 AM

Quote from: Mathius on 07/31/2011, 01:16 AMJust saw this thread thanks to the bump! I would love to play this when it is completed, but the horror stories I have heard about the PCE Flash Carts have me spooked. And as far as emulators...don't get me started!

What are these horror stories? I was considering taking a chance with getting one. I've heard they sometimes arrive "dead" and that some people have install problems with newer Windows versions. Is there more?

Mathius · 07/31/2011, 11:21 AM

...Getting them to work properly.

Mishran · 07/31/2011, 01:17 PM

Quote from: Mathius on 07/31/2011, 11:21 AM...Getting them to work properly.

Great... Love to have a way to carry many games with me without stuffing my pocket with Hus'. I was wanting to install a turbo in my car for the kids to play on trips. Keep the card in and have them choose a game from the menu. The convenience would be nice. Oh well, just have to think on it some more.

To get back on topic... Would be great to play R-Type without invisible bullets blowing your ship up half the time. Can't wait for this.

Nazi NecroPhile · 08/01/2011, 09:35 AM

Quote from: Mathius on 07/31/2011, 11:21 AM...Getting them to work properly.

Ignore the naysayers. It's not that hard to get one up and running, and if I can do it anyone can.

Mathius · 08/01/2011, 12:38 PM

Quote from: guest on 08/01/2011, 09:35 AM
Quote from: Mathius on 07/31/2011, 11:21 AM...Getting them to work properly.
Ignore the naysayers. It's not that hard to get one up and running, and if I can do it anyone can.

Thanks for the confidence boost. I may try one in the future.

CrackTiger · 08/01/2011, 12:59 PM

Quote from: NecroPhile on 08/01/2011, 09:35 AM
Quote from: Mathius on 07/31/2011, 11:21 AM...Getting them to work properly.
Ignore the naysayers. It's not that hard to get one up and running, and if I can do it anyone can.

Do you know how to get the tototek running and stay running with post '98 Windows? I'd love to use mine again. Millenium Edition is the only Windows I've had much success with and eventually the drivers stop working and I have to reinstall Windows to use it again.

Nazi NecroPhile · 08/01/2011, 02:17 PM

Quote from: CrackTiger on 08/01/2011, 12:59 PMDo you know how to get the tototek running and stay running with post '98 Windows?

I was thinking of the neo flashcart, so perhaps not. What's the problem, though? The latest (2004) writer software they provide claims to support XP and 2000, so I'm guessing the problem is getting the parallel port set up properly (as EPP) in the BIOS, which XP should automatically recognize.

CrackTiger · 08/07/2011, 02:03 PM

Quote from: NecroPhile on 08/01/2011, 02:17 PM
Quote from: CrackTiger on 08/01/2011, 12:59 PMDo you know how to get the tototek running and stay running with post '98 Windows?
I was thinking of the neo flashcart, so perhaps not. What's the problem, though? The latest (2004) writer software they provide claims to support XP and 2000, so I'm guessing the problem is getting the parallel port set up properly (as EPP) in the BIOS, which XP should automatically recognize.

I've gotten it to work with XP a couple times. But no matter which PC and Windows I use, the drivers eventually stop working. Windows begins to think that it's something else and rejects the flashcard drivers or something.

Nazi NecroPhile · 08/08/2011, 11:35 AM

Well you shouldn't need to reinstall Windows for a driver error. Did you try removing the hardware and letting Windows find it again?

Arkhan Asylum · 08/08/2011, 10:40 PM

Flashcarts are easy to get going. The NeoFlash is simple. You just shove USB thing in, install the latest driver online off their site, and go go go.

The hardest part is finding the download link on their coked out site.

Ceti Alpha · 08/11/2011, 12:49 PM

Quote from: guest on 08/07/2011, 02:03 PM
Quote from: guest on 08/01/2011, 02:17 PM
Quote from: guest on 08/01/2011, 12:59 PMDo you know how to get the tototek running and stay running with post '98 Windows?
I was thinking of the neo flashcart, so perhaps not. What's the problem, though? The latest (2004) writer software they provide claims to support XP and 2000, so I'm guessing the problem is getting the parallel port set up properly (as EPP) in the BIOS, which XP should automatically recognize.
I've gotten it to work with XP a couple times. But no matter which PC and Windows I use, the drivers eventually stop working. Windows begins to think that it's something else and rejects the flashcard drivers or something.

What about Windows 7?

CrackTiger · 08/11/2011, 02:16 PM

Quote from: NecroPhile on 08/08/2011, 11:35 AMWell you shouldn't need to reinstall Windows for a driver error. Did you try removing the hardware and letting Windows find it again?

Many times..

QuoteWhat about Windows 7?

I want to try it with my new PC, but I'll have to buy a com(?) port card/adapter first.

It's definitely not as easy as plugging into a usb port and running a driver.

spenoza · 08/11/2011, 04:23 PM

A USB to serial adapter should be relatively easy to find. There's a whole world of business and industrial peripherals that need serial ports to operate but don't play nicely with modern legacy-free PCs by virtue of an utter lack of serial ports.

GohanX · 08/11/2011, 06:27 PM

I can confirm that the Neoflash software works in Windows 7, but you need the newest version.

Mishran · 08/11/2011, 10:53 PM

Funny how this started out as a R-Type thread and changed to a neo flashcart discussion. I would wager a guess that the 64M model holds roughly 6.4MB of games and the 128M holds 12.8MB? Anywhere between 15-80 games depending on neo model and game size. The 64M version doesn't seem worth it really. Might as well go with the 128M. How useful is the battery backup version of the 128M? If I recall correctly, there aren't many games that support saving on the card.

Nazi NecroPhile · 08/12/2011, 09:33 AM

Quote from: Mishran on 08/11/2011, 10:53 PMI would wager a guess that the 64M model holds roughly 6.4MB of games and the 128M holds 12.8MB?

The capacity is listed in megabits, so they hold 8 megabytes and 16 megabytes (respectively).

Quote from: Mishran on 08/11/2011, 10:53 PMHow useful is the battery backup version of the 128M?

Nearly useless. The only battery backed HuCard is the Tennokoe Bank (Populous lies!), and those can be bought for less than $5.

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Homebrew Suggestion: R-Type