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Post by davyk on Feb 6, 2017 12:44:57 GMT
Spent some time with Columns Arcade Collection yesterday. This has been on my collection shelf for years. I played it a bit when I first got it but haven't spent much time with it since. Very nice title and I can recommend it if you are into puzzle games. I'm not the biggest Columns fan - I put it behind the other big names, but after spending time with this yesterday I've come to the conclusion that I like it more than I thought I did.
There's a special options menu that allows you to set different gem themes , sound effects etc but these have to be unlocked. Each feature has a target number of gems needed to unlock it - and you earn this simply by playing the games - all 4 versions of the game on the disc feed into this total. Some of the special options I've unlocked so far show screens of JPN text unfortunately - think they are gameplay hints that will forever remain a mystery. I've unlocked the sound effects options and the new gem targets will unlock the ability to select different gem types so that will allow me to fiddle with how the game will look. There's also a History option to unlock but I suspect that will be more JPN text screens!
Still - the 4 games are great. There's Columns, Columns 2, Stack Columns and Columns '97.
The 97 version looks gorgeous but it's rock hard and I find the gems a bit more difficult to differentiate which makes things a bit harder but I reckon practice will resolve that. Columns 2 has a 2 player versus game and a one player Flash Columns mode which challenges you to dispose of the flashing gems before moving onto the next level.
Stack Columns is the pick of the bunch for oddness - it's a versus game with human or CPU. The CPU mode is a tournament/career mode that has you travelling around the world facing off against an odd looking bunch of oppenents. The game itself reminds me of the battle version of Tetris with you forcing your opponents stack up the screen by making combos. This is game forces you to make combos to make attacks so you can't be too lazy with this one.
They are all recreations of arcade games as far as I can see (you see Insert coin messages etc) and all look great. I've never seen a Columns arcade machine - I suspect these were Japanese releases. Even the most basic game - original Columns - looks very nice in that old 16 bit pixelly way - I imagine that it's pretty close in looks to the Megadrive version (haven't played that one).
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Post by davyk on Feb 6, 2017 9:34:48 GMT
Yeah. When you first start playing G1 you notice the older graphics and sounds. But then the gameplay kicks in and you forget that. It looks and plays really solid despite the older graphics.
G2 looks great from the off.
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Post by davyk on Feb 5, 2017 11:13:07 GMT
How does the Gradius Deluxe Pack hold up. I see it for low prices on Ebay all the time and would like a new shooter. I think it's a great package. You have to bear in mind how old these games are, especially Gradius 1, but I forgot how good the original game was until I got this (bought it from someone here in fact). I had never played the second game before getting (1 & 2 are on the disc) and it's a gorgeous game - it must have been eye popping when it first appeared in the arcade. You can change the display size between 4:3 and the original arcade ration which is slightly narrower. And in G2 you can switch slowdown on and off. Both play great. I'd certainly recommend it if you are into shooters.
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Post by davyk on Feb 5, 2017 1:46:12 GMT
Spent some time with my JPN Saturn connected up to my CRT today:
Last Gladiators Necronomicon Fantasy Zone Parodius Deluxe Pack Gradius Deluxe Pack
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Post by davyk on Feb 3, 2017 14:07:33 GMT
Don't think any of the games in your list require the 4MB expansion - and if your games are the JP versions you don't need the AR cartridge at all - so I would take that out of the slot and try again. Only use it to take backups of your system RAM. The system RAM area isn't very big and can be easily filled so keep an eye out for that.
Also since you put a new battery in - has the system been retaining the date and time? If it isn't there might be something wrong with the battery you need to check it is seated properly and isn't past its use by date) OR - there is something wrong with the system memory. That is highly unlikely but I suppose it is possible.
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Post by davyk on Jan 31, 2017 12:03:00 GMT
Well. It didn't take long for me to achieve my 1st 2017 target for collecting.
Just taken delivery of a copy of Necronomicon in excellent condition. Have been meaning to get a copy of this for years.
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Post by davyk on Jan 28, 2017 9:41:41 GMT
The Saturn got a port of Power Drift but I don't know how good it is. The Dreamcast port is said to be arcade perfect.
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Post by davyk on Jan 20, 2017 13:30:11 GMT
Will probably pick up Necronomicon.
Have disc only US NTSC Shanghai Triple Threat which I like - might get a complete JP copy of that.
I might upgrade some of my PAL games to JPN - Baku Baku would be one.
Would like to pick up a top tier shmup and trade in some other games I have to fund it. Maybe Battle Garegga.
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Post by davyk on Jan 19, 2017 23:36:50 GMT
Playing some Pro Pinball: The Web. Lovely game. Tough though.
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Post by davyk on Jan 5, 2017 9:46:56 GMT
The Virtua stick isn't the greatest unfortunately. I have one and it's.....OK-ish. The stick itself doesn't feel precise - you don't get a clicking noise so there aren't switches used to detect the 8 positions which can lead to fluffy control. I suspect it wouldn't last too long if it was getting a lot of use.
The Japanese version is preferred. I have the 2nd one pictured in sych's post and it's a very nice stick. The stick is switched and you can hear the switches clicking as you move it. Obviously not as good as a high end stick but very nice and I hear it isn't too difficult to upgrade if you want to get hardcore.
However as said above, the 2nd version of the standard controller is the best 2D control pad ever and it really kind of makes sticks redundant. However I really do enjoy using sticks - especially for 2D shooters - so it comes down to personal preference. Also take note that a stick will take some getting used to if moving from a pad no matter how good it is and you will more than likely experience a temporary drop in performance while adjusting.
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Hey.
Dec 28, 2016 22:15:21 GMT
Post by davyk on Dec 28, 2016 22:15:21 GMT
Always great to see younger people getting involved. It's even better when they have an attitude like yours. You go where the games are. Quite right. There aren't any retro games really - only good ones and bad ones.
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Post by davyk on Dec 24, 2016 12:17:09 GMT
This was one of the first games I ever imported (after RSG I think). I only played it casually and as with all fighting games I never got any good at it. This is precisely the sort of thread we need more of around here. I wouldn't get too disheartened - keep trying!!!
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Post by davyk on Dec 15, 2016 15:03:56 GMT
Most shmups with 2 player simultaneous modes can play well as co-op but some of the Parodius games play particularly well in co-op. From #2 onward - there is a feature whereby if you shoot the other player often enough they morph into a death dealing invincible fireball! It wears off but it could be used to get through tough sections. In fact if you play smart - you could use the shots from fireball to make the other player morph into a fireball too and keep tag-teaming through the level.
Oshaberi Parodius (#3) lets you set the % of enemy shots aimed at each player. It defaults to 50/50 but you can set it to match the skill levels of two players.
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Post by davyk on Nov 21, 2016 14:26:55 GMT
Puzzle Fighter is slicker and has more content (and probably better for 1 player) but there is alchemy at play in 2 player versus Baku Baku. There is something in the way it dishes out the symbols that just makes it such an entertaining game.
Typical Sega craftmanship. Baku Baku still looks pretty good too.
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Post by davyk on Aug 3, 2016 12:57:03 GMT
Plenty of Dreamcast love here, and there are quite a few oldies too - myself included in both of those groups.
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