Neo Geo general discussion thread Options

[tomwaits]

With all the current excitement surrounding the upcoming release of Fast Striker on Dreamcast I just now thought to check out what the original Neo Geo version of the game looks like at Youtube.

Having viewed this vid and this one too, amongst others too at Youtube, it to my eyes looks to be a vertically scrolling 2D shmup of great promise.

I've not chosen to place a pre-order (DC version) as to be completely honest I'm a little underwhelmed at the prospect of playing yet another "bullet-hell" vertically scrolling 2D shmup. Saying that's not to be interpreted as me in any way criticising this game's potential though as I'm buzzed to see yet another quality game coming out soon on both consoles all these on from both systems' commercial demise.

I'll be getting Fast Striker on Dreamcast, always interested in new shmups. I'm a little disappointed there isn't a NGCD release though. I'd prefer to buy it on Neo Geo hardware instead of a DC port. The MVS version is really expensive... priced and marketed for arcade operators.

[NeoGeoNinja]

With all the current excitement surrounding the upcoming release of Fast Striker on Dreamcast I just now thought to check out what the original Neo Geo version of the game looks like at Youtube.

Having viewed (.....) Youtube, it to my eyes looks to be a vertically scrolling 2D shmup of great promise.

I've not chosen to place a pre-order (DC version) as to be completely honest I'm a little underwhelmed at the prospect of playing yet another "bullet-hell" vertically scrolling 2D shmup. Saying that's not to be interpreted as me in any way criticising this game's potential though as I'm buzzed to see yet another quality game coming out soon on both consoles all these on from both systems' commercial demise.

I'll be getting Fast Striker on Dreamcast, always interested in new shmups. I'm a little disappointed there isn't a NGCD release though. I'd prefer to buy it on Neo Geo hardware instead of a DC port. The MVS version is really expensive... priced and marketed for arcade operators.

I ALREADY...
pre-ordered this bad boy a week or so ago. I actually ordered the bundle - I'll play the standard release and keep the L.E. sealed. That's how I roll (unless it's 'shrink wrapped' - that so-called seal is pretty worthless imo).

AND IT'S FUNNY DC...
I'm actually overwhelmed by the fact I get another Bullet Hell Shmup full-stop! They are, by far, my fave type of Shmup - fast, frantic, energetic, insurmountable odds, crazy power-ups etc. I love it!

Will be interested to see just how good this game is considering NG:DEV & Rene Hellwigs previous efforts: Last Hope & Dux. Whilst both games were good (graphically amazing!) they left a bit of an empty space for me - somehow good games, but not great. I think it's that definitive 'underwhelming' Euro edge they both have. I'm hoping FStriker has more of a crazy Takumi or Cave feel to it whilst still maintaining what makes it play and feel unique... ramble ramble ramble! Sorry!!

AND, NO DOUBT...
you know Tom that FStriker is outside of the NGCD's tech capabilities? And like you said, unless you wanna fork £500 for the L.E. Shockbox MVS version, £30 on the DC will have to do!

[tomwaits]

AND, NO DOUBT...
you know Tom that FStriker is outside of the NGCD's tech capabilities? And like you said, unless you wanna fork £500 for the L.E. Shockbox MVS version, £30 on the DC will have to do!

Have you seen any comments about why the NGCD couldn't handle Fast Striker? It would probably have to load between levels (or mid-level?) but is there some other limitation beyond the NGCD memory?

[NeoGeoNinja]

Have you seen any comments about why the NGCD couldn't handle Fast Striker? It would probably have to load between levels (or mid-level?) but is there some other limitation beyond the NGCD memory?

NO, I THINK...
that is exactly the reason - memory limitations. FStriker on AES is 1560MB!! This is surely beyond the NGCD's wildest dreams??

[Tursi]

1560MB? Damn.. I just went and watched a video on YouTube, and it's easy to see where all that memory went! But holy crap, it makes that old NeoGeo hardware shine!

Never thought I'd see the NeoGeo pushed beyond it's limits like that. Very nice!

[T2KFreeker]

Welcome back to the NGCD T2K.

MONKEY!!!!!!

[DreamcastRIP]

... AND IT'S FUNNY DC...
I'm actually overwhelmed by the fact I get another Bullet Hell Shmup full-stop! They are, by far, my fave type of Shmup - fast, frantic, energetic, insurmountable odds, crazy power-ups etc. I love it!

Will be interested to see just how good this game is considering NG:DEV & Rene Hellwigs previous efforts: Last Hope & Dux. Whilst both games were good (graphically amazing!) they left a bit of an empty space for me - somehow good games, but not great. I think it's that definitive 'underwhelming' Euro edge they both have...

Re: Personal preferences for the "bullet hell" sub-genre of shmups,
Each to their own, as they say! Like I alluded to in my previous post I suspect my relative lack of enthusiasm in this specific instance isn't in consequence of this one game but of a present feeling I've kinda overdosed in playing bullet hell shmups these past couple of years. Yep, I "know" that should I not pre-order the game I'll doubtlessly soon after come to regret the decision. Que sera, sera...

I TOTALLY identified with what you were seeking to get at in relation to Last Hope and Dux - especially so in the case of Dux, imho. Your insightful point regarding the nature and context of any European association is more than understood. Along such lines I can't help but recall memories of numerous other shmups such as most of what was released on Commodore's Amiga series (Amiga fanboys out there please note the use of the word "most", not "all"! ) and more recently the incidence of Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer (PS3/PSN). Close but no cigar, to coin a well-worn phrase. To perhaps foolishly risk making a broader equivalent comparison to that of the platform game genre I'll deign to call upon the examples of Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon and Croc relative to Super Mario 64 as quite decent quality games that despite including, to varying degrees, most ingredients to tick the boxes of what a platformer of that console generation would have been deemed necessary to possess they all in their own ways failed to hit the magical sweet spot Nintendo's game did in the hearts of most gamers. Put simply, most shmups of a European origin have generally speaking lacked "soul" relative to the best of what's come out of Japan over the years.

Here's hoping Fast Striker truly has what it takes as the signs so far look very good indeed.

This post has been edited by DreamcastRIP: Sep 15 2010, 04:12 PM

[Alberto 2K]

Fast Striker demostrate that SNK could have been releasing incredible arcade games even now with the same old school board, 20 years after the release of the MVS!! SNK POWER!!!

I think the NeoCD can manage FS because the hardware is the same but the loading times can be really long, and you will need 3 cds... For games with more than 200Mb I recommend a MVS or an AES.

My favorite SNK system is the AES because it´s a console but the cheaper way to play the real deal (without eternal loading screens killing the action) is to pick up an MVS and take out the video, controllers and power supply exits from the board or pick a supergun. Most of the classic games are very cheap and you have multi carts with the late releases of the board.

I had my first NeoCD in 1995 Christmas and I loved it.. Sweet memories!!

[NeoGeoNinja]

I TOTALLY identified with what you were seeking to get at in relation to Last Hope and Dux - especially so in the case of Dux, imho. Your insightful point regarding the nature and context of any European association is more than understood. Along such lines I can't help but recall memories of numerous other shmups such as most of what was released on Commodore's Amiga series (Amiga fanboys out there please note the use of the word "most", not "all"! ) and more recently the incidence of Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer (PS3/PSN). Close but no cigar, to coin a well-worn phrase. To perhaps foolishly risk making a broader equivalent comparison to that of the platform game genre I'll deign to call upon the examples of Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon and Croc relative to Super Mario 64 as quite decent quality games that despite including, to varying degrees, most ingredients to tick the boxes of what a platformer of that console generation would have been deemed necessary to possess they all in their own ways failed to hit the magical sweet spot Nintendo's game did in the hearts of most gamers. Put simply, most shmups of a European origin have generally speaking lacked "soul" relative to the best of what's come out of Japan over the years...

YEP...
what can I say? You nailed it!

Ah yes... 'those' Amiga shmups: Apidya, X-Out & Z-Out, Project X etc... not the best source material for inspiration, eh? (I'm looking at YOU Soldner X... although, SX2 is actually pretty damn good!!)

Here's hoping Fast Striker truly has what it takes as the signs so far look very good indeed.

AGREED...
and normally I can judge from video's etc. how good a game plays or will be overall (no, it's not a 'gift' - it's just experience ) but to be honest, I have deliberately avoided any videos thus far. I really want the game to be fresh when I get around to finally playing it. I can make a firm opinion a week on from then!

Fingers crossed...

[T2KFreeker]

Hey, anyone know anywhere online that still sells Last Hope for the Neo Geo CD? I need this game. Awesome stuff for sure.

[tomwaits]

The developer had some used Last Hope NGCDs in their webstore recently, but looks like they're gone. The only one left there is in a combo pack of the DC & NGCD versions:
http://www.ngdevdirect.com/product_info.ph...;products_id=31

If you only wanted the NGCD version you could probably resell the DC version on ebay and get some of your money back.

[T2KFreeker]

The developer had some used Last Hope NGCDs in their webstore recently, but looks like they're gone. The only one left there is in a combo pack of the DC & NGCD versions:
http://www.ngdevdirect.com/product_info.ph...;products_id=31

If you only wanted the NGCD version you could probably resell the DC version on ebay and get some of your money back.

Yeah, I saw that but have no clue what the translation of US to Euros is right now. I guess I could look into it though.

[tomwaits]

I use www.xe.com for exchange rates... the site has a quick converter just below the currency table.

[kgenthe]

NO, I THINK...
that is exactly the reason - memory limitations. FStriker on AES is 1560MB!! This is surely beyond the NGCD's wildest dreams??

The Neo Geo CD should be able to do it. It's the same hardware. The NGCD has 7 Mbytes (56 mb) of ram. But based on the videos, there would definitely be between stage loading, and possible even mid level loading.

The fact they are still trying to get rid of old Last Hope stock, perhaps there just isn't enough interest in the NGCD anymore.

[NeoGeoNinja]

The Neo Geo CD should be able to do it. It's the same hardware. The NGCD has 7 Mbytes (56 mb) of ram. But based on the videos, there would definitely be between stage loading, and possible even mid level loading.

The fact they are still trying to get rid of old Last Hope stock, perhaps there just isn't enough interest in the NGCD anymore.

I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT...
I think they're is much less interest in the NGCD nowadays.

Also, even if it could be done, I reckon FStriker on a NGCD would be pretty damn painful! Don't ya think??

Good to see you around btw! Don't see you around NGFL much these days? Hope all is well??