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[woodypop]

If you want to avoid spoilers stay the ever loving fuck away from that hintbook. Online guides are safer than that POS. I love it for nostalgia, and it's cool, but it is flat out wrong on some dungeons, and the maps you find online are safer.

I don't think I would have ever finished the game without that hintbook. PSII was my first RPG, and I'm SO glad it was! But I did buy it used, and I think the hintbook was already corrected by the original owner, thankfully. =D

 

[Teknoman]

This is barely relevant, but I bought a Sega Activator today on eBay. Just thought it'd be worth owning.

I'm going to build in support for a top-down game I made. Seems like it could work out alright.

Yeah im gonna need split screen video of the controls and gameplay lol.

How did the thing work anyway?

 

[A Black Falcon]

Yeah im gonna need split screen video of the controls and gameplay lol.

How did the thing work anyway?

It's an octagonal ring, and you stand inside it. There are infrared beams aiming up from the eight sides of the ring, and if you move a hand or foot through each beam, it activates the function (button, direction, etc.) mapped to that direction. And that's pretty much it. Simple, but pretty bad as a game controller. Hands-free games just do not work for serious gaming, Activator or Kinect...

 

[bishopcruz]

I don't think I would have ever finished the game without that hintbook. PSII was my first RPG, and I'm SO glad it was! But I did buy it used, and I think the hintbook was already corrected by the original owner, thankfully. =D

Lord knows I wouldn't have finished it either without that thing. Even with the completely useless map of Uzo Island (Christ, THAT DUNGEON) but there are just better options available now. I would still recommend getting it, for sure, but just save it until the game is over.

 

[Shadow Hog]

sounds like some kinda euro demo scene track

Something like that; it's by Tim Follin - his only work on the system, in fact - and he and his brother, Geoff Follin, are known for making songs heavily influenced by prog rock.

 

[IrishNinja]

past PSII and Vermillion, did any other games get those books? still blows my mind people'd write into game magazines in the day and actually bitch about em

As someone who owns it, its nothing to write home about. Its clunky to use, very picky on rooms it will work well in, and the genre it was really meant to work in (Fighting Games) are so hard to play with it. Doing a special move in SF II was a lesson in gymnastics for me.

sounds like chris slate (i wanna say?) said in the day...ever try an SOR with it?

I don't think I would have ever finished the game without that hintbook. PSII was my first RPG, and I'm SO glad it was! But I did buy it used, and I think the hintbook was already corrected by the original owner, thankfully. =D

luckyyyyyy

 

[Gunstarheroes]

sounds like chris slate (i wanna say?) said in the day...ever try an SOR with it?

Yeah, its a bit more enjoyable, but it can be really tiring, for obvious reasons.

 

[Teknoman]

Whats with the "for custom megadrivers" text in Alien Soldier?

 

[woodypop]

Lord knows I wouldn't have finished it either without that thing. Even with the completely useless map of Uzo Island (Christ, THAT DUNGEON) but there are just better options available now. I would still recommend getting it, for sure, but just save it until the game is over.

Yeah, most definitely better options now. But that hintbook was a complete godsend when I played it in 1991-ish. I wish SNES FFIII (VI) had come with a hintbook--the status ailments confused the fuck out of me! I was such a JRPG noob. lol

past PSII and Vermillion, did any other games get those books? still blows my mind people'd write into game magazines in the day and actually bitch about em

I used the Vermilion hintbook, too. Sold the game/book back when I didn't know better, but was happy to find another hintbook for cheap at a con a year or two ago. What did people complain about? The errors?

 

[A Black Falcon]

Whats with the "for custom megadrivers" text in Alien Soldier?

It's like the first bit in Red Zone, that screenful of the technical feats the game accomplishments -- they're showing off what they managed to accomplish on the Genesis's limited hardware.

 

[IrishNinja]

I used the Vermilion hintbook, too. Sold the game/book back when I didn't know better, but was happy to find another hintbook for cheap at a con a year or two ago. What did people complain about? The errors?

i swear to god, letters in game players/i wanna say gamepro and EGM in that era would say stuff like how the ruined the game, because people didn't have any self-control. bishopcruz was right about PS2's big spoiler, mind, but if i remember correctly it was more a "this makes the games too easy" complaint, which blew my mind cause they were good quality and cost you nothing extra. I don't even recall Vermillion having any errors but i admittedly consulted it less than PS2's!

 

[Teknoman]

It's like the first bit in Red Zone, that screenful of the technical feats the game accomplishments -- they're showing off what they managed to accomplish on the Genesis's limited hardware.

Oh heh I always thought it meant the game was region free for some reason.

Anyway is the PSIV cartridge literally bigger than other carts? Seems like its slightly larger / was harder to sit the cartridge in the system (model 1 anyway). It does look bigger when sitting it next to another cart.

 

[A Black Falcon]

Oh heh I always thought it meant the game was region free for some reason.

No, no. It says "For Megadrivers Custom" (it's that word order, not what you said) and "Visualshock! Soundshock! Speedshock!" It's pretty clear what they meant, even if it's somewhat broken English.

 

[Brashnir]

just wanted to come back and give thanks for the Brasso tip. I went to work on my Shadowrun cart with Brasso, with some solid results.

Hopefully this will allow the cart to last a bit longer than it might have otherwise.


Before:

.

After:

edit - and yes, I recognized the residue the Brasso left on the PCB after the pics were taken and cleaned it off. The gold parts are still gold. The color difference is just a difference in lighting.

 

[Genesis Knight]

Oh heh I always thought it meant the game was region free for some reason.

Anyway is the PSIV cartridge literally bigger than other carts? Seems like its slightly larger / was harder to sit the cartridge in the system (model 1 anyway). It does look bigger when sitting it next to another cart.

Just compared mine against musha and it looks identica. What cart did you compare it against?

 

[sixteen-bit]

just wanted to come back and give thanks for the Brasso tip. I went to work on my Shadowrun cart with Brasso, with some solid results.

Hopefully this will allow the cart to last a bit longer than it might have otherwise.


Before:



After:



edit - and yes, I recognized the residue the Brasso left on the PCB after the pics were taken and cleaned it off. The gold parts are still gold. The color difference is just a difference in lighting.

Brasso is the truth

 

[theSlacker]

Any special way you have to use that stuff, or just apply with a q-tip?

 

[televator]

Any special way you have to use that stuff, or just apply with a q-tip?

You can use your finger wrapped in cloth to clean it. It's best to get some pressure on the thing you are cleaning with brasso. Scrub back and forth several times, then change to a clean part of the cloth on your finger, and scrub some more. Keep doing that until you aren't picking up any more residue on the cloth.

Try to keep the brasso on the contacts only; and once you are done scrubbing, clean them with alcohol.

 

[smbu2000]

Oh heh I always thought it meant the game was region free for some reason.

Anyway is the PSIV cartridge literally bigger than other carts? Seems like its slightly larger / was harder to sit the cartridge in the system (model 1 anyway). It does look bigger when sitting it next to another cart.

I'm not sure about the western release of the game, but the JP version seems to be the exact same size. I compared my copy to Shinobi III and it was the exact same size.

(if there is any difference in the picture, it's just from the angle I took the shot from.)

 

[Teknoman]

Just compared mine against musha and it looks identica. What cart did you compare it against?

Phantasy Star 2. Maybe it was just late, but it seemed like the game had a little trouble fitting into the genesis.

 

[Alric]

Not long ago I was replaying my copy of "The Immortal"

This game still is amazing and brutal. The deaths were some of the best and detailed for the time.

If you've never played it you should give it a try.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MplIJ38gpFo

 

[Teknoman]

PSIV is on top in the last two shots.

The cartridge goes in just fine after some adjustment, but it seemed like it had some trouble fitting on the right side of the cartridge slot. Never had that problem before, Feels like a tighter fit than most carts, but the front/top looks like its in pretty new condition, so maybe thats why?

 

[woodypop]

Not to be too contrarian, but it's interesting how tastes vary within a genre. . .

Truxton, Thunder Force III, Lightening Force, Phelios, Viewpoint, Bio Hazard Battle, and Fire Shark are all great (and US-released).

Sometimes I feel alone in disliking Truxton--even the arcade version. The sprites are too large, the ship silhouettes are basic, and the sound effects sound hollow. It just isn't my cup of tea.

Eh, it is good (Compile made great shmups!), but of Compile's shmups, I like Robo Aleste, Space Megaforce, Blazing Lazers, and maybe some others more than MUSHA. Plus it's also quite expensive now.

It's been a loooooong time since I've played MUSHA, but I do like it over Robo Aleste and Space Megaforce. Aesthetically, I don't like the color palettes used for the latter two; Aleste is very drab, while Megaforce looks too consistently silver/gray/mechanical for my tastes.

As for the Sega CD shmups, Robo Aleste, Silpheed, and Keio Flying Squadron are exceptional, right up there with the top Genesis shmups in quality. Android Assault is pretty good too, but feels too uninspired and derivitive, for me. It's basically Thunder Force crossed with Gate of Thunder, but not done as well as TF IV or Gate of Thunder. Still, it's an okay game. Sol-Feace is also okay. It's fairly average in design, but it's a solid, quality shmup well worth playing if you like the genre. And last, Lords of Thunder isn't quite as good as the Turbo CD original version, but still is a pretty good game.
...
Sol-Feace is a good game. It's somewhat average, but on the good side of average. Fun little game, particularly for Sega CD.

I agree about Android Assault: it's uninspired, but it's solid and I do have fun with it. I have a hard time enjoying Sol-Feace/Deace because the enemy/ship designs just fall flat with me.

If you want some actual subpar shmups for the Genesis, some (again US-released titles) I don't like so much include Arrow Flash (it's so boring!), Forgotten Worlds (it's average, nothing more, plus if you're using controller extension cables it requires 3-button controllers to run), Battle Squadron (subpar Euroshmup), Task Force Harrier EX (bland and tedious), and Twin Cobra (it's not one of Toaplan's better games, and the port is overly difficult and frustrating. You can't see far enough ahead! Play any other version of the game over this one.).

Forgotten Worlds is one of my most favorite shmups! I like virtually everything about it: 360-degree firing (great use of the 3-button pad to mimic the arcade's rotary dial), bright & colorful graphics, 2-player co-op, imaginative stages (vertical, horizontal, and diagonal scrolling), varied bosses, and great music. It's much easier than the arcade, but I don't mind. (I also have the Master System and TurboGrafx-CD versions.) And I think I remember liking Twin Cobra over Fire Shark.

 

[Slermy]

A bit late to respond to the earlier comments about the Sega 32X, but I've had one since they went on clearance once the Saturn came out in the US. I've used it heavily with both Genesis and 32X games and have never had any issues with it.

 

[A Black Falcon]

Oh, on the note of 32X hardware issues, I have heard that some of them have problems. I think that some of the more common things that go wrong with 32Xes can be fixed, if you know what you're doing, but yeah, the hardware can fail. Mine is fine though.

Not to be too contrarian, but it's interesting how tastes vary within a genre. . .

Sometimes I feel alone in disliking Truxton--even the arcade version. The sprites are too large, the ship silhouettes are basic, and the sound effects sound hollow. It just isn't my cup of tea.

Truxton's absurdly difficult and punishing, but it's such an amazing game... I've been playing it recently since it's my most recent Genesis shmup pickup, and I really love it, even if I hate it half of the time because of how hard it is. The graphics and sound are great for a 1989 Genesis game; this is one of the best looking, and playing, games from the Genesis's first year, I think. It probably doesn't quite match R-Type or Blazing Lazers on the Turbografx (both 1989 releases), but still, it's very good. The first year was fairly weak, sure (there's Truxton, Ghouls & Ghosts, and not a lot else I really like...), but still, it is good for an early release, certainly. The "die once and it's just about game over" design is frustrating, but it's a pure memorizer, and isn't quite R-Type hard I think. Hopefully I'll eventually get through Truxton.

I've played a bit of the arcade/FM Towns/FM Towns Marty-only sequel, Truxton 2/Tatsujin-Oh, too. It's even better, and even harder, than the first one... amazing soundtrack though! The first game sounds good on Genesis, but the second one's so much better. It's really too bad that the FM Towns computer had the only home port.

It's been a loooooong time since I've played MUSHA, but I do like it over Robo Aleste and Space Megaforce. Aesthetically, I don't like the color palettes used for the latter two; Aleste is very drab, while Megaforce looks too consistently silver/gray/mechanical for my tastes.

A lot of people seem to feel that way, but I think tht MUSHA is a bit overrated, compared to the other 4th-gen Compile shmups. It's a great game... but all of their 4th gen shmups are, and it's not nearly my favorite one of theirs that generation.

I agree about Android Assault: it's uninspired, but it's solid and I do have fun with it. I have a hard time enjoying Sol-Feace/Deace because the enemy/ship designs just fall flat with me.

I think I actually like Sol-Feace more than Android Assault. Still, both are alright, decently fun games, but not as amazing as the Sega CD's top three.

Forgotten Worlds is one of my most favorite shmups! I like virtually everything about it: 360-degree firing (great use of the 3-button pad to mimic the arcade's rotary dial), bright & colorful graphics, 2-player co-op, imaginative stages (vertical, horizontal, and diagonal scrolling), varied bosses, and great music. It's much easier than the arcade, but I don't mind. (I also have the Master System and TurboGrafx-CD versions.)

The Turbo Super CD version absolutely blows away the Genesis version. The one and only advantage the Genesis version has is that it has a real two player mode; otherwise, there's really no reason to touch it. Well, it also has more parallax, but still, the TGCD version looks a lot nicer. I do actually prefer Sidearms (sort of Forgotten Worlds' predecessor) to Forgotten World, but at least on Turbo CD Forgotten Worlds is better than the somewhat ugly, very early Genesis release.

And I think I remember liking Twin Cobra over Fire Shark.

Twin Cobra has better graphics, but the graphics are too large, and the game is too hard. Also, I much prefer Fire Shark's style; Twin Cobra is a sequel to Tiger-Heli (NES/Arcade), which I also have somewhat negative feelings about, while Fire Shark is a sequel to Sky Shark (NES/Arcade), which I think is much more fun. The sequels have a similar quality gap.

Also, how could you like Twin Cobra but dislike Truxton? That makes no sense! Well, I guess Truxton is a bit more like Fire Shark than Twin Cobra, but still...

 

[Brofield]

I mentioned earlier that I just bought Zero Wing off eBay CIB.

This game is everything I expected and then some.

Model 1 Genesis NTSC working just fine with a PAL game. Which means I am seriously considering importing the Worms game that came out for Mega Drive but not in North America.

Also I am incredibly terrible at Zero Wing, and I know this is me and I can't fault the controls, as they are incredibly tight. Hell, my Dad got in on the fun and struggled as bad as me, retrying at least 6 times before giving up/dad-level-ragequit

 

[Teknoman]

"Parent class" ragequits are the best lol. My mom cant platformer jump to save her life (the whole move the controller towards the direction of the jump), but tore through SMT Nocturne.

 

[Chiaroscuro]

Genesis/megadrive region restrictions are implemented in the cartdriges, not in the consoles.

In the early years Genesis was region-free but later game releases implements region blocks.

 

[StormyTheRabbit]

So I know most of these aren't SUPER rare, but there are a few gems I'm proud of. I recently started collecting genesis games about a year ago, when I began work on my sleeve tattoo of video games. I have a handful of more rare games, but those aren't CIB, so they don't count . Everything below is CIB and basically mint, minus Doom and Sonic and Knuckles, which have some worn edges (But those are cardboard and forgivable). I work at a retro game store so I try to pick up what I can when it comes in. Sorry if they the pics are big >_<

And I know this isn't genesis related, but I just picked this up today and am super stoked. Its factory sealed, so I'm posting it here anyways!

 

[Teknoman]

Nice on Earthworm Jim and the Sonics. Dinosaurs for hire looks like it should have an awesome Contra clone.

 

[StormyTheRabbit]

Nice on Earthworm Jim and the Sonics. Dinosaurs for hire looks like it should have an awesome Contra clone.

Thank you! I actually have Sonic 2 CIB but musta forgot to snag a pic. See, I started ranting at work about Dinosaurs and why box art is SO goddamn important but is so neglected these days. Like, I've NEVER heard of this game before, but based off of the box art ALONE I snatched it up immediately.

 

[DeadTrees]

And I know this isn't genesis related, but I just picked this up today and am super stoked. Its factory sealed, so I'm posting it here anyways!

Just think, that was part of somebody's backlog thirty years ago. "Tron Deadly Disks? Eh, I'll get around to it once this 'porn on home video' fad dies out."

 

[Gunstarheroes]

Hey, a CIB Mutant League Hockey isn't something that is very easy to find. Its a nice haul regardless, plenty of good common games, some good uncommons, and a rare. Almost like a Sega Genesis Booster Pack.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Nice on Earthworm Jim and the Sonics. Dinosaurs for hire looks like it should have an awesome Contra clone.

Dinosaurs for Hire is pretty bad sadly . The premise is funny though.

 

[aygomyownroad]

Had a Megadrive (first console) when I was 5 and loved it. Sadly don't have it anymore.
but I was wondering how reliable are they? Thinking of looking for one on ebay, or should I try and buy those new fangled ones that have the games built in and a cartridge slot with wireless controllers?

 

[Brashnir]

Had a Megadrive (first console) when I was 5 and loved it. Sadly don't have it anymore.
but I was wondering how reliable are they? Thinking of looking for one on ebay, or should I try and buy those new fangled ones that have the games built in and a cartridge slot with wireless controllers?

They're like tanks. If you pick one up (and it's not explicitly listed as not working) it will probably work fine. The reset buttons on them tend to be the first thing to go, but that's not really a big deal. Depending on your TV, you may also want to look into the upcoming Retron 5, which will have HDMI output on it.

 

[StormyTheRabbit]

Hey, a CIB Mutant League Hockey isn't something that is very easy to find. Its a nice haul regardless, plenty of good common games, some good uncommons, and a rare. Almost like a Sega Genesis Booster Pack.

Haha yeah, thanks! Gotta start somewhere. I have some phantasy stars, zombies ate my neighbors, etc. but if they aren't CIB I don't count em. I looked up Warsong before I ought it, it's going for apparently like 40-50 CIB on eBay, so I scooped it up for 16.

 

[Noahd41]

So I know most of these aren't SUPER rare, but there are a few gems I'm proud of. I recently started collecting genesis games about a year ago, when I began work on my sleeve tattoo of video games. I have a handful of more rare games, but those aren't CIB, so they don't count . Everything below is CIB and basically mint, minus Doom and Sonic and Knuckles, which have some worn edges (But those are cardboard and forgivable). I work at a retro game store so I try to pick up what I can when it comes in. Sorry if they the pics are big >_<

And I know this isn't genesis related, but I just picked this up today and am super stoked. Its factory sealed, so I'm posting it here anyways!

Nice CIB collection you got there.

 

[StormyTheRabbit]

Nice CIB collection you got there.

Thank you! Always looking to buy more!

 

[Gunstarheroes]

So, i did a video review/retrospective on Space Harrier and After Burner for the 32x (and its other versions)

Here's the link!

I'd appreciate any feedback and such, as i plan to start doing these more regularly (There is one on Eternal Champions for the Genesis on my channel as well)

 

[StormyTheRabbit]

There's a factory sealed copy of mutant league hockey on eBay right now, few days left of bidding, only at $26 atm. Probably gonna skyrocket.

 

[sixteen-bit]

There's a factory sealed copy of mutant league hockey on eBay right now, few days left of bidding, only at $26 atm. Probably gonna skyrocket.

Yeah ebay sales are decided in the last minute of auction.

 

[Chiaroscuro]

There's a factory sealed copy of mutant league hockey on eBay right now, few days left of bidding, only at $26 atm. Probably gonna skyrocket.

I saw that auction. I will probably end around US$ 100. And with the restrictions the sellers imposes on international shipping it is not worth to me. IMO, sealed copies are only worth if you cannot find decent copies CIB, unless you want them to stay sealed (not me, I like to play my games).

I bought some sealed games in the past months to (heresy) open them, as my concept of CIB is really restrictive and difficult to find. I am managing to build up a good collection of Genesis games (actually rebuilding the collection I had when teenager) cause it is my favorite console. It mainly contains games published by Sega at the first 3 years of Genesis life cycle, plus EA games from the same period. It will expand later to other publishers but my wallet is already crying at the moment.

 

[theSlacker]

I saw that auction. I will probably end around US$ 100. And with the restrictions the sellers imposes on international shipping it is not worth to me. IMO, sealed copies are only worth if you cannot find decent copies CIB, unless you want them to stay sealed (not me, I like to play my games).

I bought some sealed games in the past months to (heresy) open them, as my concept of CIB is really restrictive and difficult to find. I am managing to build up a good collection of Genesis games (actually rebuilding the collection I had when teenager) cause it is my favorite console. It mainly contains games published by Sega at the first 3 years of Genesis life cycle, plus EA games from the same period. It will expand later to other publishers but my wallet is already crying at the moment.

I can relate. The price premium for sealed isn't worth it when you are an enthusiast who wants to play the game and read the manuals. Sometimes it is the only way to get good condition CIBs though.

 

[Teknoman]

So, i did a video review/retrospective on Space Harrier and After Burner for the 32x (and its other versions)

Here's the link!

I'd appreciate any feedback and such, as i plan to start doing these more regularly (There is one on Eternal Champions for the Genesis on my channel as well)

Where'd you get that D&D Chronicles poster?

Also you should do one on Gunstar Heroes just for namesake. Net can never have too many Gunstar videos.

 

[Gunstarheroes]

Where'd you get that D&D Chronicles poster?

Also you should do one on Gunstar Heroes just for namesake. Net can never have too many Gunstar videos.

A. Its from PAX East, they gave away probably 6 or 7 posters for all the games they had on the show floor.

B. Gunstar Heroes is going to be a right place, right time thing. I just haven't thought how to really convey how much that game affected me as a kid, and as a gamer, and the pedestal i hold it on.

Likely, the next game i'm doing (Since i already have a script written) is the "I can't believe this made it to America" Panic! for the Sega CD

 

[Brofield]

Genesis/megadrive region restrictions are implemented in the cartdriges, not in the consoles.

In the early years Genesis was region-free but later game releases implements region blocks.

Ahh, damn, so I was lied to then. Whenabouts did region-lock come into play for the cartridge games?

Dinosaurs for Hire is pretty bad sadly . The premise is funny though.

Unfortunately accurate. Two-players is barely functional, if one of you falls off screen it feels like an eternity for you to come back. Plays better as a solo experience. Still, reading the character bios is incredibly hilarious to see what the 90s predicted of the future

 

[Teknoman]

A. Its from PAX East, they gave away probably 6 or 7 posters for all the games they had on the show floor.

B. Gunstar Heroes is going to be a right place, right time thing. I just haven't thought how to really convey how much that game affected me as a kid, and as a gamer, and the pedestal i hold it on.

Likely, the next game i'm doing (Since i already have a script written) is the "I can't believe this made it to America" Panic! for the Sega CD

That should be cool, i'm still kinda shocked that they managed to use their voices for every sound effect.

Ahh, damn, so I was lied to then. Whenabouts did region-lock come into play for the cartridge games?



Unfortunately accurate. Two-players is barely functional, if one of you falls off screen it feels like an eternity for you to come back. Plays better as a solo experience. Still, reading the character bios is incredibly hilarious to see what the 90s predicted of the future

Knew it was too good to be true. Someone should figure out how to take the franchise up again and then make a crazy run n gun out of it. Or at least something similar.

 

[Shining]

What do you guys think about Elemental Master? We all know the music is fucking incredible but what about the gameplay? I rank it right up there with MUSHA as the best shmup on the system.

 

[IrishNinja]

i just started that one a few weeks back, didn't get horribly far but it's one of those i was surprised i didn't hear more of before, yeah!