Ikaruga [DC, GC, XBLA, PC]

**K3V** · 04 Apr 2002, 05:14 PM

OFFICIAL TNL IKARUGA THREAD FAQ v1.0

last updated: 2013.10.4

Hello and welcome to the Official TNL Ikaruga Thread FAQ. Why does a thread on a message board need its own FAQ you may ask? Take a look at this thread, man! It’s huge! At 2,000 posts and counting, the Ikaruga thread at TNL is one of the largest in our board’s history, and quite likely the largest English-language thread devoted to this game on the entire Internet. So we’re quite proud of it.

At the same time we realize that it’s completely out-of-control, disorganized, and impractical to use. That’s why I’ve gone to the trouble of writing this FAQ to tell you where to find every bit of Ikaruga-related information you need. If you don’t find the information you’re looking for after reading this thread … read it again. If you STILL can’t find what you’re looking for, post a reply to this thread and somebody will help you out. Please do not start additional Ikaruga-related threads; trust me, we don’t need any more.

So, without further ado…

GENERAL INFORMATION

Q: What is Ikaruga?

A: Ikaruga is a 2D vertically-scrolling shooter (or “shmup”) developed by Treasure in 2001. Originally released on the NAOMI arcade platform, it was ported to the Sega Dreamcast in 2002 and the Nintendo GameCube in 2003.

Q: Oh yeah, Treasure. I’ve heard of them. The editor of this old magazine I used to read, Game-somethingorother, used to gush about them all the time. Where can I learn more about them (Treasure, not the editor)?

A: Here is their website: http://www.treasure-inc.co.jp/. Let me also recommend two excellent fansites maintained by members of the TNL staff: SF Kosmo (http://sfkosmo.gamersgraveyard.com/), and Treasure Gear (http://www.treasuregear.com/).

TIPS AND STRATEGY

Q: OK, I’ve got the game and it’s really hard! Where can I find some strategy videos?

A: Chapter 1 and 2 “superplay” videos are available at Treasure’s website (see above). Chapter 3, 4, and 5 superplays are harder to come by. Kiken, a TNL and Shmups.com frequenter, has several videos available at http://kiken.sirkain.net/Ikareplay.html. alamone, a fixture at #shmups on EFNet, sometimes has Ikaruga vids available at his website: http://www.alamone.com/. There are also a couple people on #shmups that host a number of shmup vids, including Ikaruga vids, on their own Fservs. Visit #shmups or search the forums at www.shmups.com for more information.

There is also a DVD replay video available directly from Treasure with S++ replays for every stage, plus some additional material. It is currently available at several import sites, including National Console Support (www.ncsx.com). You’ll need a DVD player capable of reading Region 2 DVDs.

Q: Do you have any helpful gameplay strategies or advice?

A: Yes we do! Run, don’t walk to the Ikaruga high-score thread on the Guinness board: http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/s...&threadid=8395. There’s tons of tips and hints available. Also, if you have any strategy-related questions, please post them in the hi-score thread, NOT the thread in Gaming Discussion.

Q: Do you have any high score competitions? I want to see how my scores compare to others.

A: Sure do! Check out the link above.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
(story questions, translations, etc.)

Q: Where can I find a translation of Ikaruga’s story? I sure wish I knew what was going on.

A: Your best bet these days is to pick up the US Gamecube release, which will have a fully translated storyline. If you have an import version of Ikaruga, try this: http://www.emuxhaven.net/~silver/Sto...20Ikaruga.html.

Q: Is the Gamecube port going to be released in the US?

A: It sure is! It was released April 15, 2003.

Q: Ikaruga has some gorgeous art design. Who did the artwork, and where can I find out more about this artist?

A: Yasushi Suzuki (a.k.a. E-Suzuki) did the character design. He’s been with Treasure for a few years now. His other big project was Sin and Punishment.

Q: Where can I find some wallpapers, or some additional art from E-Suzuki?

A: First, pop your Dreamcast Ikaruga GD-ROM into your computer. There are several wallpapers you can copy straight from the disc. There are some other wallpapers on Treasure’s website (see above), or you can check out E-Suzuki’s website at http://www20.u-page.so-net.ne.jp/tc5/elegant/. There is also a considerable amount of Ikaruga concept art in the “Gallery” in both the DC and GC versions of the game.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE DC AND GAMECUBE VERSIONS

Q: Does the GameCube version have Tate mode?

A: Yes, both the US and Japanese GameCube releases have Tate mode.

Q: What the hell is Tate mode?

A: “Tate” is shooter lingo for “vertical screen display mode.” Many shooters are designed to be played on a vertically-oriented screen (i.e. one that is taller than it is wide), and Ikaruga is one of those shooters. Tate mode allows you to flip the orientation of your screen so you can turn your television on its side and play the game just like you would in the arcade, without those ugly letterboxes.

Q: OK fine, but why is it called “Tate”? Is it named after Tate Donovan or something?

A: “Tate” is a Japanese word referring to the orientation of a picture frame. Check out this helpful website about Japanese prints for more info. Here's a relevant excerpt:

The names for Japanese print sizes are often followed by the word tate-e or yoko-e. Tate-e stands for a print in portrait format and yoko-e for a print in landscape format.

Thanks to Rob for the link.

To the best of my knowledge, the term was popularized by DonPachi and DoDonPachi home ports that allowed you to flip the screen vertically, and identified the option as "Tate" in their menus.

Q: Does the GC version of Ikaruga have any other special features not found in the DC or arcade versions?

A: Yes. The two principle additions to the GC version are the Conquest and Practice modes. Conquest mode allows you to obtain a password at the end of play, which you can use to transfer your high scores to the world Ikaruga NetRanking page. Now you can compete with players all over the world!

The other new additions concern the Practice mode. Although the DC version has its own practice mode, in the GC version it has been considerably enhanced. There is now a “slow” mode, which slows down the speed of the game to allow you to practice your chains. You can also practice a section of a level at a time; for example if you just want to focus on that tricky chain at the end of Chapter 1, now you can. The GC version also includes a helpful "Demo" mode in which you can watch an expert player play, in slow motion, through each of the game's levels.

Additionally, in the US GameCube version, the game’s text has been translated to English, although the in-game Japanese text has been omitted altogether.

Q: Is Ikaruga coming to Steam?

A: Possibly! Go to Steam Greenlight, log into your Steam account, and vote for it here.

-sleeve

Last updated: 2013.10.4

--

Just got this in my mailbox, in response to be put on a reservation list for Ikaruga. Read 'em and weep, fellas:

Hello, yes we will add you to our reservation list for Ikaruga which will be released in May.
-+-
Regards,

NCS, Inc
Web www.ncsx.com
Shop http://hh141.hiphip.com
FaQ www.ncsx.com/nicky_quick.htm

----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2002 2:39 PM
Subject: Ikaruga for Dreamcast

I've been hearing rumors that Ikaruga is supposedly shipping for the
Dreamcast in May. If this is the case, I would appreciate being put on a mailing list and/or preorder list so I can get my hands on an import copy. Thanks!

**Stone** · 04 Apr 2002, 05:20 PM

I dunno why I'm excited about Ikaruga coming, since I didn't even like Radiant Silvergun...but, hey. It's great news.

**Cheebs** · 04 Apr 2002, 05:21 PM

I will pre-order NOW!!!! How much did your reservation cost?

**K3V** · 04 Apr 2002, 05:22 PM

Didn't cost anything...I think it's just a list of names for now. Couldn't hurt to put some money down though if they're taking pre-orders (not sure if they are or not).

-Kevin

**Johnny Nighttrain** · 04 Apr 2002, 05:23 PM

im on the list

this is really great news.

**bandit** · 04 Apr 2002, 05:25 PM

how much is the game going to cost? thats what i want to know

**Keres** · 04 Apr 2002, 05:28 PM

Can anyone post a direct link to the news on their site? I don't see where they've posted the news about the game.

**NGEFreek** · 04 Apr 2002, 05:29 PM

I just got done writing NCSX an e-mail wanting to be on the preorder list ^_^

**dog$** · 04 Apr 2002, 05:44 PM

Well, that's my cue then. *presses Send button*

We'll see what happens.

**burgundy** · 04 Apr 2002, 06:44 PM

I called NCS and asked: they took my name and email addy and said they would contact me in mid-May when they start taking orders.

**sggg** · 04 Apr 2002, 07:00 PM

I sent off my email.

Dreamcast lives yet another day. Thank you Treasure!

**Game Rogue** · 04 Apr 2002, 07:25 PM

Me can't Wait... Yahho

NCS Order Confirmation

Hello Ken, we are confirming your preorder for DC import game, Ikaruga, which was placed by telephone today, April, 4, 2002.

We will ship at the end of May when the game is released via UPS Overnight service. If you have any questions, please let us know.

Thanks,
NCS
www.ncsx.com

**Gooch** · 04 Apr 2002, 07:29 PM

I joined the club.

**Werewolf** · 04 Apr 2002, 07:50 PM

Just shot mine off to NCS, I just hope it does come out

**gameoverDude** · 04 Apr 2002, 08:22 PM

Count me in. I just emailed NCS regarding this one.

**Kinopio** · 04 Apr 2002, 08:29 PM

great news. i'm on the list. best selling import game for NCS ever? who knows.

**Bonestorm** · 04 Apr 2002, 08:47 PM

I think I haven't been keeping up... has it been confirmed for DC or is it a rumor? Was it confirmed for ps2?

**haohmaru** · 04 Apr 2002, 09:07 PM

In the "I told you so Dept.":

Didn't I say that it existed LAST YEAR? =)

Thank god it's seeing the light of day. It richly deserves to be released.

**MechDeus** · 04 Apr 2002, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by flashmastergrand
I think I haven't been keeping up... has it been confirmed for DC or is it a rumor? Was it confirmed for ps2?

It was confirmed for PS2 a while ago (Check either the latest OPM or my site [link in sig] for the scan of that quote), and was confirmed for DC yesterday.

**MechDeus** · 04 Apr 2002, 09:09 PM

Originally posted by haohmaru
[B]In the "I told you so Dept.":

Didn't I say that it existed LAST YEAR? =)

Yes, but unless you're offering burns, I have no other way to get it.

**Low** · 04 Apr 2002, 09:11 PM

Well, there's no offical announcement from Treasure yet. A German website gave a release date for the game (May 30th) on DC. NCS sounds quite sure the game is slated for release and is no longer a rumor. Sam Kennedy of OPM interviewed Treasure's prez a month ago and confirmed Ikaruga is coming to PS2 after Tiny Toons is finished.

Now to hope this isn't a 5,000 unit deal or only able through D-Direct :P *-neo

**Low** · 04 Apr 2002, 09:14 PM

Originally posted by MechDeus
It was confirmed for PS2 a while ago (Check either the latest OPM or my site [link in sig] for the scan of that quote), and was confirmed for DC yesterday.

Yesterday BTW was my birthday, nice freakin birthday surprise!

*-neo

**Metal_Slug** · 04 Apr 2002, 10:36 PM

Hell yes. I am now about to e-mail them.

Ok. Just mailed them.

Ikaruga... here we come!

Insanity.

**Pehd** · 04 Apr 2002, 10:45 PM

Waitwait, is this game going to be import only? Or, is everyone so excited because it's coming here?

**MechDeus** · 04 Apr 2002, 10:46 PM

Import-only. We're just happy that it's coming to DC (which is easily able to play imports).

**Metal_Slug** · 04 Apr 2002, 11:07 PM

Mech- You have some nice scans on your site...

That Arcadia cover is sick!

**MechDeus** · 04 Apr 2002, 11:11 PM

Thank you! Those are actually shrunken scans (I took all the ones I had, most had over 1000 pixels in width, and made them all 480 in width, so all are about more then halved in size), so if you'd like some higher quality versions, just ask. I simply did small ones so as to not use up too much bandwidth for most people.

[edit] That just applies to the March 2002 issue. The older scans were not done by me.

**Metal_Slug** · 04 Apr 2002, 11:16 PM

Quick question, Mech- did you order that issue of Arcadia?

I'd love to order an issue or two of the magazine, but it isn't exactly too easy.

**MechDeus** · 04 Apr 2002, 11:44 PM

The issue I have (the March one) I won off E-Bay, partially by accident. I thought it was the other issue of Arcadia with Ikaruga in it (with Ikaruga on the cover), so imagine my surprise when I get that issue in February, and it's a March issue with new stuff!

That issue also came with a gigantic poster of Ikaruga. I couldn't scan the whole thing (it's like 17x44" or something), but here's the small version they show off on the contents page (blown up a bit):

Also in that issue is some gathering that was done by Capcom for CvSNK, which featured this great picture of a guy done up as Dhalsim!

**Melf** · 04 Apr 2002, 11:52 PM

I sent mine off. I can't wait for this one. Zero Gunner 2 burned up my DC for weeks. I need a new shooter now!

**Shinobi128** · 05 Apr 2002, 12:20 AM

Hello, thanks for your Ikaruga preorder which we
expect in late May. We'll add you to our reservation
list and contact you with a reminder once the game
is confirmed and the price is finalized. We expect
it to be US$49 to US$53.

**Seik** · 05 Apr 2002, 12:36 AM

*Orgasms*

My word! This made me day! I just hope the game isn't released in limited quantities or something. That wouldn't be too keen.

I still can't get over it was announced for DC. Amazing.

**AaronChance** · 05 Apr 2002, 12:43 AM

Just sent off my e-mail to get on the reservation list.
There's no way I'm waiting for them to start taking preorders for this baby. Now all I need is a announcement about the domestic release of Castle of Shikigami and I would be in shooter heaven.

**amerlop** · 05 Apr 2002, 01:12 AM

I just added my name to the list and, guess what?

This is the first game I have ever purcahsed, ordered, reserved, etc in my entire gaming career.

needless to say, I am excited

**Gondolin** · 05 Apr 2002, 01:16 AM

I couldn't resist, and shot off a letter to NCSX as well.

-Gon

**NGEFreek** · 05 Apr 2002, 02:32 AM

Well, I called up earlier today and got on the list, I just checked my e-mail and got confirmation that I'm on the e-mail list. Oh happy day $53 is the suggested price, hell yes, I am happy, limited quantities or not as long as I (and most other TNL members) get the ones we pre-order, hell shouldn't break loose

**MrKasualUltra2000** · 05 Apr 2002, 05:17 AM

got confirmation from NCSX, does say "once the game is confirmed"
though, $49-$53, that sounds good, less than ZG2.....

I think its all good though. i'm ready for this one mothafucka!

the DC may be the last shmup friendly console EVER!!!

-Gunbird2
-CannonSpike
-MarsMatrix
-GigaWing
-GigaWing2
-ZeroGunner2
-Rez(in a GalaxyForce2 way)

all praise the DC....bow down punk.