E3: Dolphin Blue Impressions

[Hero]

Dolphin Blue was a big suprise. One, because I didn't even know Sammy was picking it up, and two...I didn't know it would be so fun.

It's gorgeous - things start off on a battleship under sttack and quickly move into the ocean. That's where the dolphin comes in, and you can ride its back, use it for a special attack, and speed through the blue seas. Then you underwater for a swim with subs, soldiers, and all sorts of mechanical mayhem, with your dolphin buddy as an 'option' of sorts. The whole flow of gameplay is fast and frentic, and plays very close to the Metal Slug series; meaning side-scrolling, shoot-everything-that-exists action.

An odd mix of high resolution 2D sprites and semi-plain 3D backdrops populate the screen. What's more odd is its persistence to stay at a near-constant 60fps. I'm not sure if it was running on NAOMI hardware or not, but if it was then that would explain a lot.

Dolphin Blue was running off an arcade cabinet at the show, and there was no word of any console plans. But please, just please...if I could see this on a non-defunct system, I could die happy.

[Daisuke Jigen]

Dolphin Blue runs on the Atomiswave board.

Here's hoping for a PS2 release!

[Viper]

Originally posted by Hero
I'm not sure if it was running on NAOMI hardware or not, but if it was then that would explain a lot.

As NotJigen pointed out, Dolphin Blue runs on the Atomiswave board. The Atomiswave is based on the NAOMI / DC architecture, and as a result, has the same kind of power they had, and a similar set of tech specs. One can only hope Sammy will consider porting Dolphin Blue to a console that can do it justice (the DC and GCN spring to mind), because it looks like a very promising run & gun game.

[Blaine]

I'm interested in most of the Atomiswave titles. I can't wait to see a price point on them.

[Hero]

So I wasn't that far off ^_^

It's incredibly fun and fast, but please...leave it off the DC.

[Eight One]

Originally posted by Black Arts Viper
As NotJigen pointed out, Dolphin Blue runs on the Atomiswave board. The Atomiswave is based on the NAOMI / DC architecture, and as a result, has the same kind of power they had, and a similar set of tech specs. One can only hope Sammy will consider porting Dolphin Blue to a console that can do it justice (the DC and GCN spring to mind), because it looks like a very promising run & gun game.

Too bad it can't handle polygons as well as the NAOMI did. (Wait until you see Demolish Fist.)

[Click_Stick]

Wha? DB at E3?

Very curious...

[Low]

Originally posted by Seven Force
Too bad it can't handle polygons as well as the NAOMI did. (Wait until you see Demolish Fist.)

It must be the developers then, as the system is the same spec-wise as Naomi. *-neo

[kabuki]

Originally posted by Click_Stick
Wha? DB at E3?

Very curious...

http://www.tokidokijournal.com/featu...y3.htm#natsume

Yes, yes it was

[Eight One]

Originally posted by neoalphazero
It must be the developers then, as the system is the same spec-wise as Naomi. *-neo

How ironic. GGX/XX is nice on Naomi, but their own stuff comes off as not so good....in a way.

Did they forget something?