PCB-ing. Where to start, where to start...

[cigsthecat]

That's great Mode. I hope I can manage to get some of the flyers/extras when I ever get into PCBs. I'd be very interested to hear what you think about Batrider after you've had a chance to play it a bit.

[Seven Force]

I can tell you about Batrider...

It's a great shmup that runs for cheap (usually under $100).

Why would I recommend it?

-The guest players rock! Yes, the Mahou Daisakusen and Battle Garegga cast are a great addition here. That makes for a total of 18 characters!!

-Lots of secrets! Few have earned the fomidable "Galaxy Valhallyzer"!. Special formations, level ups and points are enopugh to keep you busy (and on your toes)

-As for the game itself, it holds up in the trdaitional Raizing flavor-meaning aside from the sometimes pain-in-the-ass "invisible" bullets that have plagued other Raizing games, it will still prove to be a challenging yet fun game. Also, using bombs is okay-since it can sometimes uncover a bonus!! You can't forget the different modes, such as team edit (Three to four different ships, one life each), and even Boss only mode (exactly that) to name a few.

-The graphics may a slightly less fluid than Battle Garegga, but they are still good. You have your share of huge, multi-jointed bosses and big multi-prt explosions

-The music is good and couple of the tracks are catchy. In a way, some can be reminiscent of Battle Garegga

-Did I tell you that this shooter has endings? Yes it does! Some are even dependent on the characters that you choose!!

You (usually) would get the instruction cards when you buy a PCB, like I said before, they MIGHT be original, but at a minimum, you'll get a color copy. A place or two that I know of sells the promo posters as well.

MARVELOUS!! (Batrider Announcer's voice)

[xS]

I'll probably pick up some cheap PCB's when I move out of my parents home. Seven: how much does aliens vs predators go for?

[Seven Force]

AvsP runs about an easy $300...

[cigsthecat]

Thanks SevenForce. What do you think of Great Mahou Daisakusen?

[Kidnemo]

Originally posted by Seven Force
AvsP runs about an easy $300...

If it's a good game that's never been ported, expect to pay top $$$ for it.

[Mode7]

Not that they seem needed by this point, but my impressions.

Also, don't listen to anyone who complains about invisi-bullets. If they bother you that badly, change their color.

[Seven Force]

Originally posted by Mode7
Not that they seem needed by this point, but my impressions.

Also, don't listen to anyone who complains about invisi-bullets. If they bother you that badly, change their color.

Of course I do. Those words are merely collective impressions from other gamers here and abroad...over a three and a half year period.






Great Mahou Daisakusen (Dimahoo):

For being among the last of RAIZING (before they were absorbed by 8ing) shmups, this is definitely the most complex. How? A lot of new elements are incorporated.

First is the Elemental power (Fire or Ice) that allows your options to either absorb bullets or deal double damage amongst enemies of the opposite element (sounds like Ikaruga, doesn't it?) For example, you come across an ice dragon and you are in 'fire' mode. Your option shots will bring it down in half the time (and double it's score value), where as if you are in 'ice' mode, your option shots take a bit longer, but they can absorb its shots as well. How do change from fire to ice mode? Simple! Hold the shot button.

In holding the shot button (or by shooting enough enemies, you have a guage that rises from 1 to 8. This is a reflection of what level the items the items gained are going to be at. Before you get confused let me explain...when charge, the gauge rises. Releasing the button allow you to perform a special attack that will cause various items to fall from destroyed enemies such as swords, rings, treasures, shoes, staffs and even Capcom-themed items. There are a total of a 108 items and most affect your ship in some way or another. (i.e. the Swords affect your main shot's power and the Shoes affect your speed) The items are also a great sources of points. Collecting all 8 levels of one type of item cause it to multiply it's point value by the number of completed categories. If you collect all of the Food items and all of the Axe items, and capture a level 7 axe, you just scored 3000x3 points! Finding some of the rare or high-level items require certain conditions such as number of bombs or using your charge shot at the right moment.

The cast has taken a cut since the days of Shippu Mahou Daisakusen. You have the following to choose from: Solo-Bang, the warrior, the token hero who seems much like his predecessor, Gain, with a sense of balance in his power and speed. His subweapon is a laser from his two sword options. Karte, the Magician, who is much like Chitta (The 'hyper-cutie'). Faster, and that much weaker. Her options track enemies as they are gunned at. Miyamoto the Samurai dragon returns with his great speed and ninja (kanji) bombs. And lastly, you have Grimleen, A group of Necromacers who are very powerful but take a lot getting used to since their subshot fires relative to how you move the joystick, not to mention their lack of speed. Not enough for you? There is a code that brings back Gain and Chitta (from the the rest of the Mahou Daisakusen series) and even Birthday and Golden from Batrider!

Graphically, this game is great! Raizing visuals on CPS2 chips? Great stuff to look at. You still get the super-detailedness you come to expect from Raizing, as well as the huge enemies and nice explosions. The stage backgrounds have nice and sometimes dark feel to them, without being cold. Lots of animation! You even see a cow being cooked on a rotisserie in the first stage...

The sound, I think is amime-quality goodness. More 'orchestratd' than the preivous Mahou games (What do you expect? It's QSound!), It makes for nice blend of heroic-rockin' sound--all of which is fitting.

As for the difficulty, it's up there. Even on it's default setting. Getting a high score is entirely about surviving alone. It's also about collecting items-for they do help you a lot in later areas. And it's also about scoring, which would lead back to the items. You don't have to worry about the past "Invisibullets" anymore. but the speed and patterns of some can shock many. Prepare to be challenged!

Overall, It's a good game. It'll frustrate some and please many. I see Great Mahou Daisakusen as the last 'true' Raizing game (even though they helped with 1944-The Loop Master it doesn't come off well). Give it a spin. You won't be disappointed...

[Cheebs]

Originally posted by Click_Stick
Yea... I'd love to start making some custom inserts... I just need to find the correct dimensions.

Hey, if you need Photoshop templates or scans or even compleate printed inserts let me know. I've made quite a few in my day. They are extreemly high res, and the scans are from my own mini marquees, flyers, and SNK art books.

[sleeve]

Another thing to like about Armed Police Batrider:

Some of the music was composed by shmup master composer Hitoshi Sakimoto. I don't know which tracks, but "Zero Cop" (the intro track) and "Let Ass Kick Together" (boss track) definitely sound like his style.