@Daniel36 Almost literally me. I also spend hours at work thinking about games I want to play, systems I want to try to repair when I have some spare time, browsing through second hand video game apps, but at home, with two kids, I can't even scratch an uninterrupted half hour out, and then, after my wife and I have watched one episode of a show while having dinner, I'm too tired to do any of the things I wanted to do by myself.
I understand there are thousands in the same situation, but it's a hard life for a gamer nonetheless.
@Daniel36 The thing is I bought the game more than a year ago and have it with me... but still have to play it, so I can't even say "well, at least I used it before this announcement". Story of my life.
I imported it, and now I regret that, because now I know I should have waited. Then again, we've been receiving several Western releases of previously Japan-only physical games lately, but back then the trend hadn't started yet, so it made sense and felt like a good call.
I hope, for the sake of other people, that these releases, including the special one, are available at Amazon and the like, not exclusive to LRG.
Well, as long as it comes physical it will somewhat scratch an itch for me, having missed the Taito Egret II Mini Arcade Memories vol. 2, which contained both Operation Wolf and Night Striker. But I fail to see how well the light gun games will play on consoles. I don't think they'll implement joy-con aiming.
Thanks guys, I've been basically passing on these things, but the announcement of an Out Run one made me raise an eyebrow like the meme woman. I'll think more about it. There is still time and reviews will come eventually.
@mr_benn The thing is a lot of people say that about Astro City Mini and Egret II Mini, yet they are comfortable to play in rather long sessions. But these MyArcade tiny cabinets seem smaller and with the stick and buttons very small and crammed.
But if you have one you know what you're talking about, so I'll take that into consideration. Thanks.
That debut is certainly interesting, but speaking as a mini cabinets buyer, are My Arcade ones even playable? Judging by the pictures alone they look really small and uncomfortable, but I'd appreciate real users' opinions.
I was under the impression that this was an unreleased sequel. If it's "just" an unreleased port it loses part of the appeal it had for me, but anyway, it's a good fit for Retro-Bit, which has a penchant for Jaleco games and Mega Drive shmups anyway. Fingers crossed.
Great, at least I'll have the chance of playing the original version of both titles with the upcoming PC releases, after failing to secure the Arcade Memories vol. 2, now impossible to find at the official price.
There is no point in comparing its price to the price of other mini arcade cabinets, it's way bigger, but I agree that Egret II Mini is the best one out there, with the rotating screen and the amount of available and purchasable games.
The Evercade Alpha is another beast, and is compatible with a lot of arcade games we already own. The bezels making the potentially very big screen smaller are the least appealing thing to me, though.
Anyway, I'll wait for a sale, there must be several, this would be the first Evercade product not being price reduced at some point otherwise.
@HammerGalladeBro It shouldn't be either, because Sasuke is a common name in Japanese ninja-related media.
Anyway, I love this kind of releases. I'd never hearf of these games, and certainly I will be buying them with the initial 20% off Ratalaika Games usually release.
I'm positive it will be double priced too, as Mazinger Z, meaning very few people will get it, after complaining about the usual price since the ACA / Arcade Archives series began.
I will use gold points or region swapping to get it, though.
@KingMike I assumed that too, because the remake / remaster released with them replaced by wholesome pictures, but in a specialized Telegram channel I read that this is not the case this time. Weird.
Anyway, Sky Shark as a "nostalgic twist"... I don't know. They had 5 games remaining and threw in the only console version of all the Toaplan licenses they have, just as a filler, I think. They didn't need to do that. In fact, they should have released all arcade Toaplan titles in 3 cartridges, but it's not 2020-21 anymore and they learned how to milk their licenses by spreading them in more cartridges than before.
Good thing they put some non-shmup titles here too, we hadn't seen them since Toaplan 1. Don't get me wrong, I love shmups, but like to see other genres too in my collections.
This should have a physical release on cartridge. I don't expect Sega's official support, but there have been cases of homebrew games turned into full physical releases, even though we won't find them on Amazon. But at least there should be a way to get them.
It's a shame, because volume 1 was easy to get, sold out and returned back in stock, and got discounted (that's when I grabbed it), but volume 2, once sold out never returned, and they say they're not going to produce more. So this one has been more limited than the first one or has been more successful somehow, despite including slightly less interesting games. Lacking this one in my collection I don't think I'll be preordering vol. 3, with arguably worse games. Taito should reconsider it and produce more, it's their loss if they don't.
I do like lesser known for a reason titles when it comes to retro games. This volume, though, is less appealing to me than the second one, which had me on the verge anyway.
But if I would have been able to get a copy of that one, I'd feel compelled to get the third even for completionist reasons.
Problem is that unlike vol. 1, which I grabbed on a sale after some time out of stock, once the 2nd went out of stock didn't come back. It's been several months now. So I guess I'll settle for vol. 1, with games that I know I'll enjoy, especially Pu•Li•Ru•La.
They do need to amp these memories up, of course. They're not cheap and should come with at least a 50% of bangers.
@OorWullie I think it does have some differences, but I wouldn't bet my house on this release including the Japanese version, as a handful of Arcade Archives releases don't for some reason.
Anyway, I literally didn't know about this game until today. Is it any good? Would be a good candidate for my next gold points purchase.
I was there back in 2016, I knew it was probably the only store with reasonable prices in the tourist trap called Akihabara. Friends was a little hard to find, and I ended up not finding anything of my wishlist, but I enjoyed the visit nonetheless. Sad news.
Nice to finally see some love for the arcade line, but 2 cartridges (and I guess that's a wrap in that department to 2024) seems too little after such a long time waiting for it.
Anyway, it's better than nothing, but although I'm really glad to see some gems here that we can't have legally anywhere else, such as Edward Randy or Ghox, I gotta say that most of these games I already own them on Switch (Data East ones specifically, after repeated super discounts in Johnny Turbo's Arcade line) or in the Astro City Minis (standard and V) and Egret II Mini, so there is a lot of overlapping in my case. But... there we have those games not available before that I guess are worth the price of admission.
What I can't fully understand is that they've been linking the release of these two cartridges to the release of the Alpha models themselves... and yet many games are of vertical orientation, and that doesn't quite match with the cabinets' screens features.
In one, glad to know about these releases, but overall it could have been done better.
@LowDefAl I was under the impression, I must have read it somewhere, that those releases usually included the console versions, with a couple exceptions.
Thanks for clarifying it. Well, they definitely should have included them. I'm all about extra content in retro releases.
I'm an early adopter and have been suffering from backlog since the beginning -I already had backlog with all the other systems and very young children at home-, but I love what Evercade brought into the market. I love having the chance to own and try hidden gems and even not that good but somehow interesting games, the big names are already available on multiple other systems.
But I don't appreciate being left behind, and this Alpha naming suggests some kind of hardware which at some point will be the only way that some carts will work. With all the backlog I admit that I've not used the Evercade, nor the Evercade VS, as much as I would've liked, so if now they release a new and vastly enhanced version I will feel compelled to buy it and say goodbye to my current ones. And that's something that I don't like, because it's sad, but I don't want to keep unused systems either.
I've not jumped into the EXP, I stick to the OG handheld, but it seems that if I wanted to do it I should before it's too late. This budget versions also mean that premium ones are not in the cards right now.
If the EXP loses the Capcom games and the HDMI output, what does the VS lose? It's not been clarified, right?
Anyway, I want some cartridge announcements, please!
They also said that these bigger carts can come with more games, that this is better than releasing several volumes, and I totally agree. They started releasing collections with more titles but they seem to have settled in 6 games per cart. I prefer paying a little more but having 10+ games again.
That's great, I'm looking forward to boot it up. I was expecting another release about the making of of another single game, maybe Prince of Persia, but this is a fully-fledged collection, so I'm really happy.
I agree. As much love the series has received by Sega itself over the years, both with re-releases and Opa-Opa cameos, a third proper entry would be great.
I'd like more transparency as for what versions are the other games. Street Racer was on several platforms including 16 and 32 bit systems. Target Renegade was on Spectrum, C64 and Amstrad CPC. The footage doesn't seem to belong to any of those versions. Maybe it's the release of a cancelled version, that wouldn't be the first case in Piko's library.
I love obscure games, I like this cart, but I don't like the fact that this is a 4th volume while bigger companies have had only 1, such as Data East, Jaleco or Irem. It's about time.
Great cart if you ask me. Daze Before Christmas is one of the rarest and therefore most expensive games on the Mega Drive. Plus, the other games aren't half bad.
I've been buying Mega Drive, NES and Game Boy games from them and I gotta say the presentation of the materials is top notch (nothing to do with the cheap feeling Strictly Limited Games releases), although they drastically cut the goodies while mantaining the prices.
Anyway, this might be my first SNES game from Retro-Bit.
I've grown to tolerate and even like these glorified repros, at the end of the day they're official -something that does make a difference to me- and in Retro-Bit's case, I insist, ooze quality.
@Ristar24 No I haven't, the original was too expensive, and I look forward to getting it on Switch, because the Double Dragon Collection has too many games I already have, so it's great that you can pick them individually.
Comments 116
Re: Toaplan's 'Snow Bros. 2' Gets Fresh New Remake, Out Today For PC & Switch
@NinChocolate It seems that this information comes from the updated post. Good news indeed.
Re: BATSUGUN Saturn Tribute Boosted Is Finally Getting A Physical Release In The West
@Daniel36 Almost literally me. I also spend hours at work thinking about games I want to play, systems I want to try to repair when I have some spare time, browsing through second hand video game apps, but at home, with two kids, I can't even scratch an uninterrupted half hour out, and then, after my wife and I have watched one episode of a show while having dinner, I'm too tired to do any of the things I wanted to do by myself.
I understand there are thousands in the same situation, but it's a hard life for a gamer nonetheless.
Re: Commando-Esque Shooter 'Land Sea Air Squad' Is The Next Taito Classic Coming To PS4 & Switch
Nice. Obscure one. Bottom of the barrel Egret II Mini Arcade Memories future vol. 4 vibes. And I don't say that like it's a bad thing.
Re: Next Week's Evercade Showcase Will Reveal "Upcoming Neo Geo Products And More"
I just need them to reveal plans for a future Alpha (or lack of), so I can buy one of the current ones without having any regrets months from now.
Re: BATSUGUN Saturn Tribute Boosted Is Finally Getting A Physical Release In The West
@Daniel36 The thing is I bought the game more than a year ago and have it with me... but still have to play it, so I can't even say "well, at least I used it before this announcement". Story of my life.
Thanks for your kind words, though.
Re: BATSUGUN Saturn Tribute Boosted Is Finally Getting A Physical Release In The West
I imported it, and now I regret that, because now I know I should have waited. Then again, we've been receiving several Western releases of previously Japan-only physical games lately, but back then the trend hadn't started yet, so it made sense and felt like a good call.
I hope, for the sake of other people, that these releases, including the special one, are available at Amazon and the like, not exclusive to LRG.
Re: M2's 'Operation Night Strikers' Collection Adds Two More Classic Taito Titles
Well, as long as it comes physical it will somewhat scratch an itch for me, having missed the Taito Egret II Mini Arcade Memories vol. 2, which contained both Operation Wolf and Night Striker. But I fail to see how well the light gun games will play on consoles. I don't think they'll implement joy-con aiming.
Re: Talking Point: Is There A Home Port You Prefer To The Arcade Original?
Super Dodge Ball (NES) is better than the arcade original: special moves for every character, more teams, bean ball mode, and it just plays better.
Re: My Arcade's OutRun Mini-Arcade Will Include The Legendary OutRunners
Thanks guys, I've been basically passing on these things, but the announcement of an Out Run one made me raise an eyebrow like the meme woman. I'll think more about it. There is still time and reviews will come eventually.
Re: My Arcade's OutRun Mini-Arcade Will Include The Legendary OutRunners
@mr_benn The thing is a lot of people say that about Astro City Mini and Egret II Mini, yet they are comfortable to play in rather long sessions. But these MyArcade tiny cabinets seem smaller and with the stick and buttons very small and crammed.
But if you have one you know what you're talking about, so I'll take that into consideration. Thanks.
Re: My Arcade's OutRun Mini-Arcade Will Include The Legendary OutRunners
That debut is certainly interesting, but speaking as a mini cabinets buyer, are My Arcade ones even playable? Judging by the pictures alone they look really small and uncomfortable, but I'd appreciate real users' opinions.
Re: Review: Changeable Guardian Estique (NES) - Shmups Don't Get Much Better Than This On NES
I was going to buy the cartridge, but the price doesn't include VAT, which stabs you in the back when you go to checkout. Damn.
I guess they'll end up releasing it digitally, seeing other products they have that have indeed arrived to digital storefronts.
Re: 30 Years Later, P47's Cancelled Mega Drive Port Finally Has A Release Date
I was under the impression that this was an unreleased sequel. If it's "just" an unreleased port it loses part of the appeal it had for me, but anyway, it's a good fit for Retro-Bit, which has a penchant for Jaleco games and Mega Drive shmups anyway. Fingers crossed.
Re: We Now Have Our First Images Of M2's New 'Night Striker' Game
But is this a new game or just a remaster? With many revivals and the info they give during the production phase it's hard to tell.
Re: A New Night Striker Game Is In Development At M2
Great, at least I'll have the chance of playing the original version of both titles with the upcoming PC releases, after failing to secure the Arcade Memories vol. 2, now impossible to find at the official price.
Re: Review: Evercade Alpha - This $250 Bartop Arcade Is A Glorious Gateway To Hundreds Of Retro Classics
There is no point in comparing its price to the price of other mini arcade cabinets, it's way bigger, but I agree that Egret II Mini is the best one out there, with the rotating screen and the amount of available and purchasable games.
The Evercade Alpha is another beast, and is compatible with a lot of arcade games we already own. The bezels making the potentially very big screen smaller are the least appealing thing to me, though.
Anyway, I'll wait for a sale, there must be several, this would be the first Evercade product not being price reduced at some point otherwise.
Re: This Week's Arcade Archives Release Is Tecmo's Crosshair Shooter 'Riot'
Definitely on my wishlist.
Re: Ratalaika Games Is Bringing Two More SNES Games To The West For The First Time
@HammerGalladeBro It shouldn't be either, because Sasuke is a common name in Japanese ninja-related media.
Anyway, I love this kind of releases. I'd never hearf of these games, and certainly I will be buying them with the initial 20% off Ratalaika Games usually release.
Re: 'Super Spacefortress Macross' Arrives On Switch & PS4 This December
I'm positive it will be double priced too, as Mazinger Z, meaning very few people will get it, after complaining about the usual price since the ACA / Arcade Archives series began.
I will use gold points or region swapping to get it, though.
Re: Obscure Beat 'Em Up 'Metamorphic Force' Is This Week's Arcade Archives Release
It has been a while since the last major (=popular) release, so it's a welcome addition. Now, let's hope Violent Storm comes too!
Re: Evercade Reveals New Toaplan Arcade 4 Collection Featuring Six Classic Titles
@KingMike I assumed that too, because the remake / remaster released with them replaced by wholesome pictures, but in a specialized Telegram channel I read that this is not the case this time. Weird.
Anyway, Sky Shark as a "nostalgic twist"... I don't know. They had 5 games remaining and threw in the only console version of all the Toaplan licenses they have, just as a filler, I think. They didn't need to do that. In fact, they should have released all arcade Toaplan titles in 3 cartridges, but it's not 2020-21 anymore and they learned how to milk their licenses by spreading them in more cartridges than before.
Good thing they put some non-shmup titles here too, we hadn't seen them since Toaplan 1. Don't get me wrong, I love shmups, but like to see other genres too in my collections.
Re: Yes, Final Fight MD Will Include The Level Removed From The SNES Version
This should have a physical release on cartridge. I don't expect Sega's official support, but there have been cases of homebrew games turned into full physical releases, even though we won't find them on Amazon. But at least there should be a way to get them.
Re: Taito Arcade Memories Volume 2, An SD Card With ROMs On, Is Now Selling For Crazy Money
It's a shame, because volume 1 was easy to get, sold out and returned back in stock, and got discounted (that's when I grabbed it), but volume 2, once sold out never returned, and they say they're not going to produce more. So this one has been more limited than the first one or has been more successful somehow, despite including slightly less interesting games. Lacking this one in my collection I don't think I'll be preordering vol. 3, with arguably worse games. Taito should reconsider it and produce more, it's their loss if they don't.
Re: The MSX2 Shooter 'Undeadline' Is Heading To Nintendo Switch
Well, if it's a shooter it shouldn't be so problematic not having an English translation, should it?
Or is it text-heavy?
Re: Jaleco's 'Saiyūki World', 'Magic John', & 'Pizza Pop!' Are Coming To Nintendo Switch
These releases deserve a physical collection down the line. I'll wait. Worst that can happen is that the titles go on sale sometime.
Re: Taito Egret II Mini Arcade Memories Vol. 3 Line-Up Announced
I do like lesser known for a reason titles when it comes to retro games. This volume, though, is less appealing to me than the second one, which had me on the verge anyway.
But if I would have been able to get a copy of that one, I'd feel compelled to get the third even for completionist reasons.
Problem is that unlike vol. 1, which I grabbed on a sale after some time out of stock, once the 2nd went out of stock didn't come back. It's been several months now. So I guess I'll settle for vol. 1, with games that I know I'll enjoy, especially Pu•Li•Ru•La.
They do need to amp these memories up, of course. They're not cheap and should come with at least a 50% of bangers.
Re: Konami's 1988 Boxing Title 'The Final Round' Is Headed To Switch & PS4
@OorWullie I think it does have some differences, but I wouldn't bet my house on this release including the Japanese version, as a handful of Arcade Archives releases don't for some reason.
Anyway, I literally didn't know about this game until today. Is it any good? Would be a good candidate for my next gold points purchase.
Re: Sunsoft Announces Remake Of The SNES Racer 'Hashire Hebereke'
The series is slowly coming again (or for the first time, depending on the title) to the West one way or another, which is great news.
Re: The Popular Tokyo Games Store 'Friends' Is Closing Down
I was there back in 2016, I knew it was probably the only store with reasonable prices in the tourist trap called Akihabara. Friends was a little hard to find, and I ended up not finding anything of my wishlist, but I enjoyed the visit nonetheless. Sad news.
Re: "It's The Worst" - Perfect Dark Expert Delivers Withering Verdict Of Nintendo Switch Port
Well, there's the Rare Replay Perfect Dark too. I guess they'll patch it, but as usual its reputation will remain tainted.
Re: Bothtec's Topple Zip Races Onto The Nintendo Switch eShop Next Week
Nice! I guess in this case we won't have to worry about the in-game text being in Japanese.
Re: Evercade's Next Carts Include Batsugun, Super BurgerTime, Edward Randy And Midnight Resistance
Nice to finally see some love for the arcade line, but 2 cartridges (and I guess that's a wrap in that department to 2024) seems too little after such a long time waiting for it.
Anyway, it's better than nothing, but although I'm really glad to see some gems here that we can't have legally anywhere else, such as Edward Randy or Ghox, I gotta say that most of these games I already own them on Switch (Data East ones specifically, after repeated super discounts in Johnny Turbo's Arcade line) or in the Astro City Minis (standard and V) and Egret II Mini, so there is a lot of overlapping in my case. But... there we have those games not available before that I guess are worth the price of admission.
What I can't fully understand is that they've been linking the release of these two cartridges to the release of the Alpha models themselves... and yet many games are of vertical orientation, and that doesn't quite match with the cabinets' screens features.
In one, glad to know about these releases, but overall it could have been done better.
Re: Toaplan Arcade Garage: Kyukyoku Tiger-Heli Finally Comes To Switch And PS4 In The West
@LowDefAl I was under the impression, I must have read it somewhere, that those releases usually included the console versions, with a couple exceptions.
Thanks for clarifying it. Well, they definitely should have included them. I'm all about extra content in retro releases.
Re: Toaplan Arcade Garage: Kyukyoku Tiger-Heli Finally Comes To Switch And PS4 In The West
@Damo I see (but they should have included them, I think some of the M2 Toaplan Arcade Garage do).
Thanks
Re: Toaplan Arcade Garage: Kyukyoku Tiger-Heli Finally Comes To Switch And PS4 In The West
So the bonus versions and games come behind a paywall, not on disc/cart? Bummer.
Re: 'Evercade Alpha' Listing Hints At New Hardware In 2024
@Pillowpants So far it doesn't. It does have save states, auto fire, basic screen filters, bezels (optional) and button remapping.
Re: 'Evercade Alpha' Listing Hints At New Hardware In 2024
I'm an early adopter and have been suffering from backlog since the beginning -I already had backlog with all the other systems and very young children at home-, but I love what Evercade brought into the market. I love having the chance to own and try hidden gems and even not that good but somehow interesting games, the big names are already available on multiple other systems.
But I don't appreciate being left behind, and this Alpha naming suggests some kind of hardware which at some point will be the only way that some carts will work. With all the backlog I admit that I've not used the Evercade, nor the Evercade VS, as much as I would've liked, so if now they release a new and vastly enhanced version I will feel compelled to buy it and say goodbye to my current ones. And that's something that I don't like, because it's sad, but I don't want to keep unused systems either.
Re: Evercade EXP-R And Evercade VS-R Consoles Launch This July
I've not jumped into the EXP, I stick to the OG handheld, but it seems that if I wanted to do it I should before it's too late. This budget versions also mean that premium ones are not in the cards right now.
If the EXP loses the Capcom games and the HDMI output, what does the VS lose? It's not been clarified, right?
Anyway, I want some cartridge announcements, please!
Re: Evercade Is Getting New "Giga Carts" To Allow For Bigger Games
They also said that these bigger carts can come with more games, that this is better than releasing several volumes, and I totally agree. They started releasing collections with more titles but they seem to have settled in 6 games per cart. I prefer paying a little more but having 10+ games again.
Re: The MSX2 Version Of Dragon Slayer IV Is Coming To Switch
That's more playable than previous releases for non Japanese speakers. To the wishlist it goes.
Re: Arcade Archives Holding Special Event To Celebrate 10th Anniversary
What about a sale in all their titles? For once. Just saying.
Re: Fatal Fury Producer Still Feels Bad That Fan Favourite Fighter Didn't Make It Into Smash Bros.
They should have made a Mai amiibo. Definitely my favourite female fighting character.
Re: Just Like Streets Of Rage, Altered Beast Is Getting An Action Figure
Why exclusively there and for a so short period? Seems a waste of effort.
Should be available internationally on Amazon.
Re: Interview: "A True Original" - Digital Eclipse On 'Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story'
That's great, I'm looking forward to boot it up. I was expecting another release about the making of of another single game, maybe Prince of Persia, but this is a fully-fledged collection, so I'm really happy.
Re: Please, Sega, Let's Have A Proper Fantasy Zone Sequel
I agree. As much love the series has received by Sega itself over the years, both with re-releases and Opa-Opa cameos, a third proper entry would be great.
Re: N64 Emulation Comes To Evercade Via Piko Interactive Collection 4
@Westlondonmist Must be the SNES one. The Mega Drive version was the worst one graphically speaking.
Re: N64 Emulation Comes To Evercade Via Piko Interactive Collection 4
I'd like more transparency as for what versions are the other games. Street Racer was on several platforms including 16 and 32 bit systems. Target Renegade was on Spectrum, C64 and Amstrad CPC. The footage doesn't seem to belong to any of those versions. Maybe it's the release of a cancelled version, that wouldn't be the first case in Piko's library.
I love obscure games, I like this cart, but I don't like the fact that this is a 4th volume while bigger companies have had only 1, such as Data East, Jaleco or Irem. It's about time.
Re: Evercade Sunsoft Collection 2 Arrives This April
Great cart if you ask me. Daze Before Christmas is one of the rarest and therefore most expensive games on the Mega Drive. Plus, the other games aren't half bad.
Re: Retro-Bit Bringing SNES Cult Classic 'Majyūō - King Of Demons' To The West For The First Time
I've been buying Mega Drive, NES and Game Boy games from them and I gotta say the presentation of the materials is top notch (nothing to do with the cheap feeling Strictly Limited Games releases), although they drastically cut the goodies while mantaining the prices.
Anyway, this might be my first SNES game from Retro-Bit.
I've grown to tolerate and even like these glorified repros, at the end of the day they're official -something that does make a difference to me- and in Retro-Bit's case, I insist, ooze quality.
Re: Review: Technōs Arcade 1 - Double Dragon 2 (Almost) Worth The Price Of Admission
@Ristar24 No I haven't, the original was too expensive, and I look forward to getting it on Switch, because the Double Dragon Collection has too many games I already have, so it's great that you can pick them individually.