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Super Ultra-Mega Massive 49-way Review online at Retroblast!
Kremmit:
--- Quote from: KenToad on June 29, 2005, 12:48:52 pm --- I also had mixed feelings about the four-way mode, still do. I kept wondering why RandyT didn't make a "pure" 4-way mode. I actually speculated that possibly having the diagonals there made the 4-way mode more balanced, that it might be really difficult or that the maps might come out slightly unbalanced without the three corner spots on the grid being used for diagonals, if you get my drift. But I really couldn't confirm that suspicion without actually seeing the grid maps that RandyT uses. Still, I'm sure it was a combination of factors--Tron playability for sure, less redundancy among modes as well as possibly an easier mapping scheme overall. Also, maybe RandyT just prefers Tron to Donkey Kong. :)
--- End quote ---
The only alternatives to leaving the diagonals "on" in the extreme corners of the grid would have been to make those spaces dead (same as a perfectly centered stick), or choose one of the cardinal directions at random. A random direction might get you killed in any game, so that's probably the worst solution. A dead space is no better than a diagonal if you're playing Donkey Kong, and a diagonal is better than a dead space if you're playing Tron, so the diagonal is the best possible choice. In my opinion, at least.
KenToad:
No, that's not a typo, Tiger-Heli, just what I believe, FWIW. Thanks Minwah for correctly pointing out my rationale. Also, Tiger-Heli, I'm taking all of what you're saying to heart, but I still believe that my purpose in the review was to analyze the performance of the hardware, not to say that "most good 4-ways will never hit diagonals," which I'm not really sure that I believe now that I've tried this DRS thingamabob. I also can't really remember just how hard you had to "try" to be able to hit the diagonals in Tron. I haven't seen one of those machines in years. :)
"Still open for debate is whether the GP Wiz49 would benefit from a 'true 4 way' mode which did not allow for any diagonals, particularly in Donkey Kong."
I completely agree with you, Tiger-Heli, and well-stated, although this really seems to be similar to what I mentioned in the article. i.e. I still think it's entirely dependent upon the way the user approaches the joystick, as to whether you need Donkey Kong to play completely without the diagonals or just whether you play at the end of the joystick's throw.
I think you've hit the nail on the head, Kremmit. Also, to add to what you've said, I don't think what RandyT has come up with is a problematic tradeoff, even if it was impossible to do otherwise. I hardly ever notice there are diagonals in 4-way mode until I boot up Tron, which IMO, is exactly how it should be.
Yup, Minwah, that's exactly what I'm saying about the 49-ways in analog games, except the only time I could really notice it for sure was when I couldn't spell my name in Food Fight.
I also like Caliber 50, could be a bit longer, though.
Thanks a million, guys, for all the feedback. I really do appreciate the time and effort and attempts to clarify and all that.
Cheers,
KenToad
Timoe:
bottom line = thank you
Tiger-Heli:
--- Quote from: KenToad on June 29, 2005, 10:20:23 pm ---No, that's not a typo, Tiger-Heli, just what I believe, FWIW. Thanks Minwah for correctly pointing out my rationale.
--- End quote ---
Okay, I obviously didn't get what you meant by an analog solution then. I still think it would be better to refer to it as an "optical rotary" or "analog optical rotary" (or "analog optical rotary (spinner)") solution.
The problem I have with the new logic, is it would then read
As such, I think this adaptor and interface should be taken with a grain of salt. If you
KenToad:
Don't worry, Tiger-Heli, I would never ignore anything you've said. ;) However, despite the fact that it's a review, I tried to be slightly unbiased, especially concerning this very issue with the 4-way mode, by giving a little how and a little why along with my opinions. Although I'm certain that this is how I want my four-way mode to behave, I really don't feel like I could be certain that it's how others want their 4-way mode. Another reviewer may have given a less positive review if all they wanted to do was play DK just how they remember it and they kept finding the diagonals.
You've never gotten past the first level in DK. :o Well, that's OK. I've never seen the pie factory, except as a screenshot. I actually prefer DK Junior. I even once had the mini-version, crazy birds all the time, pretty hard. I wish I could find that one again. After I moved out of the house, my Mom seems to have kept all my crappy toys and given away the good ones. Sighhhhhh ...
Cheers,
KenToad
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