Castle Shikigami 2 for ps2?

[TalkingOctopus]

This shooter was just released for the ps2 and only is $10!!  http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/245170.asp.  Before I go pick it up, has anyone played the import DC version.  If so, how is it?  The reviews on ebgames all seem pretty favorable and for $10 it is hard to go wrong.

[DYNAGOD]

guess im going to EB today..
10 bucks i can afford

[SkateDetroit]

Great game. I can't believe it's that cheap.  

[TalkingOctopus]

So I went to go buy it from eb and they had the disc but no case.    Also, they refused to sell it to me without the case.  I guess I should stick to ordering online.

[TalkingOctopus]

It seems to have been pulled from eb...  What gives?

[Dave_K.]

Try gamestop.com.  For $10 you can't go wrong.  The game is actually very fun (but kinda short).  Good replay value with a variety of characters you can play that have alternate weapon setup options.  The DC Import version is worth the extra money if you can find it, as it also supports rotatable displays and hires (VGA) output.  A true Naomi port. 

[TalkingOctopus]

Try gamestop.com.

[Dave_K.]

Gamestop's website does not list it either.  However, I found it at walmart:

I swear it was there on gamestop...when I first saw this thread I checked.  Maybe its getting pulled, or failed to ship?  Strange.

[TalkingOctopus]

Yeah this is very strange indeed.  Now walmart said:

Castle Shikigami 2 PS2
     Original release date    : 03 DEC 2004
     New release date         : 01 APR 2005

I have given up.  Has anyone actually purchased this?

[Dave_K.]

Its selling on ebay for around $15.  I love the game, and think this is a must have for any shooter fan....lots of replayability.  The problem with the PS2 version is that it won't look that great in a cab without the high resolution output and screen rotation features.  So I guess its ok to try out on PS2 if you aren't sure you'd like it,  but seriously, you will love it, and be buying the Dreamcast Import version anyway to have it play just like the Naomi original in the japanese arcades.   I'm playing the DC version in my japanese sit-at cab with a new Betson 27" rotated vertically.   Just amazing.

[DYNAGOD]

'm playing the DC version in my japanese sit-at cab with a new Betson 27" rotated vertically.   Just amazing.

id be following suit if i had a betson...im so jealous..
it looks kinda washed out on my tv with just rca for video.. was there ever a DC HD pack?


are you physically rotating the betson or hardware rotation?

[TalkingOctopus]

Unfortunately, I only have a TV in my cab so I couldn't take advantage of any the hi res output.  So for now I'd like to buy it cheap instead fo the $60 import.  I am sure I will like the game though....I am a big shooter fan even though I suck at them.   

[Dave_K.]

'm playing the DC version in my japanese sit-at cab with a new Betson 27" rotated vertically.   Just amazing.

id be following suit if i had a betson...im so jealous..
it looks kinda washed out on my tv with just rca for video.. was there ever a DC HD pack?


are you physically rotating the betson or hardware rotation?

Yes, the DC has an HD like pack called a "Dreamcast VGA Box".  It doesn't do any conversion, it simply grounds out the proper pins to enable RGB at 31.5khz natively.  You can also hack the box to output 15.7khz RGB for std res arcade monitors.  This is all in the  Game Console FAQ.

I have read the problems you've been having with your egret, and especially the monitor.  Thats why I replaced mine.  I could not stand being so close to it either and looking at scanlines.  With the Betson at hires, you can be right up to the monitor and its crisp and clear, doesn't hurt your eyes.  Its pretty amazing.  This was the way shooters in japan were ment to be played on Naomi hardware (not at 15khz) inside these kinds of sit-at cabs.

And yes my cab allows me to physically rotate the monitor.  I think I had mentioned this before, I had to transplant the betson tube and pcb into the original rotating frame, and it all worked out great.

[DYNAGOD]

i remeber you mentioning it,
 but you said that the wires were short and you werent sure if you were going to be able to pull it off..
im glad to hear it worked and would love to see a thread by you with some pics and tips on the process..with tax time coming, i maybe in a position to do the upgrade soon..
im gld to hear its safe to physically rotate a betson..ive read that its unsafe (why i dont know) to rotate certain monitors as its a fire hazzard.
i was playing psyvair 2 on my DC today and i was thinking to myself just  how really poor it looked on my tv..This DC NEEDS to go in my cabinet with a nice res capable monitor

[DYNAGOD]

anyone else here thisk this game is a little unblanced??
the characters have mondo mega power.. i think the games a bit too easy..

[Dave_K.]

anyone else here thisk this game is a little unblanced??
the characters have mondo mega power.. i think the games a bit too easy..

Yes the default setting is a little easy, but I believe the objective is not to finish the game but to rack up the most points (ala Ikaruga) or sweep the entire game on a single life/credit.  You do have the option of increasing the difficulty by playing in "Extreme" mode if you want.

[DYNAGOD]

anyone else here thisk this game is a little unblanced??
the characters have mondo mega power.. i think the games a bit too easy..

Yes the default setting is a little easy, but I believe the objective is not to finish the game but to rack up the most points (ala Ikaruga) or sweep the entire game on a single life/credit.  You do have the option of increasing the difficulty by playing in "Extreme" mode if you want.

yea, i didnt try extreme mode yet..i played thru a couple of levels and was sort of ,.bored  i guess and switched games..
ill give a shot on super mega hardness extreme level   
though im sure the game will spank me hard if i do

[Dave_K.]

i remeber you mentioning it,
 but you said that the wires were short and you werent sure if you were going to be able to pull it off..
im glad to hear it worked and would love to see a thread by you with some pics and tips on the process..with tax time coming, i maybe in a position to do the upgrade soon..

I just started a new thread on my cab in the project forum, and uploaded a bunch of pics.  I can try to take some more detailed pics of the monitor frame/chasis if you want, but I believe the egret is completely different.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,28845.0.html

[TalkingOctopus]

anyone else here thisk this game is a little unblanced??
the characters have mondo mega power.. i think the games a bit too easy..

I have finally had a chance to get a few rounds of this game.   I know I probably suck, but I thought it was difficult enough.  I have not made it past 4-2 w/ 4 credits .  It seems especially difficult if you try to get all the coins by holding down fire.  I was wondering what characters you guys use? 

While I have not tried them all, I was able to increase my score a ton by using the first character.  His attacking spirit thing that seeks out the enemies and gives you coins seems like a really effective score booster. 

[Dave_K.]

While I have not tried them all, I was able to increase my score a ton by using the first character.  His attacking spirit thing that seeks out the enemies and gives you coins seems like a really effective score booster. 

I think this is the unbalanced nature of the game dynagod was talking about.  I think of it more as certain characters are better for beginners v.s. ,more expierenced players.  Again the point is not to just finish the game, but to get the highest score with each charater, and figuring out what each of their each of strengths/weaknesses are.  With 7 characters, each with their own unique firing schemes, and 2 sets of alternate weapons (press left or right just before selecting your character) screams replay value.

[TalkingOctopus]

With 7 characters, each with their own unique firing schemes, and 2 sets of alternate weapons (press left or right just before selecting your character) screams replay value.

Yeah I totally agree.

[simplygriff]

Where did  you end up getting it from Talking Octopus?  I just found this thread and this game sounds really interesting.  Can you guys reccomend other good shmup's that are in MAME too?
-G

[Sephroth57]

so did the PS2 version ever get released for 10$? where can i find it?

[TalkingOctopus]

Walmart eventually pulled through.

[simplygriff]

Cool.

[Sephroth57]

Walmart eventually pulled through.

[simplygriff]

Picked it up last night at EB games.  Amazing enough it was a brand new factory sealed copy.  That's an amazing feat for the eb's around here to have a factory sealed game.  Didn't have time to try it last night but I cant' wait.
-G

[simplygriff]

So I checked this out this weekend and it's pretty cool.  The witch chick is pretty hard to play with.  I like the guy in black with the lightining and the guy in white with the swords.  What's up with the voice overs though? They are absolutely hilarious but not in a good way.
-G

[TalkingOctopus]

The ps2 version actually does have the different rotate modes - including a few vertical ones.

What's up with the voice overs though? They are absolutely hilarious but not in a good way.

I always turn off the "story" mode.

still havent played Radiant Silvergun, and until they make a good saturn emulator

I believe Giri Giri or whatever it has become actually plays RS fine except for some menu graphics problems.