Some of you who know me on here will know I've got a fairly decent selection of shmups, spread over a range of consoles (see my sig). I play them all and like all the systems.
At a couple of game shows I've seen progfessionally built "bartop cabs" running Jamma boards, and I've always been tempted. Recently I actually made an enquiry and got some replies from the builder. I looked through the list of games that the different boards had, and there were quite a lot of games on there that I don't own and/or would like to own.
But the price of a custom built cab running a 512-in-1 to my spec could be £500 or so, and more if I chose the 2019-in-1 board, which does indeed have a larger number of games that I fancy.
But here's the thing. A lot of those games I could actually buy on console format and run on my own consoles, and to be honest it would probably work out cheaper. I ran my consoles through a SLG so can replicate the "retro feel" and am comfortable with the systems and joysticks etc.
I would also have to choose between a hori screen or a vert screen, and that would compromise games in the format that wasn't chosen, whereas I can TATE my current screen.
I'm talking about games like Zero Wing, Salamander, Gradius, Sonic Wings, Raiden Fighters Jet, Truxton, Guwange, X-Multiply, Battle Garegga, Esp-Ra-De, Batsugun, Aeroblasters, and some others. As far as I know, those titles (except Esp-Ra-De) are available on console format, so could be bought piecemeal, but there are also some games, like Progear and Armed Police Batrider that are not available on console release. (Correct me if I'm wrong?)
I'm just wondering what you would do? Have any of you been in the same situation? Is the no-compromise console release option better in the long run? Do the Jamma boards have issues running the games properly?
Any thoughts welcome.
Ant
