Need recommendations/opinions on Japanese Shooters...

[JokermanJohnny]

I'm looking to get the Mushihimesama Collector's Box for the PS2, the Limited Edition Mushihimesama Futari for Xbox 360, and both DonPachi and DoDonPachi for the Playstation. However, I know there are some shooters with multiple versions available, and I'm looking into getting Otomedius, which I want to think is the most recent inclusion in the Parodius series.

What are your opinions on the following:

• DoDonPachi Dai-Fukkatsu
  DoDonPachi Dai Ou Jou
  Death Smiles
  Otomedius G

[t0yrobo]

Well as far as multiple version go with the ones you mentioned it's fairly simple. DFK is only in arcades, DeathSmiles is only on 360, DOJ is better on 360, and Otomedious isn't all that good (also on 360). For Donpachi and Dodonpachi it's a little trickier. The psx version look better, and cost considerably more, but from what I understand the Saturn versions actually play better. I never looked into the differences much because both play great on mame.

[GSZX1337]

Here's a review of Don Pachi.

[MrPopo]

Otomedius really isn't a Parodius game. It's a Gradius game with a flying girl as your spaceship. The rest of the aesthetic is classic Gradius, so it really feels like pandering.

Also, since you're picking up JP shooters, I'd recommend you snag Espgaluda II and Ketsui. Espgaluda's got a really fun system that goes beyond "shoot first, shoot later, shoot some more, and collect points". Ketsui's a more traditional shmup, but it's got a similar aesthetic to DDP but without the holy shit nuts kicking difficulty of DOJ (which is not to say it doesn't get hard, it just eases you into it).

[hashiriya1]

Don't get the 360 version of DoDonPachi Dai Ou Jou. It's buggy as hell.
I have both of them (Ps2 and 360 versions), and the PS2 version runs much better.



Mamorukunhanorowareteshimatta (Mamornoro for short) is a great shump for the 360
Made by the same guys who made the Dreamcast shmup masterpiece, Under Defeat.









But if you must get a CAVE game, you can't go wrong with IBARA for PS2.
I bought it when it came out, and I loved it ever since.

[JokermanJohnny]

I'm also looking to get Death Smiles, Death Smiles II X, and Raiden III and IV despite them being available in America (or so I think). What are your thoughts on those games?

[MrPopo]

I'm also looking to get Death Smiles, Death Smiles II X, and Raiden III and IV despite them being available in America (or so I think). What are your thoughts on those games?

Deathsmiles is being localized and should come out in a few months. Raiden IV is already out. No word on whether DSII will be localized, but if DS1 does well enough it should, but it wouldn't happen for a while, since the JP port still hasn't come out yet.

Deathsmiles is pretty good. Bullet speed is slower compared to DDPDOJ or Mushi Futari, which makes it an easier 1cc. The scoring mechanic is pretty simple and generally doesn't require too much variance in play unless you're really looking to milk things. Plus, changing difficulty is built into the stage selection, which is nice. I'd definitely recommend it.

As for Raiden IV, I'd say get it if you're still looking for shmups and you've already gotten Raiden Fighter Aces. RFA gives you more game for less money. I've found Raiden IV harder to get into. And compared to RFA it feels really bare-bones.

[Hobie-wan]

As for Raiden IV, I'd say get it if you're still looking for shmups and you've already gotten Raiden Fighter Aces. RFA gives you more game for less money. I've found Raiden IV harder to get into. And compared to RFA it feels really bare-bones.

Indeed. To me the RFA games are just more fun to play, even if it didn't have 3 of them on there. Obviously R IV is prettier though.

[JokermanJohnny]

As for Raiden IV, I'd say get it if you're still looking for shmups and you've already gotten Raiden Fighter Aces. RFA gives you more game for less money. I've found Raiden IV harder to get into. And compared to RFA it feels really bare-bones.

Indeed. To me the RFA games are just more fun to play, even if it didn't have 3 of them on there. Obviously R IV is prettier though.

I'm looking to get The Raiden Project for the Playstation since it has both Raiden I and II on it. What are your thoughts on that?

[Hobie-wan]

I'm looking to get The Raiden Project for the Playstation since it has both Raiden I and II on it. What are your thoughts on that?

I have a Japanese copy and I like it. Assuming you like older shooters and they didn't do anything silly to the US release, it's good stuff.