Skullfan / Ku-u-ga Gaiden ?

[Spyke]

Hi all,

Hope you're all having a great time! I'm looking at some import Saturn games and have found one listed called Skullfang (Ku-u-Ga Gaiden) - a vertical shmup. Anyone got a copy of it? What do you think of it? Comparable games?

Thanks!

Ant

[dunpeal2064]

I love shmups, even bad ones, but this one is hard to enjoy.

Its in the same "series" as Vapor Trail, which I like, but I couldn't enjoy Skull Fang.

There are just too many good shooters for the Saturn to settle for Skull Fang imo

[Spyke]

Thanks. I did find an online review... eventually... which said broadly the same.
Ant

[dunpeal2064]

What Saturn shooters do you already have? Id be happy to recommend some, but I know you already have a few.

[pierrot]

I love shmups, even bad ones, but this one is hard to enjoy.

Its in the same "series" as Vapor Trail, which I like, but I couldn't enjoy Skull Fang.

There are just too many good shooters for the Saturn to settle for Skull Fang imo

Vapor Trail isn't even that good, really.

[dunpeal2064]

I personally quite enjoy Vapor Trail, I think it has pretty manic patterns for such an old shooter (Where you normally don't see patterns at all). It also has multiple ships that all handle differently and have different special powerups, which I though was really nice. And, even though you have multiple lives, a health bar, and a bomb that trashes your current powerup, the game is still pretty challenging. The only downside (imo) is that it only has one music track throughout the game, but at least that track is pretty cool. Plus, rolling through a bunch of enemies is awesome, almost like a rechargable panic attack once you have trashed your special powerup for a bomb.

The Genesis port isn't quite as good as the arcade game, but I still enjoyed it.

But, like I said, I love shmups, even some that most people consider bad. And I still didn't find much to enjoy about Skull Fang.

[pierrot]

Admittedly, I've only played the Genesis port of Vapor Trail, but it feels a little too bare bones to me; not particularly substantive, imo. I agree that the main track is pretty killer, though. One could do much worse in setting a shmup to a single track.

I don''t think that Vapor Trail is bad by any means, it just doesn't surprise me that the sequel is unimpressive, considering that the original was nothing to really write home about either.

[dunpeal2064]

I can see why someone wouldn't dig it, it isn't the greatest shooter in the world.

Granted, I wouldn't say its "barebones". I mean, you get 3 ships, 5 different powerups, a unique special powerup for each ship, sacraficing that powerup for a bomb, and then a roll that recharges and allows you to get through some of the really nasty bullet sections.

It can't compare to modern shooters, but as far as 1989 goes, I think it holds its own. I mean, Truxton has one ship, 3 powerups, and a bomb. Raiden has... one ship, 3 powerups, and a bomb. Fire Shark.... yeah, you get what I'm saying Its a nice breath of fresh air for that era.

Its no Omega Fighter though.

[pierrot]

I can see why someone wouldn't dig it, it isn't the greatest shooter in the world.

Granted, I wouldn't say its "barebones"...

I meant more in terms of enemy patterns/types, backgrounds, etc. I don't feel like it's a cakewalk, but I don't find it incredibly substantive, or interesting; There's really no charm to speak of.
It's fun for a little while, but I'm always hard pressed to want to play it again.

[DocHauser]

I saw Skull Fang on sale in a shop in Nagoya recently. It was slightly overshadowed by the other games on display, though...



I can't quite make out the price. I think it's either 2,990 yen or 3,990 yen (about $35 to $45). At that price, you should probably check it out on MAME first before deciding if its worth it...