A brief analysis of the Deathsmiles port accuracy

[EOJ]

This will not discuss the new ver 1.1 on the port, since it is absent from the PCB.

1.0 GRAPHICS
1.1 Arcade mode
This includes the original Arcade graphics, doubled to 480p or 720p for an HD set, and interlaced at 480i through S-video or RGB.
1.1.1 On a 15khz monitor/TV
Through an RGB monitor there are the following drawbacks: no scanlines due to interlacing; strange transparent ripple or wave effect on the backgrounds as you move by them. The latter is the most troublesome, and is really quite horrible. Why they did this is anyone's guess, but we saw a similar effect in the PS2 port of Mushihimesama. Other than that, it looks alright, and better than on an LCD. Important note: it is not as blurry as the Mushihimesama or Ibara PS2 ports.
1.1.2 On an LCD
Arcade mode is blocky to the point that it hurts your eyes to play for very long. A simple remedy to this would be a scanline patch, though Cave has made no mention of this possibility and the new patch they are finishing up (due at the end of May/beginning of June) will not include this. Such a shame, as the ripple effect on the backgrounds is not found when you play it on an LCD in HD (480p~720p).
1.2 Xbox 360 mode
These have been updated with hi res graphics for all character and bullet sprites, as well as the title, character select, between stage screens, map screen, and endings. The backgrounds are still lo res like in Arcade mode.
1.2.1 On a 15khz monitor/TV
Looks lovely, and better than Arcade mode by a great degree.
1.2.2 On an LCD
Looks bright and beautiful. Backgrounds are a bit blocky, but it's not very noticable while you're playing.
2.0 MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS
Overall it all sounds excellent. Some sound effects sound louder than on the PCB (such as the bomb sound), but this can be adjusted in the sound menu.
There is a great new mellow track for the menus, and a very good new ending song when you complete ver 1.1.
3.0 CONTROLS
With an arcade stick, this feels just like the PCB. Absolutely no problems here, in Arcade or X360 modes.
4.0 SLOWDOWN ACCURACY
The Deathsmiles PCB has a ton of slowdown, and an accurate emulation of this is necessary to make a port a viable one, as even
a few small differences in timing can affect your score in a big way.
4.1 Arcade mode
This is fantastic - close to perfect when compared to the PCB. I can find almost no differences between the port and the PCB. Overall it is 98~99% accurate, putting it on par (or better than) the highly regarded Arika PS2 ports, and a huge improvement over Cave's previous PS2 ports (Mushihimesama and Ibara).
4.1.1 Timing
Slowdown is intimately linked with the timing of the game, and here the timing is identical with the PCB. This is crucial in regard to entering and exiting power-up mode, as if the timing is just a few frames off, it makes a big difference.
4.2 Xbox 360 mode
Unfortunately this mode does not fare as well in this department. The slowdown is not as smooth as the PCB, and it is missing in some important spots. Examples include the middle of the Forest stage, and the Forest stage boss. Overall the slowdown feels a bit slower than the PCB when it is activated, and you come out of it a bit faster than the PCB, giving the game a slight "herky jerky" feel to it as you play. I'd rate the accuracy here as about 80%.
4.2.1 Timing
As you might expect, the timing is a bit off in some parts due to the less accurate slowdown.
5.0 LOADING
Once you load into a mode, there is no more loading at any time in-game, making it indistinguishable from the PCB in this regard.
6.0 CONCLUSION
This is a very accurate port marred only by some weird background graphic effects seen in Arcade mode via a 15khz TV/Monitor, the lack of a scanline option in Arcade mode on an LCD, and slightly inaccurate slowdown & timing in Xbox 360 mode.

[EOJ]

Please note this accuracy report only applies to the Japanese version. The US version is completely messed up and not worth your time.