- Welcome to CAVE-STG.
CAVE-STG
Recent posts
#31
Here's a brief comparison of the recent CAVE ports across current-gen platforms, and compared to the Xbox 360 versions. Best version of each is noted by a 
.
Akai Katana
PS4: Much better slowdown accuracy than the Xbox 360 original, but one extra frame of lag. Also, the visuals look slightly downgraded.
Switch: Same as PS4 but 2 more frames of lag than the Xbox 360 version.
Xbox One: Same slowdown accuracy as PS4 but much better visuals. Input lag is either the same as the Xbox 360 or it has one extra frame like the PS4 (hasn't been confirmed yet). I prefer this version even to the original arcade PCB.
Xbox 360: Input lag is around 4 frames. Slowdown accuracy is poor, with around 50% missing compared to the original arcade PCB.
Deathsmiles
PS4: Better slowdown accuracy than the Xbox 360 original. Same input lag. Also, the visuals look slightly downgraded.
Switch: Same as PS4.
Xbox One: Same slowdown accuracy as PS4 but better visuals. Input lag is the same as the Xbox 360.
Xbox 360: Input lag is 3 frames. Slowdown accuracy is overall quite good, except in MBL, where it is noticeably missing in some spots.
Deathsmiles II
PS4: Worse slowdown accuracy than the Xbox 360 original, with one extra frame of lag. X mode is missing most of the slowdown. Also, the visuals look much worse.
Switch: Same as PS4 but 2 more frames of lag than the Xbox 360. Slightly better visuals, though not as good as the X360, and more accurate slowdown in X mode compared to PS4/X1 (but still not the same as the Xbox 360 original).
Xbox One: Same slowdown accuracy as PS4 but much better visuals. Input lag is either the same as the Xbox 360 or it has one extra frame like the PS4 (hasn't been confirmed yet).
Xbox 360: Input lag is around 4 frames. Slowdown accuracy is overall pretty good, except when using Lei in Arcade mode, where it is noticeably missing in some spots. Best version of X mode. The only version with the Tsukaima Race minigame.
Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu
Switch Version 1.5: Port of the Steam version, not the X360 version. Slightly better slowdown accuracy than the X360 original. Same input lag as Xbox 360. Arrange A is missing most of the slowdown, and remains superior on Xbox 360.
Switch Black Label: Port of the Steam version, not the X360 version. Much worse than X360, with less slowdown, faster overall slowdown speed, and inaccurate laser-hits that make it easier to score in stages 4 and 5. Same input lag. Recent patch has messed up the game even further with a "laser bug" that still has not been fixed by Livewire, after 6+ months.
Xbox 360 Version 1.5: A superb port that still looks a little better than the Switch port. 3 frames of input lag. Best version of Arrange A.
Xbox 360 Black Label: The best version of Black Label available anywhere (I prefer it even to the Arcade original). 3 frames of input lag.
Dodonpachi Daioujou
PS4: Best in terms of accuracy, modes, options, and input lag (2 frames).
Switch: Same as PS4 except 2 more frames of input lag.
Xbox 360: Very good port but not as arcade-accurate as PS4 and with fewer modes. 3 frames of input lag. The Arrange mode (and its soundtrack) is exclusive to Xbox 360, and still worth owning just for that.
Dodonpachi Saidaioujou
Switch: A very good port of the Xbox 360 original with more accurate slowdown (even more accurate than the exA arcade version!). One extra frame of input lag (that isn't too noticeable compared to the X360 version).
Xbox 360: A good port, but input lag is around 4 frames and there is excessive slowdown in many spots, particularly in the last two stages.
ESPgaluda 2
Switch: A straight port of the Xbox 360 original but with an extra frame of input lag that is really noticeable (and annoying).
Xbox 360: Still the best home version, with the sharpest graphics and lowest input lag (3 frames).
ESPrade
PS4: Excellent accuracy, modes, options, and input lag (3 frames).
Switch: Same as PS4 except it has one more frame of input lag, which feels pretty noticeable (and annoying).
Ketsui
PS4: Best in terms of accuracy, modes, options, and input lag (2 frames).
Xbox 360: Very good port but not as arcade-accurate as PS4 and with fewer modes. 3 frames of input lag. The Arrange mode (and its soundtrack) is exclusive to Xbox 360, and still worth owning just for that.
Mushihimesama
Switch: Port of the Steam version, not the X360 version. Same input lag as X360. Slightly choppier or otherwise inaccurate slowdown in some spots.
Xbox 360: Still the best home version, with the sharpest graphics and most accurate slowdown. 3 frames of input lag.
***************************
Quick summary:
Switch = best versions of Daifukkatsu Ver 1.5 and Saidaioujou.
Xbox 360 = best versions of Daifukkatsu Black Label, Daifukkatsu Arrange A, Espgaluda II, Mushihimesama, Deathsmiles II, and Deathsmiles II X Mode. Still worth owning Daioujou and Ketsui on X360 as well, due to their excellent, exclusive Arrange modes.
PS4 = best versions of Daioujou, Ketsui, and ESPrade.
Xbox One = best versions of Akai Katana and Deathsmiles.
Best to worst (in games with 3 or more home ports):
Akai Katana: Xbox One > PS4 > Switch > Xbox 360
Deathsmiles: Xbox One > PS4 > Switch > Xbox 360
Deathsmiles II : Xbox 360 > Xbox One > Switch > PS4
Deathsmiles II X Mode: Xbox 360 > Switch > Xbox One > PS4
Daioujou: PS4 > Xbox 360 > Switch
.Akai Katana
PS4: Much better slowdown accuracy than the Xbox 360 original, but one extra frame of lag. Also, the visuals look slightly downgraded.
Switch: Same as PS4 but 2 more frames of lag than the Xbox 360 version.
Xbox One: Same slowdown accuracy as PS4 but much better visuals. Input lag is either the same as the Xbox 360 or it has one extra frame like the PS4 (hasn't been confirmed yet). I prefer this version even to the original arcade PCB.
Xbox 360: Input lag is around 4 frames. Slowdown accuracy is poor, with around 50% missing compared to the original arcade PCB.
Deathsmiles
PS4: Better slowdown accuracy than the Xbox 360 original. Same input lag. Also, the visuals look slightly downgraded.
Switch: Same as PS4.
Xbox One: Same slowdown accuracy as PS4 but better visuals. Input lag is the same as the Xbox 360.
Xbox 360: Input lag is 3 frames. Slowdown accuracy is overall quite good, except in MBL, where it is noticeably missing in some spots.
Deathsmiles II
PS4: Worse slowdown accuracy than the Xbox 360 original, with one extra frame of lag. X mode is missing most of the slowdown. Also, the visuals look much worse.
Switch: Same as PS4 but 2 more frames of lag than the Xbox 360. Slightly better visuals, though not as good as the X360, and more accurate slowdown in X mode compared to PS4/X1 (but still not the same as the Xbox 360 original).
Xbox One: Same slowdown accuracy as PS4 but much better visuals. Input lag is either the same as the Xbox 360 or it has one extra frame like the PS4 (hasn't been confirmed yet).
Xbox 360: Input lag is around 4 frames. Slowdown accuracy is overall pretty good, except when using Lei in Arcade mode, where it is noticeably missing in some spots. Best version of X mode. The only version with the Tsukaima Race minigame.
Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu
Switch Version 1.5: Port of the Steam version, not the X360 version. Slightly better slowdown accuracy than the X360 original. Same input lag as Xbox 360. Arrange A is missing most of the slowdown, and remains superior on Xbox 360.
Switch Black Label: Port of the Steam version, not the X360 version. Much worse than X360, with less slowdown, faster overall slowdown speed, and inaccurate laser-hits that make it easier to score in stages 4 and 5. Same input lag. Recent patch has messed up the game even further with a "laser bug" that still has not been fixed by Livewire, after 6+ months.
Xbox 360 Version 1.5: A superb port that still looks a little better than the Switch port. 3 frames of input lag. Best version of Arrange A.
Xbox 360 Black Label: The best version of Black Label available anywhere (I prefer it even to the Arcade original). 3 frames of input lag.
Dodonpachi Daioujou
PS4: Best in terms of accuracy, modes, options, and input lag (2 frames).
Switch: Same as PS4 except 2 more frames of input lag.
Xbox 360: Very good port but not as arcade-accurate as PS4 and with fewer modes. 3 frames of input lag. The Arrange mode (and its soundtrack) is exclusive to Xbox 360, and still worth owning just for that.
Dodonpachi Saidaioujou
Switch: A very good port of the Xbox 360 original with more accurate slowdown (even more accurate than the exA arcade version!). One extra frame of input lag (that isn't too noticeable compared to the X360 version).
Xbox 360: A good port, but input lag is around 4 frames and there is excessive slowdown in many spots, particularly in the last two stages.
ESPgaluda 2
Switch: A straight port of the Xbox 360 original but with an extra frame of input lag that is really noticeable (and annoying).
Xbox 360: Still the best home version, with the sharpest graphics and lowest input lag (3 frames).
ESPrade
PS4: Excellent accuracy, modes, options, and input lag (3 frames).
Switch: Same as PS4 except it has one more frame of input lag, which feels pretty noticeable (and annoying).
Ketsui
PS4: Best in terms of accuracy, modes, options, and input lag (2 frames).
Xbox 360: Very good port but not as arcade-accurate as PS4 and with fewer modes. 3 frames of input lag. The Arrange mode (and its soundtrack) is exclusive to Xbox 360, and still worth owning just for that.
Mushihimesama
Switch: Port of the Steam version, not the X360 version. Same input lag as X360. Slightly choppier or otherwise inaccurate slowdown in some spots.
Xbox 360: Still the best home version, with the sharpest graphics and most accurate slowdown. 3 frames of input lag.
***************************
Quick summary:
Switch = best versions of Daifukkatsu Ver 1.5 and Saidaioujou.
Xbox 360 = best versions of Daifukkatsu Black Label, Daifukkatsu Arrange A, Espgaluda II, Mushihimesama, Deathsmiles II, and Deathsmiles II X Mode. Still worth owning Daioujou and Ketsui on X360 as well, due to their excellent, exclusive Arrange modes.
PS4 = best versions of Daioujou, Ketsui, and ESPrade.
Xbox One = best versions of Akai Katana and Deathsmiles.
Best to worst (in games with 3 or more home ports):
Akai Katana: Xbox One > PS4 > Switch > Xbox 360
Deathsmiles: Xbox One > PS4 > Switch > Xbox 360
Deathsmiles II : Xbox 360 > Xbox One > Switch > PS4
Deathsmiles II X Mode: Xbox 360 > Switch > Xbox One > PS4
Daioujou: PS4 > Xbox 360 > Switch
#32
This port will be discussed later today (in Japanese) in the scheduled livestream below, from 6-7pm (Tokyo time):
https://www.youtube.com/live/E7gwGyPPLZY
https://www.youtube.com/live/E7gwGyPPLZY
#33
From City Connection and TAKE x OFF:
https://city-connection.co.jp/muchimuchipork-pinksweets/
Seems to be a port of the X360 version with added arranged BGM options.
One thing that is concerning is they do not list Matsuri Ver among the Muchi Muchi Pork game modes. Hopefully that's just a mistake, as it's one of the best modes in the Xbox 360 version and if it's not in here that will really dampen my enthusiasm for this release, as well as require me to keep the Xbox 360 version around.
I'm also hoping they improve the slowdown accuracy in both games, like they did on the Akai Katana and Deathsmiles ports! And fix that error in Stage 5 (MMP) with the squadron of ships appearing in the wrong place. This would be a great opportunity to include the infinite lives trick in Pink Sweets (as an option in the settings) as well. Scanline filters would be great too.
Weird and disappointing that they're skipping Xbox One/Series for this release. Their previous games were released there, and there are many Xbox fans of the original MMP/PS release.
https://city-connection.co.jp/muchimuchipork-pinksweets/
Seems to be a port of the X360 version with added arranged BGM options.
One thing that is concerning is they do not list Matsuri Ver among the Muchi Muchi Pork game modes. Hopefully that's just a mistake, as it's one of the best modes in the Xbox 360 version and if it's not in here that will really dampen my enthusiasm for this release, as well as require me to keep the Xbox 360 version around.
I'm also hoping they improve the slowdown accuracy in both games, like they did on the Akai Katana and Deathsmiles ports! And fix that error in Stage 5 (MMP) with the squadron of ships appearing in the wrong place. This would be a great opportunity to include the infinite lives trick in Pink Sweets (as an option in the settings) as well. Scanline filters would be great too.
Weird and disappointing that they're skipping Xbox One/Series for this release. Their previous games were released there, and there are many Xbox fans of the original MMP/PS release.
#34
I tried out the HI SCORE mode (online ranking) in the Xbox version, and got first place, and also got a slightly higher score. This mode uses the lifebar (called "LIFE" style in the config) instead of the traditional lives (called "HERO" style in the config), which is a bit harder because you have fewer bombs to use. Also, it only gives you 3 life blocks and there's no way to expand it even if you get a 1UP. Anyway, not a big deal. I no-missed until the last boss, where I got hit once in the last phase.
Prehistoric Isle 2 [ACA NEOGEO - Xbox Series X)
53,399,400 - Type A - ALL (20 Rescued) - USA Version (LIFE Style)
Prehistoric Isle 2 [ACA NEOGEO - Xbox Series X)
53,399,400 - Type A - ALL (20 Rescued) - USA Version (LIFE Style)
#35
I picked up Prehistoric Isle 2 (ACA NEOGEO - Xbox Series X) the other day. Only took me about 10 credits to get a 1CC.
52,163,500 - Type A - ALL (19 Rescued) - Japanese version (HERO Style)
I died once on the Stage 1 boss, then no-missed the rest of the game. First time I made it to Stage 5, and I just winged it to the end. Very easy game. The scoring system isn't very appealing to me, so I'm going to move on to other games.
52,163,500 - Type A - ALL (19 Rescued) - Japanese version (HERO Style)
I died once on the Stage 1 boss, then no-missed the rest of the game. First time I made it to Stage 5, and I just winged it to the end. Very easy game. The scoring system isn't very appealing to me, so I'm going to move on to other games.
#36
It's a shame this has come at a time when CAVE are finally working on proper STG development, albeit new arrange modes for existing titles, but it's not the disappointing news it would've been 10+ years ago. It actually leaves me wondering if he'd be open to some freelance or consulting work with other STG developers. Either way, I wish him well. Quite the legacy.
#37
I wonder what Yagawa is doing... 
#38
#39
I started playing Zed Blade (Operation Ragnarok) a few days ago. Here's my best score so far:
3,443,100 - Stage 7 - Uncle Beard (Wave/A-S/Wave) - Autofire ON - ACA NEOGEO (Xbox Series X)
I got up to the final stage in a previous credit but my score was slightly lower. Pretty difficult game from Stage 5 onward due to the fast bullet speed, things coming at you from all angles, and a hit box the size of a Buick. Not sure I'll be able to 1CC this one unless I practice the later stages a lot. Overall it's a pretty fun game that sort of feels like a horizontal Pink Sweets without the medaling.
3,443,100 - Stage 7 - Uncle Beard (Wave/A-S/Wave) - Autofire ON - ACA NEOGEO (Xbox Series X)
I got up to the final stage in a previous credit but my score was slightly lower. Pretty difficult game from Stage 5 onward due to the fast bullet speed, things coming at you from all angles, and a hit box the size of a Buick. Not sure I'll be able to 1CC this one unless I practice the later stages a lot. Overall it's a pretty fun game that sort of feels like a horizontal Pink Sweets without the medaling.
#40
OK, I figured out how to get that x128 multiplier on the ST6 boss for an extra 6.4mil, and I pulled it off in a 1CC.
Blazing Star
26,912,100 - ALL - Windina - ACA NEOGEO (Xbox Series X)
Still playing at fairly low rank. I think I'd need to change to high-rank tactics to score substantially more than this. I might fiddle around with that and see if it grabs my interest. Otherwise, it's on to other games.
Blazing Star
26,912,100 - ALL - Windina - ACA NEOGEO (Xbox Series X)
Still playing at fairly low rank. I think I'd need to change to high-rank tactics to score substantially more than this. I might fiddle around with that and see if it grabs my interest. Otherwise, it's on to other games.