Curious Sofa

So, I may be in the dark, but I knew nothing about this thing. And now it has become just the 3rd game I am willing to part with full price for, in the 360's library. And I don't even think it will be perfect or a masterpiece, but it doesn't have to be. I loved Mortal Kombat 9 so much, they can pretty much just reskin it and sell me this as a DC Comics fighter. I'm good with that, and hoping for better. And Batman's super move (or whatever they are calling the "Double Triggers when your gauge is fully charged" move in this game) is wickedly funny, over-the-top hilarious almost like a Roger Moore James Bond intro scene. And pretty please, Netherrealm, don't blow it on this and rip me off. Do even half as good as you did with the latest MK and I'll be more than satisfied. Anyone else have any thoughts after trying the demo or watching video? Am I completely insane to be in love with this? I feel like it's the HD modern remastering of Justice League Task Force for the SNES I've been waiting a couple of decades for.

I love the Saturn....but the Saturn version of this game _sucked_. I remember it taking so much time to load, and so frequently, it actually seemed like you spent more time waiting for loading between scenes than you did playing. I was soooo disappointed. Especially after how completely awesome X-men Vs Street Fighter was with the ramcart. So this new release...looking damned fine. I'm in. Sold. Go Capcom. The Darkstalkers collection was fantastic, this will be another treat. And yes, seconding the motion above for a Power Stone collection. Or a Power Stone 3 if I may be so greedy. And to brush up on my D&D skills, I'll have some goes at King of Dragons on the original Xbox Capcom Generations 2 disc.

It definitely wasn't a hardware problem. The Dreamcast had issues, mostly in terms of Sega having lost its customer base, and in terms of not getting the EA Sports games and the Square Role Playing games it needed to woo the customers. And the VMU sucked. Oh, and the advertising was beyond idiotic except for the early "It's Thinking" ads which kind of ruled. But bullshit like that Jet Grind Radio ad, just almost trying to not sell games. But the DC's graphics and chipsets, completely awesome. And for those of us who valued fighters and arcade style action games above all else, it was / is the best of all time. Partially because the graphics are so great.

I wasn't actually huge on the early, true LucasArts games, but I still find this incredibly sad news. How hard would it have been for Disney to restructure, rather than completely destroy? Maybe very hard, I don't know. I desperately want a _great_ Battlefront 3. I've seen the leaked video of how cool it was coming along...but I want it to be polished like Battlefront II was. Not garbage like the developer's next project along those lines, Pandemic studio's Lord of the Rings battle craptastic game. And Pandemic kind of got gutted / rearranged by EA, so who knows if a great Battlefront is even a possibility any more. I'm still sad about Midway getting closed down. Even though I think that WB is doing a very nice job with the licenses they have (really loved the latest MK and Hydro Thunder), it's still heartwrenching.

And don't forget a 7800 Moon Patrol. But this is getting off the point that Desert Falcon, in concept, seems an easy -> Zaxxon hack. Easy and worthwhile. And conceivably completely awesome. Follow this up with a perfect port of Congo Bongo (you know, since it's isometric too and ran on the same arcade board as Zaxxon).

I actually think the Marquee is very cool, personally, so to each his or her own. This gets a huge thumbs up from me.

Am thoroughly enjoying it so far, haven't been around to play much though. Initial impression is that the music alone really got me into the Saturn feel. But of course....badly miss the six-button Street Fighter style controller. Thinking hard about getting one for my 360 for this and for SF3: 3rd strike.

Shadow Squadron and Virtua Racing Deluxe are probably the only two absolute Must Haves I can think of for 32X, but they are _really_ startlingly good (considering honestly how bad most of the rest of the library is). Spiderman: Web Of Fire is okay but it's like $200 on Ebay now, not that good. Blackthorne is very good, but is pricey to get. I would recommend Virtua Fighter, but kinda only so you can play it, get used to it, then play the Saturn version and be all "ooooooh, it's sooo awesome!". And then play VF5 and cry for your old systems being so bad at 3d. And then play the PS2 VF4 EVO special mode with the VF Anniversary game, which features new characters and moves and animates them in VF1 style. And then be happy with that, the best VF ever. I digress. Zaxxon's Motherbase 3000 is pretty good, really. It's a lot like Viewpoint for the Neo Geo, and has some interesting conventions. And like Zaxxon of old, it's _hard_. Watch video of it, maybe try it on an emulator, I find it well worth owning.

Doing some downloadable fun with a points card I got - really enjoying Iron Brigade for tower defense fun. Very funny, and very professionally put together for a $10 game. Finally got around to buying Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown. My favorite of the VF series will probably remain VF3, but this one isn't bad. I really like the addition of Jean, he kicks a lot of patoot. Spent the 400 points on Sonic: The Fighters and Virtua Fighter 2. Both are good and worth the points, but I will say the camera problems in Sonic when you fight Mecha Sonic are really frustrating. Also doesn't help that I'm a scrub and can't seem to beat the mofo. Still thinking about Ugly Americans though the reviews are poor, I do enjoy the demo a lot. Also considering Nights, even though I have it on Saturn. Not sure if I'll get the full version or save my remaining points for some Pinball FX tables and the forthcoming Darkstalkers XBLA release.

I have never been any good at Tempest, but have always appreciated the game for its sound, its character and how interesting it is. I finally got around to playing my 5200 copy today, and I'm still terrible at it... But am slowly, ever so slowly getting better. I normally get to around level 6 on a decent run, so yes, I need much improvement. I have to agree with most of the reviews I'm seeing, the game is amazingly well put together. The manual is gorgeous and well thought-out, the graphics and sound are fantastic, and I love that they threw in a demo mode. Very professional all around, what a gem!

Good list, most definitely. Laser Gates seems underrated, that's a treat and a half. I was just reflecting yesterday on how completely great Crazy Climber for the 2600 is. The gameplay is just wholly addictive, and it's about as perfect as a port of that kind can be. Such irony that it was so rare. Worth the $500 or so it goes for CIB these days? Maybe not, 'til I wins the lottery.

Toyshop Trouble is wonderful...and I am seconding or thirding the astonishment that K.O. Cruiser didn't get more mentions, it is an amazing feat and has incredible replay value. It's basically Super Punch-Out. And it's a port but I just have to throw out a big thumbs up for Star Fire.

I personally like the Plants Vs Zombies calendar an awful lot

Getting off subject here, but I just have to post a snippet of what Chrome helpfully "translated" from this auction listing into English: "Micro Merchant joystick-1 for Commodore, Amiga, Atari, Amstrad, Schneider, Sinclair, M SX and a ther Heimcomp uter No A STATEMENT whether noc h fun ktioni t s. Have no connection options and sell it here without fun ction of.Bastl Flowerbed arf, or for salvaging." Most definitely, Bastl Flowerbed arf, or for salvaging".

You were spot on about Dynamite Deka, it's Model 2. I did love the Model 2 and 3 boards dearly... But Zombie Revenge was indeed a Naomi as it turns out: http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10539 This one wasn't a light-gun game but a brawler (my favorite genre), so if you want it for your new console, you can get it. In any case, your console is just completely awesome. Especially with the customizing that you've done with the etching of the Naomi logo onto the plastic, and the color-matched joystick. It's in a lot of ways the ultimate Dreamcast. And since the DC will possibly always be my favorite console....you've got a really, really, really special and awesome piece of machinery there sir. What do you plan to use for display?

I've gotten several games from Venezuela, and have never had any trouble. That is, apart from waiting roughly 1,103 months after ordering the item to receive it. But they've always shown up with no trouble, shrinkwrapped and perfect. That completely sucks that some hosebib fartface ripped your game a new one. Grrr.

I just have to chime in here and correct your question, MJ. As I basically have _no_ patience or fix-em-up skills beyond being able to open a joystick with a screwdriver, clean stuff with a q-tip and isopropyl, and _possibly_ put it back together right. And I love the 5200. Rather than asking yourself "how much patience do I have?", the question ought to be "Is it worth $50 on top of the cost of the console and games??". For a lifetime guaranteed controller, mind. For some, no, that's a waste for such a thing. For a lot of us, for a very special piece of Atari history, with arguably some of the best games of the 8-bit era (and almost inarguably the best sound effects of the Atari systems), it's a very easy yes.

Whereas, as a console fanatic, I would say get a 5200. If you're handy with opening up controllers, there are fixes around to keep your controllers in good shape. If not, buy one from Best Electronics for $50 and the problem is solved. The arguments above are valid re: the games available for the XE, however, sometimes if you want a console you want a console. And I really enjoy my 5200, you very well may too. As to the issues regarding the switchbox, just get a 2-port console, it doesn't have a switchbox. As to some games not working with 2-port 5200s, what is it, one game? Two? Pitfall maybe? I don't remember. I've got a 2-port system, a working controller, and I'm happy as a clam. I particularly enjoy Moon Patrol, the Dreadnaught Factor, River Raid, Pac-Man, Space Invaders (my favorite version of the game on any system), Miner 2049er, Galaxian, Mario Bros and I've got a few conversions / Prototypes that I love to pieces too. Donkey Kong Jr, Millipede, Jr Pac-Man, Super Pac-Man, and Xevious. I also revel in the fact that the system is simply HUGE. It's like a Star Destroyer in console form.

I am a big fan of both the Slik Stik and the Tac-2. I think that the Slik Stik gets me better scores and more comfort, though the Tac-2 is no slouch and feels much more awesomer with its size and such. A close second would be the CX-40, it's simply a fantastic all-around controller.

So where do you go about acquiring games for your "console"? I can't recall for certain, but wasn't Dynamite Deka a Naomi game, or was it one of the Model boards? And Zombie Revenge too? Those were dear to my heart. Also, how did you go about getting that awesome plastic cover, and getting it cut and etched with the exact Naomi logo?

I would add their legal draconianism versus things like Bleem! and Bleemcast to the rootkits thing, as well as their staunch anti- used game and anti-used game store stance, for causes for hatred. And a really, really awful launch of the PS2 (all hype, nearly 100% defect rate within 60 days for the first many thousand consoles produced, etc). I don't regard them as _that_ much worse than the other big companies. But worse. :S

GDG - is it really? I mean honestly, maybe I don't know good from bad, but it looks pretty good, and the pics seem pretty close up & genuine... Or do you just hate the color? And I paid $83 for it, then $10 to ship. So, simply, too much. But the Jawbreaker cart is one I needed, and that's worth about $15 by itself, meaning I paid realistically $68 for the Jr. And what's a decent Jr worth these days, $45ish? So yeah, I paid someone $23 to slap some red and black paint on some plastic.

This is just completely awesome, and I am in love with it. Daaaaaamn. Got a list of the games you have slated for this thing? Off hand I don't recall what all ran on Naomi... I'd love to sometime see a Model 2 or Model 3 console... Edit: No need to post a list of games....SINCE YOU ALREADY DID ABOVE. I was too excited by the pics to read text.

I'm a damned fool now parted with my $, but I bought it. Something about it just called to me. Plus I've been after Jawbreaker for a long time, wanted it CIB but now can give up as I will have a Jawbreaker console of sorts, plus the cart. And don't even say it, I know I paid too much and I could've done it myself. Fully aware. Just....found myself clicking on the Make Offer button and there it is.

Just heard about this yesterday, and am very very stoked. I still regard Nightwarriors for the Saturn (with the wonderful 6-button Saturn gamepad) to be one of my absolute favorite games of all time. I'm in. Control won't be as good, but high def plus extra goodies...good enough. (now they just need to release Shining Force III, Panzer Dragoon Saga, the original HOTD, Die Hard Arcade, Virtua Cop 1-3, Mystaria all in high def and I can combine them with Nights and Guardian Heroes already on XBLA...and I will be set. Oh wait, Dragon Force too. And Galactic Attack. And Fighter's Megamix. And Street Fighter Alpha 2. And X-Men Vs Street Fighter, and the Dungeons and Dragons collection. Ok nevermind. Nightwarriors is good.)