NeoGeoNinja

That "Tube game" really could have used a full-on Cart release imo. I understand that path is not for everyone, but it just looked so damn accomplished. With a bit more spit and polish (i.e. Logo, GUI, Menu's etc) it was bordering on commercial release territory imo...

Just had a read through and pondered a couple of things: 1. Do the codes/letters somehow correspond to values pertaining to: a. Stage (world and level i.e. 2-1) b. Difficulty (i.e. easy) c. World Cup Pieces (??) < whatever this actually means? d. Number of continues (i.e. 1) e. Number of Lives (i.e. 2) f. Number of Hearts (i.e. 3) I'm not sure how it works, but I'm going to presume that the 6 in game 'values' correlate against the 12 characters per password (i.e. 2x characters is a corresponding value to each attribute, for example, "FF" could represent "Hard Mode" ) I wonder if the values can be manipulated to achieve a selected/optimum outcome (i.e. Stage 2-1, Easy Mode, 15 continues, 15 lives, 15 hearts). Don't take these values as literal, as I've never played the game and 3 hearts may be max etc and... 2. If you're going to upload these codes etc to game FAQ's, is it not worth trying to make the results per code consistent? (i.e. same continues, same lives, same hearts?). As suggested, I imagine the code output/given is affected by your statistics/attributes upon completing a stage.

It's right, right up there for me too tbh Sauron. Definitely an ongoing interchangeable in my top 5. But right now, I'm all about the charm and personality of those more 'arcadey' Jaguar exclusive titles for the system > the 3D experiences. Tempest is right in the middle!

Suppose, being new and all, it'd be rude not to offer up my (current) top 5! In no particular order: Tempest 2K Super Burnout Protector SE PowerDrive Rally Ultra Vortek - Honourable mentions... (i.e. would be top 10 inclusions) Rayman Doom Zero 5 Iron Soldier Hoverstrike

Objectively speaking, yes; Ultra Vortek is the only fighter on the Jag worthy of any sort of positivity. Whilst personally, I also enjoy Kasumi Ninja and *gasp* Dragon. On the opposite end of the scale, DDV and FFL should be kept at a safe distance to avoid untreatable corneal ulceration...

Didnt realise that anyone had ever, outright, felt that the likes of Raiden (especially), Theme Park or even Syndicate as "shit" games. Ah well...

I'm just being a victim to trends set by earlier cart releases and being negative tbh Sh3. That is, when I align my preconceptions agianst your rational facts, outlined above. Seems there is hope yet then?

WiiU, at this rate. Just make that touch screen into a dedicated touch screen numerical keypad and *VOILA* Or not.

I've wanted this game for some time. Ever since it was announced/introduced. Unfortunately, as is common with many independent games releases, they often take a long time to release vs the initial announcment. Sadly, the physical (Cart) release of this title came at a time where I wasn't in a comfortable enough position to pick up a copy (unlike Another World, which was more of a, rug-from-beneath-your-feet situation, unfortunately). It saddens me to think that: 1) I may never have the chance to own or play the cart release of this title and... 2) the prices that the Jaguar "community" will command upon resale of said cart release. I saw what happened with AW, a week after it shipped. What can I say? I hope Matthias plans to make more carts in the future. As with AW, I don't see the point in spending lots of time creating a piece of work, only to limit release quantities in the end. I understand, financially, developers just want to play it safe vs pre-orders, but with certain releases, there will always be a demand for them in future. Obviously, just not the same demand as the intial 'hype' window...

Exactly this. Living in the UK, happening across retro in general (since the demise of the 'original' GameStation) is few and far between, especially in non-city/non-educational institution driven areas, like where I live. The only place where you happen across such goodness, I'm afraid to say, is eBay. Especially for those who live rurally etc. Without eBay, I most definitely would NOT have the collection I have amassed today. Especially where imported items are concerned. Certainly, I did already own a lot of UK/PAL titles that I had bought and held onto from when the consoles were current, but looking back, that stuff only makes up around 30+% of what I am in posession of now. All my import NeoGeo, Saturn, PS1, PS2, DC etc all came via eBay over the years... long before I had ever heard of or joined "forums". As for the increase in prices? Same old, same old; supply and demand. There's a definite correlation between: 1. newer generations of gamers not born/just born/too young to be into systems of old, who missed out, and now have an active interest 2. the stagnation of the current generation of video gaming 3. older generation gamers bored with current gen gaming, wanting to enjoy, once more, the simple pleasures and passion of calssic games of past generations All that directly correlates to the prices. Not only are more PPL now interested in older games (thanks to the above, but also, anti-pop culture minded individuals and recent gaming trends [retro popularirty] ) but there are a good many 'new' individuals - young and old - wanting in on the action who haven't been active in the reto games market place and haven't had their finger on the pulse like many of us have, for the past 10 - 15 years or so. The demand has increased and the last 10 years - plus eBay's worldwide marketplace penetration, has allowed for fellow longtime observers to make the decision to build a business from the growing treand of retro gaming and push the boundaries of what PPL are willing to pay using the auction process. Bit by bit. High prices, I feel, can largley be attributed to the increase in the retro gaming trend, vs internet retro hyberbole (i.e. Racketboy and his 'hidden gems' articles and '20 best games for "x" console' articles), vs the disposable income of well paid individuals of our own age (30 - 40) who may well still be single, without commitments (property, children or otherwise) and those student loans, or other disposable incomes for students at Uni/College. I've seen all of this, 1st hand, as an observer. PPL blowing a weeks wage on a game vs the "well, I get paid again tomorrow anyway" mentality. Thus, regardless of how crazy we think the "going rate" is, to newcomers, that's just the standard (if not expensive) entry fee to the rides in the park. PPL's mileage may vary, but I know that there are certainly plenty of us here who paid 'normal' prices for titles that we would never pay such excessive prices for nowadays (sans collectors with more money than sense, who are ALSO contributory to the inflation of this hobby). I think I've rambled enough...

These two (quoted texts) resonate most with me. I own the Jag, PSX & SAT releases of Rayman, and although the Jag version is great, the other two were (not massively, but overall) superior. I also have to bring into question, how PPL run their games (i.e. being from the UK, all my systems run through RGB SCART as standard - except my 3DO, which can't). When you run all 3 versions through RGB, they all look phenomenal. The whole 65,000 vs 32,000 is a myth too, almost bordering on hyperbole! Objectively speaking, the order I feel runs: Saturn > PS1 > Jag. The thing that really makes the Jag version standout imo is the fact that it's on cartidge format... which is VERY cool. Maybe, if Hoverstrike CD and IS2 CD are anything to go by (vs their cart counterparts), they could have maybe re-released Rayman on Jag CD and it would have been, pretty much, either the PS1 or Saturn version?! Ah... the speculation. - Also, not sure if I can agree with the (loosely quoted) 'whatever 2D the PS1 does, the Jaguar can do it better'. Whenever this is suggested, my mind always defaults to 2D fighters. Now, although the PS1 has a reputation for not pulling off 2D fighters as well as the Saturn, and although there are often compromises somewhere, the PS1 still made a decent effort and made the most of what it could (i.e. the Marvel vs series, although reduced to 1-on-1 instead of tag battle fighting, the games still ran very well etc). With that logic, I'd (obviously) like to see how the Jaguar (CD) would run the likes of the PS1's Street Fighter Zero 2 Dash, Street Fighter Zero 3, Vampire or Vampire Saviour? But, we'll only ever be left with speculation and "what if's?"...

Forgot to mention actually... If you can find an open-minded gamer, like yourself, who can extract fun from most games put in front of them, Club Drive can actually be decent fun if you play 2P in either Tag or Powerball. I 'subjected' a friend to it recently and he admitted that aside the engine noises, sketchy controls (workable, mind) and some disorientation sometimes due to lack of textures (depth perception), that he actually enjoyed playing it with me. I think he ws entertained by the crazy music too!

Appreciated, I've just 'walked in' through the front door here, but I imagine this 'ere thread is treading on thin "thread locked" flavoured ice, round about now? If not then... * Hyper NeoGeo64 > N64 & JAG * I jest...

Not exactly, as you already stated, you knew of the Jaguars reputation. I just imagine hooking the machine up and playing less than 10 of those games would have given you a hands-on idea of whether it was worth investing time and money into. That's all. But, as you've already insinuated, the hunt is (arguably) as pleasurable as the gaming for you, and if that's what you enjoy, then noone is in a position to tell you to do otherwise Seriously... I do hope you enjoy the games though

As has already been suggested, there are plenty of great games for the Jag you need to experience, however - and I don't mind saying - you don't own ANY of them. Grab some of the mentions here (Tempest2k, Super Burnout, Wolfenstein, Iron Soldier, Missile Command etc) and Power Drive Rally and then come back with your '3rd Impression'

Ah. So I'm not alone in my opinions on Fight for Life then. Potentially the worst 3D fighter I have ever played. And... I've played a lot (inc. Criticom, Masters of Teras Kasi, and FIST [saturn import]). I can probably think of more, given time, but none as underwhelming as FFL...

I agree with most of what LS650 said tbh. I really think you should always have some sort of expectation or underlying understanding of something before you buy it. With games, I actually NEVER read reviews (regardless of whether or not it ends up being to my detriment) but, I will ALWAYS check out gameplay vids, of games new and old, before buying them, so I can make an informed decision for myself. Musics a dificult one, but presumably, you will have either heard something by a band/from an album before taking the plunge, or will have it recommended by someone who knows and understands your tastes, and is someone you trust. At least, that's how it's always worked out for me. Similar should apply to films (fave directors, actors, familiar license etc). All said and done though Madman; well done. I hope you enjoy the majority of those games. Especially Highlander, Double Dragon V & Club Drive...

Objectively speaking, I think C- for Hoverstrike on Cart is JagCD bias laden levels of unfair. I reckon it's a solid B myself. A great game in its own right. However, I do know the CD version is superior overall. Also, wasn't it suggested that the CD version of Impulse X was "supposed" to contain more levels or offer the ability to save custom designed stages to the Memory Track... or similar? Presumably... it didn't...?

I've had a Cart copy of IS2 for years now, and mine came with the silver label. It's not ideal, but it makes it seem more unique, at least. You might have to order one directly from Telegames (UK) to get one with the label you desire. Have you contacted them to find out what the deal is?