Really special games

robertvb83

its not a hidden gem at all but i myself just realized lately that there is hyper street fighter 2 anniversary edition.

How cool is this? i mean this is not just another iteration of a game. it is not like a re-release or something. I think this game is really for the gamer, for the enthusiats that know the exact changes for each of the characters of each of the SF2 versions.

It is like a gift to an older generation of gamers that used to love these games in the first place. I have the feeling that profit is not the first priority here!

Now of course you can chose the game version and your character will just behave exactly like in that version, plus you are limited to the characters of this version. And if you were not able to chose the same character for P2 in an older version it is not possible here either... But now even cooler, in 2P mode you can play different versions of characters against each other. This is elevating the whole game to a higher strategic level chosing a character and version considering the opponents choice.... Just awesome! They also included the hidden AKUMA of super turbo.

My question is, can you think of any similar special editions where lots of thought has been put into satisfaction for the gamers and celebrating a great game of the past? (preferably arcade, but also consoles would be interesting)

VictimRLSH

If mention of pinball is allowed, I think Black Knight 2000 was a great homage to the original Black Knight game. It kept the look and feel while updating the sound, lighting, scoreboard, and playfield gadgets. Like the original, the backglass was a real work of art.

http://www.pinballrevolution.com/threads/black-knight-2000.3024/

thelostsoul

@robertvb83 Hyper Street Fighter 2 is not new to me. My friends and me was playing it on console years before this. At first, the idea having all editions in a single edition sounds cool and, it is for sure. But there is a problem. The balancing of each iteration gets lost, as you can mix up different versions in a single fight. If you don't play for competitive and a little bit more serious, then this game is a really cool mix up.

robertvb83

@thelostsoul yes thats totally true but you can always chose same versions with balancing just right!
Whats great is that you have all these opportunities, but can always play purist style also

VictimRLSH

@thelostsoul I'm not what you would call a 'Grammar Nazi', but I believe a grammatical error was made when 'balance' and 'Street Fighter' were used in the same context. :P

thelostsoul

@victimrlsh Yeah, thats true too. I easily forget how "balanced" the older Street Fighter generations was. Whenever I play these games, I don't see them like they are now, but how I saw them when I first encountered. Hopefully that makes sense now. :p (Btw, I'm from Germany ;-) )

VictimRLSH

@thelostsoul If you want a really well balanced arcade fighter that doesn't have identical characters, Mortal Kombat 1 is probably the best choice. MK2 threw balance out the window though. :(

thelostsoul

@victimrlsh Oh I have to dissapoint you. I never liked the Mortal Kombat series and just don't understand how someone can think these games would be good. :D No offense here, just my opinion. But its so huge popular, it buffles me.

I throw in a different game here, as a good prime example for a balanced gameplay: Garou- Mark of the Wolves by SNK.

VictimRLSH

@thelostsoul First, Mortal Kombat 1 is the only one in the series with really good game balance. You don't see it in any of the rest. Another thing that makes it a great fighter is you can't just sit there and wait for your opponent to do something so you can perfectly counter it. MK1 rewarded the aggressor. I was still in the arcade biz when this came out, and only 1 store in my district had it, so I made any excuse I could to go to that one so I could play it. :) I did, however, think the gore was totally unnecessary (but probably contributed to the coin drop) and detracted greatly from the gameplay.

thelostsoul

@victimrlsh Ok, even tough I don't like the controls, I will try this game again. What version would you recommend on the Pi? I don't use the experimental MAME and so, Mortal Kombat does not work on Arcade on my Pi. Would you say the Mega Drive/Genesis version is the best?

VictimRLSH

@thelostsoul mk.zip runs fine on pi 3 B with mame 2003 for me. I'd recommend mapping the Block button to the left shoulder or left trigger, it is used for a lot of combos and special moves (but actually using it to block won't get you very far...) and you need it in combination with the other buttons.

Clyde

@thelostsoul @VictimRLSH The arcade MK1 controls for comparison: https://i.imgur.com/ihJSryH.jpg

As @VictimRLSH said, the shoulder or trigger buttons should be the obvious choice on gamepads. I wonder what the best button mapping on the typical 2x3 arcade layout would be. edit: HP BL HK / LP BL LK or anything better?

robertvb83

@clyde this is exactly how i mapped the controls. It is nearest to the mk arcade panel layout.
To be honest i never really played that game.... I also will give it a deeper look

BobHarris

@thelostsoul You really will want the arcade edition. All 16 bit ports look poor in comparison.

I play mk sometimes, but it can't hold my interest like Street fighter does.

VictimRLSH

@bobharris Single player on the SF games actually IS a bit more interesting, but PvP turns into a staring match with two good players.

Clyde

@victimrlsh said in Really special games:

@bobharris Single player on the SF games actually IS a bit more interesting

In my case, "interesting" means the computer wipes the floor with me even in the first fights. I never was good in these games and probably never will. But strangely enough, with the exception of two SF veterans most of my friends are even worse and thus, are good PvP ~~victims~~ opponents for me. They usually get to feel the full rage I built up in 1P games (edit: and in PvP games against said veterans). 😇

BobHarris

@victimrlsh I find it fascinating to watch high level play of Street fighter III 3rd strike.
One of the greatest recorded PvP moments ever is from that game.

VictimRLSH

@bobharris Deserved it for using Chun-Li. No matter how much that character has been buffed, she just doesn't cut it for me.