We store cookies, you can get more info from our privacy policy.
3DSSwitchWiiU

Episode 621: Phallic Ships and Sonic's Hips

by James Jones, Greg Leahy, and Guillaume Veillette - May 5, 2019, 12:52 pm EDT
Total comments: 6

There are no plans to redesign RFN to account for these terrible decisions.

Download in MP3 Format

Subscribe to MP3 Feed

Subscribe via iTunes (Please rate and review, too!)

We're really just playing to our stereotypes at this point. Greg kicks-off New Business with Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection. Konami now also remembers when Konami made games. He then moves onto with Darius Cozmic Collection, an M2-produced collection of a trio of Darius' sprite-based games. While this collection doesn't support hooking up an outrageous number of monitors for the "true arcade experience," it is a great chance to play these classic shooters...if you're willing to import it. Physically. There isn't a eShop release. Maybe Taito, relegated to an arcade brand in Japan, forgot the Internet exists. James has an update on Galak-Z, and perhaps you should pass on this one. He then moves on to Venture Kid, a Mega Man-like shooter trying to evoke NES sensibilities. It's totally functional, controls well, looks pretty decent, but is in many ways underwhelming. It might be worth a look, but definitely keep eyes open for this studio's next project. Guillaume is out to solve the mystery of Darkside Detective's DLC, namely - how does he own Darkside Detective's DLC. As a fan of point-and-clicks, he offers a positive recommendation. He BOXed up BOXBOXBOY after playing it to completion, and BOY is it a good BOXBOY game. He also took a look at bunch of Switch demos, as a general reminder that demos exist on Switch.

After the break we tackle Listener Mail. The mistakes compound on themselves this week; we explore: a really old question about GBA Final Fantasy games, what series would look good in in hand-drawn 2D animation, and why Sonic looks so-so-bad as 3D animation. You can tell us where you've stashed your camera by sending us an email.

RetroActive is coming up quick! This time we're puffing along at The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks for DS/Wii U Virtual Console. Impressions and whatnot can be posted here or by sending us an email. You have until May 16 to pay your fare.

This episode was edited by Guillaume Veillette. The "Men of Leisure" theme song was produced exclusively for Radio Free Nintendo by Perry Burkum. Hear more at Perry's SoundCloud. The Radio Free Nintendo logo was produced by Connor Strickland. See more of his work at his website.

This episode's ending music is Main Theme from 428 Shibuya Scramble. Composition by Naoki Sato. It was requested by K-S-O. All rights reserved by Sega Games Co., Ltd.

Talkback

KDR_11kMay 06, 2019

There's another cheap Megaman-like on the eshop called Meta Gal. Maybe that's more interesting than Venture Kid?

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterMay 08, 2019

Ironically I was playing my Vita which has the first 9 final fantasy games loaded on it that I got for like $3 apiece while they were discussing the final fantasy question.

It's not so surprising, given how those games are being talked about a lot lately due to the ports, and that seems to still be the best way to play them.

I'd play them on Vita if I had one. I've tried playing FFVII on PSPgo, but the screen is just too damn small to offer a good experience. Doesn't feel epic.

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterMay 11, 2019

I'd say the PSP go is actually the best way to go because you can play it on a TV if you want through the little dock they sold for it and a Dualshock 3.

ejamerMay 11, 2019

Quote from: pokepal148

I'd say the PSP go is actually the best way to go because you can play it on a TV if you want through the little dock they sold for it and a Dualshock 3.

The video output is limited to component or composite cables, which aren't well supported any longer... but if you have a suitable TV then I agree with this assessment. It's like a Switch precursor that allows you to play PS1 Classics at home or on the go.

That said, aren't the the Final Fantasy games before 7 not so great on PSP?  I've heard a lot of people complain about the constant loading times between battles and whenever you enter the menu screen.

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterMay 12, 2019

The loading times before battles are about as long as the ones before battles in 7-9. The one for opening the menu is like a second at most (although the PS1 had more than enough ram to be able to keep the menu in memory at all times so I feel like there's no excuse for it being there at all). Overall, the load times for 1, 2, 5, and 6, are not much worse than the ones for 7-9.

It's not optimal but in my opinion they are far from being anywhere near as bad as people make them out to be. I think the reason they got that reputation is because the Playstation version of Chrono Trigger is absolutely atrocious in terms of load times and people who only played that assume the Final Fantasy ports are just as bad. Honestly as far as portable versions are concerned, I'll take the PS1 load times over the GBA versions with butchered audio.

Enjoy the wonders of PS1 Chrono Trigger by the way.

Got a news tip? Send it in!
Advertisement
Advertisement