I got Metal Slug Anthology in the PSN sale.

Didn't realise it's a PS2 port.

Feels like there's input lag. Anyone else got any opinions on it?

Lag may be due to a (non-powered) HDMI switch box I've put in place, but I haven't noticed it in fighters where it'd be easy to tell if there's any extra input lag.

Still hard to go wrong with Metal Slug, Metal Slug X, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 4, Metal Slug 5, and Metal Slug 6 for €6.99.

Balls to that so.

I've just put in a refund request. They probably won't refund me because I've played it, but given that the description doesn't mention it's the PS2 port, I think I have a good case.

As predicted Sony, have said no refund.

I bought it by going to the PS4 section of the January Sale. I assumed it was going to be like the Mega Man Collection.

Really annoying me now.

Crickey. I'll never get over just how easy some people can make very hard games look. Show that video to a Metal Slug n00b and they'll probably be all "dun't look too tough, gimme a couple of 'ours an' arr can do that". Sure thing, Tarquin.

There is a genuinely genuine Run 'n' Gun thread lurking around somewhere that @BlueSwril made once upon a time after the pair of us derailed some other poor thread with Metal Slug shenanigans. Unfortunately I deleted all my bookmarks when I took a sabbatical from the forum. A few posts ain't gonna hurt though.

Back into the Gigawing groove now. Getting to level 5 with a couple of lives is what I'm expecting now.

Thing is. Level 5 is a nightmare of bullets. It's going to take some grinding and memorisation. I'm motivated to do it but when it starts to feel like work I start to wonder if its worth it. Still - maybe it's time for me to take a stand and not admit defeat.  Maybe this is what it takes for someone of my age and ability.

There's a score attack mode that unlocks levels as you access them in arcade mode on 1 credit so I now have level 5 available on that. It's just a pity that mode doesn't have a quick restart which would facilitate more efficient practice.

I've just read that the DC version has less slowdown than the arcade version. That's understating it - I have yet to experience any slowdown at all.  

I'm going to grind on and I need to start just playing score attack on level 5 and try to plan a route. There are a few youtube playthroughs that might give me pointers too. 

My current high score places me one off the bottom of the shmups.com high score table.  Go me!!

The modern shmup is such a demanding genre if you want to play them correctly - i.e. the 1CC. I'm not overly familiar with modern FPS and roam around games so maybe the tougher examples of those are in the same league. Would be interested to hear an informed opinion.  

I don't think they can be compared because their length excludes the concept of a 1 credit clearance?  The impression I have of modern games is that with save points and grinding anyone can complete them - but maybe something like Dark Souls is more in keeping with old school toughness?

Setting challenge aside I also believe that because shmups can be played for survival and then for score and then with different ships they have a longevity equal to seemingly larger games.

Gigawing, for example, consists of just 5 levels; each with a boss, and then a level 6 final boss fight, followed by a true final boss fight (level 7) if still on 1 credit. A run can be completed in 30mins. Of course that run is the result of many hours of practice. The muscle memory built up doing that gets severely challenged when trying one of the other 3 available ships - firstly because of the different movement speeds and shot configuration, but also because the order you tackle the first 3 levels also changes. This means you are playing the first 3 levels with different arrangements because the rank is partially related to the level number - it is really noticeable with the boss fights..no other genre consistently offers this differing level of challenge.

Haven't played Dark Souls but from what I've read here and elsewhere makes it sound very old school but also a bit of a time sink. 

The short run time of a shmup is what also attracts me to the genre as I've limited time and I usually lose the thread of any narrative in adventure games too easily. Sounds like Souls appeals to my sensibilities though.

Anyone gonna try Jap PSN store for Battle Garegga? Was out in December. I've forgotten password
For my Jap account. May have to open another one.

oooohhh.. got deep into level 5 tonight. 5.4 trillion first game. Then had 2 shit runs and gave up.

Being honest, I got cocky because I was scoring (for me!) really heavily and caning the early levels (hit 1 trillion after level 2 instead of at the level 3 boss) and then the  game smacked my arse.

I remember playing various versions of 1943 as a kid and later, always fun, but have no existence of the version you mention

The levels look a bit sleepy - esp. compared to modern games.

I'm all for old school shmups but Joint Strike looks depressingly bland. And yeah, I'm not sure the vertizontal style suits it at all. When it woks it's great (Jamestown take a bow) but here it looks like here you get a screen mostly empty of enemies and bullets which makes those dull backgrounds stand out all the more. Nah.

Will devour shmups.com's annual top 25 vote with glee though.

Whadda list, Davy! There's a fair few I haven't played granted, but the likes of Gunbird 2, Bangai-O, and Under Defeat all gettin' love warms my heart. Mushi Futari and well, anything Cave goes without saying. Mastery of the craft. Also, the inclusion of Radiant Silvergun but exclusion of Ikaruga is something I wholeheartedly agree with.

I might be tempted to have a go, on here like, dunno if I'm brave enough for shmups.com. Expect a shedload of doujin gems.