Sidearms or Super Raiden? which one should i buy

[rolins]

What do you guys think about Sidearms Special and Super Raiden?

I'm looking for a tough shmups to play. I've already beaten Super Star Soldier, Gunhed, and Nexzr. I've looked at some reviews online and these two games were considered very difficult. Which one should I buy?

[GUTS]

Man if you want a challenge, get Sidearms.  That's probably the toughest shooter I've ever played!

[rolins]

I guess I'll get Sidearms, but the hardest shmups I've played is Silver Surfer for the NES. That game is completely unbalanced and I've never been able to pass the first level.

By the way, is there any difference between the hucard and CD version of Sidearms?

[nodtveidt]

I've never played Super Raiden but I can tell you from experience that yes, Sidearms is an exceptionally difficult shooter. The only PCE shooter I can think of that can top mighty Sidearms in terms of difficulty is Sinistron...and its Japanese counterpart, Violent Soldier, is even harder. The cool thing about Sidearms is that it's pretty arcade-faithful, minus some graphics and the two-player option.

I don't know about the difference between the card and cd versions, but I'd imagine that the music is going to be the most obvious difference.

[esteban]

What do you guys think about Sidearms Special and Super Raiden?

I'm looking for a tough shmups to play. I've already beaten Super Star Soldier, Gunhed, and Nexzr. I've looked at some reviews online and these two games were considered very difficult. Which one should I buy?

Sidearms: if you dug Section Z (NES) or Forgotten Worlds... you'll like sidearms. All of these games have the neat (unusual) feature where you shoot forward and backwards.

I would get Sidearms Special (CD) -- you get the regular HuCard version (with Redbook Audio soundtrack) PLUS you get a special remixed bonus version of the game (some folks don't like the re-arranged mode, but I appreciate the variety--though the original game seems more polished).

Don't pay too much for Sidearms Special because historically it's been one of the cheaper titles (i.e. like Avenger).  If you can't find the CD cheap, I'm sure you could pick up the HuCard cheap. Then, if you really dig the game, you could always upgrade to the CD later.

Raiden -- if you've never played this game, well, it's a classic. It didn't break any molds -- it just took a popular shooter formula and executed it very nicely. If you've played a lot of vertical shooters, then Raiden will be nice, but straightforward and perhaps not as exciting.  

Sidearms, in my opinion, has more interesting gameplay... but the power-up system (think 1942) can be frustrating. This power-up system makes the game more challenging and hectic... in Raiden, the power-up system is straight out of tiger-heli, in other words, it's simple and doesn't require much thought.

Super Raiden -- in addition to Redbook Audio, I was under the impression that it added an extra stage or two? I've played the heck out of the HuCard, but I've yet to get into the CD.

[rolins]

Well, I decided to just buy both games since I found them cheap. Bought new/sealed copy of Super Raiden and Sidearms (hucard) at japangamestock. Quite cheap, $31 for Sidearms and $36 for Super Raiden. The total cost was not to high because I used that 1000 yen discount coupon I found on in this forum.

I just hope japangamestock sends the correct games, and they had better be sealed. I'm worried because japangamestock had two prices for Super Raiden. A used copy was $46 and a new/sealed copy was $36. Does not make sense why a brandnew copy should cost less than the used copy. I figure they made a typo, and thought I should take advantage of the low cost while I can.

[rolins]

Recieved Sidearms and Super Raiden in the mail yesterday. Both are sealed and brandnew. I have to say Sidearms is really tough, not a lot of room to dodge the bullets and some of the enemys are cheap. On the other hand, bosses are easy. Manage to get to the third level so far. Super Raiden, love it more than Sidearms, got to the fifth level. Reminds me a lot when I played Nexzr, memorization and skill is the only to overcome obstacles.

I all most forgot, Super Raiden [brandnew/sealed] costs $36.45 and a used copy is $45.79 at http://japangamestock.com. They really made a typo on their website, so if anyone wants a brandnew Super Raiden get them now before they switch the prices.

http://www.japangamestock.com/buy_video_games.php?products_id=7976

[esteban]

Recieved Sidearms and Super Raiden in the mail yesterday. Both are sealed and brandnew. I have to say Sidearms is really tough, not a lot of room to dodge the bullets and some of the enemys are cheap. On the other hand, bosses are easy. Manage to get to the third level so far. Super Raiden, love it more than Sidearms, got to the fifth level. Reminds me a lot when I played Nexzr, memorization and skill is the only to overcome obstacles.

I all most forgot, Super Raiden [brandnew/sealed] costs $36.45 and a used copy is $45.79 at http://japangamestock.com. They really made a typo on their website, so if anyone wants a brandnew Super Raiden get them now before they switch the prices.

http://www.japangamestock.com/buy_video_games.php?products_id=7976

It's good to hear that you got the new SR for $36! Glad you like Super Raiden, tell me if you can beat the last boss (I haven't beaten it yet). I don't use cheats, so it's taking me quite some time. I think there might be an extra stage on Super Raiden (vs. the HuCard), but I have never verified this.

Don't give up on Sidearms -- it really does grow on you. Coming up with a strategy for powering-up is the only big hurdle. Once you overcome that, you'll be able to focus on twitch-shooting 100% (OK, more like 90%, sinced the power-up system is cumbersome).

[Keranu]

Haha, nice screw up on Japan Game Stock's part. I think I found something similar like that on Japan Game Stock before as well actually.

[rolins]

I know I will be able to beat Super Raiden. It's hard, but doable after some practice.

I have more difficulty with Sidearms, mainly because it has a strange power up system. After powering up I've noticed that my robot (or main character) moves way to fast and I end up running into bullets while trying to dodge them. Is there a way to lower my speed?

[nodtveidt]

Recieved Sidearms and Super Raiden in the mail yesterday. Both are sealed and brandnew. I have to say Sidearms is really tough, not a lot of room to dodge the bullets and some of the enemys are cheap. On the other hand, bosses are easy. Manage to get to the third level so far.

If it's the same base game...you'll want to use the Shotgun weapon a lot as it can wipe out enemy bullets. I have a strategy for conquering Sidearms that involves using ths Shotgun for at least 90% of the game, since it has the ability to take out shots. I don't know if they removed that ability for the CD version though (the arcade version didn't have the feature...it was just another weapon, nothing special). But if it's still in the CD version...stick to the shotgun and you'll get much further. The first boss is freakin easy peasy...the second isn't too much of a challenge either (shotgun works very well here). I won't give away the rest but if the CD version of functionally identical to the cart version and you need some strategies for beating the game, let me know...I can finish the entire game without losing a single life just by knowing what weapons to use where and when.

[rolins]

If it's the same base game...you'll want to use the Shotgun weapon a lot as it can wipe out enemy bullets. I have a strategy for conquering Sidearms that involves using ths Shotgun for at least 90% of the game, since it has the ability to take out shots.

I have the hucard version, and never played the CD version. Anyway, the shotgun is definitely powerful, it cancels out most enemy bullets. Found to be very useful in the second stage, taking out those buggers on the ground that shoots out 3 bullets. Probably the hardest enemy for me to kill are those red worms that take several shots before going down.

I won't give away the rest but if the CD version of functionally identical to the cart version and you need some strategies for beating the game, let me know...I can finish the entire game without losing a single life just by knowing what weapons to use where and when.

You've actually beaten this game on the pc-engine?

Well, I don't want to spoil the fun trying to use insider tips. I'll try to find my own method to beat this game. But I wouldn't mind some help understanding the power-up system.

[Black Tiger]

Sidearms is very playable and reasonable throughout, except the bosses.

From level 3 onward they're ridiculous hard to dodge. I usually used a Turbo Stick with slow mo to dodge the unblockable shots.

The CD version also has an entire new(cuter) version of the game, so go for the cd or both.

[Keranu]

The CD version also has an entire new(cuter) version of the game, so go for the cd or both.

I didn't know about any new cuter version of the game! Any screenshots for this?

[Black Tiger]

The CD version also has an entire new(cuter) version of the game, so go for the cd or both.

I didn't know about any new cuter version of the game! Any screenshots for this?

Its basically 2 seperate games on the same disc.

The alternate version is subtitled Before Christ.

The power-up system is more like other shooters. Instead of shooting a POW, it changes on its own and you can pick between a wavy spread(it drags as you move), a straight shot(like the balls in the original) or a bouncing flame thrower(boomerangy).

Also, you can charge your shot like in R-Type. That big shot is like the cannon in the original.

It has the same cd music and same levels, but with completely redone graphics.






And these screen shots were taken from my RX using S-Video, not from an emulator. So everyone go get yours modded.