PC-Engine Laser Disc Games.

[SuperDeadite]

Well considering half the board is now LaserActive crazy, might as well have a topic.
Sadly, PC-E LD library is mostly edutainment crap and pr0n.  I have Vajra, Vajra 2,
and Angel Mate.

Vajra and Vajra 2 are FMV shooters.  Like other titles such as these, gameplay is
limited.  More like a "visual roller coaster" then games.  Angel Mate is just strip
poker with boobies.

Vajra 2 is the best of the PCE titles IMO. 

[esteban]

Great video, thanks! Don't forget about H.B. Harold when discussing the "best" PCE LD titles

Vajra 2

While I liked that the first boss fight was confined to a small, tiny compartment (creating a sense of claustrophobia), it was the second boss (the crab with swinging pincers) that seemed much more impressive. If only the first boss was less passive--it would have made the confrontation a bit more exciting to watch.

I liked that the second stage has our hero walking everywhere--it certainly adds a sense of "variety" to the gameplay and reinforces that our hero is a mecha, not simply a glider or a mosquito. Accessing the doors to the "HVAC" ducts was kinda  nice, too.

I was hoping that there would be a greater variety of enemy designs (I counted 3-4? thus far) with a bit of variety in their offensive/defensive AI...but I am a simple man who can be content with a basic rails shooter.

GOAL: I hope that one day, I will be able to play Vajra and Vajra 2. I know it will provide some fun for me.


Aside: I am so envious of all the LazerAktiv ownership on the board.

[BlueBMW]

You're making me jealous with that Vajra 2 video   I've only got Manhattan Requiem and Quiz Econosaurus on LDROM2.  I haven't played Manhattan Requiem yet, though I hear it is pretty good.  On the other hand, I have played Quiz and its absolutely awful

I've found that the Laserdisc games are unique.  While they're mostly FMV games, the clever use of LD video playback plus game graphics overlay produces some very unique and graphically stunning titles!  I've been playing Hyperion (Mega LD) and am blown away by the how beautiful the game is.  When I think of what else was available in 1993, the LD based games have got to be the most graphically advanced.  Of course modern systems blow them away, but the technical achievement is admirable.

I've always known about the Laseractive, but I never thought I'd ever actually own one.  It was on a whim that I picked up my first one from Saibot.  It is definitely unique.  If you can afford one, definitely pick one up.  Maybe we can setup up a game exchange for the people on here so that not everyone has to buy all the games.

For reference, this is what seems to be the average pricing of the hardware:

CLD-A100 (Pioneer US or JPN)  ~ $200 - $250 shipped
PAC-S10 (US Sega) ~ $80 - $100 shipped
PAC-S1 (JPN Mega Drive) ~ $50 - $75 shipped
PAC-N10 (US TG16) ~ $500+
PAC-N1 (JPN PCE) ~ $225 - $275 shipped
PAC-K1 (Karaoke) ~ $50 - $75 shipped

Some of the PACs are prone to capacitor leakage like our Duo systems.  So beware if one starts to get a little wonky.  The Sega PACs seem to be more susceptible to this.

[TheClash603]

"Angel Mate is just strip poker with boobies."  How come this sounds so awesome to me?

The US TG16 based LD games are so few, it is hard to even get a good coversation going.  Vajra is a decent amount of fun, and its fakes Virtual On type gameplay is rather neat, but the other on rails shooters of the system are better.

Quiz Econosaurus is at least better than the TG16 dinosaur game, but there's not much of a reason to play unless you like dinosaurs.

Manhattan Requiem (JB Harold) is pretty bad ass, and the medium definitely made it the definitive version of the game.

...and that's it.  I hope to pick up some JP games at some point to be able to expand on the conversation.  The Mega LD (Sega) stuff on the other hand, some of it is awesome.

[SuperDeadite]

Angel Mate is certainly one of the better adult titles.  Easy to play, has an English text option,
and it's poker.  It's certainly more fun then the Virtual Cameramans at least.

[Tatsujin]

even better than The Local Girls of Hawaii & Bikini Girls?  

[esteban]

So, I was inspired by this thread and uploaded a page scan on Vajra 2 (nothing too exciting, but, hey, it's neat to see that Pioneer LD games were getting at least a little exposure here in North America).

Vajra 2 (PCE LD) and Ghost Rush (Mega LD) in November 1994 EGM

The blurb mentions two modes of play (Shooting Mode, High-Speed Mode). Your scoop?

[vestcoat]

If you can afford one, definitely pick one up.

I found a poorly-listed Laseractive with either the TG pack or the PCE pack (can't remember which) all for about $150 on ebay in '07 or '08.  The dumb seller was so vague in the listing that no one bought it for a whole day or two.  I thought about buying it long and hard, but decided not to go down that road.  Still not sure I made the right choice.

EDIT:  Come to think of it, the 3DO is probably a much cheaper way to play obscure, semi-playable, formerly-cutting-edge retro games.

[TheClash603]

So, I was inspired by this thread and uploaded a page scan on Vajra 2 (nothing too exciting, but, hey, it's neat to see that Pioneer LD games were getting at least a little exposure here in North America).

Vajra 2 (PCE LD) and Ghost Rush (Mega LD) in November 1994 EGM

Very cool, thanks for the scan!  Post more if you find them.

[nat]

The only reason I'd ever get a LaserActive would be to play Duo games, and seeing as I already have a Duo and SuperGrafx for that, the LA would be just yet another piece of equipment I'd spend money on and never touch.

[BlueBMW]

The only reason I'd ever get a LaserActive would be to play Duo games, and seeing as I already have a Duo and SuperGrafx for that, the LA would be just yet another piece of equipment I'd spend money on and never touch.

You wouldn't even give the laserdisc exclusives a try?

[Black Tiger]

The only reason I'd ever get a LaserActive would be to play Duo games, and seeing as I already have a Duo and SuperGrafx for that, the LA would be just yet another piece of equipment I'd spend money on and never touch.

You wouldn't even give the laserdisc exclusives a try?

I would try the hardware and software after I'd obtained every PC Engine game and anything else I'd like to play more first. Otherwise, I'd be spending money on something I'd enjoy less.

At least in theory.

I owned a Laseractive with Sega Pack for a while. Couldn't be bothered to pay the high price for the LD games though. Not at the expense of others.

I'd still like to get a Turbo or PCE Laseractive setup someday, but it'll take a great deal landing in my lap to make it happen sooner than later (which is how I wound up with my first Laseractive ).

[nat]

The only reason I'd ever get a LaserActive would be to play Duo games, and seeing as I already have a Duo and SuperGrafx for that, the LA would be just yet another piece of equipment I'd spend money on and never touch.

You wouldn't even give the laserdisc exclusives a try?

Maybe eventually, but like Black Tiger said, only after I'd acquired every Duo game I was interested in.

[Mathius]

So, I was inspired by this thread and uploaded a page scan on Vajra 2 (nothing too exciting, but, hey, it's neat to see that Pioneer LD games were getting at least a little exposure here in North America).

Vajra 2 (PCE LD) and Ghost Rush (Mega LD) in November 1994 EGM

Coincidentally, I have that very issue in my bathroom at this very moment.

[PunkicCyborg]

Are you guys watching LD movies on these things too? Almost all of my favorite movies and anime are from the golden age of LD. I've been wanting to pick up a player but am holding out for a LaserActive to fall off the back of a truck.