Radiant-Silvergun
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Deja Review: Radiant Silvergun
We're of the firm opinion that your time is too precious, too valuable to be spent reading a full review for a game that was already reviewed many, many years ago. What's the point of applying a score to a game that's old enough to be enrolled in the sixth grade? That's why we invented Deja Review: A quick look at the new features and relative agelessness of remade, revived and re-released games. It may not have garnered the same enthusiastic posthumous cult following as its little brother, but the Sega Saturn was a very good console -- provided you were a very specific type of gamer. Unlike its contemporaries whose processing architectures were designed to excel at 3D graphics (not 3D-glasses 3D, just, you know, polygons), the Saturn's extremely complex and unconventional processor configuration was uniquely suited for 2D, sprite-based games. While the Crash Bandicoots, Crocs, and Super Mario 64s of the period were pioneering the field of depth perception, the Saturn became a safe haven for 2D skill-based games like Radiant Silvergun. Despite the fact that it was never released stateside, Treasure's manic 1998 shooter is thought of as a definitive Saturn classic, which continues to influence contemporary shmups even to this day. Now, through the magic of XBLA, an entirely new generation of gamers are being exposed to the genesis of bullet-hell, and even after 13 years, Radiant Silvergun is still a relevant, infuriating masterpiece.%Gallery-102402%
Treasure put a lot of work into (optional) fake transparency for Radiant Silvergun
Nobody would ever accuse Treasure of lazy development, but a recent report from a Microsoft presentation showed just how deeply into the XBLA conversion of Radiant Silvergun the company is. President Masato Maegawa told assembled press that Treasure had worked for about half a year to get the game running on Xbox in a way that closely resembled the Saturn version. Some elements had to be reprogrammed, because they relied on Saturn hardware features. Speaking of Saturn adaptations, the XBLA remake will have user-selectable transparency levels. Because the Saturn couldn't handle "real" transparencies, it used screen-door style pixel meshes to simulate it. If you want that authentic Saturn feel, you can use those, or you can opt for true transparency effect. More modern additions include online co-op, and an Ikaruga mode that implements the "chain combo" scoring system from that game, and is only playable if you have at least one achievement in XBLA Ikaruga.
XBLA Radiant Silvergun includes both arcade and Saturn modes
Before the famous (and, soon after, very expensive) Sega Saturn version of Treasure's Radiant Silvergun arrived, the shmup was an arcade game. The Saturn disc included both the arcade original and a "Saturn mode" with new voice acting, extra levels, and additional bosses. The upcoming XBLA version will maintain the choice between "arcade mode" and "Saturn mode," both with optional updated graphics, Andriasang reports. The XBLA version also offers two-player online co-op, leaderboards, and an "Ikaruga" mode, which Treasure still hasn't detailed. Radiant Silvergun will cost 1,200 Microsoft Points ($15, or so much less than the Saturn game's cost) when it comes out sometime this year.
Kinect comes to XBLA, Microsoft Game Studios reveals five Japanese titles
Microsoft Game Studios unveiled five new Japanese partnerships during its Tokyo Game Show 2010 keynote today, each intended to "provide fun for users throughout the world." Takashi Sensui, general manager of Xbox in Japan, claimed the projects would "define the future of Xbox 360 and Kinect" -- a future that now promises Kinect-enabled Xbox Live Arcade games. Out of the five new XBLA-exclusive games announced today, three will use Kinect: Haunt, a spooky adventure from Parappa the Rappa's Masaya Matsuura; Project Codename D, a stylish new endeavor from Grasshopper Manufacture's Suda 51; and Project Draco, a Panzer Dragoon-esque flight game from Phantom Dust creator Yukio Futatsugi. These will join third-party Kinect games Child of Eden, Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor and Rise of Nightmares in 2011. Microsoft also revealed Fire-Pro Wrestling from Spike, and a new version of Radiant Silvergun from Treasure (much to the chagrin of eBay profiteers). Both are coming to XBLA in 2011.
Radiant Silvergun shining on XBLA
Was Bangai-O HD not enough Treasure XBLA awesomeness for you? How much awesomeness can you endure? During Microsoft's TGS keynote, the company announced an XBLA version of the developer's beloved (and expensive) Saturn shooter, Radiant Silvergun. The new version features online co-op, upgraded graphics, and a new "Ikaruga" mode, as well as a mode wherein you save a couple of hundred dollars by playing it on Xbox. It'll be out in 2011, exclusively on XBLA. %Gallery-102402%
Microsoft wants Radiant Silvergun XBLA remake
Chatting with Gamasutra, Treasure CEO Masato Maegawa revealed that Microsoft has been trying to win over their hearts, gifting them chocolates and giving massages all in an effort to bring the Saturn's Radiant Silvergun to the Xbox Live Arcade. Kidding about the chocolates and massages. Though, Maegawa makes it clear that even though Microsoft wants a remake that he and Treasure have yet to decide if they want to bring Radiant Silvergun love to the XBLA. Why wouldn't they? Well, Maegawa says that it'd take a lot of dev time to make it work on the 360 and he admits that "it's certainly aged in assorted ways, and I'm not sure they're all good." We were under the impression that aged Radiant Silvergun is like a fine wine. It only gets better years down the road.[Via Joystiq]
Microsoft requested 'Radiant Silvergun' XBLA remake, Treasure considering
There may soon be a way of picking up and playing Radiant Silvergun that doesn't involve second mortgages or selling plasma. Talking with Gamasutra, Treasure CEO Masato Maegawa revealed that Microsoft has approached the developer about giving the cult classic arcade and Saturn shmup a makeover for Xbox Live Arcade.While you reattach your jaw, it's worth noting that Treasure has yet to say yes to the remake, with Maegawa expressing concern that unlike Ikaruga, which blasted its way onto XBLA in April 2008, much more work would have to be done to Radiant Silvergun before it was given the green light. "If you play Radiant Silvergun nowadays," noted the exec, "it's certainly aged in assorted ways, and I'm not sure they're all good." Honestly Treasure, you can have our Microsoft Points, spit polish or not. Anything to keep our precious bodily fluids to ourselves.
Radiant Silvergun gunning for XBLA?
In an interview with 1UP, Masato Maegawa, president of Treasure (shooter developer extraordinaire) talked about the company's current and future plans for Xbox 360. Firstly, Maegawa mentions that Ikaruga will have many new features on Xbox Live Arcade, including online co-op and the ability to record and share movies. Also, Maegawa spoke about the 360 shooter that was first announced back in January. Apparently, development for the unnamed shooter has been slow because of the resource-intensive nature of developing for 360. Also, it seems that part of the shooter team is also busy porting Ikaruga to Xbox Live Arcade. Finally, and perhaps most intriguingly, Maegawa notes the possibility that Radiant Silvergun may be headed to XBLA complete with high definition visuals. The sound you just heard was the jaws of millions of shooter fans hitting the floor.
Ikaruga bound for Xbox Live Arcade
CVG has the scoop: Treasure's hypnotic, crushingly difficult and strikingly beautiful shoot-em-up, Ikaruga, is headed for Xbox Live Arcade. An early build of the game was spotted on the debug version of Xbox Live, which is only accessable through an Xbox 360 debug unit. Though the code wasn't functional yet, we imagine that Live co-op would make for an excellent addition to this particular version.For those who missed out on Ikaruga's previous console ports on the Dreamcast and Gamecube, know that the game is one of the genre's best -- at least if you're willing to accept the irremediable psychological damage caused by the game's never-ending sea of pulsating bullets. Let the torturous wait for further details begin!
Rumorang: NiGHTS returning on the Wii
This is one recurring rumor we'd rather not toss away, instead warmly embracing it and gently scratching behind its furry little ears. Unfortunately, much like realizing the kitten in your hands is actually a squirrel infected with rabies, the truth about a sequel to NiGHTS may just upset you. And tear your face clean off.If you follow the dubious rumor treasure trail, you're bound to end up at a Wii release list published on Japanese website, G-rev. Stashed between Animal Crossing and a Naruto game is the tantalizing mention of NiGHTS (or Naitsu), though no accompnaying release date can be found. It could be a remake, a sequel or an elaborate dance interpretation -- or a complete fabrication. Is the modern Sega even capable of producing a good follow-up to NiGHTS? Would Wii controls shine through the possible dreck of NiGHTS 2: Into Dwiims, now with fly-by shootings and a talking rabbit? Perhaps, but they'll have to make the game before we know. (In other news, G-rev's Xbox 360 page lists a Radiant Silvergun 3 ... )[Via Siliconera, Insert Credit]
