Arcade High Score Challenge - Round 9

Retr0gamer

Valkyrie no Densetsu/The Legend of the Valkyrie

Apparently one of the all time great Namco games that remained stranded in Japan. It's a top down shooter with branching paths and Wonderboy in monster land type levelling up. It also features some impressive scaling graphics which made it's few conversions rather disappointing due to the lack of this capability on console hardware at the time.

Same rules. 1 credit, default dip switches and settings.

unky chop chop

Nice one,i've heard of it but never played it .

Look forward to it . Loved wonder boy in monsterland. Was first kinda game with RPG elements I encountered on the C64

Retr0gamer

Its on consoles under the hamster arcade archives brand of anyone wants to join in that can't use mame.

Retr0gamer

Two Quick goes. Got pretty far into stage two. Really enjoying this game. The board this was on must have had insane specs for the time. Also love the music.

o1s1n

Never heard of this but it looks excellent.

I see it's actually on Namco Museum Vol. 5 for the PS1. Would probably be the way to go if anyone wants to play it on MiSTer.

Retr0gamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123158049#Comment_123158049

Not sure how accurate those Namco museum versions are, I think they aren't emulation. However that version is in English.

unky chop chop

Just gave it a quick credit there ...I'm liking it.

That soundtrack is so so familiar. Did Wonderboy use it ?

The scaling effects are deadly .1986 !!! Jeez well ahead of it's time for that carry on. Took years and years later for Nintendo to champion that technique with mode 7 on the snes

unky chop chop

Also can't find any English version other than pc engine version . Guess I'll have to plough through with lads telling me れほまへの and not having a breeze . Same as Wonderboy in monsterland that had no English translations , but sure ya get the jist of it

Retr0gamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123158601#Comment_123158601

I actually think punchout arcade predates this and that had scaling although I'm pretty sure Turbo by Sega was the first game with scaling.

The theme for the game is apparently very fondly remembered in Japan and Namco use it a lot in their games.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123158624#Comment_123158624

There never was an English version officially for arcade. PC engine I think is a fan translation. The only english language version is on the Namco museums but I think that was built from C with the source code.

Even in Japanese it's probably easier to figure out than rainbow Islands.

unky chop chop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123158760#Comment_123158760

Ahhh here now ,there best be some RNG in this or I'm out 😀.

Retr0gamer

RNGesus never liked me.

At least it will make more sense than whatever was going on in Rastan.

unky chop chop

😂

I've a mate that I play heads or tails with a good bit when I'm out having a few beers .

He always , always wins. If he does it's then double or quits if I want.

Ive ended up paying him 600 euro on one session before . So even a 50/50 chance each time is constantly stacked against me.

Ive put his kids through college over the years

Retr0gamer

Dont get me started on the pokemon TCG on my phone. Wonder picks are a 1/5 chance to get a good card and I went on a 25 pick losing streak.

I think I'm so good at RPGs is because I cant rely on luck to get me through so have to abuse the systems 🤣

Anyway maybe you should do the lotto, you are owed some luck although I think you just blew it all beating me at rainbow Islands.

unky chop chop

Yeah my only luck in life was that raining money bags in rainbow islands ...sad isn't it 😂

Retr0gamer

If it's any consolation it drove me nuts trying to beat your score.

unky chop chop

Actually that is consoling ,😂

Your score in track and field just put me off straight away ...didn't even try after that .

Another attempt. I encountered the multiple paths you spoke of now in the 2nd level .

unky chop chop

Amd yeeeeeees , praise RnGesus ...there are money bags in this .😂😂😂

unky chop chop

Its just come to me what that sound track is also in.

Willow - arcade version. my head was melted trying to think what else it was from. I refuse to Google things to get answers and try to use my noodle. I'm chuffed I got it...it's the small victories in life :)

A great game , ...seems like a natural successor to this, same mechanics

https://youtu.be/843mYmisJTU?si=uApbRw8FLacGOjHB

Retr0gamer

Ok that's bizarre because one is a Namco game and the other is a Capcom game. Unless Namco stole the tune from the Willow movie?

unky chop chop

Yeah strange one ...it's at the start of the very first level in that vid of you listen. Cracking soundtrack. Maybe it is willow soundtrack and namco thiefed it .

If not ,Maybe a few bob there in a lawsuit for namco if capcom robbed it 😂

Maybe I'll give capcom a shout and ask for a few quid or I'll let the cat out os the bag to namco

o1s1n

Downloaded the Hamster arcade archive version on the switch and it works perfectly, really great game. The scaling is indeed rather amazing to see for a game from the late 80s.

In and around the 50k mark after a couple of goes, will see how I go!

Retr0gamer

Had a listen. Both very close but it think legally distinct!

Retr0gamer

73K was the best I got tonight. Too many stupid hit taken and the antlion is annoying.

Retr0gamer

I looked up how to play and there's not a lot too it. The shield gives wider shots, the trident gives three-way and the other more colourful yoke is homing. The leafy yoke is health.

unky chop chop

Ahhh .. makes perfect sense .. a shield isn't a shield :) I kept buying it as thought it was some protection

I got some raiden type wave shot on that last run, I picked it up , didn't buy it

Ill give this another crack of the whip later .

unky chop chop

Ahhh don't know what mad route I took through level 2 last time but I can't get near my last score.

Came across some wizard on an island up top of level 2 though that gave me another spell

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123161574#Comment_123161574

72k was my highest this evening. Made some stupid errors when jumping platforms!

unky chop chop

Got a nice run just there . A good bit into level 3, and a got a third spell which turns you into a giant .

o1s1n

Nice!

Retr0gamer

Feck. Not long to try and beat that.

Retr0gamer

Got some good runs there. Got to the Third boss in this one but he is tough as old boots and I made the mistake of getting health instead of a weapon beforehand.