*crosses fingers* Taito Legends 2 comes out this week! . . . Right?

[jer7583]

Another great classics compilation is coming out for PS2, thumbing it's nose at the $5(or more) a game being charged for classic downloads on other systems, Taito Legends 2 packs in over 40 games for just $20.

Okay enough of that press release cheerleading stuff. Word is that this is coming out next week, but it's been delayed so many times that I wouldn't be surprised to see this release date go unfulfilled again. Anyway, here's the list of titles.


Alpine Ski
Arabian Magic
Bonze Adventure
Cameltry
Chack'n Pop
Cleopatra Fortune
Crazy Balloon
Darius Gaiden
Don Doko Don
Dungeon Magic
Elevator Action Returns
The Fairyland Story
Football Champ
Front Line
Gekirindan
Grid Seeker: Project Storm Hammer
Growl
Gun frontier
Insector X
KiKi KaiKai
Kuri Kinton
Legend of Kage
Liquid Kids
Lunar Rescue
Metal Black
Nastar Warrior
Puchi Carat
Puzzle Bobble
Raimais
Space Invaders 95
Space Invaders DX
Super Space Invaders 91
Violence Fight
Wild Western
Balloon Bomber
G-Darius
Ray Storm
Syvalion


I'd get it just for Elevator Action Returns and G-Darius, but there's a lot of other good stuff on there, plus games i've never played. Development is being partially handled by nicola salmoria, one of the original geniuses behind MAME, so it should be good. (and the original Taito Legends was too) It's just a shame we aren't getting the extra few games from the Xbox version in japan. (which oddly enough isn't coming out here at all, only on PS2.)

This is one of those $20 games you can't pre-order at EB/Gamestop, like the red star was, so don't expect this one to be so easy to find. I'm probably going to pick it up this week for that reason.

I'm not so good with the forum stuff, so if someone could show me how to make an affiliate friendly link to EBGames so as to help CAG out a bit, it'd be appreciated.

[Chacrana]

I'm going to pick this up as soon as Gamestop gets it this week... too many great shmups to even consider missing it.

[jer7583]

EBStop has the release date posted as next week now. Looks like the game might be starting the tumble downhill to cancellation. I really am not optimistic that we'll ever see this in America.

[Chacrana]

Fuck. That's really disappointing. This is one of those games where I'm not actually going to believe it exists until I'm holding it in my hands. Hopefully it really will come out next week.

[jer7583]

Me too, I was looking forward to picking it up wednesday after finals were done. Guess it's back to the shivering isles. Maybe I'll use that $20 for one of the Capcom Classics Collections.

[Chacrana]

Me too, I was looking forward to picking it up wednesday after finals were done. Guess it's back to the shivering isles. Maybe I'll use that $20 for one of the Capcom Classics Collections.

Couldn't fault you there -- both CCC collections are excellent. I'm still getting this as soon as it's out of course... should be finished up with Final Fantasy X International in time to get into this right away.

[Roufuss]

EBStop has the release date posted as next week now. Looks like the game might be starting the tumble downhill to cancellation. I really am not optimistic that we'll ever see this in America.

It won't get cancelled, EB / Gamestop are just really fucking bad about getting games like this on time.

Remember Victorious Boxers 2? That one got delayed ad nauseum, sometimes by a day, sometimes by a week. Remember Metal Slug Anthology PS2? Delayed a ton.

It'll come, just be patient. I'm pretty sure Taito didn't decide to spring for a press release for vaporware.

[jer7583]

Yeah, it probably will be released, it's just been delayed many times.. I think it was supposed to come out sometime last year, I could be wrong.

[DesertEagleXIX]

They probably won't be available until Friday, since this was a $20 non-reserveable game. For new $20 Gamestop corp is too cheap to get express shipping.

Still I'll be picking this one up!

[Puffa469]

I tried to reserve this from Gamestop yesterday and it wouldnt even show up in their computer. =(

[Roufuss]

I tried to reserve this from Gamestop yesterday and it wouldnt even show up in their computer. =(

I think I've read somewhere, maybe on CAG, that for lower print run, lower priced titles, they don't do reserves, probably because, as was noted up above, Gamestop won't spring for next day shipping for these so they will get them when they get them.

It took all of my local stores almost *three weeks* to get in Red Star when it was available since 4/26.

[Puffa469]

I ordered Red Star thru Amazon, but it was actually from Target direct. And I dont even have it yet, I just last night got an email saying it shipped. I was getting nervous and was thinking about ordering the Autographed version before the game dissapeared entirely.

I guess for Taito 2, I'll have to go on a hunt the minute I hear that its actually out.

I dont mind tho, cos these types of games, Red Star, Raiden III, Taito 2, are the games that are gonna be in high demand going forward.

[jer7583]

The clerk at EB seemed confident it was going to be coming out this week.. who knows, though.

[Chacrana]

Apparently, it's now billed as a Gamestop Exclusive. This game is definitely going to be hard to find real quick.

[Puffa469]

Apparently, it's now billed as a Gamestop Exclusive. This game is definitely going to be hard to find real quick.

Frackin Gamestop wont do a preorder on this title, but luckily I know a GS manager, and he is keeping his eye out for this for me. They know to put one aside for me, and if its the only copy, NOT to gut it and put it on the shelf.

[Chacrana]

Frackin Gamestop wont do a preorder on this title, but luckily I know a GS manager, and he is keeping his eye out for this for me. They know to put one aside for me, and if its the only copy, NOT to gut it and put it on the shelf.

Yeah, I'm going to be pissed as fuck if they only have gutted copies when this is out tomorrow. Here's hoping I get win and manage to get this game within the next day or so.

[Mr. Anderson]

Is it for sure coming out tommorow?

[Chacrana]

Is it for sure coming out tommorow?

Apparently, Destineer has shipped the game to retailers, so I'd assume that the answer is yes. G Darius and Ray Storm will be mine!

[jer7583]

Gonna have a look today or tomorrow. Not hopeful that I'll be able to get a new copy, i'll have to settle for a "new" copy. freakin gamestop.

[Chacrana]

Gonna have a look today or tomorrow. Not hopeful that I'll be able to get a new copy, i'll have to settle for a "new" copy. freakin gamestop.

Gamestop's site is saying "ships 5/16", so I'm not sure you'd be able to score a copy of the game today... but if you manage to, I want to know because I will fuckin' run over kids to get to that mothafuckin' store.

[jer7583]

Yeah, these delays have really generated some frothing demand for me here. No luck today, i'll try thursday probably.

[Puffa469]

*edit* Goddamned False Alarm!!! >(

My GS manager called me to tell me that this was in, but when I ran over there just now, he confused me with some other people that asked to be called when some ps3 baseball game came in, which it did today. Such a tease! Moral of the story: If the GS people write down your name and number on a post-it to call you when a game comes in, make sure they jot down which game your waiting on! =(

[Chacrana]

It's still not in the computer according to my Gamestop. Gonna go there tomorrow and knock over the magazine rack if they don't have it.

[jer7583]

I'm calling online only or cancelled. If it's not even in gamestop's computers by now, it's not coming out this week. Ugh.

[Roufuss]

I'm calling online only or cancelled. If it's not even in gamestop's computers by now, it's not coming out this week. Ugh.

Ugh... it's not going to be cancelled, this happens, just have to be patient.

Victorious Boxers 2 wasn't in Gamestop's computer either, because many times EB / GS don't bother to take preorders for budget games. I don't know why, but I have to imagine it's because there really is no set release date since it's from tiny publishers, so they don't have people getting pissed when the game isn't in "on time", or if it is vaporware.

It'll show up, it'll just take a long time probably. Hell, no EB / GS got The Red Star until at least two weeks after it was available online.

The fact that it STILL says "Preorder 5/16" on the website makes me think that they are about to push it back again. Once it's out on the website, you can use the store locator to really see if any stores are expecting it in.

According to GameFAQ's (I know, shitty source right) someone emailed Destineer Studios who wrote back that the game passed Sony's certification, has been shipping to retailers, and will be out soon. EB / GS probably sprung for the cheapest shipping ever to get it to their warehouse, and again out to the store, which is why there is a delay... they have no need to overnight a budget game that only 10 people care about.

I can't wait though, it's a shame we'll never see the Xbox exclusive games in Taito Legends 2 though (Rayforce, Bubble Symphony, and Cadash).

I've never heard of Destineer, so they must be some extremely small outfit which would also explain the numerous shipping delays.

[soonersfan60]

The manager at GS said they don't take pre-orders on "budget" games because corporate is worried about pre-order fraud...

[jer7583]

Okay probably not canceled, but definetly we won't see it this week. I'm starting to go beyond hyped into not caring. I won't be getting both Taito and Odin Sphere next week, and you don't need two guesses to figure out which one of those wins out..

[Roufuss]

Okay probably not canceled, but definetly we won't see it this week. I'm starting to go beyond hyped into not caring. I won't be getting both Taito and Odin Sphere next week, and you don't need two guesses to figure out which one of those wins out..

You may have given up too early.

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=281730

Now shipping in 24 hours.

If by tomorrow, the locator won't bring up any results (like it is now) and no one is reporting finding it at EB / GS, I'll order it online with SAVER. But I'll wait one more day because I'd like to play this ASAP.

[Chacrana]

N...nani!!!? Man... I guess I'll have to hightail it to Gamestop tomorrow morning and pick this sonuvabitch up.

[Roufuss]

N...nani!!!? Man... I guess I'll have to hightail it to Gamestop tomorrow morning and pick this sonuvabitch up.

Unless you plan on being in the area, I'd call them first.

Just because the website offers it for sale, doesn't mean the stores will get it asap... especially if they go for extremely cheap shipping.

Gotta point again to the Red Star incident, where EB / GS online had it available to buy for at least 2 weeks before the EB / GS's here got their copies in, and even then, only 1/4 of the stores around me ever received copies of the game.

This seems to be the new MO at EB / GS, that only certain stores, I have to assume high volume stores, are getting the budget releases.

I'll give EB / GS until tomorrow, possibly Friday, before I just say fuck it and order it online. I wish the locator worked for this game so I could at least see which stores ARE expecting a shipment.

[Puffa469]

Thanks for the link Roufuss. I went ahead and ordered a copy from the site, just to hedge my bets. If I see it in-store before I get my copy in the mail, I'll pick that up too.

Somehow I dont think an extra copy of this game will be hard to get rid of.

[Roufuss]

So, anyone had any luck yet?

The Gamestop store locator still won't let me check stores to see if they are even expecting it... I'm just about ready to order it online. Puffa, did they ship your order yet?

[Puffa469]

So, anyone had any luck yet?

The Gamestop store locator still won't let me check stores to see if they are even expecting it... I'm just about ready to order it online. Puffa, did they ship your order yet?


I cant tell. My order doesnt show up yet on the website (normal for an order I put in a few hours ago) and I cant check my personal email at work. =(

I stopped by my store again today at lunch, and it wasnt in yet, but the manager told me they hadnt gotten their daily shipment in yet, so I'll probably call them right before I leave to go home today.

[DesertEagleXIX]

I am looking for this too, and I have been quite frustrated. I'll order in Friday afternoon on-line if the game hasn't been spotted in retail stores.

Also, does the PS2 and PSP version contain the same games? I've heard there are a few variations.

[jer7583]

I think the PSP version is like the original Taito Legends, with a few TL2 games thrown in? Didn't feel like researching it, but i'm sure it's listed somewhere.

[Halo05]

In related news, those of you looking for the Xbox exclusive games (Cadash was what sold me on it) should know that the European Xbox version works fine on US Xboxes. I got mine off eBay a couple weeks ago for a total of around $24.50. It's a blast, G-Darius has me sold on this version as well.

Sorry if someone's already mentioned this, I didn't read the whole thread.

[DesertEagleXIX]

PSP Version contains:
* Space Invaders
* Space Invaders Part 2
* New Zealand Story
* Phoenix
* Alpine Ski
* Elevator Action
* Crazy Balloon
* Chack n' Pop
* Lunar Rescue
* Balloon Bomber
* Legend of Kage
* The Fairyland Story
* Rastan Saga
* Raimais
* Cameltry
* Qix
* Kiki Kaikai
* Kuri Kinton
* Return of the Invaders
* Space Dungeon
* Space Chaser
* Balloon Bomber Enhanced – Exclusive to PSP
* Cameltry Enhanced – Exclusive to PSP
* Crazy Balloon Enhanced – Exclusive to PSP
* Legend of Kage Enhanced – Exclusive to PSP

And is NOT exclusive to Gamestop. However, Gamestop states the collection contains 40 Games, and shows "On the Ball"

PS2 Version contains:

Alpine Ski
Arabian Magic
Bonze Adventure
Cameltry
Chack’n Pop
Cleopatra Fortune
Crazy Balloon
Darius Gaiden
Don Doko Don
Dungeon Magic
Elevator Action Returns
The Fairyland Story
Football Champ
Front Line
Gekirindan
Grid Seeker: Project Storm Hammer
Growl
Gun Frontier
Insector X
KiKi KaiKai
Kuri Kinton
Legend Of Kage
Liquid Kids
Lunar Rescue
Majestic 12
Metal Black
Puchi Carat
Puzzle Bobble 2
Qix
Raimais
Rastan 2
Space Invaders 95
Space Invaders DX
Violence Fight
Wild Western

Plus, exclusive to PS2:

Balloon Bomber
G Darius
Ray Storm
Syvalion

[Roufuss]

Just to let you guys know, the store locator DOES NOW WORK for Taito Legends 2.

This is good because now you can see which stores are planning on getting it in stock, and it seems even LESS stores near me are getting this than even Red Star. It seems less than even 1/4 of all EB's / GS's in a 50 mile radius expect this game in.

It seems only two stores out of 8 or 9 in Tampa is expecting this in, and only three stores in my area out of a possible 9.

I will call soon to the only local EB I can tolerate that is semi close that is getting this in, and if they don't have it, it's online ordering for me, as neither of the two stores 5 minutes from my house are *ever* expecting any copies.

But this is good because if your local store is never expecting any copies, order it online ASAP.

[Chacrana]

Heh, no stores within 100 miles have it and none are expecting it to come in. Im' sure that's incorrect.

[Halo05]

One of my 2 local stores is expecting it. No mention of quantities. I'll have to head over there today and see if I can preorder. If not, online for me as well.

[jer7583]

guess i've gotta go with online.. ugh. It figures gamestop would make it exclusive and then not send it to any stores.

[Roufuss]

Yea, fuck waiting for a B&M to get it in store, I'm just going to order online.

EDIT: And done. With Saver, I just paid for the game + tax, and I had a $5 credit on my credit card anyways so I paid $16 after everything is all said and done, and now I don't have to call the EB that is 15 minutes away every day waiting for them to get in a game they don't even know exists.

I doubt they'll ship it today, so if it shows up this weekend on the locator I can just cancel my online order.

This was my first order from Gamestop.com in over a year :lol: I decided in the end I really don't want to take any chances with this.

Isn't it hilarious how CAG as a whole always jumps on things they imagine to be rare, but something like this, that really has a chance of being rare, they just completely ignore?

[SithFran]

On the Gamestop site is says that Rastan 2 is in the compilation, is this true?

[Chacrana]

Yes, Rastan 2's supposed to be in there.

[soonersfan60]

Thanks for the working online locator. That was helpful because the store I usually get things from (when needed only) is not getting any. Called another store which is getting it and the game is actually in their computer (the other store no getting it never could find it on their computer), and he told me they should have it Monday. I'm willing to wait to avoid the online hassle, but I'll order Tues if it's not at the B&M yet.

[SithFran]

Well I called around to the stores the locator says will eventually get some in. Seems like they won't get them in till Monday.

[jer7583]

I'm going to wait until after getting odin sphere to order online, incase it shows up in-store.

[Roufuss]

Sweet, my order I placed today with Saver already shipped.

Does anyone know if SAVER has any sort of tracking, or what delivery service they are using for it? I'd assume USPS?

Anyways, I'm just excited it's actually been released for well, and I'll have a copy next week sometime without having to call up EB every damn day.

[Halo05]

Haw haw, it still hasn't arrived at any store near me. I gave up and ordered it online.

Like someone else said, good job at getting an exclusive game and then not stocking it in the stores.

[Puffa469]

My local b&m still doesnt have it. I ordered from the EB site the other day and still havent gotten a shipment confirmation. Now its like I cant find this in stores and I cant get it online! >(

[Ziv]

My local b&m still doesnt have it. I ordered from the EB site the other day and still havent gotten a shipment confirmation. Now its like I cant find this in stores and I cant get it online! >(

Saw two at an EB in FL today. They had just unpacked it.

[Roufuss]

My local b&m still doesnt have it. I ordered from the EB site the other day and still havent gotten a shipment confirmation. Now its like I cant find this in stores and I cant get it online! >(

Weird, I ordered this on Friday and got a shipment confirmation within 3 hours of placing the order.

I ordered from Gamestop.com though.

Store locator for my area still says it's "on the way" but hasn't shown up yet. Whatever, I should get this today or tomorrow hopefully.

[Chacrana]

I'm gunna call again. All my stores are showing that they expect stock in and I don't want to wait for the USPS, so...

eh, we'll see what happens.

[Roufuss]

I'm gunna call again. All my stores are showing that they expect stock in and I don't want to wait for the USPS, so...

eh, we'll see what happens.

The irony is that if you had ordered when it became available last week, you'd probably already have your copy :lol:

[jer7583]

Still no luck with the EB here.

I HATE going into this one too because the manager is such a dick. He's a middle aged pudgy white guy who runs an EB games in a somewhat run down part of town, so he acts like he's a gangster. He also is one of those arrogant managers who knows everything, and the customer is never right. Ugh. The other employees aren't any better, for example when my sister wanted a DK Jungle Beat set they had on sale early in the year, it took 10 min of back and forth until he admitted he had one in the back kept for himself and sold it to us.

The last times I asked him if they had taito legends 2 in he basically seemed skeptical that it existed, and told me I should have pre-ordered. (of course, he didn't believe that it was not pre-order-able)

Online ordering if It doesn't come in with odin sphere on wednesday.

Any impressions? Anybody have it?

[Roufuss]

Any impressions? Anybody have it?

I'll put up impressions as soon as it gets in... for some reason, EB can't afford the 30 cents it takes to get Delivery Confirmation on USA Value shipping, even though it is sent by USPS :roll:

It should be here any day now.

[soonersfan60]

Picked it up in store today. Very easy with the locator (which shows that the store is still expecting the game, but I called and then went it to get it). Thanks, OP.

[Chacrana]

Yeh I've got it. I haven't played it yet though.

[Puffa469]

Weird, I ordered this on Friday and got a shipment confirmation within 3 hours of placing the order.

I ordered from Gamestop.com though.

Store locator for my area still says it's "on the way" but hasn't shown up yet. Whatever, I should get this today or tomorrow hopefully.


Well I went ahead and ordered a second copy from GS.com. Now its a race to see who gets it to me first, lol. I dont even mind having an extra copy, seems like it would be very easy to trade or sell if I need to.

[spmahn]

I just got mine today from GS.com. Of course, the disc was loose inside the case and now has a bunch of scuff marks. I'm gonna go play it now, I'll be back with some impressions.

[Chacrana]

Oookay... uhm, my copy's up for sale so if anyone wants it, PM me.

[Puffa469]

Oookay... uhm, my copy's up for sale so if anyone wants it, PM me.

what happened?

[Chacrana]

what happened?

The games are... well, not so good. The emulation and everything seems fine -- actually it's a well put together compilation. But I was expecting a lot more from the source material.

[Roufuss]

Elevator Action Returns is worth that $20, at least to me... I was fully expecting over 50% of the games to be garbage, just like every other collection I've ever played. (Well, except the Mega Man and Sonic ones... but about 70% of the games on those Capcom collections are such garbage, that I'm used to grabbing these for a few hot titles).

Elevator Action Returns, Darius Gaiden... good enough for me.

[Chacrana]

Elevator Action returns was pretty good... hell of a lot of slowdown in the later stages though. Didn't really dig Darius Gaiden anywhere near as much as I thought I would though.

[spmahn]

The game is overall good, but my main complaint is the lack of variety in the game selection. Too many puzzlers and shooters, and a few sub-par beat em ups. Im pissed that they stiffed us on Bubble Symphony, and would love to play some of the obscure NES releases like Little Samson and Panic Restaurant again, but overall for 20 dollars, it's a great deal and no one should have any reason to complain.

[Halo05]

They really should've thrown in the Xbox/PC (?) exclusive games for the US release. It was bad enough that we had to wait an extra what? Year? No Cadash or Bubble Symphony love for PS2 owners.

Overall however, I think it's a great comp. The Xbox version battles with the first Capcom Classics Collection and Sega Genesis Collection as my favorite comp ever.

[DesertEagleXIX]

Warning!

Gamestop.com states the PSP version has over 40 games including Darius Gaiden, it actually has 25 and DG is NOT included.

The PS2 version has 39 games, not 40 as advertised.

[Halo05]

I wish the original Darius was on the PSP version. With the 16:9 PSP screen ratio, they could've gotten it very close to the arcade original.

I don't think that Darius Gaiden was spread across two screens like Darius was but I never saw DG in an arcade so I can't say for sure.

[shaunLEGEND]

This game is still pretty hard to find in the sf/bay area. I cracked and just ordered it through the website.

[Puffa469]

A copy of the game was waiting for me when I got home last night! I didnt get a chance to pop it in till late, but I checked out a few games.

So far its awesome. I played Lunar Lander, still playes great for being 28 year old game! And Im still good at it! lol

I checked out Elevator Action II, which Ive been wanting to play since the Saturn days. It was AWESOME! They took everything that was great about the original game, and made it better.

I played a shmup called 'Metal Black' which was alot of fun. I want to go back to that one tonight and try to get past stage 3.

There are sooo many shmups in this collection its not even funny. This one $20 game, more than doubles the amount of shmups on the PS2, not counting imports of course.

I only got to check out about 4-5 games and the collections already worth $20.

This could easily turn into my favorite complilation/collection for the ps2.

[MadFlava]

Can some one list all the shump's in this collection? I love Shump's as a kid and if this game has a good amount, I may purchase it.

[Roufuss]

Can some one list all the shump's in this collection? I love Shump's as a kid and if this game has a good amount, I may purchase it.

Metal Black
Darius Gaiden
G-Darius
Raystorm
Gekirindan
Gun Frontier
The Space Invaders games

Might have missed one or two.

EDIT: Just got my copy in the mail, apparently not all the EB / GS's are expecting copies. Odd.

[Puffa469]

Another thing I noticed about this compilation is that its literally a treasure trove of bad translation and funny 'engrish'.

I was lmao at the game 'Violence Fight', of course I had to pick the character named 'Lick Joe' lol. Metal Black had plenty of hilarious engrish in it also, except that the scroll was sooo fast that you can hardly read it. :lol:

[Roufuss]

Just got done playing through all of Elevator Action Returns, and there is no slowdown at all that I could see... it played exactly as it did on the Saturn.

Considering it's a $50 hard to find game on the Saturn, I'll gladly take it on the PS2 for $20 with 38 other games :D

Can't wait to try out some of the other ones, this game is as good as I thought it would be.

[akilshohen]

Just bought this at CC for $10. Can't wait ti get into this later today