Darius Extra Version

[Barone]

Darius Extra Version has been released in Japan.

Here you can find a proper capture of the game running on real hardware (by a Japanese hardcore MD fan):

[Barone]

This is a really good gameplay of it:


So far I could notice that:
- The scrolling still stutters at times.
- Explosions still sound bad.
- SFX are still too loud.
- Music tracks have been really improved, even using more stereo panning and better sounding instruments.

[chilled]

you mean when compared to the Mini rom, right?

[Barone]

Yes.

[Vludi]

The music sounds even better now. Hope Hide finds a way to release that amazing Fantasy Zone port too.

[turboxray]

I'm a little confused on history behind this. Was this the fan made port that M2 took over and put on the mini? Is this an unofficial dump of that rom and patched up? Or is this the original fan author's source?

[Black_Tiger]

I'm a little confused on history behind this. Was this the fan made port that M2 took over and put on the mini? Is this an unofficial dump of that rom and patched up? Or is this the original fan author's source?

It is the latest version of that game. It has been updated again (I believe) with a new sound driver to allow FM sound effects and has the gameplay changes that the "Extra" version of the arcade game has.

[Barone]

I'm a little confused on history behind this. Was this the fan made port that M2 took over and put on the mini? Is this an unofficial dump of that rom and patched up? Or is this the original fan author's source?

It is the latest version of that game. It has been updated again (I believe) with a new sound driver to allow FM sound effects and has the gameplay changes that the "Extra" version of the arcade game has.

I'll try to clarify:
- It's officially licensed by Taito as the Mega Drive mini version also was, but with more input from them this time AFAIK. Taito also gave permission for the different additional packaging items which were used by different retailers in Japan.
- Zuntata oversaw the work on the music tracks this time.
- The music fixes/improvements were made by WING☆ (@wing_ghost on Twitter)
- It uses a hacked/altered version of the XGM audio driver to allow FM and PSG sound effects. Though IDK to which extent they were actually used.
- WING☆ focused on bringing the soundtrack closer to the arcade version and improving stereo panning since it was one of the highlights of the arcade experience; he also fixed instruments which sounded out of tune, etc.
- This release contains all the content of the Mega Drive-mini release, although with additional fixes, and the Extra version. And many options to adjust the gameplay.

I'm yet to see a comprehensive list of the SFX changes if they really happened.

[dark]

Interesting. Does any of sega's involvement in preparing this for the mini translate into sega endorsing or licensing the cartridge release in some way? If so, I think that would make it the first physical release game for a sega system that is endorsed or licensed by sega since Karous on dreamcast...

[SEGA-Jorge]

I take it this is the same version of the game that was on pre-order at Strictly Limited? When is that actually shipping? I actually bought one and totally forgot...

[macbee]

Interesting. Does any of sega's involvement in preparing this for the mini translate into sega endorsing or licensing the cartridge release in some way? If so, I think that would make it the first physical release game for a sega system that is endorsed or licensed by sega since Karous on dreamcast...

I believe the last one was the 2017 re-release of "Monica" for Sega Mega Drive.

monica-_capa.jpg

[Barone]

I take it this is the same version of the game that was on pre-order at Strictly Limited? When is that actually shipping? I actually bought one and totally forgot...

Yes. But, unlike the Columbus Circle low quality shit, they are using good quality carts manufactured in Germany.

Interesting. Does any of sega's involvement in preparing this for the mini translate into sega endorsing or licensing the cartridge release in some way? If so, I think that would make it the first physical release game for a sega system that is endorsed or licensed by sega since Karous on dreamcast...

There's no Sega or should I say SOJ involvement in either port. It's a Taito and M2 thing. M2 had the Sega allowance but there are no Sega logos in the Darius Extra Version cartridges.

I believe the last one was the 2017 re-release of "Monica" for Sega Mega Drive.

Correct.
Tec Toy stuff is and has always been approved by and officially licensed by SOJ. They still report directly to SOJ regarding all their Sega-related line-up.
Their carts have Sega logos and all. But they're poorly made and non-level-shifted these days.
The old ones were as good as anything else.

[The Coop]

The question now is, when will this be released?

[SEGA-Jorge]

The version of the game that is being sold at Strictly Limited is supposed to be shipping in August, from what their website says. Also, it's still available for pre-order, so for those of you still on the fence, you can still hop on this. It's a great game, and the updated, cleaned up version is going to be even better.

SEGA-Jorge

[Black_Tiger]

The version of the game that is being sold at Strictly Limited is supposed to be shipping in August, from what their website says. Also, it's still available for pre-order, so for those of you still on the fence, you can still hop on this. It's a great game, and the updated, cleaned up version is going to be even better.

SEGA-Jorge

The game is worth playing, but it's shame they're only offering it in European style packaging.