The Red Star is finally getting released! Plus Raiden III [Archive]

Beavertown

05-22-2006, 07:25 PM

When Acclaim Entertainment bankruptcy came to light in September of 2004, it had a number of hot properties in development that met varying fates. The publisher's street racer Juiced was picked up by THQ and published in June of 2005. The comic-based 100 Bullets was scrapped, with the license winding up in the hands of D3Publishing of America, who announced the development of an entirely new 100 Bullets game earlier this month.

Then there was another comic-based effort, The Red Star, an action game set in an alternate-reality Russia where magic is a key component to military might. Players take control of three rebels in their quest to take down the country's dictator and rescue a fellow comrade. With no news of the game being picked up for a year and a half in the wake of Acclaim's bankruptcy, it appeared The Red Star had been quietly extinguished.

But now, almost two years after Acclaim went under, The Red Star is finally set for release on the PlayStation 2. A representative of XS Games today confirmed for GameSpot that the publisher has indeed picked up the rights to the title, and is tentatively planning on distributing it to retailers in early August. As for the Xbox version of the game, the publisher is examining the possibility of releasing it, but at this point "it could go either way."

The representative also confirmed another recent acquisition in Taito's arcade top-down shoot-'em-up Raiden III. The latest installment in the classic arcade series is tentatively scheduled for release in August or September. According to XS Games' representative, Raiden III will carry a budget price tag while The Red Star will be priced somewhere in between the budget range and a full-priced game.

Thank you XS Games!

Joker T

05-22-2006, 07:29 PM

Looks like I'll be picking up The Red Star :D

jokerboy

05-22-2006, 07:37 PM

Glad this games finally being released, it looked like it could be a interesting title. Also good news about the 100 bullets game, hope they do the comic justice.

RegSNES

05-22-2006, 07:50 PM

Yaay!! I'll finally be able to play a Raiden game!! Woo hoo!!

keiblerfan69

05-22-2006, 07:58 PM

I will be getting both.

Lemmy Kilmister

05-22-2006, 09:04 PM

Oh shit, Raiden III at a budget price. Too sweet.

njiska

05-22-2006, 09:07 PM

Yeah i've had a full copy of the red star on Xbox for about a year now and it's defintely a great game. It bother's me thought that they're only releasing the PS2 version since both versions were completed and ready for release.

Joker T

05-22-2006, 09:13 PM

njiska

05-22-2006, 09:27 PM

Mr.FoodMonster

05-22-2006, 10:05 PM

Oh my shit Raiden 3! I thought I'd never be able to play that one. Awesome.

whoisKeel

05-22-2006, 10:20 PM

Hooray for Raiden 3! :-P

Phosphor Dot Fossils

05-22-2006, 10:31 PM

Glad to see The Red Star rising at last - I'll be more than happy to pick that one up. (I also highly recommend the graphic novels - Christian Gossett & co. at their best.)

smork

05-22-2006, 10:57 PM

Good to see Red Star coming out -- been wanting that one for years. Got Raiden III already....

Hell, I got the leaked remnants of what was 100 Bullets as well... Going to be interesting to see how a new game compares to the old.

ProgrammingAce

05-22-2006, 11:03 PM

there's a moral debate, is it wrong to "pirate" unreleased games?

There's also a build of Emergency Mayhem and Combat Elite floating around (well, actually 3 builds for EM). EM supposedly picked up a publisher about a year ago, but i'll be damned if i can remember who...

evil_genius

05-22-2006, 11:26 PM

bout time we got raiden stateside

sabre2922

05-22-2006, 11:43 PM

RAIDEN 3 oh YEA

this is great since I still have the Raiden Project for PSX that contains Raiden 1@2 a U.S. release of part 3 would solidify my Raiden Collection for Playstation 8-)

Xexyz

05-22-2006, 11:45 PM

Meh, Raiden III isn't what it's craked up to be. It's not bad, but it's a far cry from Raiden and Raiden II. You can bet your ass that since XS games is handling it, that the TATE options will be removed too...

lordnikon

05-23-2006, 01:56 AM

bout time we got raiden stateside
Hell yea! I was thinking we were going to get shafted because of Sony's policies on planar titles in North America. Europe got Raiden III, and I was thinking we would never get it. So it is great to see Raiden III actually getting a stateside release. I am super excited that it is actually coming here. Saves me the trouble of having to import the JPN version.

Meh, Raiden III isn't what it's craked up to be. It's not bad, but it's a far cry from Raiden and Raiden II. You can bet your ass that since XS games is handling it, that the TATE options will be removed too...
Not true. XS brought Shikigami no Shiro II to North America, and it had everything in-tact. Tate options along with multiple letterbox choices as well. I believe they learned a lesson from their blunders with the Mobile Light Force releases.

TurboGenesis

05-23-2006, 09:09 AM

Glad Raiden III will be a buget title! I already have the import one but I must buy the US release - even if I never play it.

Support US released shooties!

Austin

05-23-2006, 06:51 PM

Awesome. I love 100 Bullets, and I'm excited to see Raiden III stateside, too.

Austin

05-23-2006, 06:51 PM

Awesome. I love 100 Bullets, and I'm excited to see Raiden III stateside, too.

DonMarco

05-23-2006, 07:52 PM

Meh, Raiden III isn't what it's craked up to be. It's not bad, but it's a far cry from Raiden and Raiden II.
Seconded. The Japanese PS2 version is boring and way to easy to beat. No real replay bonus or treats to speak of. Sure you can spend a few days working on a higher score, which is based on memorizing where enemies come from and shooting them down quickly. On top of that, there are about 50 other more-deserving shooters I'd like to see leave Japan (other than Raiden III).

I'm not suprised its a budget release.

DonMarco

05-23-2006, 07:52 PM

Emuaust

05-24-2006, 05:24 AM

Njiska you do relise it was acclaim that went under, that
whar was affected the release of Juiced, Atari had nothing
to do with it IIRC.

Emuaust

05-24-2006, 05:24 AM

Njiska you do relise it was acclaim that went under, that
whar was affected the release of Juiced, Atari had nothing
to do with it IIRC.

s1lence

05-24-2006, 09:03 AM

Good, I will finally be able to read the menus in Raiden III. The sooner the better. :D

s1lence

05-24-2006, 09:03 AM

Good, I will finally be able to read the menus in Raiden III. The sooner the better. :D

Icarus Moonsight

05-24-2006, 09:26 AM

Raiden 3!!! YAY! I hope I'll be able to preorder it... if not I'll hit up EB's and GS's until I find one off the shelf. Awesome, thanks for the heads up! :)

Icarus Moonsight

05-24-2006, 09:26 AM

Raiden 3!!! YAY! I hope I'll be able to preorder it... if not I'll hit up EB's and GS's until I find one off the shelf. Awesome, thanks for the heads up! :)

pookninja

05-24-2006, 10:25 AM

raiden 3 getting a us release at a budget price?fuckin a,thats great.im going to see if i can preorder that badboy soon!!!

pookninja

05-24-2006, 10:25 AM

raiden 3 getting a us release at a budget price?fuckin a,thats great.im going to see if i can preorder that badboy soon!!!

segagamer

05-24-2006, 01:12 PM

Glad Raiden III will finally be released, especially as a buget title. Where can I pre-order it??

segagamer

05-24-2006, 01:12 PM

Glad Raiden III will finally be released, especially as a buget title. Where can I pre-order it??

Half Japanese

05-24-2006, 04:45 PM

Half Japanese

05-24-2006, 04:45 PM

Oobgarm

05-25-2006, 06:17 AM

Seeing the Red Star get a release makes me happy.

Oobgarm

05-25-2006, 06:17 AM

Seeing the Red Star get a release makes me happy.

Tron 2.0

05-25-2006, 11:30 PM

Sign me up for, Raiden III given how shooters in the U.S are released so rarely.

milhouseOFpain

05-26-2006, 04:48 PM

This is exactly why I love the little guys, they're willing to take a chance on something a bigger publisher wouldn't dream of releasing. Here's hoping they release the Xbox version of Red Star. I remember seeing it on a demo kiosk about 2 years ago and it piqueing my interest.

while i agree that its nice to see these titles get released. its not really because the "little guys" are taking a chance. its because they dont really have many other choices.

VACRMH

05-30-2006, 08:39 PM

O.o wow. Just watched a video of Red Star.

Daddy Likes.

I'll be picking both up asap.

heybtbm

02-08-2007, 09:11 AM

Raiden III finally has a date (March 20th) and a price ($29.99). It's time for SHMUP fans to put their money where there mouth is and show companies that games in this genre can still make money in the US.

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=281692

DigitalSpace

02-08-2007, 07:40 PM

FYI, it's going to be $24.99 at GameCrazy, but rumors on CAG suggest that they're only getting enough copies to fill preorders, so it's highly suggested that you do that.

I was hoping it'd be $19.99, but oh well.

PapaStu

02-08-2007, 09:09 PM

Raiden: Reserved @ EBgames.com for 29

The Red Star: Never coming out, so not worrying about it.

djsquarewave

02-09-2007, 02:39 AM

The Red Star: Never coming out, so not worrying about it.
From what I've heard, it was dropped by XS then picked up by Jack of All Games (Take 2, I guess?), and is scheduled for release next month.

Is there something about this game that is making publishers wary? The screens on IGN remind me quite a bit of Operation Logic Bomb on the SNES, which was a great game.

Gamestop.com is taking preorders, but they wouldn't let me put my five bucks down when I walked into an actual store. Put down a reserve on Raiden, though...

Guru of Time and Space

02-09-2007, 04:43 PM

I don't see what the big deal about Raiden III is. Are you just getting excited for the namesake of the game? It's a really NOT good game. The ship models are completely ugly and the environments are un-Raiden-esque. Really, what happened to my scrolling, serene country sides. This game is completely un-aesthetic.

{EDIT- Oh god, and the music.... Ugh.
REALLY, this isn't Seibu Kaihatsu's Raiden, the Raiden you know and love, so don't say I didn't warn you.

this is great since I still have the Raiden Project for PSX that contains Raiden 1@2 a U.S. release of part 3 would solidify my Raiden Collection for Playstation

DX, baby.

-GoTaS

maxlords

02-09-2007, 04:59 PM

I'll wait till I play it. XS isn't exactly known for doing nice ports...mostly they do a craptastic job as a money grab it seems like. I'll hope for the best and expect the worst.

jajaja

02-09-2007, 06:12 PM

I don't see what the big deal about Raiden III is. Are you just getting excited for the namesake of the game? It's a really NOT good game. The ship models are completely ugly and the environments are un-Raiden-esque. Really, what happened to my scrolling, serene country sides. This game is completely un-aesthetic.

{EDIT- Oh god, and the music.... Ugh.
REALLY, this isn't Seibu Kaihatsu's Raiden, the Raiden you know and love, so don't say I didn't warn you.

DX, baby.

-GoTaS

It maybe not as good as Raiden 1 & 2, but i still enjoyed Raiden 3 alot. I recommend everyone to try it atleast.

skaar

02-09-2007, 06:57 PM

Thank you XS Games!

Booyah.

skaar

02-09-2007, 07:03 PM

From what I've heard, it was dropped by XS then picked up by Jack of All Games (Take 2, I guess?), and is scheduled for release next month.

Is there something about this game that is making publishers wary? The screens on IGN remind me quite a bit of Operation Logic Bomb on the SNES, which was a great game.

Gamestop.com is taking preorders, but they wouldn't let me put my five bucks down when I walked into an actual store. Put down a reserve on Raiden, though...

Something like that. Red Star will see a release.

Captain Wrong

02-09-2007, 07:26 PM

It maybe not as good as Raiden 1 & 2, but i still enjoyed Raiden 3 alot. I recommend everyone to try it at least.

Yeah, it's worth $30. Sure, I'd rather have a Raiden Fighters comp, but whaddayagonnado?

Kid Fenris

02-09-2007, 08:40 PM

I've been sold on The Red Star ever since I played the demo back in 2004. Watching it get delayed month after month is a miserable cocktease.

On the other hand, Raiden III looks really boring (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QYiFv-X3eg). I'd take a chance on it for twenty bucks, but thirty is pushing it.

Guru of Time and Space

02-09-2007, 09:13 PM

On the other hand, Raiden III looks really boring (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QYiFv-X3eg). I'd take a chance on it for twenty bucks, but thirty is pushing it.

Exactly.
This is not Raiden.

-GoTaS

s1lence

02-10-2007, 02:51 PM

I think Raiden III is a pretty damn good shooter. I have a the import and I think it plays pretty well.

TurboGenesis

02-10-2007, 10:47 PM

Just pre-ordered Raiden III yesterday at gamestop. Must not be a "C" title since I was able to pre-order...Red Star on the other hand.

Anyway, its a fair game, plays kind of slow though. If your into that Cave stuff than you won't get much enjoyment here, otherwise its more traditional style. You know, sniper tanks that aim at you and stuff.

XYXZYZ

02-11-2007, 05:33 AM

What, Raiden III's US release is back on schedule? Anyon know if it has tate mode?

TurboGenesis

02-11-2007, 08:46 AM

What, Raiden III's US release is back on schedule? Anyon know if it has tate mode?

I hope it does! I don't think anyone is going to go through the trouble to remove it completely. Maybe to the extent of Raiden Project. A game shark code is needed to get the proper controls in Raiden Project since the US release didn't remove it just the controls.

heybtbm

04-18-2007, 03:56 PM

Well, I picked up my copy this afternoon at Gamestop. Of the 4 Gamestop/EB's in my city, they only got 2 copies. Both were pre-orders (mine and some other guy).

I think this US version of Raiden III has the potential to be a real collector's item, a truly rare release...and yes I know the definition of "rare". All the components are there...low supply, high demand, released by a no-name publisher towards the end of the system's life. I'm curious to know what total printing was of this game. Amazon and Gamestop/EB have been backordered for weeks (release date was today: 18 APR 2007). In the end it probably doesn't matter. I bought the game to play first and foremost.

I'll bump this topic tomorrow with a few impressions of the game.

RCM

04-18-2007, 04:08 PM

I've had Raiden III since last week. I've enjoyed it so far. Nothing new, but it's solid fun and the soundtrack is great. On the title screen it says something like "copyright 2005." They put no effort into this release, the spine and back cover are "proof" of that. At least it came out. Too bad the older Raiden titles aren't unlockable.

agbulls

04-18-2007, 04:26 PM

Holy crap...I know I ordered this, but never got a phone call. I sure as hope my copy is there.

---must go call EB---NOW!

Edit: They have it waiting for me. Woot!
(rubs hands together, kicks head back and does Dr. Claw laugh)

TurboGenesis

04-18-2007, 07:58 PM

What, Raiden III's US release is back on schedule? Anyon know if it has tate mode?

GOOD NEWS -- Option for tate is in tact! With proper controls.

**(!!!!!!!CAUTION: When using ARCADE mode be sure to confirm that the TV or montior you are using can be safely turned on its end. We are not liable for any damage caused to your TV or montior when using ARCADE mode.)

** that disclaimer is straight out of the manual. Funny how they mis spell monitor LOL

(More LOL lols- the game is classified as a 'DVD-ROM' as it is printed on the back of the packaging and on the disc it self, it is actually a blue bottom CD-ROM!)

djsquarewave

04-18-2007, 08:07 PM

Picked Raiden up today, whee. This release is pretty much the definition of "no-budget". The box looks like something you'd make on your first day of graphic design class, there's typos in the (strangely full color) manual, the game still has its tate modes, and they didn't even change the menus to use the X button instead of the circle button like every other US release on the system.

The game itself seems nice enough, though I wish there was a way to speed up your ship. Maybe I'm spoiled by all the Soldier Blade I've been playing recently...

In other news, XS Games apparently put out a press release a couple weeks ago saying Red Star would ship on the 24th. Also, last I checked, their site said it was "now in stores" as of March 27th. Which it, uh...isn't.

heybtbm

04-18-2007, 09:24 PM

More LOL lols- the game is classified as a 'DVD-ROM' as it is printed on the back of the packaging and on the disc it self, it is actually a blue bottom CD-ROM!

I noticed that too. It's been awhile since I've seen a blue PS2 disc.

Oobgarm

04-19-2007, 08:09 AM

I think this US version of Raiden III has the potential to be a real collector's item, a truly rare release...and yes I know the definition of "rare". All the components are there...low supply, high demand, released by a no-name publisher towards the end of the system's life. I'm curious to know what total printing was of this game. Amazon and Gamestop/EB have been backordered for weeks (release date was today: 18 APR 2007).

I'd like to quote this, because I think it's a really good observation.

This game is really only going to have 2 waves of buyers: Those who get in on the preorder/first day, and those who don't get in on the initial shipment and pick up their copy when the second shipment hits(if at all). There may be stragglers, but not many.

Damn this game for coming out when I'm short on money. I'm always up for a traditional shooter.

Captain Wrong

04-19-2007, 08:40 AM

Amazon has it too via J&R. Just FYI.

PapaStu

04-19-2007, 08:45 AM

I love that I reserved my Raiden III back in Feburary and when I checked the GS website last night I found out that my order was 'back ordered'.

Seriously, whats the point if they don't even fill inital pre-orders but ship extras into stores.

c0ldb33r

04-19-2007, 09:07 AM

So what's the verdict - is this worth picking up?

I liked Raiden I and loved Raiden II. Does this bastardize the series?

Or are people just buying it because they expect it to be rare?

heybtbm

04-19-2007, 09:48 AM

I'm not a game reviewer, but here are a few observations...

I played the game on my PS3 via component cables and the game looks gorgeous. It has 4 display modes - 2 verticle and 2 horizontal "tate" modes. As I do on all SHMUP's, I played on "very easy" mode for my first play through.

The game itself is a respectable shooter with some great latter stage weapons. I have no idea if these screen filling shots are attainable on harder difficulties (to the average skilled SHMUP player...ie: me). One thing that bothered me was the general sluggish movement of your ship. However, the over the top weapons (and screen clearing bombs) make up for this somewhat. Overall, Raiden III is a fun shooter (allthough no Gradius V) and worth $30 in my mind.

One thing I've noticed is that Xbox Live has spoiled me when it comes to leaderboards. It's just not quite as satisfying to get a high score that isn't updated live and compared to real people...a minor complaint.

7th lutz

04-19-2007, 06:10 PM

I got it today. Gamestop had a copy of the game in. It took me to go to game stop, ebgames didn't have it in.

ubersaurus

04-19-2007, 07:29 PM

I got to play my copy for a bit before I left for work.

It's a fun little game. I don't like how incredibly SLOW your ship moves, but it's a fun mindless shooter, and I think it could be a blast with two players.

Captain Wrong

04-19-2007, 07:53 PM

So what's the verdict - is this worth picking up?

I liked Raiden I and loved Raiden II. Does this bastardize the series?

Or are people just buying it because they expect it to be rare?

I'm actually buying it to play it. Imagine that.

Truth be told, I've been playing the import and I'd say if you like Raiden, you'll like this. Simple as that.

Austin

04-21-2007, 04:11 PM

Just picked this up, it's pretty fun. Not my favorite shooter, by any means, but I don't regret spending the $30.

My gamestop had another one of these... anyone need it? I'll go back and look.

Leo_A

04-21-2007, 05:08 PM

I wish I had preordered, I can't find a copy anywhere.

VACRMH

04-21-2007, 05:29 PM

Picked mine up and played with a friend for a bit last night. I agree about the slow controlls, but it just takes some getting used to.

Of course my manual looks beat up :-/ Don't know how it happened, mine was sealed.

My local EB only got 3 in, I was the only one who Preordered.

Oh, Double Mode is pretty damn Nifty as well.

djbeatmongrel

04-21-2007, 05:41 PM

Of course my manual looks beat up :-/ Don't know how it happened, mine was sealed.

you to?!

The game isn't the best of vertical shooters but its pretty damn solid. The 2 player is an utter blast as i was lucky enough to experience it last night. It has decent graphics as well and I say overall its worth $30. I don't regret paying what I did like when I bought Chaos Field :D

PapaStu

04-21-2007, 07:14 PM

Welp,

When I checked to see if my copy of Raiden III had shipped today (still on backorder) I also checked on my reserved copy of 'The Red Star'. That 4/20 date is out the window and has now been pushed back to the 4/26.

My guess is that in another week it'll get pushed back another week again, like has happened weekly for the last 2 months.