Some of the best non-MSX games

Expert (92)

24-12-2010, 05:34

Actually, a lot of that is available right in the MSX BIOS - it's quite handy. In any case, here's my basic tutorial for screen 2/4. (I'll get it properly uploaded to my site soon, but feel free to upload it to any MSX documentation sites that deem it worthy of inclusion in the meantime.) Let me know if you have any further questions!

Edit: Aaaand it would probably help if I'd finished typing up the BIOS equates file before uploading it. Fixed.

By Huey

Prophet (2694)

24-12-2010, 09:42

@commodorejohn: Good writing.

@Demonseed: Read this stuff! Pattern modes are the best. Honestly!
(P.S.: Finish that C course! Once you've learned one language (especially C) you can master any other language.)

By Hrothgar

Champion (479)

24-12-2010, 10:33

A very interesting tutorial, commodorejohn!

One remark. On two occasions when dealing with sprites, you indicate you wouldn't know what to use this feature for. This is
1) for the global magnification bit and
2) for the per-line early-clock bit to shift a sprite line 32 px to the left.

I can think of a use case for the combined two, in setting the magnification and setting all odd sprite lines to EC. That way you can fill the entire width of the screen with (lined) text using only 4 sprites, or use colouring in the sprites when using all 8. This could be used for a large "GAME OVER" text scrolling over the background, or for score bars overlapping the background gaming area. The odd-even thing will look peculiar but I've seen it before so probably it's quite doable with the proper design.

By JohnHassink

Ambassador (5665)

20-01-2011, 19:55

(bump, sorry !)

Playing it for a good while yesterday, I realised something: how could I forget about Alisia Dragoon! oO
It's the title that single-handedly justifies getting a Sega Megadrive. ;)

Developed by Game Arts, the gameplay bears a lot of resemblance with Thexder/Firehawk, especially in terms of protagonist weaponry and enemy spawning.
Also, the (nice) music was done by the same composer team which delivered the Firehawk soundtrack (Mecano Associates), and it shows, even through the totally different style/setting.
The (gorgeous) graphics and (simple) story are directly from the Gainax studios.

Stage 1-1 music: (and the usual hilariously ugly 'n' generic Western market box art)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7MBw9BPtEQ

Stage 1 gameplay: (played very badly but you get the idea)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RbIT4ewSb4

Title screen and introduction: (and some gameplay)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwX5ruOEhEY

By Manuel

Ascended (19298)

20-01-2011, 21:51

It sounds very MSXy at least.

By JohnHassink

Ambassador (5665)

20-01-2011, 21:53

Yeah, and very PSGy/FMy to boot.

And for instance, the way the drumsounds are used instantly reminds of the Firehawk soundtrack, don't you think?

By Metalion

Paragon (1622)

21-01-2011, 08:03

Going back on the original question of this topic, I really had a ball with Flashback on Sega Genesis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqvYMm9-9b4

I wonder if it could be ported to MSX2 ... Hmmmm