Classic Game Room - DEATHSMILES review for Xbox 360

[goatorgy]

just bought this game. so awesome. the slow downs actually help.

[HatsuneMikuxxx]

I bought this game second hand today :)

i bought it mainly for the extra soundtrack and the art but the games good too...

Luckily i got mine pre-owned but not used so it was only £10 and its hard to find so that was a bonus :)

[motherflange]

@HatsuneMikuxxx Just got this myself today for £6 from HMV. Was labelled as 'pre-owned,' yet it was brand new when I opened it up. Bargain.

[modplugrad]

Looks really fun!

[amish725]

Picked this up today for only $3.99, quite the steal.

[Snivery]

@asianferret I know awesome right?

[bellamy13088]

This game looks awesome (:

[TheBazman111]

This is thew greatest genre of games ever and cave is the all time greatest of creating shumps along siabu kaihatsu, i seriously thinking of getting rid of my ps3 and getting a xbox 360 just so i can play more of these games and I wish they bring out more of these in great britain completly in love with this genre of games.

[WhiteTiger225]

Dear Classic Game Room.... You do realize these games are a dime a dozen in Japan right? And theres like, 5 a week brought to the US?

[StopFear]

This is a pretty awesome game overall. I'll mention pros and cons that Mark did not mention. Pros: has many display options. old school with 2d sprites, or switch to newer version with 3d models. Many gameplay variants like 360mode, arcade, survival, easy, hard. The hard is so hard I do not think it is possible to pass without a continue. Many characters.

Cons: If you're a parent and do not want your kid to see weird anime art with teen and underage characters. Too risque. Weird. Short game.

[version191]

why are there so many shooter games with screaming little girls

[BevisMyButhead]

Hitogata Happa is way better. if only i could beat it. that games is way harder

[asianferret]

Mary the Cow!

[MrSuzukahime]

man we need more shumps hate to see that game style die out

[michiyoyoshiku]

@MrSuzukahime

The 360 is infested with them.

[StopFear]

@michiyoyoshiku Infested? Sounds like you do not like this kind of game. I welcome as many of them as possible.

[michiyoyoshiku]

@StopFear

Lets see I have Ikaruga, Radiant Silvergun, Espgaluda II, This and it's sequel, Bulletsoul, Mihishisama futari, Raiden IV, Raiden Fighters Aces, and yeesh I forget.

[StopFear]

@michiyoyoshiku

Oh, actually, I have not heard about Espgaluda 2, bulletsoul, or Mihishisama futari. I checked, they look like retail titles and possibly not released in USA region. But I do own Raiden IV and Raiden Fighters aces. My previous comment was about Xbox live Arcade, which has good shmups, but I still think over 10 years its not too many.

[michiyoyoshiku]

@StopFear

Those 3 are region Free too so if you can get them you're set

[StoogieTheOtaku]

@michiyoyoshiku 5 Region Free ones: Mushihimesama Futari, Eschatos, Bulletsoul, Espgaluda 2, Muchi Muchi Pork & Pink Sweets. Pal Ones: Deathsmiles, Dodonpachi Ressurection. Arcade Ones In Australia: Bangai-O HD Missile Fury, Guwange, Ikaruga, KOF Sky Stage, Radiant Silvergun, Strania, Triggerheart Exelica, Trouble Witches Neo.

Thats all of them, OH and Bulletsoul is downloadable from the japanese marketplace too.

[StoogieTheOtaku]

@StoogieTheOtaku i spelt Resurrection wrong lols

[michiyoyoshiku]

@StoogieTheOtaku

I still need the DDPR PAL Akai Katana is also coming out..BUT I just bought a Saturn so there's a ton of shmups waiting for me on that system too.

[StoogieTheOtaku]

@michiyoyoshiku Akai Katana isnt Region Free was released early 2011 in japan :( NTSC-J, however i have googled some info that it may get a pal release Q1 2012, if u want dodonpachi for $20 or watevas get it from ozgameshop if ur in aus, nzgameshop for nz, dunno wat u would use for other countries. lol

[michiyoyoshiku]

@StoogieTheOtaku

Word on the Street is the UK version will be Region Free Just like Dodonpachi Ressurection is.

[StoogieTheOtaku]

@michiyoyoshiku also Steam and ps3 have: GundeadliGne, Gundemonium Recollection and Hitogata happa, while the xbox 360 does not

[StopFear]

@MrSuzukahime Don't worry, it is not dying out at all. Recently there have been a bunch of good releases for this genre. On Steam, if you have steam, check out Jamestown and Satazius. Also, if you ever heard of Gundemonium, which was released on PS3 3 years ago as a 3 game collection, they have all three for $10 on Steam. But, they are improved and have an option to play a new less annoying soundtrack. Also check out Rayman Origins, it has a bunch of shmup levels between the platforming levels.

[ProtosMerkabah]

You ever play Dodonpachi Resurrection?

[NewVegasTroop]

is this on ps3?

[gamecollect101]

Looks like a suped up version of Magical Chase.

[frickfrock999]

Dear Mark,

Please do more barn animal impressions. The world needs them.

Your fan,

Sebastian

[Roodwurm]

@vigaristAA12 I'm not hating on Touhou, by all means go and enjoy it if that's your sort of thing. I'm just hating on the ill informed 'play Touhou' or 'Touhou is harder' comments you see at every video of a real arcade shoot 'em up or port of one.

[vigaristAA12]

@Roodwurm Well, honestly, these people you should just ignore, every community has stupid people in it. Since your first comment wasn't a reply to anything, it just looked like you were complaining about the game. But now that everything's explained i understand what you mean.

[oboewan42]

I second the guy who suggested Jamestown (PC).

[smashbrosfan25]

it's also on the ios devices

[WHATISUTUBE]

totally not pedophillic whastoever

[Kakuzen93]

Sorta reminds me of Touhou with all the bullets and whatnot O_o

[asianferret]

Just let yall know that Touhou is great but not the first shmup genre, it really got popular after cave released dodonpachi. (not donpachi)

[Mappy1964]

I feel like a dirty old man every time I play this game!

Also, MARY for president!

[Gam3sXtr3m3]

Great Game! I've played it first time at my friends house. He had think it's a RPG (judging by the Cover Art), and the first time he played he recognizes that it's a SHMUP and gave it to me because he know that I like SHMUPs (he not so much). I played for hours, get to Amazon and buy it for myself. Long story short: Now we both play Co-Op over Xbox Live. :-D

[W1ndF4lc0n]

Seizures.

[StarionX]

On another note, There's also another game on Xbox in Arcade: Trouble Witches Neo. It plays similar to Deathsmiles, but not as hard. Beware of the English voice acting...it's horrid.

There is also a Deathsmiles sequel (2-X) released on Xbox Live NOT as Arcade, but yet as a Game on Demand. As far as I know, there is no intent to release this on disc in the US.

[ballerboykg21]

MARY!

[NeverendingTwilight4]

I saw this game sitting on the shelf at GameStop the other day. Thought about getting it. But got Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, instead. Probably a good choice to get that, instead, because I just know that most likely the employees have no idea what kind of game DeathSmiles is and would think it's just a pervy Japanese anime dating Sim, featuring underaged girls.

[SpiralPegasus]

@NeverendingTwilight4 Wouldn't be too wrong, either. C'mon, nearly every game featuring little girls are like that.

Mary the cow should reappear in another shmup!

[foxxthefox]

Get all the Cave games in the xbox man... there are still 6 of them(I think)

and there all shmups...

[StrnGuy]

@foxxthefox I have 10 Cave games sitting next to me right now. Granted, that's including the Japan-only releases, but that's not including the fact that Muchi Pork + Pink Sweets is a double pack and that Guwange and Nin2-Jump were released on XBLA.

Also, to the Touhou fans out there: There are a ton of other great STG/bullet hell games out there. Check 'em out. I recommend Futari, Deathsmiles, Gate of Thunder, Twinkle Star Sprites, and Mars Matrix.

[foxxthefox]

@StrnGuy I forgot those two... since well... uh... I don't get em... kinda... I cant explain... then Guwange(thats my jaw falling off) since I heard it once and never again and Nin2 since its not a shmup...

[guysafari]

Giant Cow Mary for the next Smash Bros.

[JGamer12]

@guysafari don't forget Simon belmont

[volvo145]

Review more old games!

[beersmash1]

Xbox sucks monkeys balls

[troy1002x]

Oh cool, never knew their still making stuff like this.

[troy1002x]

Just imagine a castlevania game for the consoles just like this... :D

[mrsockesocke]

deathsmiles is awesome.

[JapaneseTentacleRape]

Giant Cow...... wow thats pretty umm.... *claps... sadly*

[Roodwurm]

@GunSlinger092 There's nothing really wrong with Touhou, it just can't compare to what Cave, Raizing, Takumi and to a much lesser extent Gazelle have put out. You know, actual refined arcade shmups with a long life span. And it's a bit grating to see the ill informed Touhou chatter on every single video about a Cave game. It's roughly comparable to seeing comments like 'Play Halo' or 'Halo is better' on competitive Counter Strike videos.

[StarionX]

@Roodwurm Well, considering that Touhou is a one man project that is limited to doujin circles and Cave has more on staff and releases more console games, it's very easy to say this game would be better.

I'm a Touhou fan, but even I know there are better games out there. I think more Touhou fans just love the abundance of characters and personalities that are there in the series.

[2cl09]

Norristown sounds like a cool place. I wonder who it's named after....

[MoogieVoodoo]

What Mark forgets to mention is the face plate is only useable on old model 360s

[ultimachocobo86]

Playing with little girls?

brb jail

[nisbahmumtaz909]

@ultimachocobo86

It ain't jailtime,

if the girls are playing with you...

[thaneros]

When did cute little girls replaced space ships in shumps?!

[ZetbladeX13]

@thaneros If you meant "shmups", I would have to say the late 80's, early 90's with games such as the Cotton series.

...and late 90's with Touhou.

[verasloane]

This is an all-time-favorite for me on the 360! Difficult if not impossible to beat without using a "continue" but still awesome!!

[SinisterSerp]

Rad game. Also has an ABSOLUTELY KILLER OST and arrange.

[StrnGuy]

Deathsmiles is a fantastic game. There's actually a lot of these games on 360, though.

Playable on US 360s: Mushi Futari, Dodonpachi Resurrection, Espgaluda II, Muchi Pork + Pink Sweets, Deathsmiles IIX, Guwange, Eschatos, and Bullet Soul.

Akai Katana's European release should be playable on US consoles, too.

Anybody who likes this game should check out Mushi Futari Black Label, imo. Best bullet hell game of all time.

[nisbahmumtaz909]

@StrnGuy

I what Dodonpachi Resurrection is all about.

Is it simply a compilation of DonPachi and DoDonPachi?

You know what, I'll Google it myself. Don't worry.

[StrnGuy]

@nisbahmumtaz909 The main game is Dodonpachi DFK 1.5, which is the sequel to Dodonpachi Daioujou. I personally think DFK 1.5 is extremely weak by Cave's standards, but the package includes a pretty good mode called Arrange A, which is like a combo of DFK and Daioujou. The real gem, though, is the downloadable DFK Black Label, which is completely remixed and way better. Personally, I'd go with Futari + Black Label above any other game, but any Cave purchase is a great buy.

[Broyale26]

@StrnGuy

Have you played Ketsui?

[StrnGuy]

@Broyale26 Yeah, I didn't list it because it's Japan only and likely to remain so forever. It's one of Cave's best, but it's EXTREMELY brutal and hard to notice your scoring gains. The bullet patterns are unparalleled though, even among other Cave shooters. The designers decided to break all the rules with Ketsui's bullets, leading to extremely organic, original boss patterns. The stages have really fun shots too, with lots of clusters of aimed shots to dodge through. It's crazy fun.

[zgrabgah]

Ignore the touhou fanboys, get Deathsmiles 2! The bad guy is evil santa, it's awesome :D

[bolognaman67]

this game gave me a seizure

[classof77]

BTW As soon as this review came up I knew Mark would do a riff on the boss Mary. LOL

[classof77]

Awesome! Have been kinda fascinated by this game for a long time -- to see a CGR review is a great surprise.

[badtrane]

Wow it really reminds me of GundeadliGne and Gundemonium Recollection.

[Tdot21st]

My type of game. Marc is great at these games.

[GunSlinger092]

Toaplan and Cave are no doubt, great companies. Heck, I love DonPachi, Zero Wing, Mushihime-sama, Espagaluda and others. But just because Touhou is made by one man in the late 90's and became popular around the early 2000's, doesn't mean it isn't great and is an imitation.

The funny thing is, when people mention bullet hell, Touhou is always mentioned first. Only the real shmup fans can recognize companies like Cave and Toaplan.

Still give Touhou a chance. It's quite good.

[Roodwurm]

@darkangelsv1 Cave has been around since at least '95. They are one of multiple offshoots of Toaplan, a much older, damn near shmup dedicated developer. Toaplan kickstarted the bullet hell subgenre with Batsugun (also reviewed by Mark). Touhou is doujin / indie. Not half bad, but those games simply can't compare to real and refined arcade releases by veteran developers.

[irishtrash15]

Just the idea of having a cow as a boss in a game has gotten me interested in how this will be.

[similaritiesendhere]

Anyone else rocking the Deathsmiles faceplate?

[bytex666]

Gotta love a game who's endboss is called Tyrannosatan.

Btw Mark, get Dodonpachi Resurrection for 360 aswell. The box claims it's a perfect HD recreation of the "arcade experience". Having never played the arcade/genesis game, I can't tell, but it's nuts as hell. I can't get used to my hitbox being a small "core" rather than my entire character, so I keep moving too far and hit the bullet showers.

[Broyale26]

@bytex666

It was never a Genesis game.

[Roodwurm]

Mark, don't get Touhou. It's imitation. Cave is the real thing, you already know. G.rev and Treasure are good too, of the companies that are still around.

[darkangelsv1]

@Roodwurm Didn't Touhou come first?

Also, it's not imitation on any way yo usee it (from both ends). Both the Touhou series and Deathsmiles have their own charm.

[FHCTech]

@darkangelsv1

ZUN has been making "Touhou" style games since the early MSX era, IIRC.

I think the reason people say "x imitates y" is because Touhou has broken the boundaries of being a "cult classic", and has become very popular (if not the games themselves, the ridiculous amount of fanworks that have become pseudo-canon for the game's "story"), and you have people who are quite upset about it.

[vigaristAA12]

@Roodwurm Tsk, it almost feels like you're hating on touhou from all your comments, dude. Stop complaining and let him play whatever he wants. Touhou isn't half bad for a game done by a single man, and in-fact, the games are mainly focused on publishing zun's OSTS to the public. Not to mention, what makes touhou different from most of the other shmups is it's fantastic music and how insanely hard it can be. Also, imitation? Zun has also started his works in the 90's. Get your facts right.

[Broyale26]

@vigaristAA12

Sensitive Touhou fan is butthurt.

[vigaristAA12]

@Broyale26 Not wasting my time to talk to someone with absolutely no constructive criticism or good argument, talk to me when you decide to be a smarter person and talk like gentleman.

[Broyale26]

@vigaristAA12

Butthurt Touhou fan is butthurt.

[Graynumber]

@vigaristAA12 I don't mean to bash or anything, but I'm curious to know if the Toho fanbase is full of weeaboos?

[vigaristAA12]

@Graynumber Not at all, no. In fact, i do know there are way better shmups there, and a lot of people in the touhou community doesn't even care about the shmups. It's just that it's kinda bothersome to see people bash a game that doesn't deserve any hate.

[DeadVideoGamer]

Lol @ giant cow !,,MARY!

[RLbitClassica]

I'll take a heaven smile over a death smile any day.

[Luigi84289]

This is awesome buying it right now.

[christopherspaethe1]

Stella: The Wonder Dog would make a good boss.

[7748smile]

death smiles

:)

[catnipfever22]

looks good

[gin0076543210]

when i got this game i was fapping the first 30 minutes of gameplay instead of actually playing....

[noseriouslyguys]

@gin0076543210 Over what? Seriously. You have a thing for pink bullets?

[noobtubephails]

@noseriouslyguys No he got a thing for Giant Cow Mary.

[Brian6677]

I love this game! Deathsmiles 2 is also a great game too!

[MrDeathSmiles]

Yes! 

[shadygreatone]

very good review...nice job

[Cellfix]

Hey Mark! You do know that Cave is made up from former employees from Toa Plan, right? Just wanted to let you know, and I love your reviews, they made me go back and buy red faction 1 again, the first analog-fps game I completed, and made me buy Wolfenstein, Singularity and Truxton! TRUXTON TRUXTON TRUXTON XD

[looker999997]

3:20 What am I looking at?!

[Gamez4Review]

hi

[MrPrototypz]

Fuck this shit.

[ChannelSwifts]

Holy cow!

[crazyhollowichigo]

dodonpachi daifukkatsu (ressurection).... mark needs to review it

[melikenarutokakashi]

man u beast in shmups :D

[Bluith]

Review the faceplate

[tamagoyama]

外人にも東方厨っているんだな

[Broyale26]

Thumbs up if you would like to see Mark review Crimzon Clover or Hellsinker instead of Touhou.

[Locriannightmare]

Fuck.

I hoped CGR would be spared from this but it seems like all the Forever Alone Aspies in the world invade shmup videos as soon as they've been posted.

Go play something real, motherfuckers.

Something that doesn't involve easy to read unaimed patterns moving at a snails fuckin' pace.

Play Ketsui and become a man.

Or even better; play Battle Garegga and become a manly man.

Seriously.

[fer03202011]

@Locriannightmare

Seems the same thing you just said about aspies can be applied to elitists fucks too.

[Locriannightmare]

@fer03202011

If only we were as prominent...

[Broyale26]

@Locriannightmare

I agree with your choices (especially Battle Garegga-perhaps the meanest, manliest shmup ever made), but dude, calm your testes and relax a bit. Breathe and count to ten, my friend. I take it you're a guitarist?

[Locriannightmare]

@Broyale26

Haha, yeah.

It just gets a bit much sometimes. Seeing your favorite genres tiny sliver of reputation that still is left getting butchered by people who probably don't even play the games.

I mean, the aesthetics of shmups haven't exactly been... inspiring since Ketsui and on but being associated with such rampant pedo-mongering as ToeHoe?

No thank you.

I wouldn't call myself a guitarist. I noodle. :P

[MrDeathSmiles]

@Locriannightmare

Sigh.

[Progearspec]

Cave=bullet hell ^_~

[toyks2nd]

will we see a video review of the deathsmiles faceplate?

[andoc]

This game looks so pretty, the sprite art looks amazing. too bad I don't own a 360.

[Skiddywas21]

@andoc Its also on itunes, just search for Cave in the app store brah.

[5150hold]

It's too bad the sequel was never translated into English. At least I can buy it off the xbox market. Probably, just have to improve my Japanese in order to understand.

[friedinsugar]

I love schmups, but I need to be in control of a spaceship or plane. I just don't like when it's replaced by a boy/girl in a powersuit. Even if it doesn't change the gameplay, I don't enjoy the game as much.

[Broyale26]

@friedinsugar

That's fair. I grew up on spaceship-style shmups but because I got into Cave earlier offerings, and I love their gameplay, it was a bit easier for me to tolerate. You should try Akai Katana and Ketsui if you have a JPN or Asian 360.

[troy1002x]

@friedinsugar I agree. I just can't see people having bullets pass through their heads and survive..

[Vinny792]

Giant Enemy Cow!!!

[MrDarkHatman]

MARY. 

[NINJACH0P957]

4:28 for "MOOO!"

[Puppified30]

Moo!

[darkquail2003]

mark, try jamestown, gundemonium, and touhou. I warn you, bullet hell may be involved, but your hit-box is small.

[Broyale26]

@darkquail2003

Mark plays alot of these games, so i'm sure he realizes that already.

[sonin820]

GAME ON MARK!!

[goldensolder44]

3:13 YOU KILLED THE TREE FROM THE KIRBY GAMES!!!!

[irpacynot]

Well, your video review inspired me to get the iPhone version, and I couldn't be happier. What a ton of fun. The Smart Phone mode is also a real boon, since you can purchase gear to beef up your character, as well as unlock puzzle pieces that reveal new artwork. Awesome stuff. Was serendipity that I watched this review today.

[EmeraldWarrior420]

Damn this game has a cool name and cool look to it.

[sbuv1715]

mark

get touhou

dont ask

just do it

[OGMO11]

@sbuv1715 If it comes to difficulty then I must say Deathsmiles wins... Touhou is quite easy compared (only relatively speaking though). Both are equally amusing though :D

[xan1242]

@sbuv1715 Nike?

[VelvetKevorkian]

Horizontal shooters shouldn't be called "shmups." They should be called "shmorizontals."

[VelvetKevorkian]

@oldmanjenkins77 The collector's edition is $15 from Newegg.

[VideosbySteve]

Its about time guys!

Now get cave to do an Eng Dub of DSIIX so i can eat some yummy achievements...

[ChairmanDrekXXA]

@VideosbySteve You can actually buy Deathsmiles 2 on the Xbox live marketplace. It isn't translated, but the menus are in english. I believe it's $40 dollars.

[ErickDamon]

Good review. I always did want to get this game.But I have bad luck with Xbox 360's.

[ViperAcidZX]

Wished Aksys Games would localized Deathsmiles IIX...

[mikeyo53]

please review dead pixels its only a 1.00 dollar game and its looks like its from the 80s

[icegryphon]

Mark, Mark, Mark,

there is a Sequel you can DL on XBLA!

[trkoby]

oops android keyboard typo

[trkoby]

If it were up to Mark, ALL side-scrolling shooters would be a MUST-HAVE for your Xbox 360.com

[PersonaBrazil]

Never heard of this game before! time to get some milk *-*

[Ravenq222]

I'm so glad you reviewed this game! I played the hell out of this back at release! You have inspired me to go back and play it some to attempt to beat my highscores :)

[dtConfect]

That dragon looked amazing!

[TCJJ]

Whilst I have yet to buy this game on Xbox 360 (I'll get it eventually), I have it on my iphone and it's really a great shooter game. Cave tends to make amazing bullet hell shooters, and even if I suck at them, they're tons of fun.

[lyoko9011]

I know mary the giant cow is after you, mad cow disease

[earlmccormick88]

The end boss look like the same last boss from Gradius 3

[hectormrnyo]

love everytime that mark reviews a game :)

[electricadventures]

Awesome game - want it!

[MrMoneyclips]

I foresee PeteDorr bringing this game up in a future video

[yuris00]

It's to hard to play this game with one hand! Dammit i can't fap AND play shmups at the same time.

[Kittehlord]

Touhou?!?!

[Broyale26]

@Kittehlord

fail.

[fontainelefunk]

Mark!......so late to the party.

[xRetogx]

The graphics could be a lot more detailed.

[wawkillzone]

well forgot to mention that the free version only has 2 bosses

[CheshireCarnage]

lol found this in the 20$ bin at walmart looked at the cover and bought it right away but havent played it yet

[wawkillzone]

mark you should review "A Space Shooter For 2 Bucks!" its and epic game for 2 bucks you can get it from the market place for xbox or from the ps store. or just get it free on you comp from google chrome store

[FantasticFranco]

what, no widescreen?

[Mitsukakex]

marc ;o should reveiw Beat Hazrd on steam. great great godly game <3

[Pachabee]

Looks fun!