after reading the introduction of the PC-Engine version of Spacecraft II, we will look back at the Fami version, and find that it is far from the large-scale video game version, but with the help of VRCIV chips, it shows amazing quality beyond the original works. Plug-in, equipped with enhanced chips

About nine months after the launch of the large-scale video game version "Cosmos Cruiser II", Konami transplanted the game to Fami. However, due to the limitation of hardware functions, it can't be compared with the picture and sound performance of PC-Engine version.

comparing the Fami version with the large-scale video game version, we will find that although their game screens are far from each other, there are still some similarities, and we can vaguely see that they are the same works. It was quite common at that time that the content of the game was different because the hardware function of the home console was not as good as that of the large-scale video game. It was also a pleasure to compare the differences between different versions.

however, thanks to the Fami version of the cartridge equipped with a special enhanced chip VRCIV(VirtualRomController4), which provides the channel switching function between the program Rom and the role Rom and the 16KBSRAM access function, it can play a role beyond the original performance of the host.

apart from the profound technology, the performance improvement makes this game more similar to that of a large-scale video game. It not only provides complete weapons (but only has one shield option), but also can summon four sub-machines. Compared with the original Fami version of Space Cruiser, it can only call for two sub-machines. On the other hand, due to the limitation of the program, the original generation could not perform the vertical scroll performance. Like the large-scale video game version, the player can scroll up and down the screen by moving up and down at a specific level.

▲ Compare the large-scale video game version with the Fami version of Space Cruiser II. This picture shows the artificial sun area of the large-scale video game version.

▲ Although the Fami version has shrunk a lot, it still allows players to see some clues.

▲ The final Boss drawing of the large video game version is quite delicate.

▲ Although the number of colors in Fami version is less, it still looks the same as a whole.

▲ players can also choose their own weapons and equipment at the beginning of the game.

▲ This time, players can summon four sub-phones, which is much more refreshing than the previous generation, which can only summon two.

▲ After summoning four sub-aircrafts, upgrade the sub-aircrafts, so that the sub-aircrafts can temporarily surround the self-aircrafts, which is beneficial to concentrate the attack firepower. The level has shrunk a little, but the sincerity is still enough

Based on the large-scale video game version, there are 8 levels in the game waiting for players to challenge, and the PC-Engine version provides additional relic levels. However, Fami version replaces the special-shaped level with Jika (ギーガ), which is quite close. Two levels, such as volcano and crystal, are merged, and the high-speed level is also merged into the fortress level. However, before the final Boss, a small cell level is added. Although the total number of levels is only seven, all the elements are not missed.

Different from PC-Engine version, which almost completely transplanted the elements of large-scale video game version, Fami version has many differences from large-scale video games in terms of levels, Boss and other details, among which the most enjoyable thing is that the infamous BossCrab is no longer invincible, so that players can vent their grievances after breaking him.

another place worthy of attention in the game is the high-speed checkpoint. Many Fami games will stop or break the picture when the picture scrolls at high speed or there are many characters because of the insufficient performance of the host. This kind of problem has not happened in this work. Even if the stage is forced to scroll at an extremely fast speed in the high-speed checkpoint, the picture and music are still very smooth, and the play experience will not be reduced because of the pause.

On the whole, Fami version of Cosmos Cruiser II can't provide an experience close to that of large-scale video games in terms of sound and light effects, but in the era when the efficiency of home game consoles is poor, this shrinking and transplanting method can meet the needs of players who want to play at home, and it is the best result after weighing when the main body of the game changes little.

▲ Different from the general Fami game, the size of objects is generally small, and the size of the sun and the fire dragon in the artificial solar area is quite large, which gives players a quite shocking impression.

▲ When encountering the first Boss, the game will hide the dashboard and sue, which will give players more atmosphere of Boss fighting.

▲ There is a cell-like netted obstacle in the Jika checkpoint, which needs to be removed before it can pass.

▲ Jika level also has enemies with alien appearance, which is similar to the alien level of the large video game version.

▲ The description of crystal is limited by the host's hair color ability, so it looks less stereoscopic.

▲ The description of Crystal Core, the Boss, is more detailed. You can see that mechanical parts are revealed under the crystal.

▲ As a registered trademark of the space cruise ship, the Moai stone statue is not absent from this work.

▲Tetran is as disturbing as the large video game version, and will stretch out its tentacles and pounce on the robot at the same time.

▲ The high-speed checkpoint has a smooth performance that is rare on Fami, which is quite worth seeing.

▲ Unlike Crab in the large video game version, players can break it in the Fami version.

▲ In the final cell level, the brain-like tissue will proliferate and block the player's way.

▲ If you don't pass the obstacle at the right time, you will fall into the dilemma of death.

game information

Chinese name: ambitions of space cruise ship IIGOFER

English name: GradiusII

Japanese name: グラディスの ambitions of II Gofer

Release year: 1988

Ship (Gradius, 1986, FC)

Space Cruise Ship II(GradiusII, 1988, large video game)

Space Cruise Ship II(Gradius, 1992, PCE)