Soulcalibur on Arcade

Manager
Wednesday, July 2, 2008 | 4:16 PM
31 comments

Xbox 360

Namco-Bandai has unleashed Soulcalibur on Xbox Live Arcade, available from today for 800p. Here are some fights captured in video form and a couple of images. I never got to try the Dreamcast or Arcade version so it's hard for me to do a any kind of comparison, but the game is great - even though the game lacks online multiplayer.

Keep in mind that the video was recorded in 480i, an error in my settings. The game looks great in 720p, which the images below shows.

Gameplay images

Téléchargement

Gameplay video

S1kkZ

Commented on 2008-07-02 16:28:45

there are some things missing:

-mission/ story mode
-all weapons you could unlock in mission mode
-the intro (wich is stupid, because it was done with ingame graphics)

In reply to

Manager

Commented on 2008-07-02 16:34:04 In reply to S1kkZ

Posted by S1kkZ

there are some things missing:

-mission/ story mode
-all weapons you could unlock in mission mode
-the intro (wich is stupid, because it was done with ingame graphics)

Absolutely, sorry - I was more concentrating on technical things, as sound glitches and framedrops. I've just removed that sentence.

In reply to

KiNiK

Commented on 2008-07-02 16:45:12

That game made me buy a dreamcast, and then I did not regret it, was a great machine.

In reply to

purbeast

Commented on 2008-07-02 16:51:57 In reply to S1kkZ

Posted by S1kkZ

there are some things missing:

-mission/ story mode
-all weapons you could unlock in mission mode
-the intro (wich is stupid, because it was done with ingame graphics)

this is an ARCADE port, and the arcade version did not have a mission or story mode, nor weapons to unlock.

In reply to

Sath

Commented on 2008-07-02 17:24:47

Well ever since I played SoulEdge I haven't played any other Soul game until this one, so I wanted to try the demo.

And I was on the fence if I should get SC4 or not, because I totally forgot how the combat was in this franchise, appearently, it is no DOA were the combat is ultra fast with tons of combos, but is more as a in-depth combat.

Anyway, I decided to give SC4 a chance, and I am hoping for a SC4 demo during E3!

In reply to

WinterSnowblind

Commented on 2008-07-02 17:32:18 In reply to purbeast

Posted by purbeast

this is an ARCADE port, and the arcade version did not have a mission or story mode, nor weapons to unlock.

Not true, it's the DC version, very clearly. It has all of the DC extra's including the museum, characters, costumes, team battle mode, practice, etc.

The only thing it's missing are the things that were listed above. I really don't understand why they chose to remove mission mode, IGN claim it was because of XBLA's size limit, but considering the mode was essentially nothing but text, why couldn't it fit?

The whole thing reaks of a rushed port, to hype up SCIV. But it's still worth the 800 points.

In reply to

Kethmach

Commented on 2008-07-02 17:35:14

There's a lot to be upset about - as far as the lack of mission mode and stuff...

but there's NOTHING wrong with the framerate or sound. If you're having any issues- I'd look into your Xbox. I've been playing for HOURS and it's been so damn silky smooth it's almost impossible to imagine it's an XBLA game.

In reply to

Jollipop

Commented on 2008-07-02 17:41:49

Wow the interlacing in that video is horrible :S

Great game, I won't be getting it though, would rather wait for SC4.

In reply to

starfox14now

Commented on 2008-07-02 19:16:25

The only real issue, is that it should come with a real arcade stick!

In reply to

WinterSnowblind

Commented on 2008-07-02 20:24:47 In reply to S1kkZ

Posted by S1kkZ

there are some things missing:

-mission/ story mode
-all weapons you could unlock in mission mode
-the intro (wich is stupid, because it was done with ingame graphics)

Oh, and just for the record, you couldn't unlock weapons in any version of this game.
This is the one Soulcalibur/Edge game that you haven't been able to do that in.

In reply to

GriftGFX

Commented on 2008-07-02 20:31:11 In reply to purbeast

Posted by purbeast

this is an ARCADE port, and the arcade version did not have a mission or story mode, nor weapons to unlock.

Yup. I still think the DC version actually looks nicer than this port, too, despite being lower res.

In reply to

starfox14now

Commented on 2008-07-02 21:05:05 In reply to GriftGFX

Posted by GriftGFX

Yup. I still think the DC version actually looks nicer than this port, too, despite being lower res.

Nop. This is from the Dreamcast version.

In reply to

Contra

Commented on 2008-07-02 21:37:51

Not to derail the topic or anything but does anyone know if the Ikaruga port on XBLA is missing anything as well? I'd like to know if I'm about to buy and download a gimped version or not.

In reply to

GriftGFX

Commented on 2008-07-02 22:02:12 In reply to Contra

Posted by starfox14now

Nop. This is from the Dreamcast version.

No, it's clearly not. Insert Coin? It's a polished arcade port, just like Tekken 5 on PSN. It even looks more like the arcade version of the game. Just because IGN said it was the Dreamcast version of the game, everyone assumes they're right, but it sure doesn't appear to be a DC port.

Posted by Contra

Not to derail the topic or anything but does anyone know if the Ikaruga port on XBLA is missing anything as well? I'd like to know if I'm about to buy and download a gimped version or not.

Very little, it's missing some of the extra stuff they tacked on to the Gamecube release of the game, but otherwise it's pretty complete. One of the best values on the arcade, I think.. god that game is hard as nails.

In reply to

Tarnished

Commented on 2008-07-02 22:10:30

It looks like a port from the coin-op. The DC version looked better than this. In fact I have the DC version running right here to compare.

Oh and as far as Ikaruga is concerned. The only thing I notice that's missing is the original option screens where you get to pick your difficulty setting/type of game. All the options are still here, but the Live arcade version is missing the cool 'guy walking on the spot next to the gunship in a greyscale scene while the camera slowly circles round.' I have to admit, I miss the computer saying 'Normal Mode' 'Normal Game' when choosing the options. Apart from that everything seems to be here.

I can't compare it to the GameCube version as I only ever played it on the Dreamcast.

In reply to

S1kkZ

Commented on 2008-07-02 22:31:11 In reply to Tarnished

Posted by Tarnished

It looks like a port from the coin-op. The DC version looked better than this. In fact I have the DC version running right here to compare.

it IS the dreamcast version. they had to cut out the mission mode because of the size limit. i have the dc version here and it looks identical. of course it looks worse when you play in hd, in sd it looks identical to the dc version.

In reply to

starfox14now

Commented on 2008-07-02 22:39:12

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/52286
Now, can you guys please stop with the FUD?

If the lack of mission mode, is because of the limit-size, "IF" ... it's only namco's fault.
The cap was augmented already a while ago to 350+Mbs, or so...

... and what's the excuse to the lack of online, really?

With Soul Calibur 4 in the way ... Milk theCow Rush-Job is the proper answer.

Posted by Contra

Not to derail the topic or anything but does anyone know if the Ikaruga port on XBLA is missing anything as well? I'd like to know if I'm about to buy and download a gimped version or not.

It think the only "nerd" that complained was one of the world top players, because generic enemy #566 wasn't positioned in the 456/567, but in the 456/565 x/y axis, or something in that line.

That's about it.
As faithfull as it gets, If your not the BIGGEST IKARUGA NERD IN THE WORLD, that is.

In reply to

NeoNemesis

Commented on 2008-07-02 22:41:23

I wish it had online.

In reply to

WinterSnowblind

Commented on 2008-07-03 00:40:18 In reply to GriftGFX

Posted by GriftGFX

No, it's clearly not. Insert Coin? It's a polished arcade port, just like Tekken 5 on PSN. It even looks more like the arcade version of the game. Just because IGN said it was the Dreamcast version of the game, everyone assumes they're right, but it sure doesn't appear to be a DC port.

Like I already said, with the exception of Mission Mode, this has all the same extras the Dreamcast version had, it is a port of the DC version. Albiet, a very poor one. Still worth the 800 points, but I would have paid 1,200 if we got mission mode.

In reply to

Megalith

Commented on 2008-07-03 01:34:31

Can the posers just please STFU. Go back to Soul Calibur II and III.

The port is every bit as good as the original; in fact, it is even better. I never had the opportunity to see what the Dreamcast version looked like in VGA, and now there is no point. Namco did a wonderful job with the upscaling; the 2D portraits look absolutely fantastic, although I figured that they just resized the original high resolution files with 720p output in mind. The 3D models are also extremely clean. The only thing that is really disappointing is the music; it almost sounds mono. The text could be a little cleaner as well.

It's too bad the 360 d-pad sucks so bad.

Oh, and all the stuff that was originally unlocked in Mission Mode seems available. You can even access the EM Weapons with the left trigger. Told.

In reply to

GriftGFX

Commented on 2008-07-03 02:56:45

Okay, I stand corrected. I'm still going to have to pass though. If it did have online play, I might bite, but I still have the DC game and that's enough for me. Plus it's a hard copy, and not some glorified DRM rental. I'm glad they did a good job presenting everything in HD though.

The 360 d-pad is useless. Get an arcade stick.

In reply to

PlumbDrumb

Commented on 2008-07-03 03:07:19

I did the coffee can lid trick to my 360 pads and they work pretty well now, or as good as the old Xbox S-controllers at least.

A stick would be ideal though.

In reply to

Contra

Commented on 2008-07-03 03:15:31 In reply to GriftGFX

Posted by GriftGFX

.. god that game is hard as nails.

That's why I like it. Thanks by the way, I think I'll stick with the gc version then.

In reply to

Corellianrogue

Commented on 2008-07-03 04:28:20 In reply to PlumbDrumb

Posted by PlumbDrumb

I did the coffee can lid trick to my 360 pads and they work pretty well now, or as good as the old Xbox S-controllers at least.

A stick would be ideal though.

What's the coffee can lid trick?

In reply to

PlumbDrumb

Commented on 2008-07-03 04:38:14 In reply to Corellianrogue

Posted by Corellianrogue

What's the coffee can lid trick?

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Fix-the-d-pad-...

You DON'T need to do the sanding part at all.

I used a coffee can lid instead of a nut can lid because that's all I had, but it's the same material anyway.

This is really easy and I recommend everyone do it (minus the useless sanding part; really you don't need to do that).
It stabilizes the d-pad and makes it more accurate, while adding a nice "click" feeling, like a real d-pad should.

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