August 25th, 2024
In the last post, I got a Sony LAM-Z03. It came with both speakers, but the right speaker's cable was falling apart. It's a common issue with most units in the LAM-series and needs to be replaced. I found the hexagon screwdriver that I needed to open the speakers up, so now I can finally service the speaker.
This photo is embarrasing. I had the wrong wire twisted.
After cutting out the old mono cable, I had access to the ground and left-channel wire. I spliced an old 3.5mm-to-RCA cable I had and connected the left-channel and ground to the leftover cables. After some tests, I soldered the spliced cables together and closed it up.
I plugged the cable into the left-speakers R-OUT jack (which is a stereo 3.5mm jack that only outputs the left-channel) and it played just fine! My first solder job and it ended up going perfectly fine. The cable is only a foot long, but the unit isn't going to be extremely spread out, so it's fine.
I also bought the remote for the system, as mine didn't come with one. Most functions are on the system itself, but features like editing, equalizer presets, clock set, grouping, and recording settings are only accessible with the remote. The remote looks rather cheap, like a remote that would be bundled with cheap RGB LED strips or something.
I also bought some more MDs. I bought a lot of 8 74-minute discs for around $5. None of them came in cases but they were all used and unformatted. Two discs are used for the Kobukuro Single Best album. Everything else seems to be a personal playlist rather than pure CD duplicates. As of now, I used one of the Kobukuro Single Best discs for my music, but when I get to the other discs in the future, I'll write down their playlists in their respective blog posts.
It only took 7 hours to do. It's sweet.
I finally got all the achievements for We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reviere. I bought it since it was on sale around the time I got my Xbox One. The achievements were all very easy. There's no achievements on completing the collection, superclears or roses. The hardest achievement might've been just getting all the cousins.
I also bought Beautiful Katamari too. It's the Japanese copy. The game was part of the Platinum Collection rereleases, so they're pretty cheap. This is the only Katamari game I never truly played as I never had a Xbox 360 growing up and Xenia doesn't play well with this game.
The game is region locked on a regular 360. Region locking on the 360 depends on what the publisher sets for that particular game. Bandai Namco seems to have a consistant track record of blocking their Japanese releases on anything that isn't a Japanese console. I'm not willing to RGH my Xbox for one single game...
Well, thank god it doesn't matter on Xbox One. Inserting the disc will install the North American version of the game. Since the game downloads over the network, the disc is used only for authentication.
Beautiful Katamari was the first Katamari game to have DLC.
As for DLC, it's alright. Some cousins and presents are locked behind DLC, which sucks. This doesn't get in the way of the collection though, as items unique to the DLC are counted seperately from the main game's collection.
As for achievements, there's plenty for the game. Though, there's a few that flat-out state you need DLC, a couple for the online, and a pair of achievements that are tied to your playtime.
I haven't bothered with the achievements for online. I don't want to pay for online multiplayer in a single game, so I'm just passing on it at the moment. If there's some sort of deal for Game Pass, I'll probably get on it, but I doubt anyone is playing a 10+ year old game now.
If you remember my old blog posts, I used to love talking about cameras. I haven't done much of that cause I haven't found any new cameras to talk about. There hasn't been any cameras at Goodwill and my DCR-PC110 has been treating me well ever since I got it in 2019.
Despite that, I bought these two cameras. A very special DCR-TRV22 and a DCR-SC100. They're both miniDV cameras and were listed as junk, but they work almost perfectly! Almost.
To start, the DCR-TRV22 is one of the most popular miniDV cameras out there. This version is special as it's a brownish color. It appears that they All the text in the menus and system are in Japanese, no way to change it.
The system arrived and it immediately threw up a system error which seemed to mean that the tape intake isn't working properly. I reseated the included miniDV tape and it worked just fine, even after switching through a bunch of tapes. Odd...
The only issue I have with this camera is that the microphone sucks, seemingly more so than my regular DCR-TRV22. Thankfully, Sony released accessories to add higher quality microphones to camcorders. They're a little pricey, but if I can score a good price for one, it could solve that issue.
The next camera is the DCR-SC100. This is an earlier miniDV camera, not including modern features like Memory Stick support or accessories. It looks a lot like Sony's Mavica cameras of the time. Despite the basic design, it could do some very unique things!
One thing that many Sony cameras allowed was to flip the viewfinder around to make it visible from many different angles. This camera also allows for that, the viewfinder can be pulled out and rotated all around. To combat visiblity issues with the viewfinder, the camera also comes with a screen umbrella, which folds up to also protect the screen.
This system had a physical problem. To power on Sony cameras, you would need to press down a green button to unlock the power switch. The green button on this camera was broken off, making it impossible to move the power switch. After some fiddling around with a screwdriver, the loose piece fell off and I was able to turn it on.
It seems like that was the only problem. I haven't had any issue loading or playing tapes and the lens seems fine. The viewfinder is pretty grainy, but that looks to be just the quality of the screen. Using a live DV output shows a clean image. Big win!
I got a PlayStation VR for only $11. It's the inital CUH-ZVR1 from 2016. It was untested junk and I was willing to try my luck on one. I wanted to play Space Channel 5 VR on it. If it didn't work, replacement parts were cheap too.
Diagram of the VR setup. Barring the headphones, everything is required.
Since it's the ZVR1, I have to deal with the craziest setup ever. There's so many cables everywhere. You have to connect the PS4 to a new processor box, which itself requires its own power source, USB cable and HDMI connections while also being connected to the headset. This is the modern Sega 32X setup.
Sony released the CUH-ZVR2 a year later which removed a cable and adjusted the headset for better cable management. There's no other differences between either revision, so it's not a necessary upgrade.
Of course, it's 100% reasonable to assume this is all because the PS4 wasn't made to have VR support initally. The PSVR2 notably removes the middleman, requiring only a USB-C cable. That sounds cool, I can't wait to buy it 8 years from now when it resells for $60.
While the headset works pretty well, I cannot comment on any software due to my PS4 controller being busted. I'll have to do it some other time.
Software time! I bought a whole lot of software.
Some beatmania IIDX games! 8th & 7th are two of my most favorite early-IIDX games.
7th style has some of the best music in the early games out there. Bad Routine, 9 o'clocks, E.V CAFE, Happy Wedding & Last Message are my absolute favorites from the game. The CS version also features revivals like Spin the disc, Mobo Moga, starmine and I Was The One. It's a very good CS release.
8th style is also a good mix itself. Music like Blame and Blown My Heart Away are tied for the best songs from this style, but it also includes Everyday Lovelyday L.E.D. STYLE MIX, Sakura, Red Nikita, and bit mania. The only thing I can really say is that a lot of the returning songs are songs from 7th style or have already returned in 7th style.
The first pop'n music game I got this time was Best Hits! This isn't a port of any arcade version, rather it's a collection of songs from the first 6 pop'n music games. It's a bit uncommon compared to other early PS2 pop'n music games and the only mainline game to be on a CD rather than a DVD.
It's pretty good as it has around 50 songs being played on the PS2 pop'n engine and the resale value is pretty low ($10) for a lot of songs from the first 6 games and then some. Despite that though, a lot of songs did not appear in this game, even some of the ones that ended up in the top 30 list. If you want to play a song that wasn't lucky enough to end up in the game, you'll have to buy the old PS1 release and possibly a key disc!
Next is this game! It's pop'n music Taisen Puzzle-dama ONLINE, an entry to Konami's Puzzle-dama games. This is the only pop'n music game on PS2 with zero rhythm game elements.
Checking the game manual out hints at future updates. There's a changelog on the website.
This game advertises an online mode, which shut down a year after release. This game required the PS2 HDD to install the game to in order to play online, making the game impossible to play online on the then soon-to-release PS2 slim. The requirement was due to updates and DLC that was avaliable at the time. Though, the slim not including HDD support put this game in a grave immediately.
Click the flyer for a high-res scan.
The game came with a flyer for PlayStation BB hardware. It was 12,800 yen for the network adapter and a 40GB HDD. At that time, it was $120 for the set. On the back, it says owners of the early SCPH-1x000 units must go to the PlayStation website to order external drives, as they had a different expansion port than later consoles.
The 1.90 Beta version. This game doesn't load since I haven't logged in, but StarOnline has been down for years.
One thing I would like to mention is the fact that there was a PC version of the game made before the release of the PS2 version. This version does not have an offline mode and requires a seperate launcher to be installed, which both installers don't need online for.
Of course, as there is no offline mode and this was only a beta test, it's impossible to play the game at all. Maybe someone can hack it to reach some gameplay scene, but I'm not that person. The beta test seemed to finish in late-2003, with the final PS2 version releasing in March 2004 and a PC version never coming out. While the PC version was apparently popular, StarOnline had shut down in January of that year, which is most likely why the game only came out on PS2 rather than PC aswell.
Also, the big yellow blurb on the front advertises free online access, which I keep forgetting is a selling point. Dai Guruguru Onsen, a tabletop game I own that also features online, required a 300 yen monthly subscription to play. While I know console players have to pay a subscription to play online, that usually covers everything.
Anyways, about the actual game. This game is like Puyo but you'll need to link up three pieces to score and you're able to choose how your nuisance drops work. If you played Puyo, you can transfer a lot of basic combos here aswell. I like the ability to choose how your attacks work and how easy it can be to exploit your opponent's attacks for an easy win.
Next and final PS2 title is Technictix, a game I can't remember the spelling for at all. I've been looking for a copy for a while now and I managed to get one for around $8.
It's a very pretty rhythm game where you move your character around to different circles and tap the Circle button when the timing circle overlaps with the circle itself. It's pretty difficult, especially with the chaining feature.
There is a sort of chaining feature where, if the circle you hit overlap with other circles, those circles will play themselves. You can also drag the circles around to make even larger chains happen.
The more you play the arcade mode, the more characters you unlock that have different stats. For example, Rain has a largerr hit radius but moves slower, while Bull can move the fastest but you'll have to hold the X button down to move circles.
There is a sequel named Technic Beat that came out soon after the arcade version. It features different characters and new music. One of these days, I'll get it. It's a tad bit more expensive.
This is beatmania featuring Dreams Come True! It's my first standalone beatmania game. Like Dancing Stage featuring Dreams Come True, this is the original 5-key beatmania with Dreams Come True music.
I tried uploading Egao no Yukue, but the video got blocked in some (all) countries...
This beatmania game has more songs than the Dancing Stage version. While Dancing Stage has mostly music from The Monster, this features more music from DCT's previous discography. All of it is pretty good! I recommend playing this game as a first 5-key game.
I don't own a 5-key controller & all the games (minus the final CS release) don't support IIDX controllers. While IIDX is pretty hard to play on a regular controller, it's simple to play this one as I'm used to 5-key pop'n music. The game allows for key configuration, so I just make it similar to what pop'n music uses and use the triggers for scratching.
Also, this game counts as a key disc! My copy of 5th Mix is an append disc which cannot boot without a key disc. I can finally play that game aswell!
Like pop'n music 2, you select the option in the menu and swap the discs there. The game will then load the 5th Mix game. The game will also need its own save file for settings and scores too.
I like 5th mix! The track list has a lot of good music from the earlier titles along with the pretty amazing song list of 5th mix. I haven't explored the 5-key games that much due to emulation of the AC versions being a little iffy, but I'm happy to try the CS versions!
Taiko DS 3 arrived! I played this game a good bit on my old DS flashcart way back.
The game comes with two styluses for easier play on the touch screen taiko, but it only came with one. It doesn't really matter though, as I'm perfectly fine with the regular DS Lite stylus.
The previous owner played the hell out of this game. A lot of clears and full combos up to Oni! Their DS screen must be scratched to hell... or maybe they were sane and used buttons.
It was my birthday this month. My brother gifted me a new console.
He gifted me a Twin Famicom! It's a licensed Famicom console released by Sharp which contains both a Famicom and the Disk System in one unit. It also contains composite output, something Nintendo's offerings didn't have until the AV Famicom in 1993. The composite out makes it cleaner and easier to capture Famicom footage!
Turning the system on will then start up a boot screen, a tad unique from the regular Disk Systems.
We played a few games and it was apparent that the buttons were worn. The Player 2 D-pad especially felt hard to use. I reckoned it was due to the rubber contacts on the bottom being worn down. I opened both controllers and replaced the rubber contacts. The controllers feel better to use now!
The system features a switch on the front to change between cartridge play or disk play. When set to disk play, the cartridge slot is locked shut, possibly to give priority to an internal RAM adapter. The system comes with 4 expansion ports: 1 being the regular Famicom extension port, 1 being the mysterious extension port on the RAM adapter, and 2 extra ones that are used to connect the internal RAM adapter to the disk drive.
My brother gave me two disks. One has both Othello and Pro Wrestling. The other is Castlevania 2. There's no artwork or manual for either of them, but it's good as long as the case is there. The normal yellow disks don't have any shutters, so I'm worried about handling them!
Now, I don't know what to do with my original Famicom!
I went to a retro game store earlier last week. It was nice. I don't really like going to retro game stores that much because the prices are rather pretty bad. Though this time, the prices were alright, though some of it were pretty bad. First-party N64 games were all $60, that's such a stupid price.
I always thought 32X cartridges were smaller than they really were.
I got DOOM on 32X, my first 32X game ever. The game was normally priced here, being only $20. While the prices aren't much different in Japan, factoring in international shipping, I guess I saved a few bucks here. I guess being labelled as the one of the "worst ports of DOOM" gets you a pretty cheap resale price.
I never owned an add-on for the Genesis. I've been looking at Sega CD units, but they're pricey. The Model 1 goes for a LOT, especially if it works. Those units are prone to failure though, so I'm worried about even placing a bid on one. The Model 2 is cheaper and seems to have a better failure rate, so I might just hop on that.
32X units are something else, due to how poor it performed compared to the earlier CD addon, they do go for a lot for what it is. Having the special video cable shoots up the price by a large amount, so it's a very cautious thing to buy. Even on Yahoo Auctions, there's not that many 32X auctions happening at once.
I really want the addons, this is one of the few times I'm actually using eBay. The 32X isn't region-locked, as the addon doesn't have any region coding itself, that's on the host console. The Sega CD is a different case though, with some models refusing to start on an incorrect host console. There's a whole table about it on TCRF, which appears that the US models only like the US consoles. It can be circumvented by replacing the BIOS chip, adding a region switch or using an Everdrive to load a different BIOS.
College was nice this semester. Had to take a summer semester due to one class in my degree being so unpopular that it ends up only being active during the summer. It was alright.