Thank you! I was looking for information on the 3DS version and couldn't find any. This was very helpful to me. And now I'm mostly interested in trying out Steel Empire :)
- Uh, boss, the 3DS version of the game is still an early beta with lots of bugs and glitches. - Don’t worry about it. We’ll put limited edition stickers on it and people will buy just for the novelty factor of last 3DS game.
I think it’s more that they were in a mad rush to hit Nintendo’s final certification deadlines for 3DS, after which point it was impossible to ever push out newer code to anyone. They could also be a crappy dev on top, though, who knows.
Great review as always. Really dissapointed to hear about all the technical issues. Especially the problems with the 3D. I was really excited when I heard it was actually being implemented unlike most other late 3ds releases. Can't win them all I guess 🤷
The console ports are pretty shoddy across the board, but the 3DS got done super dirty. It seems to have all the worst issues of the other ports and its own on top of that. And the bottom screen goes completely wasted. The original game's HUD is kind of cramped to conserve screen real estate and it was a no-brainer to use the lower screen for that info and touch-screen weapon selection. It's sad to see the 3DS go out on this sour note. Thankfully, the Steam release is more than worth its price and I'm very happy just having that.
Damn, really shocked to see this so bad on 3DS. I just got it on Switch and I'm blown away by this game so I was thinking of getting the 3DS version as I love the 3DS but I'm just going to have to pass on this. It looks so rushed to me. Then again, the Switch version I have is absolutly amazing really. A real shame! Thanks for the review and the gameroom is coming along very nicely!
The switch version is fantastic! The actual game it’s self is great, easily 8 or 9/10, this port though is very rough.. I’m glad I got both, don’t see myself revisiting the 3DS version again since the switch is so much better
I feel the same way but since it's one if the last few 3ds games I may have to get the us version. I ha e the european version which I can't play on my region locked 3ds. I do have the physical copy on switch though, great game and great music
Thanks for the video. Bought the 3DS version cause thought it'd be cool to have a shmup that supported 3D on the 3DS. Wish more shmups came out. Went into it kinda blind, and wanted to play it before watching any reviews. Honestly, I think it's pretty good! Definitely a lot of fun, and really wish there were more shmups on the 3DS that supported 3D (just found out about Steel Empire here as well! so awesome!) - Soundtrack is awesome, 3D effect is awesome and it plays great. Definitely a great pickup. Gonna have to pseudo-double dip and get the Switch version too! Really wish it supported co-op multiplayer (like the original/first one). Would've been cool to have local-wireless play on the 3DS version as well!
As they say, comparison is the killer of joy, so seems the case here. As a man who cleared the concerned game on my 3DS, I didn't even noticed the issues mentioned before watching your video. But now I feel disappointed as how we are given a sub-par port of an excellent game. I believe the publisher just wanted to capitalise on the fact that this will be one of the last games for the 3DS and haphazardly released it. BTW, excellent review chap, you have earned a new subscriber.
What are your thoughts on those excellent titles by Capcom, Sega, Atlus, and others, not discounted on Europe's eshop, but our US friends are able to scoop up these bargains? 😪
Great review! I did order this physically for the 3ds for the simple fact that it is probably the last game we will get for the 3ds. So for that reason alone I'm just happy to own it. I also bought the Switch version AS WELL. I did also just receive my physical copy of Fragrant Story for the 3DS! ANOTHER cool physical to have at the end of this consoles life.
Ah too bad for the technical aspect… I am still waiting for my copy to arrive and you have mentioned that the 3D effects are good even if it has some issues. I’m sure I will have a good time since it’s seems to be a great game at its core. Thanks for the review and for the gameplay too. When I searched for footage about the 3DS version I always got the switch version. I also want to talk about another shmup that is available on the 3DS’s eshop. It’s called "Chain Blaster". This shooter focuses its gameplay more on the bombs than the your normal firings which makes a pretty unique on the genre. Your bombs can create some amazing combos and can clear the whole screen however if timed wrong you will be almost defenceless. The price is affordable and it has a demo if you want to have a quick look. I never played the demo but I liked this game and I do launch the game time to time. All the best, mate!
grewat video, im still waiting for mine to arrive, but im very much looking Forward to it! so glad it runs in 3d! that is what i was looking forward to hearing! despite the issues, i am still looking forward to this. as its very unusual to get a shooter on the 3DS! im assuming we wont get a patch, but lets hope we do as it would have been a great way for the 3DS to go out! great review!
Sad, because I really wanted a second physical eu 3ds shoot em up (the Japanese sega 3d releases are very hard to find). I'm still maybe going to buy it, I don't see performance problems (outside of improper scaling stuff jank). 2d games look incredible on the 3ds.
I pre-ordered almost a year ago. Pixelheart comes through, but man this is taking forever. And they have another edition up for pre-order. And.....I think I got a email saying the Xbox version is cancelled.
Thanks for the great review. Bought the 3DS version for the collection, keeping it sealed. Will play the switch version digital. Keep up the good work! :-) P.S. Will have a look at Steel Empire ;-)
I want to play an arcade shmup. Mom: We have shmups at home. The shmups at home... I still have to play Steel Empire, this is not very high on the priority list, this port seems like a total afterthought. The bottom screen could show progress through the level, more detailed info on the weapons systems, a big red button for dropping bombs, any number of things, seems like a wasted opportunity
Just got both my copies of andro dunos 2 for the 3ds and switch and the game is great!!!!!!!! The music is a 10. Best shooter I've played in the most recent years
Shame, but I've still ordered a copy. Mainly as it's possibly the last boxed cart for the system. Though, watching the footage, it does kinda scream "generic shooter" from what I've seen. Wonders if the loading times are improved on the New 3DS, or if it's the same for both models. And improper aspect ratio, with no options to correct, and what looks like an imperfect integer scale, if I did categories, that would automatically score a 0 in graphics. :P
Unfortunately the loading is the same on the New 3DS, nothing different across the systems at all, I was kind to graphics as the underlying sprites are nice, just covered up by every scaling atrocity they could 😂
You're not going to like this, but with new3ds cpu boost forced by luma cfw, the loading screen goes from 40s to 13s, and the gameplay is noticeably smoother. The dev just simply decided to not check the compiler flags to allow this by default.
How were you able to capture from the 3DS? There’s no HDMI- or TV-out mod available now as far as i know, for the DS or 3DS… Thanks for the review! I might pick it up anyways for 3DS, if still available…
The scaling looks really awful but the hardware capture should be good, can you confirm that it looks like that in person? Particularly bad is the x in the lives counter.
@@FoxbatStargazer yes it looks exactly the same on the system as the capture, I made sure to record it at 1-1 pixel resolution, so there’s no scaling going on with the video or output at all.
Nanostray is awesome, it really makes the DS capabilities shine... And Steel Empire is one of the finest shooters in existence... It's a total shame Andro Dunos 2 just couldn't be on the level of those two.
I've invested several hours into the EU version on 3DS and must say, that while everything you criticize is true the game remains very playable. I would even argue that fps is not far below 60 (my guess is around 50) and inputlag may even be lower than on the switch. It remains to be seen whether the upcoming US release will be further optimized...
I accidently bought the European version which is unplayable on my switch and was thinking about buying the us version because my 2ds is region locked. I do have the game for the switch physically though, it's great
@@redcrimson1028 Is this really region locked? On switch certainly not. On 2DS/3DS? I seriously don't know. Better ask pixelheart before buying. I can't really measure it but I think the framerate is constantly at 60 without 3D on. So 2DS might be a good alternative.
@@Skelta75 the switch isn't region locked but the ds/3ds is. I bought the european version by accident and thr game doesn't work in my 2ds or 3ds, knowing this I emailed Pixelheart and tell them to swap out the copy and they never replied, assholes they are I tell you. So I mite by the us version or just chill. I do have the physical version on switch which works of course.
I’m guessing they didn’t have long to port the game because of the 3DS production and support ending? They have already said they won’t be able to make any updates :( twitter.com/pixelheart_eu/status/1511318556662710277?s=21&t=aCNhx1MWvtYc0lYHt3Me1A
I've been playing this game for about a week and I don't get the overall negativity of this review. Some of his criticisms are technically true, such as the resolution making the text harder to read and some of the 3D is a little wonky (still looks great overall), but in my opinion, it has very little impact on gameplay. I'd say, three years after the last major releases for the 3DS, this game is a nice send off for the system, even if it does have a few minor flaws.
Ohh nice can't wait to get mine. But I wonder if it's really the last physical game for the console. I know fragrant story should release late but my god it looks so bad...
Dislike because clickbait. How on earth is this disappointing? 30fps is fine. The only thing that’s kind of bad is the aspect ratio but you literally had no other bad things to say. 64% is what you give to crap like cyber punk not a good game with minimal issues.
I mentioned a lot of things wrong with this version of the game… The framerate is a big problem, it makes the much less enjoyable to play than any other version, the aspect ratio makes everything look bad, the bottom screen was badly utilised, the 3D effect is broken at times, the music cuts in and out, the loading times are bad for a 3DS game, it was rushed out before it was ready, and they can’t fix it because they had to return the dev kits. As a final game for the system there’s no other way to see it than a disappointment. It’s a good game buried under many technical issues. I don’t think I was unfair in my review!
@@RetroBreak that’s exactly it; none of those things you mentioned are even that bad. Idk how it is for brits or wherever you’re from but in America anything below a 70% percent is failing/has no merit in schools so I apply that to games as well. By your standards gran truisms 2 on the ps1 deserves a 64% because it has all the same issues (even though it’s one of the best racers ever), or metal slug 2 would also get a bad score for those same reason. What would be an actual disappointing finale would have been if like many other consoles we had just gotten some sports game or low budget puzzle game as a last game. Maybe try changing your rating system because gameplay is way more important than these minor technical issues.
RetroBreak - ignore this blithering idiot. I & many others, agree with your unbiased review. This game is complete trash on 3DS. They literally failed at properly scaling the pixels for the 3DS display. Looks atrocious. The low resolution still image used on the lower screen looks equally hideous. This renders the game unplayable for me on the 3DS. PixelHeart? More like PixelShart in this case
Hey, thanks for mentioning our games, Silver Falls. We're fans of your channel, so that was a nice surprise.
Thank you! I was looking for information on the 3DS version and couldn't find any. This was very helpful to me. And now I'm mostly interested in trying out Steel Empire :)
Ha, my work here is done! Steel Empire is fantastic!
Steel Empire is one of the finest shooters in existence.
- Uh, boss, the 3DS version of the game is still an early beta with lots of bugs and glitches.
- Don’t worry about it. We’ll put limited edition stickers on it and people will buy just for the novelty factor of last 3DS game.
I think it’s more that they were in a mad rush to hit Nintendo’s final certification deadlines for 3DS, after which point it was impossible to ever push out newer code to anyone.
They could also be a crappy dev on top, though, who knows.
Great review as always. Really dissapointed to hear about all the technical issues. Especially the problems with the 3D. I was really excited when I heard it was actually being implemented unlike most other late 3ds releases. Can't win them all I guess 🤷
which are the last 3ds games release?
The console ports are pretty shoddy across the board, but the 3DS got done super dirty. It seems to have all the worst issues of the other ports and its own on top of that. And the bottom screen goes completely wasted. The original game's HUD is kind of cramped to conserve screen real estate and it was a no-brainer to use the lower screen for that info and touch-screen weapon selection. It's sad to see the 3DS go out on this sour note.
Thankfully, the Steam release is more than worth its price and I'm very happy just having that.
The 3ds will never die! A homebrew scene will develop that will be making new 3ds games years from now!
Damn, really shocked to see this so bad on 3DS. I just got it on Switch and I'm blown away by this game so I was thinking of getting the 3DS version as I love the 3DS but I'm just going to have to pass on this. It looks so rushed to me. Then again, the Switch version I have is absolutly amazing really. A real shame! Thanks for the review and the gameroom is coming along very nicely!
The switch version is fantastic! The actual game it’s self is great, easily 8 or 9/10, this port though is very rough.. I’m glad I got both, don’t see myself revisiting the 3DS version again since the switch is so much better
@@RetroBreak thanks for your video. i think i will buy the switch version. in 3ds this game is the same or different compare to the Switch??
I feel the same way but since it's one if the last few 3ds games I may have to get the us version. I ha e the european version which I can't play on my region locked 3ds. I do have the physical copy on switch though, great game and great music
Hey, happy to see your arc-ives picture in the background!
Thanks for the video. Bought the 3DS version cause thought it'd be cool to have a shmup that supported 3D on the 3DS. Wish more shmups came out. Went into it kinda blind, and wanted to play it before watching any reviews. Honestly, I think it's pretty good! Definitely a lot of fun, and really wish there were more shmups on the 3DS that supported 3D (just found out about Steel Empire here as well! so awesome!) - Soundtrack is awesome, 3D effect is awesome and it plays great. Definitely a great pickup. Gonna have to pseudo-double dip and get the Switch version too! Really wish it supported co-op multiplayer (like the original/first one). Would've been cool to have local-wireless play on the 3DS version as well!
As they say, comparison is the killer of joy, so seems the case here. As a man who cleared the concerned game on my 3DS, I didn't even noticed the issues mentioned before watching your video. But now I feel disappointed as how we are given a sub-par port of an excellent game. I believe the publisher just wanted to capitalise on the fact that this will be one of the last games for the 3DS and haphazardly released it.
BTW, excellent review chap, you have earned a new subscriber.
Very thoughtful review. You just earned my sub.
What are your thoughts on those excellent titles by Capcom, Sega, Atlus, and others, not discounted on Europe's eshop, but our US friends are able to scoop up these bargains? 😪
Great review!! Congrats. Let me ask you something, did you played on the Normal 3DS or the New 3DS? Thanks
Great review! I did order this physically for the 3ds for the simple fact that it is probably the last game we will get for the 3ds. So for that reason alone I'm just happy to own it. I also bought the Switch version AS WELL. I did also just receive my physical copy of Fragrant Story for the 3DS! ANOTHER cool physical to have at the end of this consoles life.
Nice to see this one thanks. It will probs be worth a fair bit in the future then to be fair.
Ah too bad for the technical aspect… I am still waiting for my copy to arrive and you have mentioned that the 3D effects are good even if it has some issues. I’m sure I will have a good time since it’s seems to be a great game at its core. Thanks for the review and for the gameplay too. When I searched for footage about the 3DS version I always got the switch version.
I also want to talk about another shmup that is available on the 3DS’s eshop. It’s called "Chain Blaster". This shooter focuses its gameplay more on the bombs than the your normal firings which makes a pretty unique on the genre. Your bombs can create some amazing combos and can clear the whole screen however if timed wrong you will be almost defenceless. The price is affordable and it has a demo if you want to have a quick look. I never played the demo but I liked this game and I do launch the game time to time.
All the best, mate!
Nano Assault
grewat video, im still waiting for mine to arrive, but im very much looking Forward to it!
so glad it runs in 3d! that is what i was looking forward to hearing!
despite the issues, i am still looking forward to this. as its very unusual to get a shooter on the 3DS!
im assuming we wont get a patch, but lets hope we do as it would have been a great way for the 3DS to go out!
great review!
Sad, because I really wanted a second physical eu 3ds shoot em up (the Japanese sega 3d releases are very hard to find).
I'm still maybe going to buy it, I don't see performance problems (outside of improper scaling stuff jank).
2d games look incredible on the 3ds.
Would they maybe fix the 3D graphical issues with a download or is that no longer possible now the Nintendo 3DS store is down.
They responded to a update question on Twitter. They said it was no longer possible, as they had to return the dev kit back to Nintendo.
@@starlacUK oh that is such a shame!
I pre-ordered almost a year ago. Pixelheart comes through, but man this is taking forever. And they have another edition up for pre-order.
And.....I think I got a email saying the Xbox version is cancelled.
Thanks for the great review. Bought the 3DS version for the collection, keeping it sealed. Will play the switch version digital. Keep up the good work! :-) P.S. Will have a look at Steel Empire ;-)
I want to play an arcade shmup. Mom: We have shmups at home. The shmups at home... I still have to play Steel Empire, this is not very high on the priority list, this port seems like a total afterthought. The bottom screen could show progress through the level, more detailed info on the weapons systems, a big red button for dropping bombs, any number of things, seems like a wasted opportunity
Great review, thanks. I pre-ordered this game last year knowing nothing about it.
5:51 it 3D enabled
Does anyone know if the game case has a thinner spine like the later print run of some PAL 3DS games?
Yes it has the thinner new style box :)
Any chance of the USA ed to get cleaned up?
Does it plays with 3D effect?
Just got both my copies of andro dunos 2 for the 3ds and switch and the game is great!!!!!!!! The music is a 10. Best shooter I've played in the most recent years
Honestly isn't that bad when comparing.
Ouch, I´m holding my breath for the Dreamcast version! I just pre-ordered it, sure hope it runs good with no stretched graphics!
Shame, but I've still ordered a copy. Mainly as it's possibly the last boxed cart for the system. Though, watching the footage, it does kinda scream "generic shooter" from what I've seen.
Wonders if the loading times are improved on the New 3DS, or if it's the same for both models.
And improper aspect ratio, with no options to correct, and what looks like an imperfect integer scale, if I did categories, that would automatically score a 0 in graphics. :P
Unfortunately the loading is the same on the New 3DS, nothing different across the systems at all, I was kind to graphics as the underlying sprites are nice, just covered up by every scaling atrocity they could 😂
You're not going to like this, but with new3ds cpu boost forced by luma cfw, the loading screen goes from 40s to 13s, and the gameplay is noticeably smoother. The dev just simply decided to not check the compiler flags to allow this by default.
Any late game come to 3DS with stereoscopic 3D is Welcome. Don't think can get this game in physical so will get it if it come to 3DS eShop.
How were you able to capture from the 3DS? There’s no HDMI- or TV-out mod available now as far as i know, for the DS or 3DS… Thanks for the review! I might pick it up anyways for 3DS, if still available…
I have a 3DS with capture card, shame they don’t make them any more! I was lucky to get one of the last ones!
The scaling looks really awful but the hardware capture should be good, can you confirm that it looks like that in person? Particularly bad is the x in the lives counter.
@@FoxbatStargazer yes it looks exactly the same on the system as the capture, I made sure to record it at 1-1 pixel resolution, so there’s no scaling going on with the video or output at all.
i love the 3ds on the 3ds
Nanostray is awesome, it really makes the DS capabilities shine... And Steel Empire is one of the finest shooters in existence... It's a total shame Andro Dunos 2 just couldn't be on the level of those two.
Thinking of canceling my pre-order. This is unacceptable for a final 3DS cart based on a 16-bit shooter.
I've invested several hours into the EU version on 3DS and must say, that while everything you criticize is true the game remains very playable. I would even argue that fps is not far below 60 (my guess is around 50) and inputlag may even be lower than on the switch. It remains to be seen whether the upcoming US release will be further optimized...
I accidently bought the European version which is unplayable on my switch and was thinking about buying the us version because my 2ds is region locked. I do have the game for the switch physically though, it's great
@@redcrimson1028 Is this really region locked? On switch certainly not. On 2DS/3DS? I seriously don't know. Better ask pixelheart before buying.
I can't really measure it but I think the framerate is constantly at 60 without 3D on. So 2DS might be a good alternative.
@@Skelta75 the switch isn't region locked but the ds/3ds is. I bought the european version by accident and thr game doesn't work in my 2ds or 3ds, knowing this I emailed Pixelheart and tell them to swap out the copy and they never replied, assholes they are I tell you. So I mite by the us version or just chill. I do have the physical version on switch which works of course.
It runs at 30 fps according to Digital Foundry’s John Linneman.
@@thanksbetotap Yeah, thanks. Just found his twitter post. I wonder whether he means with 3D on or off?
What's the framerate in this game?
60fps but 30fps on 3ds
Thanks for your video. I collect 3DS games but before that I like to play them too so is a hard pass for the system.
I was hoping the 3DS version would play on the BOTTOM screen in 4:3 full-screen, but this is way worse than you could imagine. :/
Jeez. The switch version seems good, how could they not give even the minimal amount of love to the 3DS port. Shame on pixelheart !
I’m guessing they didn’t have long to port the game because of the 3DS production and support ending? They have already said they won’t be able to make any updates :( twitter.com/pixelheart_eu/status/1511318556662710277?s=21&t=aCNhx1MWvtYc0lYHt3Me1A
I've been playing this game for about a week and I don't get the overall negativity of this review. Some of his criticisms are technically true, such as the resolution making the text harder to read and some of the 3D is a little wonky (still looks great overall), but in my opinion, it has very little impact on gameplay. I'd say, three years after the last major releases for the 3DS, this game is a nice send off for the system, even if it does have a few minor flaws.
Ohh nice can't wait to get mine. But I wonder if it's really the last physical game for the console. I know fragrant story should release late but my god it looks so bad...
So much like Zero Wing!
Better off just emulating it on new 3ds
This is far from disappointing
Well I was extremely disappointed to get such a poor port for the 3DS’s final game! It deserved better!
Neo-Geo still the best version.
Dislike because clickbait. How on earth is this disappointing? 30fps is fine. The only thing that’s kind of bad is the aspect ratio but you literally had no other bad things to say. 64% is what you give to crap like cyber punk not a good game with minimal issues.
I mentioned a lot of things wrong with this version of the game… The framerate is a big problem, it makes the much less enjoyable to play than any other version, the aspect ratio makes everything look bad, the bottom screen was badly utilised, the 3D effect is broken at times, the music cuts in and out, the loading times are bad for a 3DS game, it was rushed out before it was ready, and they can’t fix it because they had to return the dev kits. As a final game for the system there’s no other way to see it than a disappointment. It’s a good game buried under many technical issues. I don’t think I was unfair in my review!
@@RetroBreak that’s exactly it; none of those things you mentioned are even that bad. Idk how it is for brits or wherever you’re from but in America anything below a 70% percent is failing/has no merit in schools so I apply that to games as well. By your standards gran truisms 2 on the ps1 deserves a 64% because it has all the same issues (even though it’s one of the best racers ever), or metal slug 2 would also get a bad score for those same reason. What would be an actual disappointing finale would have been if like many other consoles we had just gotten some sports game or low budget puzzle game as a last game. Maybe try changing your rating system because gameplay is way more important than these minor technical issues.
RetroBreak - ignore this blithering idiot. I & many others, agree with your unbiased review. This game is complete trash on 3DS. They literally failed at properly scaling the pixels for the 3DS display. Looks atrocious. The low resolution still image used on the lower screen looks equally hideous. This renders the game unplayable for me on the 3DS.
PixelHeart? More like PixelShart in this case