Software:Taito Legends 2

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Short description: 2006 video game compilation
Taito Legends 2
Developer(s)Empire Interactive (Xbox, Win)
Mine Loader Software (PS2)
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)Xbox, PlayStation 2, Windows
Release
  • AU: 30 March 2006
  • EU: 31 March 2006
  • NA: 16 May 2007 (PS2)
  • NA: 10 July 2007 (Win)
Genre(s)Various
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Taito Legends 2 is a 2006 video game compilation developed and published by Empire Interactive. The follow-up to Taito Legends, it is a compilation of Taito arcade video games. It was published for Xbox, PlayStation 2, and Microsoft Windows. As with the former collection, it is derived from the Japan exclusive Taito Memories series.

All three versions of the game were simultaneously released in March 2006 in Europe and Australia and published by Empire Interactive. The United States received the PlayStation 2 version on 16 May 2007 and the Windows version on 10 July 2007 with publishing by Destineer. For unknown reasons, the Xbox version was never released in North America. However, the European PAL-region Xbox version is entirely compatible with the North American NTSC-based Xbox systems without any modifications.

The PlayStation 2 version uses the same layout and engine as the Taito Memories series, while the Xbox and Windows versions use the layout and engine of Taito Legends with additional content on some games.

Eight of the 43 games - Balloon Bomber, Bubble Symphony, Cadash, RayForce, RayStorm, G-Darius, Pop'n Pop, and Syvalion - were split across the platforms due to porting issues,[1] requiring players to buy more than one version to get every game available.

Games

Taito Legends 2 consists of the following 43 arcade games when combined whilst each version contains 39 games. Balloon Bomber, G-Darius, RayStorm and Syvalion are exclusive to the PlayStation 2 version whilst Bubble Symphony, Cadash, Pop'n Pop and RayForce are exclusive to the PC and Xbox versions.

Titles included in the various versions of Taito Legends 2
Title First release PS2 Xbox Windows Taito Memories Regional title
Lunar Rescue 1979 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1
Balloon Bomber 1980 Yes No No I Vol.2
Crazy Balloon 1980 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2
Qix 1981 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2
Alpine Ski 1982 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1
Front Line 1982 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2
Wild Western 1982 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2
Chack'n Pop 1983 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2
The Legend of Kage 1984 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2
The Fairyland Story 1985 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1
KiKi KaiKai 1986 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1
Bonze Adventure 1988 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1 Jigoku Meguri (Japan)
Kuri Kinton 1988 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1
Nastar Warrior 1988 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2 Rastan Saga 2 (Japan); Nastar (EU)
Raimais 1988 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2
Syvalion 1988 Yes No No I Vol.1
Cadash 1989 No Yes Yes I Vol.2
Cameltry 1989 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1
Don Doko Don 1989 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1
Insector X 1989 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2
Violence Fight 1989 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2
Football Champ 1990 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2 Hat Trick Hero (Japan)
Growl 1990 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1 Runark (Japan)
Gun Frontier 1990 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2
Liquid Kids 1990 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2 Mizubaku Adventure (Japan)
Super Space Invaders '91 1990 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1 Majestic Twelve: The Space Invaders Part IV (Japan/USA PS2 release)
Metal Black 1991 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1 Gun Frontier 2
Arabian Magic 1992 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2
Software:Grid Seeker: Project Storm Hammer 1992 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1
RayForce 1993 No Yes Yes II Vol.1 Gunlock (Arcade), Layer Section (Japan), Galactic Attack (EU, USA)
Bubble Symphony 1994 No Yes Yes II Vol.2 Bubble Bobble II
Darius Gaiden 1994 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1
Dungeon Magic 1994 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1 Light Bringer (Japan)
Space Invaders DX 1994 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1
Elevator Action Returns 1995 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1 Elevator Action II (USA)
Gekirindan 1995 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2
Puzzle Bobble 2 1995 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2 Bust-a-Move Again (Western arcades): in PS2 release
Space Invaders '95 1995 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.2 Akkan-vaders (Japan)
Cleopatra Fortune 1996 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1
RayStorm 1996 Yes No No I Vol.2
G-Darius 1997 Yes No No I Vol.2
Pop'n Pop 1997 No Yes Yes N/A
Puchi Carat 1997 Yes Yes Yes I Vol.1

The titles included in the Western release were taken directly from various volumes of the Japanese Taito Memories-series:

  • Taito Memories Volume 1 (タイトーメモリーズ 上巻, Taitō Memorīzu Joukan)
  • Taito Memories Volume 2 (タイトーメモリーズ 下巻, Taitō Memorīzu Gekan) * Taito Memories II Volume 1 (タイトーメモリーズ2 上巻, Taitō Memorīzu 2 Joukan)
  • Taito Memories II Volume 2 (タイトーメモリーズ2 下巻, Taitō Memorīzu 2 Gekan)

The only title included in Taito Legends 2 that was not previously included in the Japanese Taito Memories series is Pop 'n Pop, though an earlier standalone PlayStation port of the game was released in Japan.

In addition, the North American PS2 version replaces Puzzle Bobble 2 (the original Japanese version) with Bust-a-Move Again, the game's North American equivalent. It also has a loading times during RayStorm and G-Darius. G-Darius uses full motion video on intro, ending and some of the cutscenes of the game.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS2Xbox
EurogamerN/A7/10[5]N/A
GamesMasterN/A71%[6]N/A
GameSpotN/A6.1/10[7]N/A
IGN7.5/10[8]7.4/10[9]N/A
Jeuxvideo.com12/20[10]12/20[10]N/A
OXM (UK)N/AN/A6.5/10[11]
PALGNN/A8/10[12]N/A
PC Format70%[13]N/AN/A
PC Zone60/100[14]N/AN/A
PlayN/A52%[15]N/A
PSM3N/A40%[16]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic78/100[2]67/100[3]80/100[4]

The Windows and Xbox versions of Taito Legends 2 received "favourable" reviews, while the PlayStation 2 version received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[2][3][4] Major criticisms include the large amount of obscure and "filler" titles, all of which are from the Japanese Taito Memories collections in which they are little known in the U.S. (with GameSpot quoting: "There's really nothing legendary about most of the old arcade games found in Taito Legends 2"),[7] as well as unresponsive, "flipped", and clunky controls. Kristan Reed of Eurogamer wrote a more positive response: "It's all but impossible to make an objective assessment that takes into account everyone's hugely varying tastes. What's definitely unarguable, though, that this particular package has much better presentation than the last one, with all games sorted into chronological order (a small but valuable point), and various useful options that make the experience far better than most retro collections".[5] Some reviewers also compared Taito Legends 2 unfavorably with the Sega Genesis Collection, writing the aforementioned Genesis Collection as superior,[18] and was also criticized for its lack of bonus content (asides from instructions panels that can be viewed in the main menu and during gameplay).[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Empire Interactive Forum". http://forum.empireinteractive.com/default.aspx?MID=66831B646D0C&TID=37C936D6-2458-4922-AEE7-4B6DAD945291&SHT=31&PN=1. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Taito Legends 2 for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/taito-legends-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved 7 November 2020. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Taito Legends 2 for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/taito-legends-2/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved 7 November 2020. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Taito Legends (xbx: 2006): Reviews". CNET. Archived from the original on 13 September 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080913103250/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbx/taitolegends2. Retrieved 7 November 2020. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Reed, Kristan (31 March 2006). "Taito Legends 2 (PlayStation 2)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_taitolegends2_ps2. Retrieved 11 December 2014. 
  6. ↑ "Review: Taito Legends 2 (PS2)". GamesMaster (Future plc): 80. May 2006. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Gerstmann, Jeff (30 May 2007). "Taito Legends 2 Review (PS2)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/taito-legends-2-review/1900-6171737/. Retrieved 7 November 2020. 
  8. ↑ Miller, Greg (29 January 2008). "Taito Legends 2 Review (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/01/29/taito-legends-2-review. Retrieved 7 November 2020. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Miller, Greg (4 June 2007). "Taito Legends 2 Review (PS2)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/04/taito-legends-2-review-2. Retrieved 7 November 2020. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Romendil (16 May 2006). "Test: Taito Legends 2 (PC, PS2)" (in French). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00006527_test.htm. Retrieved 7 November 2020. 
  11. ↑ "Taito Legends 2". Official Xbox Magazine UK (Future plc): 96. April 2006. 
  12. ↑ Low, David (1 May 2006). "Taito Legends 2 Review - PlayStation 2 Review". Archived from the original on 9 June 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070609093844/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=4356&sid=7d55080e3a9885a5bb22f052d30ff28d. Retrieved 7 November 2020. 
  13. ↑ "Taito Legends 2". PC Format (Future plc) (188): 97. June 2006. 
  14. ↑ "Taito Legends 2". PC Zone (168): 80. June 2006. https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_168_June_2006/page/n79/mode/2up?q=%22Taito+Legends%22. Retrieved July 18, 2021. 
  15. ↑ "Review: Taiko Legends 2". Play UK (Imagine Publishing) (139): 93. May 2006. 
  16. ↑ "Review: Taito Legends 2". PSM2 (Future plc): 52. April 2006. 
  17. ↑ "Taito Legends 2" (in es). Superjuegos (163): 84–85. https://archive.org/details/SuperJuegos_163/page/n63/mode/2up. Retrieved July 18, 2021. 
  18. ↑ Dutka, Ben (12 September 2007). "Taito Legends 2". Poise Media Inc.. Archived from the original on 8 October 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071008215146/http://www.psxextreme.com/ps2-reviews/555.html. Retrieved 7 November 2020. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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