Stuff that look suspiciously similar to each other...

Hi. A little intro first. I'm Baby Bonnie Hood. No, I'm not LordBBH who's a major Shock Troopers freak. I'm more of an AeroFighters fan <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

Anyways, I'm here for two things: To meet new people and to seek an answer to a question that's been gnawing at me for a while now.

That question? It's about AeroFighters and Strikers: 1945. The former was made by VideoSystems, and the latter was made by Psikyo. Yet, they share some similarities that make me wonder. I mean, the bullets look the same. The powerups look the same. Some of the enemies (like the tanks) look the same. Hell, even the fonts look the same. I'd leave it alone if both game series were made by the same company, but they're not. I can't make heads or tails out of this. Why is Strikers so similar to AF? Not just Strikers, but some of their other shooters too share some similarities to AF. And after seeing Strikers: 1945 + recently in an arcade, I just can't stand it anymore.

What's up with AF and Strikers? How come Psikyo's shooters resemble some of AF even though AF isn't a Psikyo game? Is it a ripoff or a coincidence? I swear, if a Strikers game had AF's wacky pilots, it can pass for an AF game.

That's all. I hope my question will be answered. I also hope my stay here would be a memorable one <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[ October 02, 2001: Message edited by: Baby Bonnie Hood ]

Welcome to the forums. Hmm, looks like I'm really going to have to change my avatar soon. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

Anyway. To tell you the truth, I'd noticed this before too, especially the way they sometimes use the same damn font for the score. And the powerups do look identical too... either those two companies are good friends or there's a whole lot of ripping off going on. So the real answer... um, can't help you there <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">

I like Aero Fighters 3 a lot, mainly because I get to the second loop on one credit very consistently and have gotten to Stage 15. But I like the Strikers 1945 games more...

Actually all the Strikers games are FAR better than all the Aero Fighters games. I have Strikers 1 arcade pcb, Strikers II on Saturn and PSX, and Plus on the Neo Geo, and also Aero Fighters 2 Neo Geo home cart and AF3 arcade cart. I've always found the AF games to have dull, poorly detailed backgrounds and ugly graphics, although the gameplay was OK. Strikers games have both excellent graphics and gameplay. Psikyo has always been one of the best arcade shooter designers out there, while Videosystem was mediocre at best.

I love Stikers 1945 II on PS! However, did anyone else find it to be pathetically short in duration? I mean, what? 8 stages or something like that? C'mon! There should have been like 20 or 30 stages at least. I was enjoying myself so much I felt cheated when it ended far sooner than it should have!

Video System stopped producing Aero Fighters/Sonic Wings games back in 1996, the last arcade game being Sonic Wings Limited, and the final home installment being Sonic Wings Special (SS & PS). All they care about anymore is their license to make F-1 racing games (just check their web site.....can't find the URL at the moment), so I wager plenty of companies could rip them off in one way or another, and Video System would hardly care.

Aero Fighters 2 was one of the most significant games in forever securing my fandom to the Neo Geo, actually, though nothing beats the original. Somehow Video System never mustered up enough effort to best their first effort. Not uncommon in the gaming world actually. Anyway Strikers 1945 Plus has superb visuals, though the AF series has character -quite and arguably even more significant.

Originally posted by BBH:
<STRONG>Hmm, looks like I'm really going to have to change my avatar soon.</STRONG>

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Actually, I was thinking of changing mine first. Is there a way to select a custom avatar? Also, how do you change the small text under the avatar? I wanna have it read "Cute Bounty Hunter" <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by chimpmeister:
<STRONG>Psikyo has always been one of the best arcade shooter designers out there, while Videosystem was mediocre at best.</STRONG>

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That still doesn't explain all the similarities. I mean, they're two different companies. Why the graphical similarities?

Originally posted by Neo Bomber Man:
<STRONG>Strikers 1945 Plus has superb visuals, though the AF series has character -quite and arguably even more significant.</STRONG>

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Now if only both superb visuals and character were in the same game :\

I wish Psikyo would get the AF franchise from VideoSystems. They can do that game more justice. And maybe we'll even see an AF/Strikers crossover. Of course, all the Strikers pilots would say the same thing ("....."). Oh well <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

The similarities in visuals are no suprise:
Both use 'real' machines-and contrary to the space shooters a la thunderforce,there is only so much you can do with planes,tanks,battleships,helicopters etc.

The powerups are VERY suspicious,though, <IMG SRC="smilies/spock.gif" border="0">but this would not be the first time when some company 'borrows' stuff from another-
just take Capcom and SNK.... <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

BTW,if you guys like this stuff,get BATTLE GAREGGA on the Saturn! <IMG SRC="smilies/drool2.gif" border="0">

Oh,and to Baby Bonnie Hood:
Sadly,you cant change the text under your avatar by yourself-it depends on how often you post here!
I dont think there is a 'cute bounty hunter' <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">but maybe that's for the better-there is one guy <IMG SRC="smilies/loco.gif" border="0"> who posted over 600 spam mails in the war room just to become 'Vice's love slave'... <IMG SRC="smilies/ohno.gif" border="0">

Well their all based around the 1941 midway thing, so they all use similar planes and will probably look alike.

Originally posted by Drift King EX:
<STRONG>Well their all based around the 1941 midway thing, so they all use similar planes and will probably look alike.</STRONG>

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Not AF2. That one uses jets, not WWII planes.

Also, you gotta remember that AF is older than Strikers, so of course AF would be inferior. That could also mean that Psikyo is the one doing all the ripping off, since Strikers came after AF.

Okay, so I can't change the name ranking thingy. But what about my avatar? I don't wanna be mistaken for LordBBH.

Baby Bonnie Hood, you can make your own avatar if you want to. Just make the size 64x64 pixels, and the format should be .gif. You can use Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop, or some other image editing program to take a picture you like and cut out a 64x64 piece for your avatar. Then you send it to Shawn and he'll make it your own private avatar, for only you to use. <IMG SRC="smilies/glee.gif" border="0">

And who is this Shawn? Also, can the avatar be animated?

Y'know, it'd be damn sweet if Psikyo and VideoSystems got together to make a new AF game. VideoSystems has the pilots, Psikyo has the planes. Think about it. Not only would we get the usual Psikyo-style frantic shooterfest, but we can also laugh at the pilots' Engrish quips (like "I never thought I'd be frying over a jungle."; that cracks me up every time <IMG SRC="smilies/tickled.gif" border="0"> ). It would kick so much ass!

Oh, to dream the impossible... <IMG SRC="smilies/drool2.gif" border="0">

Can't have an animated avatar I'm afraid. One or two people had them however they did not last even the day. As for Shawn, this is his site -he's the boss here. E-mail him at shawn@neo-geo.com about the avatar and that should do it, unless someone else has been put in control of that procedure, which I do not believe has happened.

Oh well, forget it. I've picked a different avatar and put my intended avatar in my sig. The closest I could get to a red-hooded girl was Ran of TSS fame. Y'know, TSS seems to be a ripoff of something else...

And if I can't change my post ranking, then explain LordBBH's "Hardened Shock Trooper".

Nice to see someone making use of those TSS avatars I submitted many moons ago.. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

Anyhow what are you getting at with Twinkle Star Sprites? I can't think of another game like it. As for Baby Bonnie Hood, I don't know where she comes from (only seen her in Cannon Spike) so am I missing something here?

As for the post ranking...... um I really don't know what you're asking here. BBH has a different post count which places him in the group of people assigned the title "Hardened Shock Trooper" whereas I, for example, am.... "Kaoru Yamazaki's Wingman." And no I have no clue in Hell whom that is supposed to be.

Originally posted by Neo Bomber Man:
<STRONG>Anyhow what are you getting at with Twinkle Star Sprites? I can't think of another game like it.</STRONG>

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Not exactly another game, but an anime series. I'll rant about it in another thread. However, there are no other games like TSS. By far, it's the only true competitive shooter in existence <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

<STRONG>As for Baby Bonnie Hood, I don't know where she comes from (only seen her in Cannon Spike) so am I missing something here?</STRONG>

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BBH is a Capcom character. She first appeared in Vampire Savior.

<STRONG>As for the post ranking...... um I really don't know what you're asking here. BBH has a different post count which places him in the group of people assigned the title "Hardened Shock Trooper" whereas I, for example, am.... "Kaoru Yamazaki's Wingman." And no I have no clue in Hell whom that is supposed to be.</STRONG>

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Are you sure it's just a coincidence? That ranking just seems to fit LordBBH so much that I thought it was a small description that you can put in yourself.

Originally posted by Baby Bonnie Hood:
<STRONG>Are you sure it's just a coincidence? That ranking just seems to fit LordBBH so much that I thought it was a small description that you can put in yourself.</STRONG>

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Trust me, it's a coincidence. Hell, maybe I should just stop posting entirely so my name will forever be preserved with that! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/tickled.gif" border="0">

....nah. Custom titles would be dope though. Something for the Suggestions forum I suppose...

Edit: OH SHIT! That one post pushed me over into something else! Damn soccer titles. Must make another post, quick! <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

(and BTW Neo Bomberman, Kaoru Yamazaki is the pilot from Pulstar. She also appears in the DINO246 ship on Blazing Star)

[ October 01, 2001: Message edited by: BBH ]

Originally posted by BBH:
<STRONG>Trust me, it's a coincidence. Hell, maybe I should just stop posting entirely so my name will forever be preserved with that! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/tickled.gif" border="0">

....nah. Custom titles would be dope though. Something for the Suggestions forum I suppose...

Edit: OH SHIT! That one post pushed me over into something else! Damn soccer titles. Must make another post, quick! <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

(and BTW Neo Bomberman, Kaoru Yamazaki is the pilot from Pulstar. She also appears in the DINO246 ship on Blazing Star)

[ October 01, 2001: Message edited by: BBH ]</STRONG>

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Ah, thanks much. I really never would have known. I know I read this Pulstar review ages ago but I never would have remembered the name.

Baby Bonnie Hood, are you getting at..... Wedding Peach, if I may guess? Not that I've seen it. Or Pretty Sammy or something? Hard to say -too many magical girl animes from what I remember.

*looks at LordBBH's new title* You're right. It was just a big coincidence <IMG SRC="smilies/tickled.gif" border="0">

Neo Bomberman, I'll go make that new thread now. I just hope you've seen the particular anime I'm gonna rant about...

Before I start writing it, I wanna know. Where should I put it? Here, or over at the Unrelated Topics forum? I can't decide...

On a side note, my ranking changed! Now I'm a "Bashful Neophyte" <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">. I wonder what's next after that...

Originally posted by Baby Bonnie Hood:
<STRONG>Before I start writing it, I wanna know. Where should I put it? Here, or over at the Unrelated Topics forum? I can't decide...

On a side note, my ranking changed! Now I'm a "Bashful Neophyte" <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">. I wonder what's next after that...</STRONG>

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Since it's essentially Neo-realted, I would say post it here. It's not as if you would be starting the thread just to talk about whatever this series is. Can't wait!

edit: one more Q for anyone reading: Who is George Spiner who's caddy I am now said to be?

[ October 02, 2001: Message edited by: Neo Bomber Man ]

I think my title will change at 170 posts... wah... I wanna keep the "Hardened Shock Trooper" title forever! <IMG SRC="smilies/crying.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by Neo Bomber Man:
<STRONG>
edit: one more Q for anyone reading: Who is George Spiner who's caddy I am now said to be?

[ October 02, 2001: Message edited by: Neo Bomber Man ]</STRONG>

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He's the "Young Hero" from Neo Turf Masters. You're getting some awfully obscure titles now. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

Alright, time for another comparison. I just hope people will know what I'm gonna babble about...

So what looks suspiciously similar to each other now? A magical girl anime series and a Neo Geo competitive shooter, Akazukin ChaCha and Twinkle Star Sprites. How, you ask? Are you kidding? There are too many similarities:

- ACC takes place in a magical world. So does TSS.
- ChaCha is a cute little blonde-haired ditz. So is Ran. Their outfits may not be the same, but they still bear a resemblance to each other.
- Ran has Rabbicat, a cute white rabbit-cat hybrid (like a Cabbit but not <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">). ChaCha has Riiya, her best friend who can turn into a cute white wolf (looks more like a dog, actually). Close enough.
- ChaCha has Seravi, the World's Greatest Magician. Ran has Memory, the Game's Cheapest Character <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">
- ChaCha has a self-proclaimed rival (Yakko, my most fave ACC character, BTW). So does Ran (Till).
- Actually, they both have a variety of silly friends. That's enough of a similarity.
- Villains? They both have them too! ACC has Daimaou, an evil demigod. TSS has Mevious, a fag <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">. The only difference is that while Mevious provides some comedy, Daimaou is always serious and boring.
- With villains come heroines, and they both have them too! Both ChaCha and Ran can transform into magical princesses of divine holy asskicking and kick the villains' asses.
- Both ChaCha and Ran ride on flying brooms.

Another thing to note is that TSS came out in '96. ACC came out in '94, and there's even a manga version that's been around longer than that. It seems only one side is doing the ripoffs this time.

So what does this all mean? Nothing, except this: If TSS is ever made into an anime series, it'd be too much of an ACC clone. I wouldn't mind, though, because I'd still watch it and laugh my ass off <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

Great thread!

I love TSS AND ACC! Every time I'm in the Philippines, me and my (much) younger cousins get a kick watching ACC together... Unfortunately NOONE in Canada knows about ACC, TSS, or Strikers/AeroFighters... Friends always say... 'Yeah, I love that purple ribbon laser.' That's Raiden, D**mit!

I never did see any NeoGeo stuff at Greenhills or SM. Where do you get it, BBH?

I don't care about what anyone says about af2, but it is one of my fave neo games. I was always a big fan of the snes ones (anyone sellin and Im buying) buy I do find the end boss a little tough that it resarts at the beginging, but anyway I too think they are kind of revised versions of 1942 but I think that it was always cool that it was jets and tanks and stuff (different than the sci fi kind of shooters like gradius, lifeforce, alpha mission, etc.) After aerofighters 64 I am glad that they put it a rest because that was a big departure to me and disappointing. I did see that they were going to do some sort of harrier game, but it never materialized.