Topic: Serious issues running Rondo of blood on jpcsp

[pattamus]

ello again guys. I wouldn't ask this question if I didn't work my ass off trying to get this game to work. I've gotten 3 ISOs, 6 versions of jpcsp, both 32 and 64 bit. I can run other games fine on this emulator.

Here is my issue, The game starts. and this screen comes up. This video happens with all 3 roms I have, and it goes on for about 3 minutes. It's a static screen like when your TV went off in the 80's. Says Mpeg is fake Then the game starts and plays fine up until the point you fight the 2 rock monsters that shoot fire, and you go to the next loading screen. It is then stuck forever. . That screen (saying Now Loading) is the bane of my existence right now. 

I figure you guys are cool with ROMS and emulators and such, pretty much have to be to play all the castlevania  games. Doesn't mean I didn't or don't own the console and game, I've owned all the physical games for the CV Roms I have. Had a PSP and rondo, but had no idea it was considered one of the best games, and sold it when I was hard up.

Anyway, since that screen is on all 3 of the ROMS I've tried, I  know others have experienced this issue. I've googled around and didn't find anything other than people can't get it to run at all. Like I said, I've tried multiple versions of the emulator, which I hear is pretty much the only game in town for psp. If that's not true, let me know.

I've tweaked the graphical settings in the emu's options, but still no dice. I've tried about everything.

If anyone has had this issue or known of someone who has, please help me. I'd love to have this game, I have been into castlevania hardcore lately, got into the GBA games, etc. I pretty much want to beat them all. haha.  This is a title I can't do without.    I can't afford a new PSP, they are crazy expensive, and I bet the game is too. Plus there would be no save state, I know it's a hard game.

I have the german/japanese PC import, and Dracula X, but they just aren't the same thing. This is the holy grail for me. I hope someone here can help, I would be extactic 

The images aren't coming up for some reason.. Please excuse that.They are too big to attach , so I will link to the gallery instead. it's only 5 pics. Thank you for reading.

http://imgbox.com/gallery/edit/xqEhPba38r/cesQ8OMUuOQYv5SC

[TheouAegis]

Either a bad dump or the emulator isn't compatible with it yet. All emulators have this issue. EPSXe, PCS2, and Project 64 all have their incompatibility lists. The Saturn emulators have horrible compatibilty, whereas iDeaS and No$GBA are noticably different. Check jpcsp's site for a compatability list.

Nevermind that last part. I did it for you. Their compatibility list has almost nothing on it, so I looked elsewhere.

http://www.emunewz.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=986

Castlevania The Dracula X Chronicles - ULKS46155 - Half Playable

[Koutei]

Enter key keeping pushing, Skipping sandstorm, When you may be able to evade that.

[Foffy]

The game isn't fully compatible yet. It seems to have issues all over the place.

[pattamus]

Either a bad dump or the emulator isn't compatible with it yet. All emulators have this issue. EPSXe, PCS2, and Project 64 all have their incompatibility lists. The Saturn emulators have horrible compatibilty, whereas iDeaS and No$GBA are noticably different. Check jpcsp's site for a compatability list.

Nevermind that last part. I did it for you. Their compatibility list has almost nothing on it, so I looked elsewhere.

http://www.emunewz.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=986

Thank you for looking that up for me. I had not thought of it. There were lots of comments on one of the ISOs saying "thanks" " works" etc. And this wasn't TPB or some unreputable site.

What exactly does half runnable mean? Is there anyway I can skip cutscenes or anything just to play this game?  How do people play this? I know many don't own a PSP and play this (at least I believe, from comments I've read).

[pattamus]

Enter key keeping pushing, Skipping sandstorm, When you may be able to evade that.

Really? Have you had this same issue and were able to bypass? I'm desperate at this point.  EDIT: Aww you were pulling my leg(I thought maybe you were one of those dudes who talk in weird riddles).. and I was blinded by my desire to play this game. I didn't try it though. You had me for a second though, you rascal.

--------------------------------------------------
I'm going to continue this thread here rather than double post, as tempting as it may be, for my future at the forums sake.

How do people play this game? Buy PSPs and rondo of blood? Is it that obvious? It seems like more people have played this than own PSPs and the game both. Based on comments on ISOs, on blogs, forums, etc.  So is that it? Buy an expensive PSP and hunt the game down? I know their prices went up since it is a dying platform (last I heard).

I wouldn't like very much to miss the #2 game in the franchise on most peoples list. So give it to me how it is, am I gonna have to hit fleabay and break the budget or is there another way. BTW, I did own one years ago, and sold it. I'm an idiot. Please don't quote that part and say I know.

EDIT(Again, sorry): I found out this was available from the wii virtual console! Got it working, but it's in japanese. Same graphics as the pc version, but has save states if emulating    I still plan to purchase a PSP and rondo soon, then I can unlock symphony of the night and play on there as well, making it (sort of) worth my money. Found out I could probably grab the pair for around 50-60$ on fleabay.  Thanks again guys, and if you have any added input on getting any psp emulator working with the game I would really appreciate it.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

Why don't you just buy "The Dracula X Chronicles"?  It includes Rondo of Blood as an unlockable game that you can find.
All this emulator/ISO talk is not sitting well with the administration but you're not actually breaking any rules, so...

[pattamus]

Jorge, I am sorry I had no idea emulators were out of discussion here with so many castlevania games.

I did not mean to cause any controversy or stir,  I did read the rules and being new, I don't know the etiquette yet.     

If any staff feel I am crossing the line (which I will try not to do), please PM me so that I understand.

I do plan to buy a PSP and Dracula X chronicles, one of the reasons is the unlock-able symphony of the night. Do you mean the original Rondo of blood (like PC and Wii VC versions) is unlock-able as well?

This would be a bit weird, because I thought the well regarded #2 game on a lot of folks lists was the PSP version of Castlevania X chronicles was the one people were talking about? I didn't get far into it, but the graphics were far superior, but identical gameplay to Rondo. Or is it just that Rondo is the #2 and castlevania X chronicles is the icing on the cake? 

I guess at one point Rondo of blood and castlevania X chronicles became muddled into one game for me. One for the PSP has superior graphics, so I was assuming this version was the one most people gush over. Maybe it was indeed the original japanese PC title.

So anyone still reading, where does the PSP version and the Wii VC and PC version of Rondo/dracula X stand in your list?

[DoctaMario]

Jorge, I am sorry I had no idea emulators were out of discussion here with so many castlevania games.

I did not mean to cause any controversy or stir,  I did read the rules and being new, I don't know the etiquette yet.     

If any staff feel I am crossing the line (which I will try not to do), please PM me so that I understand.

I do plan to buy a PSP and Dracula X chronicles, one of the reasons is the unlock-able symphony of the night. Do you mean the original Rondo of blood (like PC and Wii VC versions) is unlock-able as well?

This would be a bit weird, because I thought the well regarded #2 game on a lot of folks lists was the PSP version of Castlevania X chronicles was the one people were talking about? I didn't get far into it, but the graphics were far superior, but identical gameplay to Rondo. Or is it just that Rondo is the #2 and castlevania X chronicles is the icing on the cake? 

I guess at one point Rondo of blood and castlevania X chronicles became muddled into one game for me. One for the PSP has superior graphics, so I was assuming this version was the one most people gush over. Maybe it was indeed the original japanese PC title.

So anyone still reading, where does the PSP version and the Wii VC and PC version of Rondo/dracula X stand in your list?

Have you tried PCE.EMU at all? I was able to actually get ROndo running on my iPhone (kind of a holy grail moment for me there actually haha!) using that emu but I'm pretty sure there's a PC version.

Anyway, as far as DXC/Rondo goes, they are my favorite games in the CV series. But I take them as two separate games with DXC being my favorite as an updated version of Rondo, which is my pretty close number 2. They're both pretty different games even though DXC is a remake of Rondo. The characters play a bit differently, slightly different move properties, etc. But make no mistake, either game is an excellent one. DXC is completely worth every penny in my book. But Rondo/DXC are the two games I just never seem to get sick of.

[pattamus]

No, I haven't tried PCE.EMU, but I will. Would this be able to play the Castlevania X (PSP) version, or just the Original rondo? I would assume the first, because there are several ways to attain the 2nd.

Thanks, I will give it a go. I would much prefer to play on my HDTV than a PSP screen held close to my face, but i'll shoot for doing both at some point.

[DoctaMario]

No, I haven't tried PCE.EMU, but I will. Would this be able to play the Castlevania X (PSP) version, or just the Original rondo? I would assume the first, because there are several ways to attain the 2nd.

Thanks, I will give it a go. I would much prefer to play on my HDTV than a PSP screen held close to my face, but i'll shoot for doing both at some point.

Actually the first time I was able to play Rondo was on the PSP shortly before DXC came out as there was a bundle circulating of PCE.EMU for PSP with Rondo. But if you want to play it on a big screen, you may as well get the Wii version and play it on your tv. Though I'm sure if you had the right cables, you could use the TV OUT on the PSP Slim and hook it up to your tv and play DXC.

[pattamus]

Yea, looking to play Dracula X chronicles now, already have rondo of blood going on, there was a bit of name confusion especially since DXC contains the original rondo of blood. Then I found there was a wii VC edition of the original rondo, and so I have gotten that going   But I also want to experience the DXC edition for the updated graphics and since I haven't even finished SoTN, I don't know if any graphical updates or anything have been done, or whether it is a downgrade being psp, not sure how it stacks up to the PSX.

I had no idea PSP had that option to hook up to a TV. I imagine this would only be the newer slim models as you specified, but I'm glad you told me cause I was going for the cheapest one available. I will check out the specs on the versions and see what I can make happen.

Looks like the only way to play DXC is on PSP for now, so I will be looking around for deals and for sure get that cable, as I use my HDTV as my main PC monitor.  Thanks for your help.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

If you don't mind playing on your PC, there's also a PC-Executable that plays Rondo of Blood perfectly.
There's one for Gradius II and another one for Valis as well.

So here are some facts:
-Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles (from now on referred to as "DXC")is a remake of Rondo of Blood with polygonal graphics and enhanced visuals.
-DXC contains "Rondo of Blood" (Original PCEngine version) as an unlockable game.  You have to find the game icon in one of the stages of DXC.
-DXC also contains "Symphony of the Night".  This version of Symphony of the Night has a playable Adult Maria Renard, whose gameplay is similar to Young Maria from Rondo of Blood.
-DXC also contains a very short game called "Akumajo Dracula PEKE".  This game is part of the PCEngine version of Rondo of Blood, and would play if you tried to play the CD without the proper PC-Engine System Card 3.0

-Rondo of Blood is also available as an "Import" Classic, from Wii's Virtual Console.  This version is almost exactly like the original, except the intro audio has been updated to the PSP version, and the werewolf has underwear.  You will not be able to understand what the characters say, however, as it's all still in Japanese.

-Rondo of Blood, the PSP DXC Unlockable, has slightly different audio, in English.  They put underwear on the Werewolf still though.

-Rondo of Blood, the PC-Engine version, can be found as a computer game, an executable (essentially a packed ROM/MP3/Emulator all-in-one package), if you search for "Rondo of Blood win32".

Hope this helps you.

EDIT:
No worries, you did not break any rules (posting links to ROMs, for example), so you're OK.

[pattamus]

Thanks Jorge, and everyone. I think I got it now. All this started when I looked up a "Top 5 castlevania games" list, and saw rondo at #2 and SOTN at #1. I had played the NES and SNES games and I think I played bloodlines for genesis, not sure. Anyway, I was pretty intrigued to find out there were very well regarded games past CV IV, which at the time I thought for sure was the best in the series. I tried the N64 versions, and pretty much thought it was kaput.

Then I found out "DXC" was available for PSP. I immediately thought this was the version people wanted and was on so many top lists. Then I found out the original rondo of blood itself was the one people listed, the PSP title just probably pushed it up peoples lists a little. I thought the rarity of the game in the years before it could be played on a modern PC or emulated hyped it up a little, but after playing a bit of it, I can see it is really a great game not only because of it's rarity. I'm currently going with the wii VC version, but I did hit up craigslist locally to maybe find a cheap slim PSP, and then I can just buy the DXC online and play on my tv with the cable.

So there's the plan  I think I'm gonna play Bloodlines , Rebirth, Chronicles and CVIII, maybe even attempt metroid's simon's quest revamped if I get good enough(it's not as bad as I thought, I tried Haunted Castle. lol). Then go for rondo and SOTN, then the GBA games. That would be a good order I believe, Since as far as I know the GBA games come after SOTN. I always loved castlevania, but thought the good games stopped with SNES, glad I was wrong.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

If you do decide to play MetroidQuest's "Simon's Quest ReVamped", try the latest version.
It uses a nice Simon Belmont spriteset (courtesy of me) instead of a Red Richter.