Batsugun is a vertically scrolling shooter game developed by Toaplan and released in 1994 for Arcades. It was ported to the Sega Saturn in 1996 by Gazelle and Banpresto. This Saturn version was later ported to the Nintendo Switch, Sony Playstation 4, Xbox One and PC through Steam by City Connection in May 2023 as part of their Saturn Tribute series. In 2024 it was released digitally for PC on the Steam and GOG storefronts by Bitwave games.
In order to incorporate the latest trends in vertical-scrolling shooters of the time, weapon selection by item was changed to aircraft selection before the game started, and pilot characters were also set. In addition, the attacks of both the player's and the enemy's aircraft became very flashy, foreshadowing the arrival of the bullet-hell shooting era a few years later.
Story[]
In the far corner of the known universe...
On the world of Epsilon Centauri Prime, a rebellion is taking place. After six generations, the power-thirsty King Renoselva seized control of the Gladebaran Dynasty...and, with it, the planetary government. Ten million innocent lives were lost in the 9-Day Revolt, codenamed Project Devil's Hand.
"Are we going to be killed like this...?"
Prince Olisis, Renoselva's son, was shocked by his father's evil policies. Publicly stripped of his birthright, declared a Traitor to the State, the Prince retired to Neo-Atlantis: an underwater city where the legendary Skull Hornet Corps was regrouping...
The battle for Epsilon Centauri's future has begun. Six elite pilots, commanding the deadliest aerospace wing ever mustered, versus the military might of a psychopath...The odds are even.
Gameplay[]
In Batsugun players can choose between three types of ships, each with its own shot type and unique stats. Shots can be powered up with P-items and leveled up with experience. By destroying enemy planes, the experience gauge at the bottom of the screen increases. When the gauge reaches the maximum, the ship will transform with an effect, and the player's shots will be greatly enhanced. The player can level up to three levels. When the gauge reaches its maximum, a bomber item will appear.
By pressing the Bomber button at the same time when playing with two players at the same time, the player can fire a double bomber that triples the power and covers the entire screen.
Batsugun Special Version[]
The main changes from the standard version are as follows
- Double Bomber can be used in single player mode.
- Hit detection has been reduced to one dot.
- When leveling up, a barrier will be added to protect the ships from enemy bullets once. An afterimage will remain when moving while the barrier is in place.
- A looping game of up to 4 stages, with each stage decreasing in number from the second round, so 5+4+3+2=14 stages in total.
Characters and Ships[]
- Jeeno Limrustedt and Romu Schneider: Sky Mirage (Illusion of the Sky)
- Beltiana Divine and Alteeno Trudy: Dragon's Whisper (Dragon's Breath)
- Iceman and Olisis R. Gladebaran: Judgment Flasher (Judgment Flash)
Stages and Bosses[]
| Stage | Name | Boss | BGM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sea Bed | Deep Purple | Heart Beat |
| 2 | Beach | Madzella | Skim the Surface of the Sea |
| 3 | Waterfall | Mad Steel Darkness | Bomber Dance |
| 4 | Sky | Jupiter | Complimentary Ticket |
| 5 | Base | Ground of the Galaxy | Geo Frontia |
Gallery[]
Videos[]
