Batsugun is a vertically scrolling "shooting 'em up" or shmup hailing from the now deceased Japanese game developer Toaplan, it was their final release.
Originally developed for the arcade Batsugun saw two revisions - the first being released in 1993. The latter named Batsugun Special Version was shown at the AOU (Arcade Operators Union) show in Japan but was never released as Toaplan slid into bankruptcy. After Toaplan’s bankruptcy the Special Version appeared on the 2nd hand market. The two revisions were released on the Sega Saturn in 1996 as a single package coded by Toaplan offshoot Gazelle.
Heralded by some as the first "manic shooter", Batsugun involved employees who would go on to form and work at Cave and continue to work in this subgenre. Batsugun saw an evolution in the use of complex bullet and enemy patterns and player fire power and hit_box.
For example, Batsugun features a stubby looking ship that can power up in three ways; there is the crescent shot which covers a good amount of space with each shot and does moderate damage to enemy armor.
The original Batsugun came out in the arcades in 1993 so you will excuse Toaplan if their graphics are not up to speed with today's rendered, glistening, prettier than thou game art.
I enjoyed Batsugun when it first came out in the arcades and the Saturn version is a direct port of the arcade version so it plays like I remember it.
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