Many more will assert that Toaplan’s 1993 arcade shooter Batsgun was the first true example of the form.
And now it’s back, quietly modernised under the monikerBatsugun: Saturn Tribute Boosted.
The team’s swansong, and final 2D shooter, was Batsugun.
The point is, Batsugun is important.
It stands as one of the principal beats in the evolution of the genre.
Yet Batsugun certainly serves as a bridge between a past and a present.
Before it there was no bullet hell.
As such, Batsugun Saturn Tribute Boosted presents a chance to experience the emergence of bullet hell.
In establishing so much of the template of bullet hell, both included versions of Batsugun are highly conventional.
Each contains five linear vertically scrolling stages.
Both versions of the game play snappily, with all kinds of room for drama.
At this stage it’s essential to delve into the port’s performance and modernisation.
Each mode is very much playable, and far from off.
And it’s that realisation of Batsugun that we get here.
Slowed gameplay speed supported.
Various arcade display tweaks; a range of screen rotation options, screen trimming/scrolling options, and contrast control.
Optional scanlines, anti-aliasing and V-sync are supported.
Hitbox reduction decreases difficulty.
Detailed text and image playing guide included.
Game is controller or arcade stick only.
What’s more, on day one the Steam version had all kinds of problems.
A prompt patch fixed much of that, and the audio has since run fine, with no crashes.
Sadly, there is also input latency present.
That lag is neither tremendous nor game ruining.
Regardless, across the shooter community tech sleuths have tested the game and confirmed lag’s presence.
If you’re pursuing world record scores, that might be a problem.
Elsewhere there are some curious user experience shortcomings.
Does it deserve a more ambitious reworking?
