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The Time of Your Life Blowing Stuff Up

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 10
Date: March 23, 2001
Author: Amazon User

The Sega Dreamcast has become somewhat of a shooter's haven: GigaWing, Gunbird 2, Cannon Spike, Mars Matrix, and now Bangai-O. The lastest masterpiece from developer Treasure (the makers of the legendary Radiant Silvergun), Bangai-O continues the grateful trend of 2D, skill-based, twitch-style shooting gameplay that harkens to the old-school days of games like Defender and Sinistar, with some new twists that could only be possible on Sega's 128-bit machine.

Bangai-O is full of bizarre, anime-style quirk. You control the Bangai-O, a weapon-laden mech piloted by a brother and sister team, Riki and Mami of the planet Dan Star, and careen into battle against the evil, fruit-hording SF Kosmo Gang. Yep -- fruit. You fly around a Joust-style level, using Robotron-style controls (d-pad to move, ABXY buttons to shoot, press two at once to fire diagonally...trust me, it's easy once you get the hang of it), blowing up everything that moves or doesn't move -- enemy robots, walls, buildings -- and picking up the fruit left behind (shades of Ms. Pac-Man). Doing so nets you points and also builds your Scatter Bomb meter, a wonderful device that enables the Bangai-O to literally fill the screen with rockets or lasers. The amount of destruction the Scatter Bomb deals is affected by how many enemies and enemy bullets are near the Bangai-O, which can result in a screen filled to the corners with beautiful missiles and explosions. It can also be used as a defensive device, for it wipes out enemy projectiles as well. You can choose either Riki or Mami to pilot the Bangai-O and switch at any time. When Riki's at the helm, the Bangai-O releases a swarm of homing missiles. Choose Mami, and your weapon becomes reflecting lasers that rebound off any surface (nice in tight tunnels).

Bangai-O is a strictly linear game. You progress through a timed level, fight a boss, and continue on, destruction in your wake. However, there are over FORTY levels, and they are not easy. This is a game that will take a while to complete. And when you do, there is significant replay value: Your score is not cumulative; rather, it resets at the start of each new level, and you are able to replay any level once you complete it, using the unlocked map to explore areas you might have missed. In addition, you score bonuses for how many accumulated explosions you cause and if you manage to complete a level undamaged. The goal to beat your own score, or your friends', is a very welcome feature.

Yes, the graphics are 2D, so gamers used to 3D will probably grimace at the pixelated visuals. The anime cutscenes are REALLY strange (Riki yells at Mami "What kind of name is Bangai-O for a robot?!!?", there's a sheep named Montgomery from Mongolia, a certain boss wonders if he shouldn't have become a lawyer, and whenever Bangai-O dies you're treated to an anime portrait of Riki dancing naked through a garden while an alien takes a photograph) and aren't for everyone. The game's sheer difficulty level will be a turn-off for some, and a multiplayer mode would have been welcome (though you can trade the controller between friends in a scoring competition). However, there's no slowdown, even when the screen is choked with 700 rockets, and the music is great. Shooter fans will adore this game for its emphasis on blowing stuff up and reflex-driven action, with strategy and even some puzzle elements entering the fray. Hats off to Conspiracy and Crave for releasing Bangai-O in the States -- it's got enough surreal charm, gameplay, and challenge to satisfy anyone looking for a fast-paced game with character and multiple explosions.

Bangai-O-yeah!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: March 24, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Bangai-O is one of the best games ever. This comes from one of the most underrated of companies, Treasure. Famous for its quirky and frantic style, Bangai-O is an action packed masterpiece. You play a robot and literally blast everything in site, collecting fruit throughout. I like the graphics, though they won't win any awards for visual flair, but it's gameplay that make the game unforgettable. Now isn't that what gaming's all about?

Not for everyone, but awesome for me

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 27, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Just picked up a copy of this game, and while not for everyone, this game is a must for any persons wishing they could still play lifeforce, darius, or any of the older 2d side shooters.

This is probably the best 2D side shooter I have played including the awesome Lords of Thunder and Gates of Thunder for the PC Engine.

There is nothing more gratifying then unleashing your smart bomb and to be greeted with a 400 plus explosions bonus.....

If you like 2D side shooters, then please go out and grab this game, and if you don't have the 39.99 to pick it up, sell an organ or two....

If you're new to gaming and grew up playing 3D only games, then you might want to rent this game or borrow it from a friend to see how you like it....

But for me, who started playing defender on the Atari, this game is pure heaven, and a garanteed workout for your thumbs.....

Bangai-O WOOHOO!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: March 29, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I've been eagerly awaiting this american release holding off on the import version, I can sum this up in three words for twitch gamers like myself and the other reviewers around me. 1-Treasure...2-2D shooter...and 3-This game is just pure fun!!! Now give us GIGA WING 2 right after MARS MATRIX and we'll all be happy twitch gamers!!!

Most Addictive Shooter in Years

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 04, 2001
Author: Amazon User

As a veteran 2D shooter fan, I've seen it all, and initially Bangai-O didn't completely impress me. But after pounding through several levels one comes to appreciate the underlying "power-up" and scoring structure. Then seemingly 1,000 things move, escape, shoot, and explode ALL AT ONCE when you nail a 400+ missile attack in the middle of heavy enemy fire. Then you try to maximize these points-getting maxi-explosions while NOT GETTING HIT throughout the entire level for that elusive 100,000 "no-hit" bonus. But to get the 400+ explosion you need to wait until the very last moment to be surrounded by enemy bullets! Now that's gameplay balance!

This may be the most addictive shooter since the similar (but of course simpler) Robotron. And believe me when I say I have a library full of shooters. In fact, this is like an enhanced Japanese version of the all-time American classic, with totally whacked anime cutsequences and scrolling levels (44 total) added.

Shooter fans and those who love to be challenged simply cannot pass this one up. Just try not to gag too badly on the horrendous translations...

Thank God for Treasure!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 14, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Bakuretsu Muteki Bangaioh is the antidote to the Playstation generation of gamers, who have been fed a constant diet 3D driving, fighting, corridor shooting games in the past 7 years (at least). This is in glorious 2D and what's more the game is proud of that. The people who dislike this game say that the 2D graphics are not very good. THAT'S THE POINT, this game is not about flashy 3D graphics, the latest dance soundtrack by DJ megamixer(or whoever) and it is not here to pander to gamers who only got into playing games because it is fashionable.

Bangai-o is a wonderful example of gameplay over aesthetics and Treasure should be applauded for it.

Also take a note of the story in the game, it is easy to dismiss it as badly translated Japanese, but look closely and you'll find a complex and anarchic story which highlights the plight of two revolutionaries who seek to free the galaxy of the influence of the SF Cosmo Gang and their illegal trade in space fruit. There is also a question to whether Riki and Mami are in fact the bad guys as well. The characters in Bangai -o definitely add to the fun and that is the bottom line Bangai - o is FUN.

BTW in the UK this got a rating for 3 years and over, evidently the ratings board did not play the game or they would have seen a couple of swear words creep into the dialogue ;0)

2D all the way!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 25, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This is one of the best 2D fighters to come in a long time. The graphics are a bit outdated but it's all about GAMEPLAY theis game is the easiest games to play the hummor is great and 44 levels!!!! thats alot if you like shooters this is a must buy when you set of the bomb and the bomb energy is high and a lot of missils come out the frame rate slows a bit but the outcome is awsome! get this befor sega stops the production (like DOA2 or Power Stone)

Great game big on play

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 29, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This Is a great shooter for anyone who loves shooters. I wish the graphics were a little larger, with so much happening on screen it can be a little hard to see. If you can get past that, this is a fun involving shooter with plenty to see and do. I love the idea of anime style robots with very cool weapons like a missile that bounces off walls and a multi missile that blasts the heck out of everything! This is a great game for Dreamcast to get, anyone who loves a good shooter should pick it up.

how much fun this is

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: May 08, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I went to funco land today to play the game "bangai-o" it is the best game there was ever made.It beat Digimon world 2 by a long shot ,and the graghics are great.I would give it ***** stars because its a great videogame.But the robot was too little to see the first 10 min the bomb idea was great they should make games like this one.

Treasure Does It Again!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: May 24, 2001
Author: Amazon User

If you know Treasure(the developer of this game, and one of the hard core gamers' fave developers) then you know that it is your duty to pick this game up. The graphics are great, it has good music and sound effects, and the usual tight control and play mechanics from Treasure. This is a classic that will become as cherished as Radiant Silvergun and Gunstar Heroes. When you let loose 400 missles or lasers at the press of a button, you'll realize why. There are over 40 levels...some short, some fairly long but they make use of the play mechanics you have...choosing between homing missiles or reflective laser beams. The animated intro/cut scenes are...well...fruity. I mean hyper fruity. But they serve to break up the white knuckle action with humor(they are so fruity you just have to laugh). If you enjoy shooters or action games then pick this up...it may not have the big name license, and it's not 3D but, hey it's fun and a great game to boot. All hard core gamers already bought it.

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