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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.

Treasure Fan

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: October 26, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Bangai-o has something that is quite rare in the world of 2-D shooters.... crazy replay value. First of all, it has over 40 levels! They are free roaming levels, so you control the pace at which you advance. You can play it safe and sound, or you can attack the enemy agressively. Here is the catch - and not understanding this principle will probably cause a gamer to hate the game: you have a super weapon, and it's power is directly related to the amount of enemy fire on the screen, how fast it's moving, and how close it is to you. The super weapon can be so powerful that on some of the later level it will become your primary weapon. Bangai-o puts more enemies and missiles on the screen at once than any game I have ever seen! It is a sight to behold, and a must play. The play mechanics are just so fun you will probably find yourself coming back over and over again just to replay a few levels and blow more stuff up. Also, the default control scheme sucks, go with the second option.

INNOVATION AT ITS PEAK

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: November 28, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I was dying to get this game when it first came out for N64 in Japan, but I'm glad I waited for this DC version. First thing I have to let you know is that this is a TREASURE game, which is my favorite game company along with Konami. Treasure people were those who were responsible for games like Castlevania series, and they went out to form their own company, and believe me, every game they come up with is filled with innovation, which brings Bangaio to the spotlight.
Bangaio has very unique game play with 44 carefully crafted levels to explore through. You can switch between robots with either homing missiles and reflecting lazer beam. So if you are in open area, homing missiles could be more effective, and reflecing lazer in closed area. Switching them according to situation can be really fun. However, real fun comes when you go against a simple logic, logic which you are suppose to destroy enemy bullets as quickly as possible when you are allowed to with your homing/lazer, by waiting till the last minutes to be surrounded by countless enemy bullets.. now does this make any sense? You get to fire this special attack whenever you want to, but you get to fire more if you are being surrounded by more bullets. The maximum number of fire you can release is 400.. and just think about it; you are being surrounded by countless enemies/bullets and suddenly you are firing 400 missiles/lazer 360 degree!
I wouldn't call this game a classical/typical, but this is something which shouldn't be missed by shooter fan because it's not only innovative, but some levels are chanllenging enough for hardcore shooter fans. I hope that you wouldn't miss this opportunity to enjoy one of few good shooter available in the domestic gaming industry. Enjoy!

A treasure to be trasured by Treasure

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: April 17, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Old school gamers remember 2D side scrolling shooters such as Contra or Radient Silvergun and those of you who have a Dreamcast know that it is getting loaded down with 2D shooters like Mars Matrix well old Schoolers prepare for the most fun playing Bangai-O

Gameplay 10/10
This game is the best 2D shooter I have ever played and I've played a lot of 2D shooters you fly through the levels in the side scrolling format the first few levels will make experinced shooter fans yawn but the humorous talk with the bosses and allies will get you through however you be fighting for your life. You have 2 characters to choose from Riki and Mami Riki uses homing missile ammo to destroy his foes this can be great in a wide open area and Mami uses laser shots that ricochet of of everything and are quite deadly in inclosed spaces but fear not you don't have to choose which one you wanna be you can switch on the fly this helps make the combat more insane and the game better speaking of the insane gameplay you will fight hundreds of enemies all at once and only a good trigger finger and knowing how to use your firepower will get you through the harder levels in the game if your not careful within seconds you can get blasted also the later bosses are challenging very much so but it is so much fun dodging there onslaught of firepower all the while blasting them then moving in to fire about 400 missles at once to finish them. 400 missiles!!! you say?how is that possiable???? you say? well one great thing about Bangai-O is that the more foes you are blasting at one time or destroying enemy fire or if there is tons of enemy fire heading your way the higher the explosion meter goes once it gets to three hundread something you can unleash a huge attack to destroy your enemies thus proving yourself worthy of the robots full name Invincable Explosion Bangai-O of course you can do this attack without having to have a huge explosion meter but it is more effective when the meter is way up there but be careful you have a limited amount of times you can use that huge attack but you can earn more ammo for it by destroying things however some bosses also can do this some watch out don't be too cautious

Graphics 5/10
Ok this is the games only flaw but it doesn't hold it back however if you crave good graphics look elsewhere these aren't that great to be honest because of the graphics I almost returned my copy of this game but by the time i got to the 3rd level i was having the time of my life this taught me graphics don't matter which is a lesson well learned for anyone

Story 10/10
Ok those of you who have played this game must be saying wtf?? but while the story is impossable to figure out besides deafeating the SF Cosmo gang it is filled with tons of humor the only bad thing is that this makes things very confusing but you don't play a shooter game for its story do you but what i can tell you about the story is that Riki is a member of the peoples police on a planet called Dan Star one day he runs into a member of the SF Cosmo Gang who then proceeds to beat him up and tells him the SF Cosmo Gang is gonna take over Dan Star and there is nothing he can do about it Riki then returns home battered and brused and sees his house smashed up and his dad beat up and his sister emerges from hiding to tell him what happened then their father tells them of a robot he was developing Bangai-O so they take the robot and head out to defeat the SF Cosmo Gang it's a very complex story lol

Length 10/10
This game has short but sometimes difficult stages and 44 stages in all however short they may seem it isn't everyone will find this game gets very difficult later on

Bottom Line 10/10
This is a truly great game which you entertain quite awhile

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!!!

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?

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)

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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