PULLING A RABBIT OUT OF THE HAT
They've took too much since they've announced it months ago but it was delayed due to Namco's sudden incursion in the Arcade Archives series, but we finally have it here: The Arcade Archives port of V-System/Video System's Rabio Lepus.
Cute vintage arcade shoot-out!
I've already talked about Rabio Lepus before, so you can check the review if you want to know more about the gameplay.
Like the Arcade Archives ports of Raiden and the Thunder Dragon series, this one's a great surprise. Although Video System is no stranger for Hamster Corp. since they've re-released both Rabio Lepus and Aero Fighters on the PlayStation 2 as part of the Oretachi Game Center Zoku series, and now we have both Aero Fighters 2 and 3 in their ACA Neogeo collection AND Rabio Lepus as part of the Arcade Archives collection. But in one way or another, this is still impressive 'cos the lone console "port" was Rabio Lepus Special on the PC Engine, which like most coin-up conversions, was very different from the original game.
The first thing we've noticed in the Original Mode is that the game is based on the Japanese version, ditching the Rabbit Punch localization by Bally-Midway and Sente. But unlike other localizations like Vulcan Venture (Gradius II), Rabbit Punch won't be missed for two reasons (three if we realize that including it would mean Hamster paying royalties to Warner Bros./NetherRealm Studios): First one, the censorship. Being the removal of both Princess Komomo, and the bunnygirl Kotomi. Second, an absurdity on difficulty; If you died somewhere between Stages 10 to 12, you're kicked back to Stage 9 when continuing the game. If you've only played the Rabbit Punch version and ended up hating it, you'll be glad to play the original Rabio Lepus without Bally-Midway's screw ups, since the Japanese version is more tolerant with the player. The major feature of this port is being able to replicate the vintage screen settings like scanlines, dip switches (difficulty adjust and starting lives) and the option of enable rapid firing. If "Trophy Hunting" is the name of your game, then this is gonna be a good challenge, 'cos this game is not gonna give you the trophies too easily. You'll have to obtain 600,000 points to obtain all of the score based ones, and then mark and record your high score, after that you'll have to play the Hi-Score Mode and submit your score to the leaderboards there.
Since we're dealing with a direct port of the arcade game, this is where we ditch the even more difficult Rapio Lepus Special completely, exiling the Not-So-Special game along with the PC Engine to the darkest corners of the closet. The reason? It's the original arcade game at home, same gameplay, same graphics and sound, even using a button for the credit function, granting you all the continues you want no coins required, unless you're with self-imposed challenges like "Finishing the game in one shot".
TRIVIO-LEPUS
- This release is the third console port overall.
- It is also the second Arcade-perfect port of the game.
- Rabio Lepus "ads" appear in the Genesis game Super Volleyball.
- Video System had plans for a sequel called Metal Rabbit, which was suddenly cancelled.
- Rumours claim that concepts from Metal Rabbit later became the flying car shmup Turbo Force.
- Several references to Metal Rabbit can be found throughout the Aero Fighters series, mostly on Aero Fighters 3 and Aero Fighters Special.
A surprising accomplishment if you ask me.
This re-release of Rabio Lepus not just brings home (again) the original arcade game, ditching the PC Engine "Special" port definitely. It is also a flicker of hope, 'cos maybe, sooner or later we would end up receiving the rest of Video System's catalogue. Yeah, that could mean Turbo Force and Aero Fighters could be in the Arcade Archives series someday, completing the "Trilogy" that was continued in ACA Neogeo. Can't wait for Hamster to announce those two.
Lea is happy with this game alright.