Has Batsugun been surpassed?

[tehkao]

I don't think so...I think this game was Toaplan's crowning achievement and is a pinnacle in the 2D shmup genre that hasn't been surpassed in many ways, despite the availability these days of more powerful/better hardware....I can't think of another game that has as much firepower, beautiful graphics, and playability...not even the later Cave games can really match up to it. It's just a beautiful game in so many ways.

[CMoon]

although Batsugun is one of my very favorite shmups (and one of the few I've 1cc'd--assuming special edition counts), I think it is really difficult to say this this game has been unsurpassed, as in, this is the best shmup (it often doesn't make the best 25.) Rather, I think many companies have given us their very beet shmup, and Batsugun seems to be Toaplan's very best (w/ Fireshark and a few others close behind), but what about the best of Raizin, Cave, Seibu, Compile, Psikyo, etc. etc. etc. Rather than our old top 25, I'd like to see a what people consider the top game by each developer (perhaps an allowance for a top 2 or 3 if their releases are diverse.) Since each developer has had a pretty unique style, I don't find it possible to answer your original question, though Batsugun is definitely one of the best.

[tehkao]

Well there might be "better" shmups out there...I'm just saying in some areas Batsugun hasn't been surpassed...especially in the beautiful surreal 2D artwork and that awesome firepower....and that great playability of course...like you said it's one of the few games that people can actually 1cc.

[adam76]

It's just a beautiful game in so many ways.

You've hit the nail on the head there! I don't know what exactly makes Batsugun so great, though its one of my fave shooters of all time. Sure, it has awesome firepower, vibrant graphics, a great soundtrack(especially the stunning arranged version) and top playability, but its more than the sum of its parts. It has that 'je ne sais quoi' that all great games have. That extra dimension that helps eleviate it above other shooters that, individually at least, probably surpass it in terms of either sonics, visuals or gameplay.
I love it, and for the record, i count beating the special version as a 1CC!

[CMoon]

The sad thing is that I just am not in love with the last two bosses or the last level (although the music on the last level is GREAT!) I think if these were a bit better Batsugun would get the respect it really deserved.

[Ganelon]

It gets enough respect I think. I do recall years back though when Batsugun was just considered an OK shooter here.

Anyway, I don't think any vert has exceed Batsugun's fun factor but that's just me. There's nothing specific I can say that explains why I feel that way except that the atmosphere is exceptional.

[Dylan1CC]

I just started playing this again on Monday. I have more respect for it every time I play it, it really is a classic game, at least for the fact AFAIK it's the grandaddy of crazy manic shooting. I think with enough practice I could 1CC arcade mode assuming the last one or two stages aren't cheap.

But that's the thing, as over-the-top as the weapons and enemy fire are, the game feels a lot more intuitive and not as cheap as some modern shmups. And as Ganelon and tehkao pointed out, the artwork, weapons, gameplay, and atmosphere are very tightly integrated with enthusiasm by the dev team (ya gotta love the heavy metal references). Plus, any game that co-stars Joker Jun as a metal looking dude wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses is a winner in my book. haha

EDIT: I should add, major props to Randorama's very well written review which was a factor in getting me enthused for the game again.

[MadSteelDarkness]

Surpassed?

Well, that's a tough one...It is my favorite shmup (of course, my alias would probably tip you off to that ). But in many ways, I think there's a lot of shmups that have done what it did better. CMoon's right, it does end on a slightly disappointing note, but that's only because what came before that is so stunning, IMO. And there is that "certain something" that elevates it above the vast majority of shooters.

I guess it boils down to: I don't think Batsugun is THE best shmup ever, but it is my favorite of all time.

[alpha5099]

Plus, any game that co-stars Joker Jun as a metal looking dude wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses is a winner in my book. haha

Iceman? Iceman is Joker Jun?! I love Iceman. He's the best character in the game.

Ditto on Batsugun being my favorite shmup. Not perfect, no game is. But it's just such a great experience. One of the nicest things is the balance. Pretty much any of the ships is completely usable, there are no duds. Which is rare, even with games that have only a few selectable ships. To this day I can't decide which is better, Iceman or Beltiana.

Also, even though you have some of the most awe-inspiring weaponary in the universe, you still have some competition. Some games with insane firepower, you get fully powered up and it takes an act of god to stop you.

I also need to give credit to Batsugun for succeeding so well in its firepower. Most shmups have you piloting top-secret prototype superweapons that are the last best chance to save the world. But usually, the last best chance ends up being kind dinky. But fucking, Batsugun, you feel like you could take on anything when you reach Level 3 weapons. You are a god.[/list]

[Dylan1CC]

Plus, any game that co-stars Joker Jun as a metal looking dude wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses is a winner in my book. haha

Iceman? Iceman is Joker Jun?! I love Iceman. He's the best character in the game.

Yup, it's supposed to be a caricature drawing of Jun. That's what it says in Rando's review anyways.

From Randorama's excellent Batsugan review:

http://www.classicgaming.com/shmups/rev ... index.html

Once you know their background and story, you will surely appreciate them as all-round characters, probably developing a "passion" for one of them (well, i can't avoid to adore Iceman, player 1 type-C,since he's a self-parody of Joker Jun).

[Ord]

Another cool review here - http://www.freewebs.com/ord1000/batsugun.htm
Shameless plug i know.

[Vexorg]

Batsugun may be the only game in existence where you put out more bulletspam than the enemies do.

[Randorama]

One note: Captain Ahar had at some moment, as an avatar, Joker Jun's photo. Add longer hair and you get Iceman. Not only that, but i think he also did the voice for Iceman: while the sampling are not very defined, his voice resembles the one of Yusuke in Esp.Ra.De ( Joker Jun did voice acting on Esp.Ra.De).

And of course, thanks for the good feedback, Dylan

[captain ahar]

for all to see.

[Randorama]

Thanks for the perfect demonstration, captain