Visualshock! Speedshock! Soundshock! A look at Treasure's shooters

by JC Fletcher { Aug 11th 2008 at 1:30PM }

We knew immediately when we heard that a new Bangai-O game was coming out that it would be something special. How could we be so sure of an unknown game? The answer lies in the history of its developer, Treasure, an offshoot of Konami who has been making idiosyncratic action games for years (as well as the occasional McDonald's game to fund said action games, but that's a story for another time).

They've made very memorable brawlers and platformers, but Bangai-O Spirits is part of a long tradition of innovative shooters with insane storylines and unique rulesets, which is why we've chosen to look at Treasure's body of work in that particular genre. If you don't consider run & guns like Gunstar Heroes shooters ... well, we debated that, a lot, and decided that since they're games primarily about firing projectiles at enemies, they belong in the same discussion as scrolling shooters. Of course, if you think enough about shooters to make that kind of distinction, you probably know all about Treasure already.


		Boss is approaching!

Gallery: Bangai-O Spirits

Tags: bangai-o-spirits, d3, esp, joystiqfeatures, shooter, treasure

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

elend @ Aug 11th 2008 1:35PM

Hmm... imho they are a tad over hyped. They made quite some decent games, yes. But other companies did so as well?!

ScallionN @ Aug 11th 2008 1:36PM

You forgot about Guardian Heroes for Saturn, and Advance Guardian Heroes for...GBA.
They aren't shooters but they're fun, and have shooting segments.
And hell yeah, three cheers for Bangai-oh.

JC Fletcher @ Aug 11th 2008 2:01PM

Astro Boy has shooting segments too, but it's not a shooting game.

Zealot @ Aug 11th 2008 3:02PM

And some of the characters in Bleach: Blade of Fate can...um...shoot kidou blasts from their hands. I'm really making a stretch here.

I hate to say that I only own two of the games listed here, those being Bangai-O and Gunstar Super Heroes. It does speak to Treaure's skill, though, that I, a person who neither particularly enjoys shmups or run-and-gun games, enjoyed both immensely. I'd buy Bangai-O Spirits right away, but how much I'm going to be interested in before the year's end is still up in the air, so I have to wait.

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 11th 2008 3:00PM

I love Sin & Punishment. Dang I need more practice for hard mode. I can make it through the first half but then can't live long enough to even manage a 100 combo continue and therefore can't make it to the end. Yes I'm aware it's for Wii but I haven't really played any other Treasure shooter.