Batsugun review for the Sega Saturn


The arcade original was released in 1993 by Toaplan.
The Saturn game was released in 1996 by Banpresto.
And yes it has a vertical arcade mode.
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This game is great. I can't believe this game is that old!
Choose from three different craft each with their unique weapons.
The first boss has to be one of the biggest bosses ever seen in a videogame. It's humongous.
The further you progress in the game the more powerfull your shots will be. This is due to a system that automatically upgrades your shots the more enemies you shoot down.
The upgrades are divided into three levels.
Apart from the three levels there are still -icons you can collect to upgrade your firepower on top of the level that you're on. It's quite an unique system and difficult to explain.


                FACT FILE

           Vertical arcade mode   Yes
           Unlimited continues    No
           Levels                 5
           Aircraft               3
           BGM Audio test mode    Yes
           CD player audio        Yes


This game also features a special mode called "Special ver.". This "Special ver." was also released on PCB.
Here are the differences:
-Your ship has a smaller detection area.
-the smart-bombs are bigger and nicer looking. They also do more dammage.
-The power-ups are different.
-Some parts of the background have different colors. (SF2'-style)
-Some sprites have different colors.
-The title screen/demo & the ship selection screen have different colors.
-Lastly in the "Special ver." you get 8 credits instead of 4 to complete the game.
So basically the "Special ver." is an easier version.

There are also both "original" and "arrange" sound modes to choose from!


The fighters speeds

TYPE A                     TYPE B                     TYPE C
                                               
speed = ***(3)             speed = ***(3)             speed = ***(3)
All fighters have the same speed in Batsugun, even when playing the "special ver.".


As said in other reviews the game is very easy at first, but level 4 is hard and long!
One boss is one of those big ships that is a couple of screens long amd slowly scrolls toward you and you have to dodge very fast bullets and shoot the guns that fire them quickly.

The verdict:
Playability 10
Graphics 9
Music/sound 9
Lastability 8,6

Overall 9


Some screenshots: