In a world where the Japanese SHMUP is quickly becoming a distant memory, it’s nice to see the much celebrated developer Treasure truly liveing up to their namesake by once again returning to the genre which owes them so much. Following on from the success of their critically acclaimed 2009 revisiting of Sin and Punishment, they’ve wisely decided to do yet another modern sequel to of one of their long forgotten IPs with Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury for the Xbox Live Arcade.
Before I’d even had a chance to get past the start screen I could already feel the game’s arcade roots oozing out through the funky j-techno soundtrack, which has a few tunes that should be instantly familiar to fans of Treasure’s 2003 classic Gradius V. Not that you're going to hear the music very often though, as it tends to get somewhat drowned out by the sound of THOUSANDS OF MISSILES EXPLODING OVER AND OVER OH GOD.
"If you’re a Wii U user and you don’t feel like forking over money for a physical disc of Kirby goodness, Nintendo’s got the hookup for you on the eShop.
The newest batch of Virtual Console titles include all three SNES Kirby games, and buying two of them nets you the other free. If pink puffballs aren’t your thing, you might have a soft spot for Nintendo’s trademark gorilla; Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is now available in retail and digitally on the 3DS eShop.
PSN users now have the ability to pre-purchase Capcom’s Remember Me, which releases June 4. There are also a ton of Ultimate Editions of games on sale for Plus and non-Plus users alike.
Steam shoppers can pre-purchase Deadpool, the fourth-wall breaking anti-hero’s debut game, which finally hits PCs on June 14, a week and a half before consoles. There’s a nifty sale for Xbox Live Gold users that lets them get Bangai-O HD for half off. Just keep in mind that your digital purchase won’t migrate over to the Xbox One (not that I’m trying to guilt anyone or anything).
Finally, Resident Evil: Revelations is now available for nearly every digital platform. I wholeheartedly recommend it: it’s the best RE to come out in several years.
For all the rest, hit up the mega list."
- Patrick Kulikowski
Missiles, fruits, robots, and ants! Welcome to the world of Bangai-O HD Missile Fury for the XBLA! Developed by Treasure, Bangai-O is 2D side-scrolling shooter that uses dual-stick controls. You’re constantly under attack from a barrage of enemies. Just shooting your way through will get you nowhere fast. Fortunately, this little mech has some skills!
This episode of Bullet Heaven is so intense, it’s called Missile Heaven. Forget Bullet Hell, this is Missile Hell! Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury for the XBLA will punish you in unimaginable ways… but you’ll keep coming back for more. Just how does this ultra-sadomasochistic game hold up? Watch to find out!
