Gunbird 2

Gunbird 2 (ガンバード2, Ganbādo 2) is a 2D scrolling shooter developed by Psikyo and published by Capcom as a sequel to the original Gunbird. It was originally released in Japanese arcades in 1998, and was later ported to the Dreamcast in 2000 and released worldwide. An Android version was released in Korea in 2014, before it came out worldwide on both Android and iOS in 2016.[2] The arcade game was also included in Gunbird Special Edition for the PlayStation 2. A version was released on Nintendo Switch in June 2018,[3] Microsoft Windows in June 2020, and PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in August 2022.

Gunbird 2
Developer(s)Psikyo
Kuusoukagaku, Mobirix, APX Soft, Google Play (Android)
Publisher(s)Capcom
Dreamcast
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows
City Connection
Producer(s)Shinsuke Nakamura
Designer(s)
  • Hiroshi Yamada
  • Hideyuki Oda
  • Norikazu Takemori
  • Yoko Tsukagoshi
  • Emi Taniguchi
  • Keizou Fujita
  • Kunio Asahara
  • Masashi Kajikawa
  • Shinji Nohara
  • Naozumi Yorichika
Programmer(s)
  • Shiori Saito
  • Kenichi Fujita
  • Kunihiko Nogomi
  • Katsuhiro Nishida
  • Katsuya Shikanouchi
Artist(s)Masato Natsumoto
Composer(s)Masaki Izutani
SeriesGunbird
Platform(s)Arcade, Dreamcast, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
ReleaseArcade
  • JP: December 1998
Dreamcast
  • JP: March 9, 2000
  • NA: November 15, 2000[1]
  • PAL: February 2, 2001
Android
  • KOR: 2014
  • WW: April 7, 2016
iOS
May 31, 2016
Switch
June 21, 2018
Windows
June 10, 2020
PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
August 3, 2022
Genre(s)Scrolling shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, two-player co-op
Arcade systemPsikyo SH2

Gameplay
Arcade version screenshot, showing Marion battling the England stage boss.

There are seven stages in each game loop (two loops total). The first three stages are randomly chosen from possible four. At the second loop, enemies fire denser bullet patterns moving at faster speeds. Stage 2-1 takes place at the only stage not available in 1st loop, instead of the 1-1 counterpart. After completing the first loop with only one player, player can choose one of two choices for a wish with magic potion, with unique ending for each choice. If 1st loop is completed with two players, a combination-specific ending is played.

This was the first Psikyo shooter to feature medal-chaining:[2] picking up 2,000 point medals (when they flash) repeatedly results in a slight point increase and a coin chain, recorded separately from the score. This was later featured in Strikers 1945 III/Strikers 1999.

The arcade game supports both English and Japanese languages, chosen via arcade board dip switch settings. The language setting is Japanese if dip switches are set to Japanese, English otherwise.

Two exclusive playable characters in the Sega Dreamcast port of Gunbird 2, released in 2000, includes Morrigan Aensland from the Darkstalkers series and Aine from the Samurai Aces series. Other new features include Internet ranking, gallery, and voices during intermission.[4]

Plot

Seven warriors are challenged to head on a quest to find three powerful elements of Sun, Moon and Stars. Whoever brings the elements to God will be rewarded the legendary Almighty Potion and all its magical powers.[5]

Reception

The Dreamcast and Nintendo Switch versions received "mixed or average reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[6][7] IGN's Anthony Chau said of the former console version: "I hope that most of you that decide to get Gunbird 2 are those that know the excitement of weaving between enemy fire, appreciate 2D artistry, and respect classic gameplay that never gets old. If that's you, you'll definitely be satisfied."[19] GameSpot's Steven Garrett, however, was much more critical of the same console version, opining, "If a good 16-bit shooter is what you're looking for, you could do a lot better elsewhere."[17] Electronic Gaming Monthly and Game Informer gave said console version mixed reviews, nearly two months before it was released Stateside.[10][12] Jeff Lundrigan of NextGen said of the same console version, "If you want a ridiculously high level of pure twitch-response challenge, look no further. If you don't, well, move along."[20] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40.[11]

Also in Japan, Game Machine listed the arcade version in their January 1, 1999 issue as the fourth most-successful arcade game of December 1998.[24]

Legacy

Gunbird Special Edition
Main article: Gunbird Special Edition

A compilation including both Gunbird games was released for the PlayStation 2 in Japan in 2004 and Europe in 2005. The version of the game included was based on the arcade version.

Cancelled PlayStation Portable remake

An enhanced remake, titled Gunbird 2 Remix was announced by PM Studios for the PlayStation Portable in 2009. It was slated for an early 2010 release exclusively in digital format.[25] No news has been heard since then, and it is considered vaporware.

Notes
  1. Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Dreamcast version each a score of 7/10, 7.5/10, and 5/10 in an early review.
  2. In GameFan's viewpoint of the Dreamcast version's Japanese import, three critics gave it each a score of 89, 94, and 96.

References
  1. Justice, Brandon (October 31, 2000). "Cannon Spike Firing; Gunbird 2 in Flight in 2000". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  2. Cauterize (April 15, 2014). "Psikyo's Shmup 'Gunbird 2' Blasts Onto iOS & Android". RetroCollect. Archived from the original on April 17, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  3. "GUNBIRD2 for Nintendo Switch". Nintendo. Archived from the original on September 16, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  4. Laidlaw, Mike (March 10, 2001). "Gunbird 2 Dreamcast review". The Adrenaline Vault. NewWorld.com, Inc. Archived from the original on December 22, 2010. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  5. Gunbird 2 Dreamcast manual.
  6. "Gunbird 2 for Dreamcast Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  7. "Gunbird 2 for Nintendo Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  8. Thompson, Jon. "Gunbird 2 (DC) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  9. D'Aprile, Jason (December 27, 2000). "Gunbird 2 - Dreamcast Review". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on January 26, 2001. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  10. Johnston, Chris; Sewart, Greg; Mielke, James "Milkman" (October 2000). "Gunbird 2" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 135. Ziff Davis. p. 174. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  11. "ガンバード2 [ドリームキャスト]". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  12. "Gunbird 2". Game Informer. No. 90. FuncoLand. October 2000.
  13. Rodriguez, Tyrone "Cerberus"; Ngo, George "Eggo"; Weitzner, Jason "Fury" (June 2000). "Gunbird 2 (DC; JP Import)". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 6. Shinno Media. p. 13. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  14. Mylonas, Eric "ECM" (June 2000). "Gunbird 2 (DC; JP Import)". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 6. Shinno Media. pp. 84–85. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  15. Tokyo Drifter (November 21, 2000). "Gunbird 2 Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 16, 2004. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  16. Sparks, Shawn (December 2000). "Gunbird 2 Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  17. Garrett, Steven (June 15, 2000). "Gunbird 2 Review (DC) [JP Import]". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  18. Mr. Domino (January 11, 2001). "Gunbird 2". PlanetDreamcast. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 25, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  19. Chau, Anthony (November 20, 2000). "GunBird 2 [sic] (DC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  20. Lundrigan, Jeff (December 2000). "Gunbird 2 (DC)". NextGen. No. 72. Imagine Media. p. 108. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  21. Frear, Dave (July 11, 2018). "Gunbird 2 Review". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  22. Carter, Chris (September 13, 2016). "'Gunbird 2' Review – Classic Cute 'em Up". TouchArcade. TouchArcade.com, LLC. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  23. Fryman, Avi (2000). "Gun Bird 2 [sic] (DC)". Maxim. MaximNet, Inc. Archived from the original on June 26, 2001. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  24. "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - TVゲーム機ーソフトウェア (Video Game Software)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 579. Amusement Press, Inc. January 1, 1999. p. 29.
  25. Fahey, Mike (December 17, 2009). "PM Studios Brings Gunbird 2 To The PSP". Kotaku. G/O Media. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
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