Bangai-O

by SPIG

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000059Z7R
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: March 20, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,704 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

An interstellar crime syndicate is financing their nefarious schemes by smuggling space fruits throughout the galaxy. You take the role of Riki and Mami, two members of an elite force sent to stop the illegal activities. Your task is to get into the powerful Bangai-O suit, infiltrate the syndicate's bases, and confiscate the fruit. Naturally, the gangsters will not sit by and let you do this; you will have to take out swarms of enemies along the way. Luckily, the suit has two different firing modes that you can choose from: homing missiles and reflecting laser shots. When the going gets tough, you can also use the super bomb, which destroys every foe on the screen. You are also free to move around the environment, and you can fire in any direction. All of the action takes place in more than 40 levels that will put your fruit-busting skills to the test. Only you can protect the galaxy from the perils of bad fruit in Bangai-O.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Time of Your Life Blowing Stuff Up, March 22, 2001

By 

flaviolius (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bangai-O (Video Game)

The Sega Dreamcast has become somewhat of a shooter's haven: GigaWing, Gunbird 2, Cannon Spike, Mars Matrix, and now Bangai-O. The lastest masterpiece from developer Treasure (the makers of the legendary Radiant Silvergun), Bangai-O continues the grateful trend of 2D, skill-based, twitch-style shooting gameplay that harkens to the old-school days of games like Defender and Sinistar, with some new twists that could only be possible on Sega's 128-bit machine.

Bangai-O is full of bizarre, anime-style quirk. You control the Bangai-O, a weapon-laden mech piloted by a brother and sister team, Riki and Mami of the planet Dan Star, and careen into battle against the evil, fruit-hording SF Kosmo Gang. Yep -- fruit. You fly around a Joust-style level, using Robotron-style controls (d-pad to move, ABXY buttons to shoot, press two at once to fire diagonally...trust me, it's easy once you get the hang of it), blowing up everything that moves or doesn't move -- enemy robots, walls, buildings -- and picking up the fruit left behind (shades of Ms. Pac-Man). Doing so nets you points and also builds your Scatter Bomb meter, a wonderful device that enables the Bangai-O to literally fill the screen with rockets or lasers. The amount of destruction the Scatter Bomb deals is affected by how many enemies and enemy bullets are near the Bangai-O, which can result in a screen filled to the corners with beautiful missiles and explosions. It can also be used as a defensive device, for it wipes out enemy projectiles as well. You can choose either Riki or Mami to pilot the Bangai-O and switch at any time. When Riki's at the helm, the Bangai-O releases a swarm of homing missiles. Choose Mami, and your weapon becomes reflecting lasers that rebound off any surface (nice in tight tunnels).

Bangai-O is a strictly linear game. You progress through a timed level, fight a boss, and continue on, destruction in your wake. However, there are over FORTY levels, and they are not easy. This is a game that will take a while to complete. And when you do, there is significant replay value: Your score is not cumulative; rather, it resets at the start of each new level, and you are able to replay any level once you complete it, using the unlocked map to explore areas you might have missed. In addition, you score bonuses for how many accumulated explosions you cause and if you manage to complete a level undamaged. The goal to beat your own score, or your friends', is a very welcome feature.

Yes, the graphics are 2D, so gamers used to 3D will probably grimace at the pixelated visuals. The anime cutscenes are REALLY strange (Riki yells at Mami "What kind of name is Bangai-O for a robot?!!?", there's a sheep named Montgomery from Mongolia, a certain boss wonders if he shouldn't have become a lawyer, and whenever Bangai-O dies you're treated to an anime portrait of Riki dancing naked through a garden while an alien takes a photograph) and aren't for everyone. The game's sheer difficulty level will be a turn-off for some, and a multiplayer mode would have been welcome (though you can trade the controller between friends in a scoring competition). However, there's no slowdown, even when the screen is choked with 700 rockets, and the music is great. Shooter fans will adore this game for its emphasis on blowing stuff up and reflex-driven action, with strategy and even some puzzle elements entering the fray. Hats off to Conspiracy and Crave for releasing Bangai-O in the States -- it's got enough surreal charm, gameplay, and challenge to satisfy anyone looking for a fast-paced game with character and multiple explosions.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Treasure Fan, October 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Bangai-O (Video Game)

Bangai-o has something that is quite rare in the world of 2-D shooters.... crazy replay value. First of all, it has over 40 levels! They are free roaming levels, so you control the pace at which you advance. You can play it safe and sound, or you can attack the enemy agressively. Here is the catch - and not understanding this principle will probably cause a gamer to hate the game: you have a super weapon, and it's power is directly related to the amount of enemy fire on the screen, how fast it's moving, and how close it is to you. The super weapon can be so powerful that on some of the later level it will become your primary weapon. Bangai-o puts more enemies and missiles on the screen at once than any game I have ever seen! It is a sight to behold, and a must play. The play mechanics are just so fun you will probably find yourself coming back over and over again just to replay a few levels and blow more stuff up. Also, the default control scheme sucks, go with the second option.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INNOVATION AT ITS PEAK, November 28, 2001

By 

Christian H. Kim (California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bangai-O (Video Game)

I was dying to get this game when it first came out for N64 in Japan, but I'm glad I waited for this DC version. First thing I have to let you know is that this is a TREASURE game, which is my favorite game company along with Konami. Treasure people were those who were responsible for games like Castlevania series, and they went out to form their own company, and believe me, every game they come up with is filled with innovation, which brings Bangaio to the spotlight.
Bangaio has very unique game play with 44 carefully crafted levels to explore through. You can switch between robots with either homing missiles and reflecting lazer beam. So if you are in open area, homing missiles could be more effective, and reflecing lazer in closed area. Switching them according to situation can be really fun. However, real fun comes when you go against a simple logic, logic which you are suppose to destroy enemy bullets as quickly as possible when you are allowed to with your homing/lazer, by waiting till the last minutes to be surrounded by countless enemy bullets.. now does this make any sense? You get to fire this special attack whenever you want to, but you get to fire more if you are being surrounded by more bullets. The maximum number of fire you can release is 400.. and just think about it; you are being surrounded by countless enemies/bullets and suddenly you are firing 400 missiles/lazer 360 degree!
I wouldn't call this game a classical/typical, but this is something which shouldn't be missed by shooter fan because it's not only innovative, but some levels are chanllenging enough for hardcore shooter fans. I hope that you wouldn't miss this opportunity to enjoy one of few good shooter available in the domestic gaming industry. Enjoy!