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Bangai-O stage contest and some backhanded encouragement
If you happen to have a Japanese copy of Bangai-O Spirits, or if, like us, you just like the idea of more free stages being available, then you'll be interested in the Bangai-O Spirits original stage contest being held at the website right now. Well, mostly if you want new stages. With real prizes on the line, like a Wii, a 50,000 yen prepaid debit card, and an iPod nano (not to mention the original t-shirt given away with each prize, which we're dying to see), we're sure it's open to residents of Japan only. Entrants are instructed to submit a replay along with their stages, to show how to get through them. Treasure must expect extreme creativity!As if to boost the confidence of amateur stage designers, the latest set of free stages, from Continue magazine, are way lame -- like "Counter" here. That shouldn't be so hard to beat![From the intro page, click on the white, moving box to access the contest page.]
More Japanese publications get Bangai-O Spirits stages
Two more Bangai-O Spirits custom stages are available on the official Japanese homepage, representing two more Japanese game media outlets. The Gemaga stage (pictured) is in the form of the site's mascot, Liruru (or Rilulu, or -- you get the idea). The ITMedia stage is made in the image of the site's logo. Who do we have to talk to to get our own Bangai-O Spirits stage?Even more awesome than logos and mascots (it's possible!) is this stage made by NeoGAFfer Lee_N, which replicates Area 1 of the NES Bionic Commando. If you don't think that's completely, insanely amazing, get the heck out of here, you nerd!
Friday Video: Brinstar Spirits
Yes, it's another Bangai-O Spirits custom level. But while we've talked about them a lot, we haven't really focused much on what it actually looks like to play them. Luckily, the designer, sp0rsk, recorded a playthrough of his awesome level, called "Bangatroid" (guess why). So not only can we talk about the level, we can show you it!The video also casually mentions something that we weren't aware of: you have the option of turning on invincibility and infinite scatter bombs! If you happen to know anyone who played through the Dreamcast game with invincibility turned on (we, uh, don't), they'll be happy to hear that!
Another set of Bangai-O Spirits stages to save
We've been talking about Bangai-O Spirits stages a lot lately, but, well, we don't want to miss out on any stages just because the U.S. game isn't out yet -- and we don't want any other future Bangai-O players (you are out there, right?) to miss out either. The fan community, while small, seems to be enjoying the feature and sharing. The media is also taking advantage of the fact that they can easily host Bangai-O content on their own sites.Dengeki made some stages of their own that are absolutely worth a look -- they decided to use the stage components to make playable art pieces. No idea how the image to the right will be to play, but it sure is cool-looking! In addition, two more stages and replays have been added to the official Bangai-O Spirits website.We're hoping that the American media will get into the act when the game comes out over here. Oh, wait -- that's us. Well, then, we can confirm that they will.%Gallery-16997%
Bangai-O Spirits uses the world's best level-sharing network
Odds are right around 100% that you've used the burgeoning unofficial Bangai-O Spirits level database -- even if you've never played (or heard of) the game. One player (that we've seen) has turned to YouTube for hosting and sharing of levels and replays. Immediately, Treasure's bizarre decision to make level data into sound files makes sense. YouTube is easy to use for both uploaders and downloaders, and all you have to do is hold an earphone up to your DS's mic to download a level. Other Japanese players are making use of Japan's YouTube-like site, Nico Nico Douga. This video demonstrates the process. It's also amusingly meta, in that it's a YouTube video that shows someone downloading and playing a YouTube video. It's a better alternative for a blog than just embedding one of the actual levels, since there's no screeching involved.
DS Daily: Super Bangai-O Brawlers
There's a considerable number of DS games out there that we cherish, but Super Dodgeball Brawlers and Bangai-O Spirits must rank amongst our greatest obsessions.By a happy coincidence, both titles recently released within days of one another in Japan, so the next question is obvious: as the U.S. still has a couple of months to wait for these gems, did you buckle under the pressure and import either? If so, we'll be happy to place our extreme envy to one side for the time being, and listen to your impressions! We're nice like that, see.%Gallery-16997%%Gallery-14440%
Bangai-O Spirits' free play is really free
During my GDC appointment with D3 Publisher, I was told that any Bangai-O Spirits stage could be edited "in free play mode." I asked how to unlock stages for that mode, but the information was unknown to anyone outside of Treasure. Jeremy Parish's preview of the game gives us an idea of the answer, and it's awesome."You're free to play any of the game's 160 stages from the outset," Parish said, "and when you lose you can quickly jump back in to have another go at things." Sounds like the "free play" mode is the main game, doesn't it? And even if that doesn't exactly turn out to be the case -- if you can play any stage, but you still have to complete it or otherwise achieve a goal in order to access it in the editor -- that's okay too. We're just shocked that they opened all of the stages. It's a wonderful way to ensure that players can experience the whole game even though it's really hard.%Gallery-16997%
Hear Bangai-O's downloadable stages for yourself
Bangai-O Spirits is out in Japan as of this week, and Treasure and ESP have already made some bonus content available on the game's website (click "special"). Not only can stages be transmitted through sound, but replay videos can as well! The MP3 files come in at 500 kilobytes at most and run from about 7 seconds long up until 29. As expected, they sound pretty much like modem connection noises -- in case you were wondering! We're saving these for ourselves, just in case they're only available for a limited time. There are currently three stages and three associated replays online -- one of which was created as a TGS demo with V-Jump Magazine branding, another the work of a PR person (we think?) named George who set out to make a challenging stage, and the last a maze created by someone at ESP.%Gallery-16997%
Bangai-O Spirits screens are more awesome than usual
The screens in our latest Bangai-O Spirits gallery update feature some parts of the game that don't usually pop up in screens. For example, the editor. Even in Japanese, it's easy to use. You select background or character ("character" is selected here), and then select whether you are placing a player (P) or enemy (E) character. You can use the arrows to change which way it's facing, and cycle through available enemies. Then you place it on the screen, and that's it! Other little-seen elements include the upper-screen map, which is extremely self-evident, with the exception of items marked "T1" and "T2" which we believe to be targets.Something else exciting that is relatively unusual to Bangai-O: large bosses. Usually, bosses were just as diminutive as the Bangai-O robot itself and everything else on screen. Bigger robot = more surface area for missiles to explode on.%Gallery-16997%
Bangai-O Soccer
Looks like Jeux-France got into the Bangai-O Spirits level editor. Either that or there's an official level comprising a huge pile of giant space soccer balls between the player and a bunch of enemies. Although, now that we think about it, that's entirely possible. Especialy since the soccer ball item must be an existing part of the game for it to be accessible in the level editor.Whatever they've done, it's resulted in another spate of extraordinarily wacky screenshots, which we pored over in delight. This set, in addition to weirdo soccer ball shenanigans, contains the best screenshot of a Scatter Bomb super attack in action we've seen. That white curtain? Missiles.%Gallery-16997%
Halo, Battlefield vets form Tyrant Studios
With high-profile projects like Halo and Battlefield to your credit, it's difficult to pin where to exactly there is to go next -- a question no doubt being pondered by Hardy LeBel and Anders Hejdenberg, both of whom have charged headlong into the murky waters of independent game development by jointly founding Tyrant Studios. As the studio's new executive producer, LeBel's resume includes helping design the first two Halo titles as well as working with BioWare and Gas Powered Games on Jade Empire and Dungeon Siege 2 respectively. As Tyrant's lead designer, Hejdenberg's portfolio similarly impresses, having helped develop both Battlefield 2: Modern Combat and Battlefield 2142.Currently the Tyrant Studios' team stands at seven, with individuals having worked on a variety of projects, from Interstate '76 and Tony Hawk, to Spider-man and Crimson Skies. As for the studio's current project, well the Tyrant team is currently playing their cards close to the chest, though a teaser image on the company's official website shows a silhouette of two individuals, what appears to be some kind of crazy hair, and a logo that reads "ESP," sporting a design seemingly more fitting to athletic footwear than anything remotely game related. Speculations anyone?
Bangai-O lifts Japan's spirits this March
An actual Japanese release date for Bangai-O Spirits gives us a lot more faith that it'll make its announced Q2 release for North America. Treasure has finally announced one, and it's soon: March 19. How wonderful!Along with this happy news comes an overhaul of the official site. Too long have we been staring at the single splash screen waiting for content. Now there are tiny screenshots to squint at and information about the edit mode not to be able to read very well (although we think Wi-Fi stage sharing is possible!)Riki and Mami are not returning for this iteration of Bangai-O. They'll be turning the spotlight over to kids named Ruri and Masato, the latter of whom is, no doubt, named after Treasure president Masato Maegawa.See also: 2008's Biggest Blips: Bangai-O Spirits
2008's Biggest Blips: Bangai-O Spirits
Developer: Treasure/ESPPublisher: D3Release: Q2 Hello!! It is me, the super sexy M. In the year 2001 we had a Bangai-O shooting game on the Sega Dreamcast. Children Riki and Mami had a very big robot to go fight SF Kozmo Gang! I was in Infostation and sold them many infos to survive. They needed secret help information so they know how to use robot shooting power! We had many great talks together, and our game has a very deep storyline because of it! You should play our game and send money if you like it afterward!Now the Treasure company is making a new Bangai-O shooting excitement game for the Nintendo DS! Can all of the 2D big explosions fit on such a small thing? Only time can tell!! Also it is yet to know if the delightful Mrs. M herself will be returning. If Infostation does not have me, how will players learn the shooting? Failure is very possible. But without knowing if I have a job, I will be nice and offer my very special information for free! You can thank me later!! It is because of the greatness of Bangai-O that I continue.In my Bangai-O big robot had the ability to make extreme explosions based on number of the bullets on screen! It was out of control for sure! New Bangai-O Spirits has gone back to the way of N64, so the player (who is you) now has to charge up! What an exciting change of pace!Back in 2001, Riki and Mami only had two weapons on the Bangai-O robot -- homing shot and bound shot (which bounced). Now so many new weapons are available! You can choose from start and have multiple weapons, including a bat that repels enemies and a sword that absorbs bullets! Then add on EX abilities that you unleash by charging up power and you are an explosion firing machine! Make 50000 credits please! I know I said it was free but this information is too good! I wish I knew about when this game was coming out! It would be super premium information! I have been told that it is Q2, but not exactly known! I will just have to start planning my own levels for when it is out -- oh yes, did I not tell you? Bangai-O Spirits lets the beautiful Mrs. M and even normal kids like you make a level! Do you think you can make a level good enough for our 2D shooting action? [Read the full Dreamcast Bangai-O script here] The Suda pair Back Born free
Bangai-O charges up, launches massive screenshot attack
Bangai-O's seeming rebirth as a puzzle-shooter is fascinating to us. There was always an element of knowing what to shoot first and which weapon to use when, but Treasure and ESP seem to be putting more emphasis on smaller scenarios that require thought, rather than just spamming the 'shoot' button. We never thought that we'd want the most frenetic, insane shooter ever to be a puzzle game, but we trust Treasure and we appreciate the fact that Bangai-O Spirits is not a simple remake. And anyway, look at those screenshots (some new, some old, all wow). It's still insane. And if you don't like the new level designs, the game's got an editor, so you can just make your own game.
Small sprites, big spirits
Just looking at Bangai-O Spirits makes us cheer-- yes! The Nintendo DS exists and Treasure got a development kit for it! And we also have a Nintendo DS! The world is an excellent place! It's not a catchy cheer, but it's heartfelt. We can close our eyes right now and imagine huge missile volleys flying out in 100 different directions, turning gun turrets and little houses and other missiles into gigantic fruit. It's the same heartfelt feeling that compels us to share these screens from Famitsu with you. They're the same screens seen in the "scan" before, with the added benefit of being clearly visible. We think that's kind of important! Speaking of visibility, we worry a little bit about being able to see what's happening on the DS's smaller screens-- teensy sprites and chaotic bullet patterns don't seem like the best fit for a portable system. But we'll put our eyes right up to the screens if we need to. It probably won't be a problem; Treasure generally knows what they're doing.
Treasure counts down to mystery game's unveiling
Famed developer Treasure has sent its fans into fits of thrilled, unbridled speculation with its new countdown page, promising to announce a new Nintendo DS title in less than six days. The studio's partnership with publisher ESP for the mystery project rules out any sequels to Gunstar Heroes, Bleach, or Sin and Punishment, but new installments for Hajime no Ippo and Ikaruga are still a possibility.Though we dare not risk our hopes and hearts on it, there's always a chance that Treasure could be working on something completely new and original! What are you hoping it'll be?[Via IGN]
Wolverine's ESP rocks 250GB for your PMP needs
Have you been looking for a high-capacity media player? Like, really, really high-capacity? Well finally someone has heard your prayers -- and answered -- in the form of the Wolverine ESP, a 250GB (yes, 250GB) media player that can handle pretty much anything you throw at it, including MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, AAC, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, WMV9, and Xvid. The player, which features a 3.6-inch color screen, also reads JPEG, BMP, TIFF, Text and RAW images (for a variety of digital cameras), does FM radio playback and recording, and can be connected to a TV or audio system via an included AV cable. The ESP has a slew of card slots, like CF, SD, SDHC, Memory Stick / Memory Stick Pro and XD built-in, plus an adapter for MS-Duo, Mini-SD, and RS-MMC. The player also boasts audio recording through a line-in jack or built-in microphone, and playback from an onboard speaker. Sounds good, right? There's just one problem: it looks like it's from 1998. Available right now for the low, low price of $649.99.
Wolverine Data throws down ESP "Professional" PMP
It might look a little clunky, but Wolverine Data's new ESP PMP is all substance. Inside the 0.9-inch thick monstrosity is a 80 or 120GB HDD and a 7-in-1 card reader, making this the perfect tool for photogs looking for a good memory card backup solution. There's JPG, BMP, TIFF and RAW support, and all main memory formats can be used by the reader. If you'd rather be entertained, the ESP can do that too, with a 3.6-inch LCD and MPEG-1, MPEG-4, WMV9 and XviD codec support, along with the usual audio suspects, including AAC and CDA. The unit also includes built-in speakers, an FM tuner, audio-in, TV-out and can record video with an optional cradle that'll set you back $80. It seems like if you just want the entertainment factor, there are plenty of better PMP options than this thing, but for the photographer on the go, the video support couldn't hurt, and the $400 (80GB) and $500 (120GB) pricetags aren't too shabby at all.[Via PVR Wire]
