Bangai-O Spirits haunting US

By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpotPosted Feb 27, 2008 11:02 am PT

D3Publisher handling DS adaptation of Treasure's Dreamcast 2D shooter; four-player action and level editor headline new features.

Treasure's original Bangai-O on the Dreamcast was known for two things: an absurdly nonsensical English translation and screen-choking volleys of missiles and lasers. Although the hectic 2D shooter never emerged from its obscure niche, D3Publisher of America is giving the US another look at the franchise.

I was just going to say that.

The publisher has announced that it is bringing Bangai-O Spirits, the DS revamp of the original game, to US shores in the second quarter of the year. More than a straight port, Bangai-O Spirits adds cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes for up to four people locally, as well as a level editor, and a novel way to share created stages with other gamers.

D3 is touting the game's "Sound Load" feature, which will let the DS output data as a sound file. Other DS systems can then receive the file by using their built-in microphones, allowing players to not only trade levels locally, but also get new levels from the Internet by downloading and playing back other users' Sound Load recordings. High scores and gameplay footage will also be transferable as sound files.

Bangai-O Spirits is being developed by Treasure, a Japanese studio notorious for its niche 2D action and shoot-'em-up games. Previous Treasure games include Ikaruga, Radiant Silvergun, and Gunstar Heroes.

21 Comments

  • Archon_basic

    Posted Apr 5, 2008 4:36 pm PT

    I'll be all over this one. Treasure + shmup = win. I just hope no difficulties arise in porting a frantic DC game to the DS.

  • Supersonic2000

    Posted Mar 20, 2008 10:26 pm PT

    I loved the Dreamcast game, so I am definitely getting this game.

  • IPwnNooBs666

    Posted Feb 28, 2008 12:29 pm PT

    I absolutely loved the Dreamcast original of this game and I must say that this version sounds mighty sweet. I might just pick up a DS just for this game ( that and Crisis Core and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2)

  • Nintendo_Ownes7

    Posted Feb 28, 2008 8:37 am PT

    @robotecha5 Bangai-O was originally o the N64 in Japan only th Dreamcast version was the one that made it to the States.

  • B_O_B_

    Posted Feb 28, 2008 7:04 am PT

    I loved this game on DC alot of my freinds bought a DC just for this game!! Im not sure how well it will do on the tiny screen and tranfering through sound??...I predict a lot of interference.

  • robotecha5

    Posted Feb 28, 2008 6:44 am PT

    Further proof of how awsome the Dreamcast and its Library of Games were, unfortunatly most of Treasures other SHUMPS on DC were JP release only. If only more people had just bought a Dreamcast...I mean cmon it was like $100 is 2000, fkin Sony whores

  • magicaldropking

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 10:14 pm PT

    actually, the Sound Load thing sounds kinda.. pointless
    wouldn't it be much, much easier just to directly acquire maps through wi-fi?

  • blackace

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 10:07 pm PT

    On the DS. That screen is way to small for this game. They should have released in on the Wii or XBox 360 Arcade. All of Treasures shooters were awesome. Gunstar Heroes was a trip. Took forever to beat that damn game, but it was a blast.

  • Surllio

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 7:42 pm PT

    Yea!! The original killed my DC. Its again time to see how long I can keep 999 up on the screen!!!!

  • X-RS

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 5:25 pm PT

    $VV33+!

  • Tranceplant

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 4:32 pm PT

    Oh yeah!!! This is awesome!

  • bacchus2

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 3:45 pm PT

    The sound load feature sounds rather innovative.

  • LivingDeadNinja

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 1:58 pm PT

    Awesome! Must buy for me. I'm so happy publishers still care to bring those awesome 2D shooters...

  • Zonic505

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 1:06 pm PT

    I should look for this on the Dreamcast (& Ikaruga for GCN). I hope that Treasure's other games make it on the VC someday...

  • TexasAnMGrad2K

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 1:03 pm PT

    Good day today! Two Dreamcast games making a comeback - Triggerheart on the 360, and Bangai O on the DS.

  • curua02

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 1:01 pm PT

    Bangai-O was such a fun game. Years ago, my friends and I would have contests to see who's explosions could ruin the framerate the most. I can't even imagine what it would be like with four robots wreaking havoc at the same time, but it's got to be insane.

  • Snake329

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 11:45 am PT

    As an actual owner of the game on the Dreamcast, I am greatly excited for this. That game is hella fun, and hella hard.

  • VagrantChild24

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 11:33 am PT

    Should be good. I love Treasure's classic games. I just hope that the horrible translation remains because it was hilariously bad a la Castle Shikigami 2.

  • Nintendo_Ownes7

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 11:29 am PT

    I can't wait I Treasure makes some of the best games.

  • Cristallis

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 11:15 am PT

    Can't wait, I haven't touched my DS since December (but I recently imported Etrian Odyssey 2).

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