Dreamcast

Gunbird 2

Capcom and Psikyo, who are apparently under the mistaken impression that you didn't get shot at enough in Cannon Spike, have teamed back up to remedy that unfortunate situation. Like CS, Gunbird 2 is a shooter, but unlike CS, it's very much a throwback/homage to the one-hit-and-you're-dead, dodge-for-your-life, sheer-reflexes-and-skill shooters of yesteryear. Think about 1943, 1944, Xevious, Raiden, or the parts of Guardian Legend where you got to play as the jet, and you'll have a pretty good idea of where Gunbird 2 is coming from. Feel free to hide under the bed.

It's the year 20XX. A very, very large brownie is heading straight toward the planet Earth or some similar looking planet also populated by humans. It is estimated that the brownie will collide into the planet in approximately six hours, give or take a few minutes. The Super Brownie Eradication Taskforce Elite (SBETE) is on the scene and ready to take on the foreboding dessert. However, budget cuts have only left enough money for a single tank of gas, enough to power just one fighter. Straws are drawn. They drink and pass out, leaving the sober janitor alone to save the planet. Like most shooters, Gunbird 2 has a story and, like most shooters, no one really cares. Who cares that the characters are going after some legendary Almighty Potion? The point of the game is to blow stuff up while dodging other stuff and barely surviving, like any good shooter.

The classic vertically scrolling, 2D shooter - such a long phrase to describe a very simple video game. There's nothing quite like the simple Zen-like nature that comes from this type of shooter, whether it's the ancient Atari classic, River Raid, or to more present day standards like Giga Wing. Zipping between enemy fire, collecting power-ups, and bonus point items, it seems like an easy game. I mean, all you have to do is shoot everything and dodge everything the game shoots at you. And in this day and age, where video gamers are asking for more 3D visuals, for more complexity, and for more depth in their games, how can the classic vertically scrolling 2D shooter satisfy gamers these days?

Gunbird's weakest aspect its audio, with its generic synthesized music and repetitive voice samples. High scores are saved automatically, but I wish the top score was displayed on the screen as you play. At its core, Gunbird 2 isn't a big departure from so many other Dreamcast shooters, but its visual flare and quirky nature definitely set it apart.

The mid-80's were a pivotal point in gaming history, and no other genre of game flooded the market more than shooters. From the WWII 1942 to the wacky-space scrolling of R-Type. The hype may have died down (for now), but the fun continues... you just have to know where to look.

Gunbird 2 really brings back the feel of old-school arcade shooters. The game is really, really hard, but that's the nature of this genre. I just wish that there were more rewards for my efforts; it feels almost pointless to try so hard. The graphics and sound are so arcadey that I'm still looking for a place to insert a quarter. The old school crowd will definitely want to check this one out, but for those not familiar with the genre, this game might be more of a lesson in frustration than fun.

At first I had mix feelings ... I love shooters after all. After much thought, I've realized that this game is sub par. Gunbird 2 can be beat in about 30 minutes, even shorter in co-op where you can fry the bosses way too quickly. So it's not really worth the price of admission. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Dreamcast; there are lots of great shooters to play. Gunbird 2 should be on the bottom of your list.