Batsugun#Legacy

File:ARC Batsugun.png

Batsugun is a science fiction-themed vertically scrolling bullet hell game where players assume the role of one of the six Skull Hornets pilots taking control of their respective fighter jets through five increasingly difficult levels in a last-ditch effort to overthrow a global takeover led by the army of king Renoselva A. Gladebaran VII as the main objective.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/gamest0105#page/159/mode/2up|title=紹介 - Batsugun|magazine=Gamest|issue=105|publisher=Shinseisha|date=January 1994|pages=158–159|lang=ja}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/gamest0107#page/167/mode/2up|title=紹介 - Batsugun|magazine=Gamest|issue=107|publisher=Shinseisha|date=February 1994|pages=166–167|lang=ja}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/gamest0109/page/43/mode/1up|title=攻略 ステージ 1-3 - Batsugun|magazine=Gamest|issue=109|publisher=Shinseisha|date=March 1994|pages=43–45|lang=ja}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/gamest0111/page/n66/mode/1up|title=攻略 ステージ 4-5 - Batsugun|magazine=Gamest|issue=111|publisher=Shinseisha|date=April 1994|pages=63–65|lang=ja}} The title initially appears to be standard; players control their craft over a constantly scrolling background and the scenery never stops moving until a boss is reached. Players also have only two weapons at their disposal: the main gun that travels a max distance of the screen's height and three bombs capable of obliterating any enemy caught within its blast radius.

A unique gameplay feature is the weapon system;Batsugun manual (Sega Saturn, JP){{cite web|last=Zverloff|first=Nick|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/batsugun/|title=Batsugun|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=15 September 2017|access-date=2019-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606190010/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/batsugun/|archive-date=6 June 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://shootingstar.game.coocan.jp/batsugun.html|title=BATSUGUN|publisher=Shooting Star|access-date=2019-12-15|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216023227/http://shootingstar.game.coocan.jp/batsugun.html|archive-date=16 December 2019|url-status=live}} as enemies are destroyed, players gain experience points that are separate from the score and for every experience points gained, the main gun is leveled up and becomes much stronger. This is analogous to exp and levelling up in role-playing games. The weapon can only level up twice and after achieving its maximum level, experience points will grant players an extra bomb stock instead. In addition, player can also grab "P" icons to increase the power of the current level gun. A maximum of five "P" icons can be collected per experience level and getting more after this gives extra points instead, while collecting "B" icons increases the number of bomb stock to a maximum of seven. Another gameplay feature, reminiscent of Aero Fighters, is the ability to choose between three fighter ship variations: Sky Mirage (type A), Dragon's Whisper (type B) and Judgement Flasher (type C).{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AMarukatuMD_JP_10.pdf&page=42|title=アーケーダー7 - BATSUGUN|magazine=Marukatsu Mega Drive|issue=10|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|date=January 1994|pages=42–43|lang=ja|access-date=2021-02-02|archive-date=2021-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202185544/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AMarukatuMD_JP_10.pdf&page=42|url-status=live}} Type A ships have a simple array of rapid-fire energy-beams that spread evenly. Type B ships shoot a straight beam of lightning for as long as the fire button is held, while tapping the button causes sparks to appear and travel along the beam. Lastly, Type C ships are adaptable; holding the fire button shoot energy waves straight, while tapping the button fires a spread of projectiles. Each ship type becomes more powerful by leveling up.

There are multiple scoring methods for reaching high-scores to obtain extra lives in the game apart from destroying enemies, which are awarded at one million points. Points can be gained from collecting V-shaped gold medals and once the level is finished, points are awarded for every type of medal collected. Firing or bombing on determined locations is also crucial to reach high-scores, as certain setpieces in some stages hosts bonus secrets within their scenery, as well as destroying enemies on certain spots.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/gamest0114/page/n70/mode/2up|title=攻略 稼ぎ、タイプ別 - Batsugun|magazine=Gamest|issue=114|publisher=Shinseisha|date=15 May 1994|pages=66–68|lang=ja}}{{cite magazine|title=攻略 ブタ砲台、59630|magazine=Gamest|issue=116|publisher=Shinseisha|date=May–June 1994|pages=66–67|lang=ja}} The game employs a respawn system where a downed single player will start off immediately at the location they died at. Getting hit by enemy fire will result in losing a life, as well as a penalty of decreasing the ship's firepower to its original state, in addition of all medals collected and once all lives are lost, the game is over unless the player inserts more credits into the arcade machine to continue playing. Unlike previous shoot 'em ups titles from Toaplan, there are no additional loops after completing the last stage.

The plot summary of Batsugun is explained through supplementary materials.{{cite web|url=https://vgmdb.net/album/2214|title=PCCB-00151 | BATSUGUN|work=vgmdb.net|publisher=VGMdb|access-date=2019-12-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321035521/http://vgmdb.net/album/2214|archive-date=21 March 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Kotowski|first=Don|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/batsugun/|title=Batsugun|website=vgmonline.net|publisher=Video Game Music Online|date=1 August 2012|access-date=2019-12-17}}{{cite book|last=Inoue|first=Junya|author-link=Junya Inoue|title=Batsugun: Truth Story Batsugun|publisher=Tokuma Shoten|date=8 September 2017|isbn=978-4198644703}} On a distant planet similar to Earth, a global takeover codenamed Epsilon Plan led by king Renoselva A. Gladebaran VII is set into motion, with the Imperial Army successfully staging multiple coup d'états upon countries of the planet in less than two weeks. All that stands between the military forces of Renoselva and world domination are the Skull Hornets: a squadron of fighter pilots led by prince Olisis R. Gladebaran VIII, son of Renoselva. The Skull Hornets utilize the most powerful submersible jets the planet's scientists have ever devised.

• Jeeno: Pilot of the Type A (P1) ship, he is a teenage soldier with cybernetic implants by Dr. Gabriel and a tragic past.
• Schneider: Pilot of the Type A (P2) ship and a war veteran who was previously cryogenized and is the main protagonist of Flying Shark.{{cite web|last=Zverloff|first=Nick|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/flying-shark/|title=Flying Shark|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=9 July 2012|access-date=2021-06-02}}
• Beltiana: Pilot of the Type B (P1) ship and a young woman who seeks to avenge the death of her brother.
• Alteeno: Pilot of the Type B (P2) ship, he is a tomboyish mechanic of the Skull Hornets squadron and a child prodigy.
• Iceman: Pilot of the Type C (P1) ship and a hired mercenary with a turbulent past.
• Olisis: Pilot of the Type C (P2) ship. Founder and director of the Skull Hornets squadron, he is the exiled prince of his home planet and fights to dethrone his father Renoselva.

{{Expand section|date=November 2020}}

Batsugun was created by most of the same team that previously worked on several projects at Toaplan such as Grind Stormer and who would later go on to join one of its offshoots after the company declared bankruptcy in 1994 to continue working in the bullet hell sub-genre.{{cite video game|title=Batsugun|developer=Toaplan|publisher=Toaplan|date=1993|platform=Arcade|level=Staff}}{{cite magazine|author1=Iona|author2=VHS|author3=K-HEX|title=東亜プラン FOREVER|magazine=Floor 25|volume=9|date=June 2009|pages=1–70|lang=ja}} ([https://www.gamengai.com/#/cmnt-info?id=2332 Translation] by Gamengai. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010170328/https://www.gamengai.com/#/cmnt-info?id=2332|date=2020-10-10}}). Its development was helmed by a small group at the company and most of the members had several roles during this process, with Fire Shark designer Yuko Tataka acting as both producer and co-designer alongside artists Junya Inoue and Takeshi Kawamoto.{{cite magazine|title=井上淳哉 - 「エスプレイド」「ぐわんげ」を創った男|magazine=Continue|volume=6|publisher=Ohta Publishing|date=September 2002|lang=ja|isbn=978-4872337006}} ([https://www.gamengai.com/#/cmnt-info?id=1301 Translation] by Gamengai. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122014305/https://www.gamengai.com/#/cmnt-info?id=1301|date=2019-11-22}}. [http://home.arcor.de/agony_/interviews/guwange.html Transcription] by Gaijin Punch. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060710035820/http://home.arcor.de/agony_/interviews/guwange.html|date=2006-07-10}}). Cave co-founder Tsuneki Ikeda served as one of its programmers prior to DonPachi alongside Satoshi Kōyama, Seiji Iwakura and composer Yoshitatsu Sakai.{{cite web|url=http://www.gpara.com/contents/creator/bn_159.htm|title=クリエイターズファイル - 「鬼弾幕は避ける快感の究極形」ケイブの池田恒基氏|work=Gpara.com|publisher=株式会社ジーパラドットコム|date=21 September 2004|access-date=2019-12-13|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927174903/http://www.gpara.com/contents/creator/bn_159.htm|archive-date=2007-09-27|url-status=live}} ([http://shmuplations.com/ikeda/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213230137/http://shmuplations.com/ikeda/|date=2019-12-13}}).{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/arcadia-118-march-2010#page/n47/mode/2up|title=CAVE 15th Anniversary ~Shoot'em All!!~|magazine=Monthly Arcadia|issue=118|publisher=Enterbrain|date=March 2010|pages=46–55|lang=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/cave15th/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914174849/http://shmuplations.com/cave15th/|date=2019-09-14}}).{{cite web|last=Joscelyne|first=Svend|url=https://spong.com/feature/10110562/Interview-All-Your-Base-Cave-CCO-Tsuneki-Ikeda|title=Interviews// All Your Base: Cave CCO Tsuneki Ikeda|work=SPOnG|publisher=SPOnG.com Limited|date=8 December 2011|access-date=2019-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003230713/http://spong.com/feature/10110562/Interview-All-Your-Base-Cave-CCO-Tsuneki-Ikeda|archive-date=3 October 2017|url-status=live}} Both Ikeda and Inoue have stated that several games from other companies that were popular at the time served as influence early in development.

File:Batsugunpcb.jpg]]

Batsugun was first launched in arcades worldwide by Toaplan, Taito and Unite Trading in 1993.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/micomBASIC_1994-01#page/n345/mode/1up|title=Super Soft Hot Information: アーケードゲーム (Arcade Game) - BATSUGUN (バツグン)|magazine=Micom BASIC Magazine|issue=139|publisher=The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|date=January 1994|page=354|lang=ja}}{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joypad/joypad_numero030/Joypad%2030%20Avril%201994%20page025.jpg|title=Arcades - News•Previews: Batsugun (Toaplan)|magazine=Joypad|issue=30|publisher=Yellow Media|date=April 1994|page=25|lang=fr}}{{cite book|last=Akagi|first=Masumi|url=https://archive.org/stream/ArcadeGameList1971-2005#page/n51/mode/1up/|title=東亜プラン (Toa Plan)|work=アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内•海外編 (1971-2005)|edition=1st|publisher=Amusement News Agency|date=13 October 2006|page=50|isbn=978-4990251215|language=ja}}{{cite web|url=https://www.arcade-history.com/?n=batsugun-model-tp-030&page=detail&id=193|title=Batsugun [Model TP-030]|website=arcade-history.com|access-date=2018-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001220448/https://www.arcade-history.com/?n=batsugun-model-tp-030&page=detail&id=193|archive-date=1 October 2018|url-status=live}} During the same year, a soundtrack album containing music from the title was co-published exclusively in Japan by Scitron and Pony Canyon. Several promotional materials were also released by Toaplan.{{cite magazine|title=お年賀状スペシャル!! 1994|magazine=Gamest|issue=107|publisher=Shinseisha|date=February 1994|page=84|lang=ja}}{{cite magazine|title=テレカプレゼント - Batsugun|magazine=Gamest|issue=114|publisher=Shinseisha|date=15 May 1994|page=101|lang=ja}}{{cite magazine|title=テレカプレゼント - Batsugun|magazine=Gamest|issue=116|publisher=Shinseisha|date=May–June 1994|page=101|lang=ja}}

A second edition, titled Batsugun Special Version, was showcased to attendees at the 1994 AOU Show in Japan but was never officially released in arcades, as Toaplan slid into bankruptcy and this special version appeared on the secondary video game collecting market after the company vanished.{{cite magazine|title='94 AOUショー レポート - Batsugun AOU版|magazine=Gamest|issue=113|publisher=Shinseisha|date=May 1994|page=67|lang=ja}}{{cite magazine|title='94 AOUショー人気アンケート第 20位 - Batsugun AOU版|magazine=Gamest|issue=113|publisher=Shinseisha|date=May 1994|page=70|lang=ja}} The special version featured a number of changes compared to the original version including a much smaller hitbox, a shield protecting the player from one hit, more powerful bombs, new scoring items, and the addition of multiple loops of increasing difficulty after completing the initial loop, among other changes.

On 25 October 1996, Batsugun received a conversion to the Sega Saturn by Gazelle, an offshoot of Toaplan, and published exclusively in Japan by Banpresto.{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee2.html|title=セガサターン対応ソフトウェア（ライセンシー発売）- 1996年発売|encyclopedia=SEGA HARD Encyclopedia|publisher=Sega|date=2020|access-date=2020-06-29|lang=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320230509/https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee2.html|archive-date=2020-03-20|url-status=live}} The Saturn version featured various changes and additions such as the inclusion of both the original and special versions as a 2-in-1 package, as well as an arranged soundtrack.

In 2022, the original arcade version was included as part of the Sega Astro City Mini V, a vertically-oriented variant of the Sega Astro City mini console.{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/12/segas-astro-city-mini-is-getting-a-tate-version-packed-with-shmup-goodness|title=Sega's Astro City Mini Is Getting A 'TATE' Version Packed With Shmup Goodness|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=December 17, 2021|access-date=2021-12-17}} In 2023, the Saturn version was ported to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC under the title Batsugun Saturn Tribute Boosted.{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/02/batsugun-saturn-tribute-boosted-announced-for-ps4-xbox-one-switch-and-pc|title=BATSUGUN Saturn Tribute Boosted announced for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC|work=Gematsu|publisher=Gematsu|date=February 5, 2023|access-date=2023-06-21}} This modern version includes new features such as a "Boost Up HUD" which displays extra information and an increased maximum score. In 2024 Batsugun was released on PC through Steam. The port and new features were handled by Bitwave Games.{{Cite web |title=Batsugun on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2023000/Batsugun/ |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}} In November 2024 both Batsugun and Batsugun Special Version were included on the Toaplan Arcade Collection 3 cartridge for the Evercade system.

In June 2023, Batsugun EXA Label was released in arcades by exA-Arcadia. Besides including the existing Original Arcade and Special modes, a Special' (Special Dash) mode is included which condenses the original Special 4-loop mode into a 1-loop mode. A newly created mode called EXA Label focuses on scoring and bomb usage while allowing the player to select from all pilots instead of being restricted to a set of 3 pilots. Input lag has been decreased to 1 frame. All pilots are now voiced and a new arranged soundtrack by Keishi Yonao has been added. The original character designer, Junya Inoue, created new illustrations for this release.{{Cite web |title=BATSUGUN EXA LABEL |url=https://exa.ac/en/games/batsugun-exa-label/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=exA-Arcadia |language=en-US}}

{{Video game reviews

|Edge = (Saturn) 7 / 10{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AEdge_UK_040.pdf&page=85|title=Testscreen - Batsugun (Saturn)|magazine=Edge|issue=40|publisher=Future plc|date=Christmas 1996|page=85}}

|Fam = (Saturn) 25 / 40{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/14925/|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: バツグン (セガサターン)|magazine=Famitsu|issue=411|publisher=ASCII|date=1 November 1996|page=32|access-date=2019-11-09|lang=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109192602/https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/14925/|archive-date=9 November 2019|url-status=live}}

|JP = (Saturn) 4 / 5{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joypad/joypad_numero059/Joypad%20059%20-%20Page%20086%20(1996-12).jpg|title=Japon Zoom - Zapping - Saturn - Batsugun|magazine=Joypad|issue=59|publisher=Yellow Media|date=December 1996|page=86|lang=fr|access-date=9 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105144222/http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joypad/joypad_numero059/Joypad%20059%20-%20Page%20086%20(1996-12).jpg|archive-date=5 November 2015|url-status=live}}

|MG = (Saturn) 50%{{cite magazine|last=Blendl|first=Christian|url=https://archive.org/stream/MANiAC.N039.1997.01#page/n63/mode/1up|title=Overseas - Planet Saturn: Batsugun|magazine=MAN!AC|issue=39|publisher=Cybermedia|date=January 1997|page=64|lang=de}}

|rev1 = Saturn Fan

|rev1Score = (Saturn) 6.8/10{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/saturn-fan-1996-no.-22-11-1#page/194/mode/1up|title=Now On Sale Saturn Soft Impression!! - BATSUGUN|magazine={{ill|Saturn Fan|lt=Saturn Fan|ja|ドリームキャストFAN}}|issue=22|publisher=Tokuma Shoten|date=November 1, 1996|page=194|lang=ja}}

|rev2 = Sega Saturn Magazine (JP)

|rev2Score = (Saturn) 7.33 / 10{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:SSM_JP_19961108_1996-19.pdf&page=231|title=Sega Saturn Soft Review - New Release Title Check! - BATSUGUN|magazine=Sega Saturn Magazine|issue=33|publisher=SoftBank Creative|date=8 November 1996|page=229|lang=ja}}

|award1Pub = Gamest (1994)

|award1 = Best Shooting Award 6th,{{cite magazine|title=第8回'94 ゲーメスト大賞 ベストシューティング賞 6位|magazine=Gamest|issue=136|publisher=Shinseisha|date=January–February 1995|page=44|lang=ja}} Best Character '94 36th (Arcade){{cite magazine|title=第8回'94 ゲーメスト大賞 ベストキャラクター'94 36位|magazine=Gamest|issue=136|publisher=Shinseisha|date=January–February 1995|page=51|lang=ja}}

}}

Batsugun was met with positive reception during its initial release in arcades. In Japan, Game Machine listed it on their February 1, 1994 issue as being the seventh most-popular arcade game at the time.{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=Game Machine|issue=465|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=1 February 1994|page=25|lang=ja}} In the April 1994 issue of Japanese publication Micom BASIC Magazine, the game was ranked on the number nine spot in popularity.{{cite magazine|last=Kaida|first=Kiyotaka|url=https://archive.org/stream/micomBASIC_1994-04#page/n295/mode/1up|title=Super Soft Hot Information: アーケードゲーム (Arcade Game) - Hot 10|magazine=Micom BASIC Magazine|issue=142|publisher=The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|date=April 1994|page=296|lang=ja}} Gamest simultaneously awarded the title with both the 6th "Best Shooting" and 36th "Best Character '94" awards. Nick Zverloff of Hardcore Gaming 101 praised Inoue and Sakai's artwork and soundtrack respectively, among other aspects.

The Sega Saturn conversion received mixed reviews from critics such as Famitsu and the Japanese Sega Saturn Magazine. According to Famitsu, the Saturn version sold over 7,017 copies in its first week on the market.{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search|title=Game Search|website=Game Data Library|access-date=2020-11-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424035430/https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search|archive-date=2019-04-24|url-status=live}} Readers of the Japanese Sega Saturn Magazine voted to give the Saturn port a 8.4 out of 10 score, ranking at the number 245 spot, indicating a large popular following.{{cite book|author=Dreamcast Magazine|url=https://segaretro.org/images/a/a3/SnGwSISDRZK_Book_JP.pdf|title=セガサターン (Sega Saturn Magazine): 読者レース Final|work=サターンのゲームは世界いちぃぃぃ! ~サタマガ読者レース全記録~|publisher=SoftBank Publishing|date=March 2000|pages=8–15|language=ja|isbn=978-4-79731173-0|access-date=2021-01-20|archive-date=2018-10-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030044108/https://segaretro.org/images/a/a3/SnGwSISDRZK_Book_JP.pdf|url-status=live}} Edge reviewed the Saturn version, deeming it "not a classic in designs terms, perhaps, but one that won't disappoint those yearning a show-off 2D title". French magazine Joypad commended the Saturn released for its boss encounters, arsenal, multiplayer and game modes, stating that "taken from the arcade game of the same name, this Saturn shoot'em-up isn't just another shoot, it's the game to own if you want to see how the genre has evolved today". Christian Blendl of German magazine MAN!AC gave the Saturn an overall mixed outlook. Zverloff of Hardcore Gaming 101 criticized some of the additions in the Saturn conversion such as the arranged soundtrack.

Batsugun has been regarded by multiple publications as the first manic shooter due to its evolution of complex enemy waves, bullet patterns, firepower and hitbox.{{cite web|last=Davison|first=Pete|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/curtains-for-you-the-history-of-bullet-hell|title=Curtains for You: The History of Bullet Hell - An exploration of the shmup genre's most challenging offshoot|work=USgamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=9 June 2013|access-date=2019-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009211355/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/curtains-for-you-the-history-of-bullet-hell|archive-date=9 October 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Freeman|first=Will|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-12-06-dodonpachi-retrospective|title=DoDonPachi retrospective - The full extent of the Jam|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=8 December 2013|access-date=2019-12-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208043915/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-12-06-dodonpachi-retrospective|archive-date=8 December 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Carter|first=Chris|url=https://www.destructoid.com/the-joy-of-bullet-hell-274413.phtml|title=The joy of bullet hell - Pew pew, I'm in heaven|work=Destructoid|publisher=Enthusiast Gaming|date=31 March 2015|access-date=2019-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521155107/http://www.destructoid.com/the-joy-of-bullet-hell-274413.phtml|archive-date=21 May 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Lambie|first=Ryan|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/games/58480/toaplan-the-rise-and-fall-of-japans-greatest-shooting-game-company|title=Toaplan: the rise and fall of Japan's greatest shooting game company|work=Den of Geek|publisher=Dennis Publishing|date=21 June 2018|access-date=2019-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621073806/http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/games/58480/toaplan-the-rise-and-fall-of-japans-greatest-shooting-game-company|archive-date=21 June 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Wireframe13#page/n51/mode/2up|title=Interface - Developer Profile / Toaplan: Bullet time - A decade of Toaplan|magazine=Wireframe|issue=13|publisher=Raspberry Pi Foundation|date=9 May 2019|pages=52–53}} Mark R. Johnson, an author at The University of Sydney in Australia, noted that its first boss unveiled a number of on-screen bullets players never witnessed before.{{cite book|last1=Pulos|first1=Alexis|last2=Lee|first2=S. Austin|last3=Johnson|first3=Mark R.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bNXJDQAAQBAJ&q=basic+mechanics+of+all+shmups+and+their+danmuku+via+the+game+batsugun&pg=PA20|title=Bullet Hell: The Globalized Growth of Danmaku Games and the Digital Culture of High Scores and World Records|work=Transnational Contexts of Culture, Gender, Class, and Colonialism in Play|publisher=Springer Publishing, The University of Sydney|date=December 24–25, 2016|pages=20|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-43817-7_2|isbn=9783319438177}} In addition, the game was also cited as an inspiration for other titles in the shoot 'em up genre since its release such as Cho Ren Sha 68K and Eschatos.{{cite web|last=Yoshida|first=Koichi|url=http://www2.tky.3web.ne.jp/~yosshin/my_works/postmortem.html|title=超連射68K 開発後記|website=Yosshin's web page|date=12 September 2001|access-date=2019-12-08|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512090239/http://www2.tky.3web.ne.jp/~yosshin/my_works/postmortem.html|archive-date=12 May 2019|url-status=live}} ([http://shmuplations.com/chorensha68k/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702153846/http://shmuplations.com/chorensha68k/|date=2019-07-02}}).{{cite magazine|title=開発者インタビュー: エスカトス|magazine=Shooting Gameside|volume=3|publisher=Micro Magazine|date=24 September 2011|pages=70–75|lang=ja|isbn=978-4896373714}} ([http://shmuplations.com/mkai2/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230185758/http://shmuplations.com/mkai2/|date=2019-12-30}}).

After the initial launch of Batsugun, Toaplan would cease development of shooting projects prior to their closure on March 31, 1994.{{cite magazine|title=Overseas Readers Column - Toaplan Goes Bust|magazine=Game Machine|issue=472|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=15 May 1994|page=26|lang=ja}}{{cite web|url=https://sweeprecord.com/toaplan-shooting-toku/|title=東亜プラン シューティングクロニクル 特設ページ|work=SweepRecord|publisher=SuperSweep|date=27 October 2011|access-date=2020-02-27|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215231114/https://sweeprecord.com/toaplan-shooting-toku/|archive-date=2020-02-15|url-status=live}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-chronicleqa/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002072400/http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-chronicleqa/|date=2019-10-02}}). A sequel was planned but never released, although Inoue stated that the idea of gender-based firepower pairing envisionsed for the title was integrated into Progear.{{cite magazine|title=プロギアの嵐 - ケイブ開発者インタビュー|magazine=Monthly Arcadia|issue=12|publisher=Enterbrain|date=May 2001|pages=42–45|lang=ja}} ([https://www.gamengai.com/#/cmnt-info?id=1295 Translation] by Gamengai. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122014305/https://www.gamengai.com/#/cmnt-info?id=1295|date=2019-11-22}}). In more recent years, the rights to the title and many other IPs from Toaplan are now owned by Tatsujin, a company named after Truxton{{'}}s Japanese title that was founded in 2017 by Masahiro Yuge, and is part of Embracer Group since 2022.{{cite web|url=http://tatsujin.tokyo/custom.html|title=ライセンス事業|publisher=TATSUJIN Co., Ltd.|date=2019|access-date=2019-12-14|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225203847/http://tatsujin.tokyo/custom.html|archive-date=2018-12-25|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Bravo|first=Roberto|url=https://www.gamercafe.cl/2018/09/12/nueva-compania-tatsujin-asegura-tener-gran-parte-de-las-ips-de-la-extinta-toaplan/|title=Nueva compañía "Tatsujin" asegura tener gran parte de las IPs de la extinta Toaplan|publisher=Gamercafe|date=12 September 2018|access-date=2019-12-14|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021030437/https://www.gamercafe.cl/2018/09/12/nueva-compania-tatsujin-asegura-tener-gran-parte-de-las-ips-de-la-extinta-toaplan/|archive-date=2019-10-21|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Joining the Embracer Group |url=https://www.tatsujin.tokyo/news/news-en/www.tatsujin.tokyo/news/news-en/www.tatsujin.tokyo/news/news-en/www.tatsujin.tokyo/news/news-en/a27 |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=TATSUJIN ビデオゲーム企画・開発・販売、東亜プランタイトルのライセンス管理 |language=ja}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/arcade/566574-batsugun Batsugun] at GameFAQs
• [https://www.giantbomb.com/batsugun/3030-29473/ Batsugun] at Giant Bomb
• [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7030 Batsugun] at Killer List of Videogames
• [https://www.mobygames.com/game/batsugun Batsugun] at MobyGames
• [http://privat.bahnhof.se/wb831590/toaplansite/allyourbase/batsugun/index.html Batsugun] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109184041/http://privat.bahnhof.se/wb831590/toaplansite/allyourbase/batsugun/index.html |date=9 November 2019}} at The Toaplan Museum

{{Toaplan}}

{{Portal bar|1990s|Japan|Video games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Batsugun}}

Category:1993 video games

Category:Arcade video games

Category:Bullet hell video games

Category:Cooperative video games

Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games

Category:Science fiction video games

Category:Sega Saturn games

Category:Taito games

Category:Toaplan games

Category:Vertically scrolling shooters

Category:Video games developed in Japan

Category:Video games featuring female protagonists

Category:Video games scored by Yoshitatsu Sakai

Category:Video games set in the future

Category:Video games set on fictional planets