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| Gunbird 2 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Psikyo Kuusoukagaku, Mobirix, APX Soft, Google Play (Android) |
| Publisher(s) | Capcom DreamcastPlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows City Connection |
| Producer(s) | Shinsuke Nakamura |
| Designer(s) |
|
| Programmer(s) |
|
| Artist(s) | Masato Natsumoto |
| Composer(s) | Masaki Izutani |
| Series | Gunbird |
| Platform(s) | Arcade,Dreamcast,Android,iOS,Nintendo Switch,Microsoft Windows,PlayStation 4,Xbox One |
| Release | Arcade
Android iOS May 31, 2016 Switch June 21, 2018 Windows June 10, 2020 PlayStation 4,Xbox One August 3, 2022 |
| Genre(s) | Scrolling shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, two-playerco-op |
| Arcade system | Psikyo SH2 |
Gunbird 2 (ガンバード2,Ganbādo 2) is a 2Dscrolling shooter developed byPsikyo and published byCapcom as a sequel to the originalGunbird. It was originally released in Japanesearcades in 1998, and was later ported to theDreamcast in 2000 and released worldwide. AnAndroid version was released in Korea in 2014, before it came out worldwide on both Android andiOS in 2016.[2] The arcade game was also included inGunbird Special Edition for thePlayStation 2. A version was released onNintendo Switch in June 2018,[3]Microsoft Windows in June 2020, andPlayStation 4 andXbox One in August 2022.
There are seven stages in each game loop (two loops total). The first three stages are randomly chosen from possible four. At the second loop, enemies fire denser bullet patterns moving at faster speeds. Stage 2-1 takes place at the only stage not available in 1st loop, instead of the 1-1 counterpart. After completing the first loop with only one player, player can choose one of two choices for a wish with magic potion, with unique ending for each choice. If 1st loop is completed with two players, a combination-specific ending is played.
This was the firstPsikyo shooter to feature medal-chaining:[2] picking up 2,000 point medals (when they flash) repeatedly results in a slight point increase and a coin chain, recorded separately from the score. This was later featured inStrikers 1945 III/Strikers 1999.
The arcade game supports both English and Japanese languages, chosen via arcade board dip switch settings. The language setting is Japanese if dip switches are set to Japanese, English otherwise.
Two exclusive playable characters in theSega Dreamcast port ofGunbird 2, released in 2000, includesMorrigan Aensland from theDarkstalkers series and Aine from theSamurai Aces series. Other new features include Internet ranking, gallery, and voices during intermission.[4]
Seven warriors are challenged to head on a quest to find three powerful elements of Sun, Moon and Stars. Whoever brings the elements to God will be rewarded the legendary Almighty Potion and all its magical powers.[5]
| Aggregator | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dreamcast | iOS | NS | |
| Metacritic | 64/100[6] | N/A | 73/100[7] |
| Publication | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dreamcast | iOS | NS | |
| AllGame |    [8] | N/A | N/A |
| CNET Gamecenter | 6/10[9] | N/A | N/A |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 6.5/10[10][a] | N/A | N/A |
| EP Daily | 6.5/10[11] | N/A | N/A |
| Famitsu | 29/40[12] | N/A | N/A |
| Game Informer | 5.5/10[13] | N/A | N/A |
| GameFan | 93%[14][b] (E.M.) 90%[15] | N/A | N/A |
| GameRevolution | B−[16] | N/A | N/A |
| GameSpot | 5.8/10[17] | N/A | N/A |
| GameSpy | 8.5/10[18] | N/A | N/A |
| IGN | 8.4/10[19] | N/A | N/A |
| Next Generation | [20] | N/A | N/A |
| Nintendo Life | N/A | N/A | 8/10[21] |
| TouchArcade | N/A | [22] | N/A |
| Maxim | [23] | N/A | N/A |
The Dreamcast and Nintendo Switch versions received "mixed or average reviews" according to thereview aggregation websiteMetacritic.[6][7]IGN's Anthony Chau said of the former console version: "I hope that most of you that decide to getGunbird 2 are those that know the excitement of weaving between enemy fire, appreciate 2D artistry, and respect classic gameplay that never gets old. If that's you, you'll definitely be satisfied."[19]GameSpot's Steven Garrett, however, was much more critical of the same console version, opining, "If a good 16-bit shooter is what you're looking for, you could do a lot better elsewhere."[17]Electronic Gaming Monthly andGame Informer gave said console version mixed reviews, nearly two months before it was released Stateside.[10][13] Tokyo Drifter ofGamePro called it "a fantastic shooter with tremendous replay value, and is highly recommended for fans of the genre."[24][c] Jeff Lundrigan ofNextGen said of the same console version, "If you want a ridiculously high level of pure twitch-response challenge, look no further. If you don't, well, move along."[20] In Japan,Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40.[12]
Also in Japan,Game Machine listed the arcade version in their January 1, 1999 issue as the fourth most-successful arcade game of December 1998.[25]
A compilation including bothGunbird games was released for thePlayStation 2 in Japan in 2004 and Europe in 2005. The version of the game included was based on the arcade version.
An enhanced remake, titledGunbird 2 Remix was announced by PM Studios for thePlayStation Portable in 2009. It was slated for an early 2010 release exclusively in digital format.[26] No news has been heard since then, and it is consideredvaporware.
