DonPachi (1995)

Developer: CAVE Interactive
Publisher: Atlus, SPS, HAMSTER, Four Winds Software
Platforms: Arcade, PlayStation 3, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, PlayStation Portable
Genres: Shooter, Arcade
Rating: 4.0 of 5, 10 player ratings

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A relentless barrage of bullets and enemies that demands sharp reflexes and quick decision-making as you blast through waves of military machines.

intensefast-pacedbullet-heavyaction-packedpunishingretrorelentlessmilitary

About

DonPachi is a 1995 vertical manic shoot-'em-up originally in arcades and was the first game from the developer Cave. Settings are mainly woodland and enemies are military vehicles and robots, culminating in the final boss, a huge robotic bee. One of three weapon configurations is chosen at start and then leveled up through dropped power-ups. DonPachi was ported to the Sega Saturn and Sony Playstation in 1996.

What players say

A vicious, relentless shmup whose dense enemy fire and escalating rank system demand real mastery, paying off with an exhilarating sense of superhuman skill. Respected as a foundational stepping stone toward the bullet-hell genre Cave later perfected.

Screenshots

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More by CAVE Interactive

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.