Gyruss Konami (1983) / Digital Eclipse (2007) E – Everyone 400 Points ($5) 1-2 Players Shooter

 

Konami has a healthy catalogue of titles, but they seem to be content with bringing their works into each new console generation with fresh material. While other companies – Midway, Capcom, Sega, etc. – like to double-dip and provide collections of their past titles on all platforms, Konami rarely does so. Aside from some handheld compilations, including the excellent Gradius Collection, Konami’s library has had to be content with a smattering of attention here and there.

Thanks to the retro-friendly download services, titles like Gyruss will continue to have life. This interesting mix of Tempest and Galaga last saw the light of day in 1989 on the NES under Konami’s Ultra Games subsidiary.  It's a one-shot work that stands apart from Konami's library so it might have remained obscure, which would have been a shame because it has managed to age well.

For $5 you can rotate around the screen ala Tempest while battling formations of oncoming enemy fighters, which break away and reform similar to the alien ships in Galaga. As you make the jump from warp point to warp point, going planet to planet, you’ll collect power-ups and avoid increasingly difficult obstacles. What was undoubtedly a hand cramper in the ‘80s remains so today as the 360 controller will be pounded on incessantly – no holding down for steady fire here – and hand cramps will happen, but it’s worth it. The hit detection seems to be off, but there’s also a delay in animation between being hit and exploding that could be the cause. Regardless, this is a great download: it’s easy to get into, challenging, and addictive.

Download: Yes. If you aren’t a huge fan of shooters, try the demo first.