Random Game O' the Day: Trouble Shooter

[digitalpress]

The DP Random Girlie Game Generator (tm) has chosen the dual-babe shooter Trouble Shooter.

The game has gained more popularity due to its import collectibility status than it has for its actual gameplay, which is too bad, really. It's a fairly innovative side-scrolling shooter where each player controls a flying gal packing heat. A little reminiscent of Sega's Forgotten Worlds but much more of a traditional shooter than that.

What's your opinion of the game? Do you own the import Battle Mania or Battle Mania II? How does this stack up against other Genesis/Mega Drive titles, or against other side-scrolling SHMUPS? Write your own mini-review here.

DP Guide sez:

Trouble Shooter (Genesis, by Vic Tokai) $8/R4
a.k.a. Battle Mania (Japan)

In the Mega-Drive version of the game, Madison and Crystal (the heroines of this shooter) are replaced by Mania and Maria. Otherwise the game is about the same. Mega-Drive owners were also treated to a sequel. Released 1991. #T-23016.

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/genesis/troubleshooter.jpg

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/genesis/troubleshooter_004.jpg

[Kid Fenris]

The game has gained more popularity due to its import collectibility status than it has for its actual gameplay, which is too bad, really. It's a fairly innovative side-scrolling shooter where each player controls a flying gal packing heat.

I don't think that Trouble Shooter's a two-player game. One player controls both Madison and Crystal.

The original Trouble Shooter is decent enough, with solid level design and the unique ability to direct two (and, later on, three) characters at once, though it's too short and too easy to compare with A-list Genesis shooters like MUSHA or Gaiares. Still, Trouble Shooter's Dirty-Pair-derived atmosphere has more personality than the typical blast-'em-up, and while the dialogue is littered with cornball humor, it's refreshing to play a Genesis title that was apparently localized by native speakers of English.

(Note: I have a prototype of Trouble Shooter, but it's identical to the final version, as far as I can tell.)

The sequel, Battle Mania Daiginjoh, is a marked improvement. Players can fire in eight directions instead of just two, and the stages are faster, sharper-looking, and more varied in layout. The bosses are an odd mix of styles that recall Treasure games at times, and some are actually challenging, unlike the pushovers from the first Trouble Shooter. Even the soundtrack has a catchy flair. Battle Mania II still isn't among the best 16-bit shooters, but it's a lot of fun. A shame that it's legitimately available only as an expensive import, which I swear to own someday.

[digitalpress]

I don't think that Trouble Shooter's a two-player game. One player controls both Madison and Crystal.

I defer to your expertise here. I don't know if I've ever tried playing the game two players, poor assumption on my part that two would each control one of the onscreen characters.

Thanks... and carry on!

[bargora]

Mmm. Madison and Crystal. Two saucy babes packing mega-firepower. Not a bad game at all. And if it were released today, it would actually be worthy of "Mobile Light Force" packaging.

[Dire 51]

I picked up TS on a whim one day, and I'm glad I did. My younger brother had rented it a few years earlier, but I didn't pay too much attention to it then. After picking up my copy and playing it, I wish I had.

Forgotten Worlds was definitely the first game I thought of when I played it (which reminds me, Joe - Forgotten Worlds was by Capcom originally - Sega just reprogrammed it for the Genesis), and in fact is still the only game I really consider it comparable to. I like FW a bit more, but Trouble Shooter is definitely up there too.

[Needle]

A few years back I downloaded the sequel, Battle Mania Daiginjoh, when I was messing around with emulators. Even though I've never understood what they're talking about (all the dialogue is in japanese), you could tell the game had a certain lighthearted humor to it. In one stage you race alongside a killer train which is powered by hundreds of hamsters in wheels! LOL

At the time I didn't know it was a sequel or anything. When I found out about Trouble Shooter, I got it immediately. It's definitely not as good of a game, but it has the same quirky carefree humor. The translation is a bit on the "early 90's" side, if you know what I mean ;)

They're classics if you ask me. You can't go wrong with two hot anime chicks!

In recent months I've looked around for a Megadrive copy of Battle Mania Daiginjoh, but apparently the game was released in very limited quantaties, and prices seem to range up to $150... eeek. I really wanted an authentic copy :(

[Jorpho]

Hey, that's the game featured in the Gallery of Hideous Box Art!

[Dire 51]

The US cover is pretty terrible... but not as bad as Mobile Light Force.

[gamergary]

Looks like it is in the same vein of games such as Forgotten Ones or Scat.

[ManekiNeko]

Nice try, Vic Tokai, but nothing can beat the incredible Genesis version of Forgotten Worlds. Trouble Shooter's similar to that game, but quirkier, with an odd visual style and less freedom of movement. You can only fire forward and backward, unlike Forgotten Worlds which lets you aim your gun in any direction.

JR

[pango]

Memories...this game was the second game I ever got for the genny. When it comes down to it, there's nothing really special about this game though. It's a very average shmup. However, the digital voices in the game crack me up. LOL

[geelw]

love the reverse stereotype plot: save the kidnapped prince, although he was quite a creepy-looking guy to be rescuing, lol. i actually remember shelling out $20 for a sealed one at a closeout at j&r music world (waaaaaaaaaaaaay back when), selling it a bit later, picking up another about a year afterward from corner (when they still sold games at retail), selling THAT one off, and finally getting two of them for the collection (one of which went as a trade). i coughed up the loot for battlemania, and missed the deal of the century (well, last century) on a battlemania 2, but that's a looooong story... O_O

[RetroYoungen]

I enjoyed Trouble Shooter as well. I picked up a copy at the local Funco probably about 6 months ago, and from I could tell it was a slightly better than mediocre shooter. I’m not insanely crazy over horizontal shooters of this same vein, but I had some fun with TS.
A fun game to own, but not the king (err, queen) of the genre. Nice colorful graphics, decent controls and interesting dialogue make this one stand out, but not out too far.