Gunbird is a vertically scrolling shoot 'em up released in 1994 by Japanese company Psikyo. It was followed by a sequel, Gunbird 2, in 1998. The first game was released in the United States and Europe as Mobile Light Force for the PlayStation.
Gunbird uses anime-styled character as the player's chosen craft. A story plays out in between levels and before boss fights, telling a tale of how the protagonists are trying to collect pieces of a magic mirror to make a wish.
The cutscenes between the battles with 2 players fighting cooperatively are frequently packed with hilarious dialogue and situations. This is often a recurring theme with Psikyo games, the Gunbird games being no exception.
Each character in Gunbird has three attacks: A normal shot, a charge shot, and a bomb that clears the screen of enemies and bullets. The normal shot can be strengthened by grabbing power-ups and extra bombs can be collected. Coins, which are found by destroying certain buildings or enemies, can be collected for bonus points.
This is the first Psikyo game to feature a special power-down system, one that would be used in every Psikyo shooter afterward; when physically rammed by an enemy, you lose a power-level, which flies around the screen and disappears as soon as it reaches the edge. If you are at the lowest level of shot, you lose a bomb instead (which does the same thing).
Characters:
- Ash: A 28-year old German man with a jet pack on his back, who in some of the scenes between battles is discovered to be a pedophile, and when 2 players choose Marion and Ash as cooperative partners, he takes an unhealthy interest in her.
- Marion: A cute 13-year old witch who flies on a broomstick. She is accompanied by her talking pet rabbit, Pom-Pom. She frequently abuses the poor creature verbally and physically. She's fun-loving and thrill-seeking but also selfish, and has a mean streak (which Pom-Pom is often witness to).
- Valnus: A big, fat robot created in Russia 6 months ago. Has some of the best firepower in the game. Secretly wishes to be human.
- Yuan Nang: An elf-like woman in a very skimpy outfit, who carries a staff and rides on a cloud. Very strong-willed and courageous.
- Tetsu: A strong, white-haired old man of 60 years. He is homosexual in a rather uncloseted manner and even calls himself a "faggot".
The Playstation japanese version of Gunbird features a Character Index Mode, a Illustration gallery mode and new full motion video sequences that wasn't on the arcade machine. Sadly these new features were removed when the game was released outside Japan as Mobile Light Force.
Manufacturer's description:
UNCOVER THE MAGIC MIRROR!
* USE YOUR 'SPECIAL ATTACKS'
* LAUNCH YOUR BOMBS
* THE MOST AMBITIOUS WILL PREVAIL
* KEEP YOUR ENEMIES FROM DISCOVERING THE MIRROR
Features:
- Third person perspective.
- 2D graphics
- Cartoon graphics
- Fantasy theme.
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