CHŌ ANIKI
game Cover
game CDRom
超兄貴
©NCS 1992
Release : 1992-12-25 (¥7200)
SuperCDRom² NSCD 2013
Shooter / Horizontal
Chō Aniki is a horizontal shooter developed by Masaya and it is the first opus of a long series of very unique games. When the evil Bo Emperor Bill of a neighboring star-system orders his minions to steal all the protein from the universe, the Heaven sends two of its best warriors to repel the coming invasion. The strong Idaten and the cute Benten ability to fly enables them to bore through withering enemy fire and lethal war machines. But their ultimate weapon is something much more powerful and unique. Samson and Adon, two "beefy" twin brothers freshly freed from jail, also join the party and help our heroes to fulfill their duty. The unlikely couple acts as "options" and deploy by Idaten and Benten sides when called. They simply engage enemies within range and inflict severe damage - their life is however finite and they will ultimately die... Idaten and Benten use the same primary weapon - it can be powered-up (or "build-up") by collecting orange "protein" pods scattered throughout the levels. This weapon is their main form of attack and bombs are also available to obliterate everything on the screen when the pace gets too hectic. Most levels are made of three or four sub-stages with elaborate mini-bosses at the end of each one of them. Consequently, the loss of a credit gets the player to start the whole area from the beginning.
Related
AiChōAniki (Pce-SCDRom²) ChōAnikiBakuretsuRantōden (Sfc)
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Masaya produced a series of really unique games called Chō Aniki (which translates as "Super Big Brother"). They are often negatively perceived for what people call their "homoerotic" content - but they offer scarcely more at their core. They are obviously very unusual and unique pieces of software, but they are technically and artistically sophisticated. The game's soundtrack, composed by the prolific Koji Hayama, also contributed to the series' popularity in Japan. It is even said that the original CD soundtrack out-sold the game. The first game was Chō Aniki (PC Engine, 1992) and Ai Chō Aniki (PC Engine) (which translates as "Love Super Big Brother") followed in 1995. The first episode is undoubtedly inspired by Gynoug (aka Wings of War) also released my Masaya

and NCS for the Sega Megadrive in 1991. Then a fighting game called Chō Aniki Bakuretsu Rantōden followed for the Super Famicom in 1995. The same year, Chō Aniki Kyūkyoku Muteki Ginga Saikyō Otoko appeared for the Playstation and Saturn - this episode features digitized graphics unlike other games in the series. As a side note, the Playstation version was reprinted in 2001 as a "low price" edition with a different cover. The next episode is an obscure black and white role playing game called Chō Aniki Otoko no Tamafuda which was only released for the Wonderswan handheld in 2000. Then a shooter called Chō Aniki Seinaru Protein Densetsu followed for the Playstation 2 in 2003 and featured polygonal 3D graphics. The last Chō Aniki game (so far) is called Rei Chō Aniki (aka Chō Aniki Zero) and was released for the Playstation Portable in 2009 (along with a limited edition). The game was developed by Gung Ho and is more of an homage to the series than a truly original piece.


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Japanese Soundtrack
Japanese Soundtrack
Japanese Comic Book
Japanese Comic Book
Japanese Novel Book
Japanese Novel Book


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Documentation
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Chō Aniki is known for its weird theme but not for its qualities as a game. I personally think it is one of the best shooter available for the system. It's hard to argue considering how incredible and sophisticated the graphics are. They are unbelievably sharp and detailed, and undoubtedly unique, especially for the intimidating and spectacular bosses. Gameplay is also well balanced despite a rather weak weapon system. My only complaint would go for the overall repetitiveness - some stages simply end up using the same enemy sprites over and over again, or the vicious checkpoints that make you start a whole area again when you die. The soundtrack is also what makes Chō Aniki shine, even if I feel that some of the tracks don't really fit the action well... All in all, Chō Aniki is a game that shouldn't be missed, but be aware of its love/hate Body-building/macho theme that may throw some people off...




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