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超兄貴
©NCS 1992
Release : 1992-12-25 (¥7200)
SuperCDRom² NSCD 2013
Shooter / Horizontal
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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.
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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
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Japanese Comic Book
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Japanese Novel Book
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Click on picture to enlarge |
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LK
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Add your Pov here !
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P
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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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