Game Tengoku
Game Tengoku (ゲーム天国, Gēmu Tengoku), also known as The Game Paradise!, is an arcade game released by Jaleco. The game is a parody of arcade shooters in a vein similar to the Parodius series. It was followed up with a sequel, Gun Bare! Game Tengoku 2.
| Game Tengoku | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Japanese Saturn cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Jaleco City Connection (CruisnMix) |
| Publisher(s) | Jaleco CruisnMix
|
| Composer(s) | Kazuo Sawa (Arcade) Tatsuya Nishimura Kenichi Arakawa (Saturn) |
| Platform(s) | Arcade Sega Saturn CruisnMix PlayStation 4 Microsoft Windows Nintendo Switch |
| Release | Arcade
PC, PS4
|
| Genre(s) | Vertical scrolling shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player, Multiplayer |
An updated port of the Sega Saturn version for PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows, titled Game Tengoku CruisnMix, was released on November 29, 2017.[2] Although it received a worldwide release, the developers are still working on an English translation for it, with blog updates happening occasionally.[3] The official English localization was released on November 29, 2018.[4] A port for Nintendo Switch was released in Japan on December 19, 2019.[5] It was released in North America and Europe on May 28, 2020.[6][7]
Plot
Game Tengoku stands out quite notably from other arcade shooters in that its sole plot revolves around being inside several arcade games; effectively breaking the fourth wall several times. According to the official OVA surrounding the video game, the plot revolves around an employee at an arcade store about to close shop, only for a half-naked man to come in and attempt to abduct her. She is saved by a little girl (of Momoko 120% fame) whom jumps out of one of the arcade cabinets and takes her into the arcade world. From there, the adventure begins of trying to stop the evil villain from taking over all of the arcade cabinets in the world.
Saturn Version
The SEGA Saturn port of Game Tengoku has notable changes from the arcade original. These changes include:
- New Arrange Mode. In this mode, there are two extra levels, three extra bosses, a storyline that is complete with 32-bit sprite cut-scenes that are fully voiced and a new playable character to select. The Saturn version also features a co-op 2 Player mode.
- Revamped soundtrack that replaces the original, although there is no option to revert to the arcade tracks; even in Arcade Mode.
- Horizontal Mode that acts as a simulation to the original Arcade Mode view on Game Tengoku cabinets. If the television can not be propped to its side to play the new view, then the directional controls can be altered as an alternative.
- History of the games that the playable characters appear from.
In a limited edition bundle, a VHS Tape is included that contains a sixteen-minute OVA, as well as a forty-one-minute interview of the voice cast.[8]
Reception
In Japan, Game Machine listed Game Tengoku on their February 1, 1996 issue as being the sixteenth most-successful arcade game of the year.[9]
References
- "Game Tengoku - VGMRIPS". VGMRIPS. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- "Game Tengoku CruisnMix Official Website". Kadokawa Games, Ltd. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
- https://gameparadise2017.com/en/info.html#info20180626
- "Game Tengoku's international release is live!". Steam Community. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
- "ゲーム天国 CruisinMix Special". Nintendo Japan. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
- "The Game Paradise: CruisinMix Special for Switch launches May 28". Gematsu. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
- "Game Tengoku CruisinMix Special". Nintendo Europe. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- "Game Tengoku - The Game Paradise Limited Edition". SEGA Gaga Domain. Archived from the original on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - TVゲーム機ーソフトウェア (Video Game Software)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 511. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 February 1996. p. 21.