DoDonPachi

Timed Sega exclusive

Compared to DonPachi, DoDonPachi is generally known for introducing new gameplay elements while improving or changing existing ones. The overall background of the game, unlike following sequels, remains more or less centered around a supposed invasion by a mysterious race of mechanized aliens, which the player is called to face throughout its run. However, more sinister and shocking secrets lie beneath the surface, accessible only to those brave and skilled enough to clear the entire game.

Released: 5 February 1997
Platforms: Arcade PlayStation PlayStation 3 PlayStation Portable Sega Saturn
Genres: Arcade Bullet hell Shooter
Developers: CAVE
Publishers: —
Series: DonPachi
Modes: Co-op Single-player
Perspective: Bird view / Isometric
Themes: Science fiction
Country: Japan
Age ratings: ESRB E
Entry: #2 in DonPachi

About

DoDonPachi is a 1997 vertically scrolling bullet hell video game developed by Cave and published by Atlus. It was the second game developed by Cave, and the sixth on Cave's first-generation arcade hardware. As with its predecessor DonPachi, the title is both a Japanese term for expressing the sound of gunfire, and a term that relates to bees (here it means "angry leader bee").

DoDonPachi II was released in 2001 from a different developer. Cave developed its own sequel, released in 2002, DoDonPachi DaiOuJou.

Keywords

shoot 'em up
shmup
bullet hell
playstation network
shared screen
digital distribution
psone classics
vertical scrolling
playstation tv support
backwards compatibility

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Compared to DonPachi, DoDonPachi introduced new gameplay elements while improving or changing existing ones. The overall background of the game, unlike following sequels, remains more or less centered around an invasion by a mysterious race of mechanized aliens, which the player is called to face throughout its run.

Fighters

Reception

DoDonPachi was generally well received by critics since its arcade debut and later on other platforms. Readers of the Japanese Sega Saturn Magazine voted to give the Saturn port a 8.9766 out of 10 score, ranking at the number 83 spot, indicating a large popular following. The game was included in the 2010 book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die. Time Extension called the game "one of the series most beloved entries" and "[a] stunning piece of work".

In a 2013 interview with Retro Gamer, programmer Steve Redmond stated that DoDonPachi served as inspiration for his 2013 Xbox Live Indie shoot 'em up Chronoblast.

Releases by platformdates and regions as published

Platform	Released	Regions
Arcade	5 February 1997	Japan
Sega Saturn	17 October 1997	Japan
PlayStation	10 September 1998	Japan
PlayStation 3Digital Compatibility Release	26 May 2010	Japan
PlayStation PortableDigital Compatibility Release	26 May 2010	Japan