Gunbird 2 is a frantic, vertically scrolling shoot ’em up released for the Arcade in 1998 by the legendary developers at Psikyo. Known for its colorful cast of eccentric characters, fast-paced bullet patterns, and rewarding scoring system, the game builds on the success of the original with enhanced graphics and deeper mechanics. Players navigate a rain of enemy fire while utilizing character-specific standard shots, powerful bombs, and unique close-quarters attacks.
How to Play
The objective is to survive through multiple stages, dodging dense bullet patterns and defeating massive screen-filling bosses. Since this is the Arcade version, press Shift to insert a virtual coin and Enter to start. Use the Arrow Keys to move your character, press Z to fire your main weapon, and press X to deploy a screen-clearing bomb when you are overwhelmed. Holding the fire button allows you to unleash a devastating charge shot or close-range attack.
Tips
- Master the Close-Range Attack: Characters have powerful close-range strikes activated by being near an enemy and using a charged shot. These do massive damage to bosses but require precise timing to avoid taking a hit.
- Collect Coins at the Sparkle: For maximum points, collect the gold coins exactly when they flash silver/white. Chaining these maximizes your score and can earn extra lives.
- Save Bombs for Emergencies: Don’t use bombs just for extra damage on bosses. Save them as a panic button for when you are completely trapped by bullet patterns.
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