Ghox

Last updated
Ghox
Ghox arcade flyer.jpg
Developer(s) Toaplan
Publisher(s) Taito
Composer(s) Miyoko Takaoka (uncredited)
Platform(s) Arcade
Release
  • WW: November 1991
Genre(s) Action
Mode(s) Single-player, co-op

Ghox [lower-alpha 1] is an action arcade video game developed by Toaplan and published by Taito in Japan and Europe in November 1991. [1] [2] It is notable for being one of the few titles by Toaplan that has not received any official port to home consoles as of date. Taking place in a fantasy world where the evil magician known as Jagula sealed the goddess Lucia in the netherworld, players assume the role of Axis and Bilious in an effort to defeat both Jagula and the unleashed evil spirits from the netherworld. As of 2019, the rights to the game are owned by Tatsujin, a company founded in 2017 by former Toaplan member Masahiro Yuge and now-affiliate of Japanese arcade manufacturer exA-Arcadia alongside many other IPs from the defunct studio.

Contents

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot ARC Ghox (Stage 1-3).png
Gameplay screenshot

Ghox is an action game reminiscent of Devilish in which the players assume control of Axis (P1) and Bilious (P2), two men from the Eastern Country summoned by King Gitane of the Akuria empire, from a top-down perspective where the main objective on each stage is to break as many bricks and obstacles as possible from the playfield with a single ball by using the walls and/or the paddle to ricochet the ball back to eliminate them, while a boss at the end of every seventh stage must be fought before progressing any further in an effort to overthrow the evil magician Jagula from conquering the world along with his legion of unleashed evil spirits from the netherworld, in addition of rescuing the goddess Lucia from her captivity. [3] [4] [5] [6] Failing in making the ball rebound from the paddle will result in losing a life and once all lives are lost, the game is over unless the players insert more credits into the arcade machine to continue playing.

A unique gameplay feature is the ability to launch two balls instead of one at the start of each stage. [3] [4] [5] Another unique gameplay feature is the ability to activate a bomb item that spawns multiple balls from a single ball, however only one bomb item is given to the players with every single life. [3] [4] [5] [6] Scattered on the playfield of every stage are treasure chests containing other useful items such as fairies, additional bomb stocks, money and heart-shaped 1UP icons. [3] [4] [5] [6] Colored crystal orbs (red, blue, green, yellow and purple) are also dropped from opening the treasure chests and by collecting five of the same color grants power-ups for the player characters. [3] [4] [5] [6] These power-ups are kept even after losing a life. [3] [4] [5] [6]

After the first area is completed, players are given two areas to select as the next one before reaching the fifth area. Depending on the actions taken during gameplay by the players, two possible outcomes can occur during the final boss sequence; if Jagula is defeated during this battle but Lucia is not rescued, it will automatically trigger the bad ending, forcing the players to restart the game from the beginning in order to achieve the good ending by fulfilling certain conditions. [7]

Development and release

According to former Toaplan designer Junya Inoue, Ghox was initially envisioned to be a vertically scrolling game but due to hardware issues, the project was retooled into a single-screen game instead. [8] The game was released in arcades worldwide in November 1991. [1] [2] [9] The soundtrack was composed by Miyoko Takaoka, although she is not credited as such in the game. [10] An album containing music from the title, as well as Rally Bike and Teki Paki was published exclusively in Japan by City Connection under their Clarice Disk label in May 2018. [11]

Reception and legacy

British and Spanish gaming magazines The One for Amiga Games and Micromanía gave an overall positive outlook to the game. [18] [19] John Cook of Sinclair User rated the game with a 85% score. [15] In the April 1992 issue of Japanese publication Micom BASIC Magazine, the game was ranked on the number thirty spot in popularity. [20] Retro Gamer regarded it as a graphically superior clone of Breakout. [21]

In more recent years, the rights to Ghox and many other IPs from Toaplan are now owned by Tatsujin, a company named after Truxton 's Japanese title that was founded in 2017 by former Toaplan employee Masahiro Yuge, who are now affiliated with arcade manufacturer exA-Arcadia. [22] [23] [24] [25] [26]

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: ゴークス, Hepburn: Gōkusu

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toaplan</span> Japanese video game developer 1979-1994

Toaplan Co., Ltd. was a Japanese video game developer based in Tokyo responsible for the creation of a wide array of scrolling shooters and other arcade video games. The company was founded in 1979 but its gaming division was established in 1984 by former Orca and Crux employees, who wanted to make games, after both companies declared bankruptcy. Their first shoot 'em up game, Tiger-Heli (1985) on arcades, was a success and helped establish Toaplan as a leading producer of shooting games throughout the 1980s and 1990s that would continue to characterize their output.

<i>Out Zone</i> 1990 video game

Out Zone is a run and gun arcade video game developed by Toaplan and published in Japan by Tecmo, North America by Romstar and Europe in August 1990. Set in a future where an alien race from the fictional planet Owagira are threatening to wipe out humanity after multiple failed attempts to defend Earth against their attacks, players assume the role of cyborg mercenaries recruited by the United Nations in a last-ditch effort to overthrow the invaders.

<i>Truxton</i> (video game) 1988 video game

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<i>Batsugun</i> 1993 video game

Batsugun is a 1993 vertically scrolling bullet hell arcade video game originally developed and published by Toaplan in Japan and Europe by Taito, as well as Korea by Unite Trading. The last shoot 'em up created by Toaplan, the title takes place on a distant Earth-like planet where a global takeover operative led by king Renoselva A. Gladebaran VII is set into motion, as players assume the role from one of the six fighter pilots conforming the Skull Hornets squadron taking control of submersible jets in a last-ditch effort to overthrow the invading military force from the planet. Its gameplay mainly consists of shooting mixed with role-playing game-esque elements using a main two-button configuration.

<i>Snow Bros.</i> 1990 video game

Snow Bros. is a 1990 platform arcade video game originally developed by Toaplan first published in Japan, then in North America by Romstar and later in Europe. Starring the eponymous snowmen twins Nick and Tom, players are tasked with travelling through 50 stages, throwing and building snowballs, jumping on and off platforms to navigate level obstacles while dodging and defeating monsters in order to rescue the princesses Puripuri and Puchipuchi from captivity. Although first launched in arcades, the game was later ported across multiple platforms, each one being created by different third-party developers and featuring several changes or additions compared with the original version. Conversions for various microcomputers were in development but none were officially released to the public.

<i>Demons World</i> 1989 video game

Demon's World is a 1989 run and gun arcade video game originally developed by Toaplan and published in Japan by Taito and in North America by Catalina Games. In the game, players assume the role of two ghost hunters to fight against several ghosts and monsters that were unleashed upon Earth by the titular demon king. Initially launched for the arcades, the title was then ported to the PC Engine Super CD-ROM² by NEC Avenue and published exclusively in Japan on 26 February 1993, featuring various additions and changes compared with the original release.

<i>Teki Paki</i> 1991 video game

Teki Paki is a 1991 puzzle arcade video game developed by Toaplan and published in Japan by Tecmo, Hong Kong by Honest Trading Co. and Taiwan by Spacy Co. Ltd.

<i>Rally Bike</i> 1988 video game

Rally Bike is a racing arcade video game originally developed by Toaplan and published by Taito in May 1988. In Rally Bike, players compete against computer-controlled opponents in races across locations in the United States. Initially released in arcades, the game was ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System and X68000 by different developers.

<i>Hellfire</i> (video game) 1989 video game

Hellfire is a 1989 horizontally scrolling shooter arcade video game originally developed by Toaplan and published in Japan by Taito and North America by U.S.A. Games. The first horizontal shoot 'em up title to be created by Toaplan, the game takes place in the year 2998 where a space matter known as Black Nebula created by robot dictator Super Mech spreads and threatens to engulf human-controlled galaxies, as players assume the role of Space Federation member Captain Lancer taking control of the CNCS1 space fighter craft in a surprise attack to overthrow the enemies with the fighter craft's titular weapon.

<i>Fire Shark</i> 1989 video game

Fire Shark is a 1989 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and published by Toaplan in Japan and Europe, and by Romstar in North America. It is the sequel to Flying Shark, a game released in 1987 on multiple platforms. Set in the year 1991, the game focuses on a mysterious armada launching a worldwide attack from a small island in the Mediterranean Sea. Players take control of the titular biplane to counterattack the enemy forces.

<i>Truxton II</i> 1992 video game

Truxton II is a 1992 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game originally developed and published by Toaplan in Japan and Europe. It is the sequel to Truxton, which was released earlier on arcades in 1988 and later ported to various platforms.

<i>Vimana</i> (video game) 1991 video game

Vimana is a vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed by Toaplan and published in Japan by Tecmo and Europe in June 1991. It is notable for being one of the few titles by Toaplan that has not received any official port to home consoles as of date and for its unique combination of science fiction with brief Hindu references. In the game, players assume the role of the titular warriors taking control of powerful ancient space fighter crafts in order to reclaim their home planet by fighting against military machines gone wild. The title received positive reception from critics and reviewers alike after release in regards to the gameplay, but was considered a flop in arcades. As of 2019, its rights are owned by Tatsujin, a company founded in 2017 by former Toaplan member Masahiro Yuge and now-affiliate of Japanese arcade manufacturer exA-Arcadia alongside many other Toaplan IPs.

<i>Knuckle Bash</i> 1993 video game

Knuckle Bash is a 1993 side-scrolling beat 'em up arcade video game developed and published by Toaplan in Japan, as well as North America and Europe by Atari Games. It is notable for being one of the few titles by Toaplan that has not received any official port to home consoles as of date.

<i>Dogyuun</i> 1992 video game

Dogyuun is a 1992 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and published by Toaplan. Set on the colonized fictional planet of Dino in the future, where an alien race of metallic robots have invaded a police communication center and held its inhabitants as hostages, players assume the role of two fighter pilots taking control of the Sylfers bomber space fighter crafts in an revenge attempt to overthrow the invaders and free the surviving colonists after one of their comrades is killed by one of them during a reconnaissance assignment.

<i>Guardian</i> (1986 video game) 1986 video game

Guardian is a 1986 side-scrolling beat 'em up arcade video game developed by Toaplan and published in Japan by Taito and North America by Kitkorp. In the game, players assume the role of a robot fighting against a multitude of enemies and bosses across six locations on a futuristic science fiction setting. It is notable for marking the debut of Twin Cobra and Hellfire artist Kōetsu Iwabuchi in the video game industry, serving as its graphic designer.

<i>Pipi & Bibis</i> 1991 eroge arcade game by Toaplan

Pipi & Bibi's is a 1991 eroge action-platform arcade video game developed and published by Toaplan in Japan and in Europe by Nova Apparate GMBH & Co. It is notable for being one of the few titles by Toaplan that has not received any official port to home consoles as of date. In the game, players assume the role of Pipi and Bibi attempting to place time bombs in buildings filled with enemies who appear from behind closed doors and escape before the location collapses.

<i>FixEight</i> 1992 arcade video game

FixEight is a run and gun arcade video game developed and published by Toaplan in July 1992. The spiritual successor to 1990's Out Zone, it is notable for being one of the few titles by Toaplan that has not received any official port to home consoles as of date. Set in a future where an alien race known as the Gozzu from the fictional planet Fortuna invaded the universe, players are tasked by the Galactic Federation government with an extermination mission against the invaders by assuming the role of one of the eight mercenaries.

<i>Snow Bros. 2: With New Elves</i> 1994 video game

Snow Bros. 2: With New Elves is a 1994 platform arcade video game developed and published by Toaplan under their Hanafram label. One of the last games to be created by Toaplan, it is the sequel to Snow Bros., which was released earlier in 1990 on multiple platforms. In the game, players assume the role of one of the playable characters to rescue a kidnapped princess from captivity.

<i>Enma Daiō</i> 1993 video game

Enma Daiō is a 1993 hybrid quiz/lie detector arcade video game developed by Toaplan and published exclusively in Japan by Taito. In the game, players answer a number of question. As of 2019, the rights to the title is owned by Tatsujin, a company founded in 2017 by former Toaplan member Masahiro Yuge and now-affiliate of Japanese arcade manufacturer exA-Arcadia alongside many other Toaplan IPs.

<i>Mahjong Sisters</i> 1986 video game

Mahjong Sisters is a 1986 eroge mahjong arcade video game developed and published exclusively in Japan by Toaplan. In the game, the players face off against a group of three sisters in a series of mahjong matches. As of 2019, the rights to the title is owned by Tatsujin, a company founded in 2017 by former Toaplan member Masahiro Yuge and now-affiliate of Japanese arcade manufacturer exA-Arcadia alongside many other Toaplan IPs.

References

  1. 1 2 Yanma (October 1991). "Super Soft Hot Information - Video Game: コークス". Micom BASIC Magazine (in Japanese). No. 112. The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation. p. 259.
  2. 1 2 Akagi, Masumi (13 October 2006). タイトー (Taito); 東亜プラン (Toa Plan) (in Japanese) (1st ed.). Amusement News Agency. pp. 44, 50. ISBN   978-4990251215.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "ゴークス". Gamest (in Japanese). No. 66. Shinseisha. December 1991.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "ゴークス". Gamest (in Japanese). No. 68. Shinseisha. February 1992.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "ゴークス". Gamest (in Japanese). No. 84. Shinseisha. February 1993.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "GHOX ゴークス" (in Japanese). Shooting Star. Archived from the original on 2019-10-11. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
  7. ↑ "Ghox [TP-021]". arcade-history.com. Archived from the original on 2019-11-10. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
  8. ↑ "井上淳哉 - 「エスプレイド」「ぐわんげ」を創った男". Continue (in Japanese). Vol. 6. Ohta Publishing. September 2002. ISBN   978-4872337006. (Translation by Gamengai. Archived 2019-11-22 at the Wayback Machine . Transcription by Gaijin Punch. Archived 2006-07-10 at the Wayback Machine ).
  9. ↑ DeLa Fuente, Derek (April 1992). "Arcades - Ghox 2 Fly". Joypad (in French). No. 7. Yellow Media. p. 58.
  10. ↑ Takaoka, Miyoko (2019). "Discography - ▢CUBE在籍時". うさぎと手仕事と音楽と (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2019-11-10. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
  11. ↑ "CDST-10065 | Toaplan ARCADE SOUND DIGITAL COLLECTION Vol.6". vgmdb.net. VGMdb. Archived from the original on 2019-11-10. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
  12. ↑ Ishii, Kenji; Y, Mēryoku; Ishii, Zenji; Yamakawa, Yuri; Umemura, Zuru (December 1991). "グッドなゲームはかく語れ!!AMショー持選版クロスレビユー!!: ゴークス". Gamest (in Japanese). No. 66. Shinseisha. p. 112.
  13. ↑ Wilson, David (January 1992). "Kill Zone - Ghox". Game Zone. Vol. 1, no. 3. Dennis Publishing. p. 75.
  14. ↑ Wilson, David (February 1992). "Kill Zone - Ghox". Game Zone. Vol. 1, no. 4. Dennis Publishing. p. 75.
  15. 1 2 Cook, John (February 1992). "Coin Ops: Toaplan - Ghox". Sinclair User . No. 120. EMAP. p. 46.
  16. ↑ Stokes, Doris (January 1992). "Dosh Eaters: Ghox (Toaplan)". Zero . No. 27. Dennis Publishing. p. 70.
  17. ↑ Stokes, Doris (March 1992). "Dosh Eaters: Ghox (Toaplan)". Zero . No. 29. Dennis Publishing. p. 60.
  18. ↑ Cook, John (January 1992). "Arcades: Ghox - Toaplan". The One for Amiga Games . No. 40. EMAP. p. 89.
  19. ↑ S.E.A. (July 1992). "Arcade Machine: Ghox - Un clásico que evoluciona con los tiempos". Micromanía (in Spanish). Vol. 2, no. 50. HobbyPress. p. 84.
  20. ↑ Yanma (April 1992). "Super Soft Hot Information - Video Game: Hot 30". Micom BASIC Magazine (in Japanese). No. 118. The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation. p. 240.
  21. ↑ Spanner (August 2006). "The Making of... Breakout". Retro Gamer . No. 28. Imagine Publishing. pp. 52–55.
  22. ↑ "ライセンス事業" (in Japanese). TATSUJIN Co., Ltd. 2019. Archived from the original on 2018-12-25. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
  23. ↑ Bravo, Roberto (12 September 2018). "Nueva compañía "Tatsujin" asegura tener gran parte de las IPs de la extinta Toaplan" (in Spanish). Gamercafe. Archived from the original on 2019-10-21. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
  24. ↑ "Tatsujin". exA-Arcadia. 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-10-21. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
  25. ↑ Bravo, Roberto (25 January 2019). "Tatsujin, los dueños de Toaplan, anuncian que están trabajando para exA-Arcadia" (in Spanish). Gamercafe. Archived from the original on 2019-10-21. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
  26. ↑ "［JAEPO2019］TATSUJINやナツメアタリの参入が発表されたexA-Arcadia。出展コーナーの模様を紹介". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). Aetas Inc. 26 January 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-10-21. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
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