Space Manbow

Last updated
Space Manbow
Space Manbow Cover.jpg
Developer Konami
Publisher Konami
Platforms MSX2, Mobile phone
ReleaseMSX2
  • JP: December 21, 1989
Mobile phone
  • JP: September 1, 2006
    (i-mode)
  • JP: March 1, 2007 (S! Appli)
  • JP: August 7, 2008 (EZweb)
Genre Scrolling shooter
Mode Single-player

Space Manbow [a] is a horizontally scrolling shooter developed and published on December 21, 1989 by Konami for the MSX2 and MSX2+ home computers.

Contents

Gameplay

In the game, the player pilots a starship shaped like a mambo fish. [1] There are only two weapon types available throughout the game, which can be powered up through standard pickups. The weapons gradually lose power unless the player makes additional pickups, but the ship is helped by two stationary "options" similar to those found in the Gradius series. The "options" are able to shift so that they alternatively fire in three directions: forward, backward, and towards the top/bottom of the screen.

Development

Originally, Space Manbow was intended to be a port of the arcade game Thunder Cross under the working title of "Egzart".[ citation needed ]

Music

A CD album was released in Japan by King Records on April 5, 1990, containing the original soundtrack for Space Manbow, as well as two arrangements by Konami Kukeiha Club. [2] [3] The game's ending theme appeared as part of Konami Ending Collection (1991), a two-CD album released by King Records that included ending themes from fifty Konami titles. [4] An arrangement of the ending theme appeared on Konami All Stars ~The Senryo-Bako Heisei 4 Nen Ban~ (1992), a three-CD album released by King Records featuring live performances and arrangements by Konami Kukeiha Club. [5] In 1998, King Records re-released the original album in Konami MSX Super Best Antiques, a two-CD set containing the soundtracks for Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake and Gofer no Yabō Episode II . [6] The game's soundtrack has also been included on the albums Legend Of Game Music Premium Box (2005) and Konami Shooting Collection (2011). [7] [8]

Release

Space Manbow was published by Konami for the MSX2 in Japan on December 22, 1989. [9] [10] The Japanese publication MSX Fan wrote that it was released on December 21, 1989. [11] Konami first ported the game through its online service Konami Net DX [b] for i-mode compatible mobile phones on September 1, 2006, then for Yahoo! Keitai compatible phones on March 1, 2007, and later for EZweb compatible phones on August 7, 2008. [12] [13] [14] The game was re-released two times on the Japanese Virtual Console; first for the Wii on November 24, 2009, and later for the Wii U on February 19, 2014. [15] [16] It was also re-released for Microsoft Windows through D4 Enterprise's Project EGG service on July 28, 2015. [17]

Reception

Space Manbow received acclaim from critics. [19] [20] [21] The Japanese magazine LOGiN highlighted the game's smooth scrolling, the lack of flickering, the variety of enemies, and the music, but noted its low level of difficulty. [22] The Japanese MSX Magazine praised the game for its audiovisual presentation, excellent difficulty balance, and smooth scrolling. [20] MSX Club's Pere Baño lauded the game's visuals for its remarkable use of color and scrolling backgrounds, as well as the sound design for being up to par. [23] Software Gids' Dennis Lardenoye applauded the game's graphical department for its large bosses and multidirectional scrolling. [19] MSX Computer Magazine proclaimed that "With Space Manbow, Konami once again proves to be among the absolute top MSX developers". [24]

In retrospectives, Space Manbow has been listed among the best MSX games by Retro Gamer , HobbyConsolas , and Time Extension . [25] [26] [27] Rafael Lima of SHMUPS! (a part of the GameSpy network) lauded the game's colorful sprite designs, audio, balanced difficulty, smooth scrolling, and overall technical performance. [28] GamesTM highlighted the game's impressive visuals, arcade-quality soundtrack, and gameplay. [29] Nintendo Life 's Sean Aaron praised the quality of the game's audiovisual presentation and its great sense of balance. [18] MeriStation 's Francisco Alberto Serrano stated that the game demonstrated how the MSX2 had more technical potential than most 8-bit systems on the market. [30] PC Gamer 's Bill Loguidice commended its smooth scrolling, detailed graphics, and well-designed gameplay. [31] Hardcore Gaming 101 's Kurt Kalata wrote that "Space Manbow is the most beautiful 8-bit shooter in existence". [1]

Legacy

Tsukasa "Chichibinta" Tokuda, planner and programmer of Gokujō Parodius , wanted the game's character roster to focus on living creatures rather than ships. The Mambo and Samba sunfish are based on the Manbow-J ship from Space Manbow. Animator Shūjirō "Shuzilow.Ha!" Hamakawa (credited as character designer under the pseudonym Shuzilow.Ha!) stated that the character concept arose spontaneously. [32] [33] [34] The first stage of Space Manbow appears as an unlockable in Ganbare Goemon: Tōkai Dōchū Ōedo Tengu ri Kaeshi no Maki if the Kessaku-sen! Ganbare Goemon 1・2: Yuki-hime to Magginesu collection for Game Boy Advance is inserted into the bottom cartridge slot of the Nintendo DS. [1] [29] In 2007, Stichting Sunrise published a fan sequel titled Manbow 2, developed by RenovatiO, for the MSX2 at an MSX fair in Bussum. [35] [36] [37] [38]

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: スペースマンボウ, Hepburn: Supēsu Manbō
  2. ↑ コナミネットDX (Konami Netto DX)

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kalata, Kurt (September 11, 2017). "Space Manbow". Hardcore Gaming 101 . Archived from the original on 2017-10-31. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  2. ↑ "Spirits Label: New Disk Information". Comptiq (in Japanese). Vol. 8, no. 4. Kadokawa Shoten. April 1990. p. 226.
  3. ↑ "Super Soft Hot Information: Game Music 新作ソフト Data Base". Micom BASIC Magazine  [ ja ] (in Japanese). No. 95. The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation  [ ja ]. May 1990. pp. 245–246.
  4. ↑ Kōun Watashi Maya; Kyou (November 1991). "Super Soft Hot Information: Game Music - 新作ソフト Data Base". Micom BASIC Magazine  [ ja ] (in Japanese). No. 113. The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation  [ ja ]. pp. 265–266.
  5. ↑ Kōun Watashi Maya; Kyou (January 1992). "Super Soft Hot Information: Game Music - 新作ソフト Data Base". Micom BASIC Magazine  [ ja ] (in Japanese). No. 115. The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation  [ ja ]. pp. 256–258.
  6. ↑ Kitano, Satoshi (October 1998). "Game Music Encyclopedia; 今月のGM収録曲目リスト". Micom BASIC Magazine  [ ja ] (in Japanese). No. 196. The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation  [ ja ]. pp.  206–210, 211–214.
  7. ↑ "Legend of Game Music ~Premium Box~ | SCDC-00410~7". VGMdb. Archived from the original on 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  8. ↑ Kalata, Kurt (February 21, 2024). "Konami Soundtrack CD Compilations". Hardcore Gaming 101 . Archived from the original on 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  9. ↑ "Soft Flash: スペース・マンボウ". Technopolis  [ ja ] (in Japanese). Vol. 8, no. 12. Tokuma Shoten. December 1989. p. 35.
  10. ↑ "MSX's Soft (1987～1990)" (in Japanese). Konami. 1996. Archived from the original on 1996-11-08. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  11. ↑ "発売中のソフトを再チェック! On Sale (期間/12月13日から1月14日まで)". MSX Fan  [ ja ] (in Japanese). Vol. 4, no. 3. Tokuma Shoten Intermedia. March 1990. p. 126.
  12. ↑ "iモード向けにシューティングゲーム「スペースマンボウ」を配信". ITmedia Mobile (in Japanese). ITmedia  [ ja ]. September 1, 2006. Archived from the original on 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
    "ダイジェスト・ニュース ～2006年9月～". Game Watch  [ ja ] (in Japanese). Impress Corporation  [ ja ]. September 2006. Archived from the original on 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  13. ↑ "スペースマンボウ コナミ名作シリーズ第6弾！ MSX後期を代表する幻の大作シューティングがついに登場！（3/1）". Konami Net DX  [ ja ] (in Japanese). Konami. March 1, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
    "ダイジェスト・ニュース ～2007年3月～". Game Watch  [ ja ] (in Japanese). Impress Corporation  [ ja ]. March 2007. Archived from the original on 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  14. ↑ "EZweb版アプリ配信！「エスパードリーム」「地獄少女ぱずるだま」「愛戦士ニコル」「スペースマンボウ」をEZweb版で配信！". Konami Net DX  [ ja ] (in Japanese). Konami. August 7, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  15. ↑ "MSXの『夢大陸アドベンチャー』など3タイトルがVCに登場！". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. November 17, 2009. Archived from the original on 2013-08-19. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
    Masato (November 17, 2009). "KONAMI、バーチャルコンソール向けMSXゲーム3タイトル11月24日配信！". Inside Games  [ ja ] (in Japanese). IID, Inc.  [ ja ]. Archived from the original on 2009-11-21. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  16. ↑ Katsuhito, Tsukui (February 12, 2014). "Wii Uバーチャルコンソール2月19日配信タイトル ― 『ファイナルファンタジーIV』『ELEVATOR ACTION』『スペースマンボウ』の3本". Inside Games  [ ja ] (in Japanese). IID, Inc.  [ ja ]. Archived from the original on 2014-03-05. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  17. ↑ "「プロジェクトEGG」，STG「スペースマンボウ」（MSX2版）を配信開始". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). Aetas Inc. July 28, 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-09-22. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  18. 1 2 Aaron, Sean (December 21, 2009). "Space Manbow (Virtual Console / MSX) Review". Nintendo Life . Nlife Ltd. Archived from the original on 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  19. 1 2 3 "MSX Software: Spacemanbow". MSX Gids (in Dutch). No. 3. Uitgeverij Herps. September–October 1990. p. 48.
  20. 1 2 "MSX Software Review: スペースマンボウ". MSX Magazine  [ ja ] (in Japanese). Vol. 8, no. 5. ASCII Corporation. May 1990. pp. 20–21.
  21. ↑ "先取りおすすめゲーム: スペース・マンボウ". Technopolis  [ ja ] (in Japanese). Vol. 9, no. 1. Tokuma Shoten. January 1990. pp. 14–15.
  22. ↑ "ログインが選んだお正月におすすめする ゲームンフト99本!! - アクション". LOGiN (通巻99号記念特別付録 LOGiNゲームソフトセレクテッド) (in Japanese). Vol. 10, no. 1–2. ASCII Corporation. January 5–19, 1990. pp. 10–16.
  23. ↑ Baño, Pere (June 1990). "Coleccionable: Space Mambow". MSX Club (in Spanish). No. 64. Manhattan Transfer. pp. 24–30.
  24. ↑ "Computerspellen: Space Manbow". MSX Computer Magazine (in Dutch). No. 43. MBI Publications. December 1990. pp. 26–27.
  25. ↑ "Perfect 10: MSX - Perfect Ten Games". Retro Gamer . No. 60. Imagine Publishing. February 2, 2009. pp. 38–39. (Transcription Archived 2014-05-21 at the Wayback Machine ).
  26. ↑ Alonso, Álvaro (April 9, 2014). "Los 20 mejores juegos de MSX". HobbyConsolas (in Spanish). Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on 2014-05-15. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  27. ↑ Day, Ashley (November 20, 2023). "Best MSX Games Of All Time". Time Extension . Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on 2023-11-20. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  28. ↑ Lima, Rafael (2004). "Review Archive: Space Manbow". SHMUPS!. GameSpy. Archived from the original on 2004-10-13. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  29. 1 2 "Retro - Rising Sun Retro: Space Manbow". GamesTM . No. 59. Imagine Publishing. July 2007. pp. 148–149.
  30. ↑ Serrano, Francisco Alberto (July 6, 2013). "Regreso al Pasado: 30 Años, 30 juegos de MSX". MeriStation (in Spanish). PRISA. Archived from the original on 2020-06-10. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  31. ↑ Loguidice, Bill (April 14, 2017). "The bright life of the MSX, Japan's underdog PC". PC Gamer . Future US. Archived from the original on 2017-04-18. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  32. ↑ "キャラクター紹介: マンボウ/サンバ". Gamest (Extra) (in Japanese). No. 125. Shinseisha. September 15, 1994. pp. 18–19.
    Ōno, Junji (September 15, 1994). "Making of 極上パロディウス (開発者インタビュー): 極上パロディウス開発秘話公開!!". Gamest (Extra) (in Japanese). No. 125. Shinseisha. pp. 97–100. (Translation by It's Fantastic!. Archived 2021-03-28 at the Wayback Machine ).
  33. ↑ "極上パロディウス開発者インタビュー". Game Hisshou Guide  [ ja ] (in Japanese). Vol. 6. Byakuya Shobo  [ ja ]. September 30, 1994. pp. 98–104. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2015-03-22 at the Wayback Machine ).
  34. ↑ Hamakawa, Shūjirō (2010). "-WORKS-". Shuzilow HA Design Works (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
  35. ↑ "Actualidad: Secuelas de Konami". Call MSX (in Spanish). No. 5. Call MSX Team. December 2005. p. 4.
  36. ↑ "En breve: Manbow 2". Call MSX (in Spanish). No. 7. Call MSX Team. December 2006. pp. 12–13.
  37. ↑ "Software: Manbow 2 - Game Spel". MSX World Wide (in Dutch). No. 5. V.C.L. December 2007. p. 13.
  38. ↑ "Ya disponible: Manbow 2". Call MSX (in Spanish). No. 8. Call MSX Team. June 2008. pp. 18–20.
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