In the early 80’s shoot em up space adventures was not difficult to find. In 1983 Konami introduced the world to Gyruss the classic space adventure that transformed video game play. Gyruss was inspired by games such as Space Invaders, and is similar to Galaga and Galaxian. If you are a game player then you have played Gyruss at least once in your lifetime. In the 80’s a person could find Gyruss just about anywhere a coin operated game was placed like grocery stores, convenient stores, ect. After the downfall of arcades and coin operated games Gyruss took on a whole new medium called home entertainment systems. Gyruss has been on just about every home console ever created and has been rereleased several of times over the years. Once you play this classic you will not put down your controller, or release your palm from the joystick.
Graphics – is the basic visuals you find in almost all space adventure shoot em ups, except Gyruss give a 3D perspective, with the same game play as Galaga. The colors are nice and bright, except the enemy spaceships are basic images of squares, triangles, and circles. Though basic, Gyruss is not a classic for graphics, but for the gameplay. The enemies you fly forwards and backwards are satellites, asteroids, and different alien invades that finds many of flying insects.
Controls – is simple enough for the coin operated players with a joystick and a firing button. Though it would have been more interesting to implement a tracking ball like in my previous article (Crystal Castles), it is still a joy to move the joystick back and forth. In the home entertainment ports like the Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Commodore 64, and Colecovision you will find it more of a button mashing session, except with the 2600 which uses the classic joystick.
AI – is basic mindless movement and the only problem a player will confront is the flying enemies forcing the player into a corner and either doing a kamikaze move or shooting several shots to force the player to move towards the corners. Never try to stay in the corner of the screen for too long or you will be eliminated. One of the most interesting moves in the game is the player to allow his or her ship to be taken captive by the enemy and then shoot down the alien holding your ship hostage. Once shooting down the ship, your hostage ship will attach to your other ship and the player will have connecting ships with extra shooting power.
Replay Value – is forever and ever with its addictive game play. There is a reason people played the coin operated version in droves and it is more reason that it has been on just about every home console port ever created. The replay value is immense and a player will always feel the urge to play Gyruss.
Where to find this classic – thankfully a player can find Gyruss anywhere in regards to past consoles and today it is an easy download on the Xbox 360, Microsoft came out with a downloaded updated version, but everyone rather play the classic version. The best way to play this gem is through the Xbox Live Game Room; purchase the game and place it in your personal arcade. A player can also play a ranked version and challenges his or her friends to a little high scoring competition.
