Chou Aniki - Super Big Brothers
Chou Aniki - Super Big Brothers Overview
Chou Aniki - Super Big Brothers is a side-scrolling shooter that launched on the NEC PC Engine CD in the early 1990s. It arrived exclusively in Japan and quickly earned a reputation as one of the weirdest titles on the platform. The game is the first in the Chou Aniki series and was published by a relatively small Japanese studio, though exact developer details are not widely documented. What is certain is that this is no ordinary shooter; it pairs traditional run-and-gun gameplay with deliberately absurd, muscle-bound protagonists and surreal enemy designs.
You control one of the titular 'Big Brothers' as they fly through horizontally scrolling stages, blasting enemies and collecting power-up items. The core loop is straightforward: move left or right, aim and shoot at anything that moves, and dodge incoming fire. Weapons can be upgraded by picking up letter capsules, and the game throws a steady stream of bizarre foes and massive boss characters at you. The challenge ramps up quickly, with tight hitboxes and relentless enemy patterns demanding quick reflexes.
Today, Chou Aniki is a cult curiosity worth trying for its sheer audacity and uniqueness. It stands out among PC Engine CD shooters not for technical polish but for its unapologetic weirdness and over-the-top presentation. The humor, the odd character designs, and the rocking soundtrack give it a personality that is hard to forget. If you enjoy classic shooters and want to see the eccentric side of the genre, this one is a memorable ride, even if it isn't the deepest or most balanced game in its library.
How to Play Chou Aniki - Super Big Brothers Online
Getting Started
When the game boots, you will likely be on a title screen with menus in Japanese. Press Start (Enter) to begin. The first screen is usually a character select or simply starts you into action. Use the arrow keys to move your character, S to shoot, and X to jump if needed. The basic goal is to survive each stage by destroying enemies and picking up power-ups (the letter capsules like P or S change your weapon). Dodge enemy bullets and watch for large bosses at the end of each level.
The core loop is straightforward: fly through the stage, shoot everything, collect power-ups, and defeat the boss to proceed. The game is quite challenging from the start, so expect to memorize patterns. If you get hit, you lose your current weapon power and must recollect. Lives are limited, but you can earn extra lives at score thresholds. The game auto-scrolls at a steady pace, so you cannot stop moving forward.
Because the menus are entirely in Japanese, it is best to simply press Start to skip any initial screens and jump straight into the action. There is no save feature, so you need to finish the game in one sitting. Stay focused and keep moving - standing still will get you killed quickly.
Chou Aniki - Super Big Brothers Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
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