Barunba (Japan)

Getting Started

Select the game from the title screen using the D-Pad and press X to start. The opening screen is in Japanese, but the core gameplay is straightforward: steer your ship with the Arrow Keys, fire with S, and dodge enemy patterns. Power-ups appear as floating icons - learn what each does by trial and error since there's no manual.

The level structure follows a classic arcade shooter loop: survive each stage, defeat a mid-boss and an end-boss, then move on. Your ship has a standard shot that can be upgraded. Watch for colored orbs that change your spread or laser type. If you get hit, you lose your current weapon level, so try to keep a safe distance from fliers and turrets.

Since menus are entirely in Japanese, memorizing the order of options is helpful. The first option on the title screen is usually "Start," with "Continue" or "High Score" below it. Once you're in the game, focus on collecting the small "B" icons for bomb stockpiles - they clear the screen of bullets when you press Z.