Gunhed - Hudson Gunhed Taikai (Japan)
Gunhed - Hudson Gunhed Taikai (Japan) on TG16
Gunhed - Hudson Gunhed Taikai is a Japanese release of the classic shoot 'em up originally known in the West as Blazing Lazers. This version came out in 1989 for the NEC TurboGrafx-16 (PC Engine in Japan), developed and published by Hudson Soft. The title includes the word 'Taikai,' which suggests a tournament or contest mode, though the core game remains the same vertical-scrolling shooter that made the platform famous.
You control a ship that moves across a horizontally scrolling playfield, blasting waves of enemy aircraft, ground turrets, and giant bosses. Power-ups drop frequently, letting you upgrade your main weapon, add side shots, or gain a protective shield. Each stage ends with a challenging boss fight that requires pattern recognition and quick reflexes to survive.
For fans of 16-bit shooters, Gunhed is a must-play - it's one of the most polished and fast-paced examples of the genre on the TurboGrafx-16. The Japanese version includes menus in Japanese, but the gameplay is intuitive enough to jump right in. It holds up well today thanks to its tight controls, varied stage designs, and energetic soundtrack. If you enjoy shooters like R-Type or Gradius, this will feel like home.
How to Play Gunhed - Hudson Gunhed Taikai (Japan) Online
Getting Started
When you launch the game, you'll see the Japanese title screen. Press Start (Enter) to move to the menu. Use the D-Pad (Arrow Keys) to navigate and press X (fire/confirm) to select options. The main menu has options for starting a new game, continuing (if available), and adjusting settings. Since the text is in Japanese, simply choose the first option to begin.
The core gameplay is straightforward: move your ship with the D-Pad, hold S to fire your main weapon, and collect power-up capsules that float toward you. These capsules cycle through different weapon types - red for spread shot, blue for laser, green for homing missiles, and so on. You can also grab speed increases and shield items. The goal is to survive each stage, destroy all enemies, and defeat the end-level boss to advance.
A few things to keep in mind: your ship can take multiple hits before dying, but losing a life resets your weapon level, so try to avoid getting hit. The game also has a hidden timer that affects scoring, so playing aggressively can yield better results. If you're unfamiliar with the Japanese menus, the options screen lets you adjust difficulty and number of lives - just press the button to cycle through choices. Start playing and you'll quickly learn the patterns.
Gunhed - Hudson Gunhed Taikai (Japan) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
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