GUNBARICH

A somewhat lousy presentation of a really fun unique game, I'm still giving this a thumbs up because the game is very enjoyable but there are a lot of asterisks to be aware of.
MOST IMPORTANTLY if you have a high refresh rate monitor, you must lock the game's framerate to 60 in Nvidia control panel (or whatever the AMD equivalent is). I started playing and thought "this is kinda neat but the controls are way too sensitive" until I realized that input polling seemed to be tied to framerate. I have a 144hz monitor and just tapping the analogue stick shot my character way to the side. Once I locked the game to 60 it played how it should.
Beyond that the visual presentation is a mushy mess. It seems like different sprites use different scaling methods. Your character, some of the icons, and the witch lady who helps you out seem to use that horrible "smooth filter" that started appearing in retro collections around the time of the XBOX 360 Sega Genesis collection, the blocks you're supposed to break and some enemies seem to use bilinear scaling, but other bosses, enemies and projectiles look like they're using proper nearest neighbour scaling (which is my preferred type of scaling). This results in the visuals being an inconsistant mess and I really just wish the whole thing let you choose nearest neighbor (display caps out at 1080p as well which probably doesn't help). I watched some footage of the Arcade version and it doesn't seem to have these inconsistencies.
The configuration menu you can launch outside of the game doesn't really seem to do much either. I set the game to "fullscreen" but it launches windowed every time so I have to hit alt enter to fullscreen it.
I could also say how the game launches in Japanese but honestly that's the least of this port's problems. I'm gonna try and take the JLPT this year so it's reading practice.
That said, once you get the framerate under control, this is an incredibly fun mashup of shoot-em-ups, breakout, and pinball. The basic formula is Breakout/Arkanoid but you have pinball flippers to give your ball some extra "oomph". You can use the flippers to send back bullets which also helps getting pesky blocks that are hard to reach and the game has a satisfying, punchy feel. I've only played a few rounds, but it's addictive and I could see myself putting a lot of time into this. The music is nice and while I hate how butchered the sprite art is the colors and characters are very appealing.
So overall the porting job is pretty bad but the game itself is a lot of fun once you at least get the framerate dealt with. I woudl love to see an update that fixes the issue or for this game to be included in a more proper arcade compilation but it's still enjoyable even with this release's issues.
(oh and as far as I can tell the only way to close the game is Alt-F4 unless there's something I'm missing)

GUNBARICH is a highly unusual arcade shooter that successfully combines traditional shoot ’em up gameplay with mechanics inspired by classic brick-breaking arcade games. Developed by CITY CONNECTION, the game takes a creative approach to the shooter genre by focusing heavily on projectile reflection and defensive timing rather than nonstop offensive firepower. While many arcade shooters overwhelm players with endless bullet patterns and aggressive combat, GUNBARICH stands out by building its entire identity around redirecting enemy attacks back at opponents. The result is a fast-paced but surprisingly tactical arcade experience that still feels refreshingly original even years after its release.
The game follows two magical apprentices, Marion and Grutan, as they travel through a fantasy world searching for mystical stones said to grant wishes. The narrative itself is fairly light and mostly exists to support the colorful arcade adventure, but the cheerful fantasy setting gives the game a lot of personality. Floating castles, magical landscapes, strange creatures, and exaggerated bosses all contribute to an atmosphere that feels playful and energetic rather than dark or intense. The game never takes itself too seriously, embracing a lighthearted arcade tone that matches its unusual mechanics perfectly.
What truly makes GUNBARICH memorable is its core gameplay system. Instead of relying entirely on standard shooting mechanics, players use magical paddles to reflect incoming projectiles back toward enemies. This changes the pacing dramatically because success depends not only on avoiding attacks but also on positioning correctly and timing reflections carefully. The reflection mechanic creates a constant balance between offense and defense, turning combat into a more strategic and reactive experience compared to traditional arcade shooters.
The gameplay requires strong awareness and precision because reflected projectiles behave differently depending on angles and positioning. Some enemy attacks can only be redirected effectively from certain locations, forcing players to constantly move around the screen while monitoring projectile timing. During larger fights, the screen often fills with magical attacks that must be carefully managed rather than simply avoided. This creates a gameplay rhythm that feels part shooter and part arcade puzzle game, which gives GUNBARICH a very distinct identity within the genre.
Boss battles are especially impressive because they fully take advantage of the reflection-based combat system. Many bosses launch massive magical attacks specifically designed to challenge the player’s timing and positioning skills. Instead of simply unloading bullets into weak points, players must survive increasingly complex projectile patterns while redirecting attacks back toward the enemy. Some encounters become extremely tense as the screen fills with dangerous attacks that demand precise reactions under pressure. These moments are where the game feels most rewarding because successful reflections often create huge bursts of damage and satisfying visual impact.
Visually, GUNBARICH remains charming thanks to its vibrant pixel-art presentation. The environments are colorful and detailed, featuring fantasy-inspired locations filled with floating structures, magical effects, and bizarre enemy designs. Character sprites are expressive and animated with personality, while attack effects remain flashy without making the action difficult to read. The art direction captures the classic arcade aesthetic beautifully and still holds up remarkably well for a game of its era.
The soundtrack complements the gameplay effectively through energetic arcade music and upbeat fantasy themes that maintain momentum throughout each stage. Boss encounters are accompanied by more intense tracks that increase tension during difficult battles, while sound effects for projectile reflections and magical impacts feel satisfying and impactful. Combined with the colorful presentation, the audio design helps create a lively arcade atmosphere from beginning to end.
One of the game’s strongest qualities is how approachable it feels despite its unusual mechanics. The basic concept of reflecting attacks is easy to understand, allowing new players to begin experimenting almost immediately. However, mastering advanced positioning, timing, and boss strategies introduces surprising depth for experienced arcade fans. The game rewards practice and skill improvement, giving it strong replay value for players interested in score-chasing and mastering increasingly difficult encounters.
At the same time, the reflection-heavy gameplay may not appeal to every shooter fan. Players expecting constant aggressive action similar to more traditional bullet-hell shooters may initially find the pacing slower or more defensive than expected. Certain boss fights also become extremely punishing later in the game, requiring near-perfect timing and repeated practice to overcome. The difficulty curve can become intimidating for players unfamiliar with arcade-style repetition and memorization.
The game’s overall scope is also relatively modest by modern standards. As a classic arcade experience, GUNBARICH focuses on replayability and skill mastery rather than lengthy campaigns or deep progression systems. Players looking for extensive story content, unlockables, or large gameplay variations may find the experience somewhat limited once they fully learn the stage layouts and enemy patterns.
Despite these limitations, GUNBARICH succeeds because it offers something genuinely creative within a genre often defined by familiarity. The fusion of breakout-inspired reflection mechanics with side-scrolling shooter gameplay creates a style of arcade action that feels both nostalgic and highly distinctive. Psikyo managed to take two very different arcade concepts and merge them into a surprisingly cohesive and entertaining experience.
For fans of retro arcade games, pixel-art shooters, and unconventional gameplay mechanics, GUNBARICH delivers a memorable and highly enjoyable experience filled with clever combat design and energetic fantasy presentation. While its smaller scale and demanding mechanics may not appeal to every player, the game’s originality and polished arcade gameplay make it one of the more unique titles within the classic shooter genre.
Rating: 7/10