Dodonpatchi Resurrection is the fifth title in the DonPachi series originally created by Cave a Japanese video games developer. Cave have a bit of a thing for side scrolling shooters as they have extensive experience in the arcade games industry back when amusement centres where hubs of activity for gamers around the world. The studio consists of mostly Toaplan employees who were successful with their ventures, producing games like Batsugun and Truxton. Cave now also produce similar games for ISO platforms which have often over-shadowed efforts from other Japanese studios, they are a damn reliable bet when it comes to scoring with this shrinking niche as they’ve also had success with their more newer titles Progear and Nin2-Jump.

This installment comes with several modes along with the arcade original for you to enjoy in the Play menu section. It also includes Score Attack mode which makes use of the Xbox 360’s Xbox Live feature so you can compete with the world, Training mode for the rookie flyers and even an option to reel over your Replay Data. There’s also the added benefit of additional content in the Downloadable Content menu section which gives the game a lot more relevance to be picked up today. This is what a lot of the ports extra features stem from along with an intertwined arcade design and feel which overall creates a well rounded experience.

Dodonpatchi Resurrection is a rather lively side scrolling shooter game with tons of sounds, animations and action stuffed in. The story revolves round the past wars that the human race had got themselves into with the A.I in the DonPachi universe. Something surfaces and is creating a war in the past as the humans won the war in the future, this thing is a virus. This virus is a left over bit of the program which the humans destroyed and has infected human technology in the future to send huge amounts of materials and resources back to certain points to create these gigantic robotic space dolls that you end up fighting. The aim of the game is to cut right through the onslaught of enemy waves while you crank up the points till you get to the end of level boss which will be one of five dolls that were originally created to serve mankind. There’s for modes within the Arcade mode and there’s the Score Attack mode to try and master, both with have you upping your game often as Dodonpatchi one of the easier side scrollers to get into thanks to its fluid layout and structure.

When you’ve chosen a mode to play you’ll select a ship and power and/or even bring in a friend for more military strength! There’s three to choose from; Type A is a light faster fighter, Type B is your mid-range ship and Type C is your heavy option, all have changeable Shot Styles which have unique abilities and strengths associated with them. These options can help you set up strategies to overcome the harder waves of the game you might have trouble with, also enemy ships and units do attack differently and in different patterns on every level to try throw you off balance. The game plays very well this way, very smooth but also lively enough to keep you focused and enjoying the bit trip. You also have the Hyper Counter System and the Counter Lazer attacks to utilize along the way once you’ve filled you Hyper Meter. Basically the Counter system takes care of the spray and pray the A.I. can sometimes throw at you, it’s normally the smaller units on the ground and is very effective against them. Your Lazer attack is much stronger though and can stop the bigger harder hitters from firing at you and you can change between these two firing modes anyway to distinguish patterns that work against ones that don’t. The controls are incredibly simple and there’s the Training mode anyway just incase your not feeling your usual kickass self.  Obviously Dodonpatchi is really fun and stratifying to just play this way, it gives you enough of that itch to scratch without screwing up its original rhythm. This is a great strength for a game to have and it also has these accessible learning curves to do with the A.I. patterns and new attack options, this opens up other variations of play for gamers when they start to improve which is actually admirable for such an old port.

All of these details and structure change in each of the arcade mode creating different obstacles to overcome; plotting you way through or all out destruction. The game also has a built in Invisible Multiplier and rises in level once you’ve brought all of the basics together to get those higher combo chains. This is when the competition will heat up and is a really good way of nailing some amazing scores to challenge other gamers with around the world, it also can be very rewarding when you whiz right through a stage you’ve already excelled in and have created strategies for. Dodonpatchi has hours of play assembled around this and all it takes is a bit of time invested with its old and the new features… and then heaps of practice! That’s the thing about side scrollers, someone always has a better score that you. It’s quite a hard feeling or urge to describe if you haven’t felt challenged by someone online; to put all of your skills together to get that amazing run through can just feel so simply rewarding.

When you begin to play if you’re new to this niche you’ll probably find Dodonpatchi confusing or disorientating to play as there’s a barrages of bullets and lazers heading for you and of course the enemy units on and off the ground to watch out for. Don’t worry! We’ve all been there and the way to play these games anyway is to keep your eyes focused mainly to the middle of the screen and gauge the gaps in the bullets, ships and lazers to get your ship through them. You can only take so many hits as well until you pop your little space ship and use a life up to respawn with full equipment but no Hyper Attack bar, you’ll pick these little rules and tricks up in your first few attempts but be prepared to stick some effort in to really squeeze all combos and points you possibly can. Dodonpatchi is a really competitive game too due to the nature of it, it’s fast paced, unpredictable and fun which all together can get you hooked for a good few hours in one sitting – if you can stomach it that is. That’s the deal with arcade games, they just suck you in and then… BANG! An hour has just vanished before your eyes! But because they’re so simple and ultimately fun from any angle it can get most gamers itching to stick a high score up, Dodonpatchi is no different and has Xbox Live Leaderboard functionality for extra arcade excitement.  

After you completed a full run and have stopped the rewiring of time, you’ll get some small story boards to look over. They aren’t anything incredible just some tail ends of storylines to do with alternate or parallel outcomes. In the Xbox 360 version you also get a soundtrack CD which is great to stick on while you play, you can get some very calming and nostalgic vibes coming through all 23 tracks. There’s also different versions of Arrange A, B, Black Label and version 1.51 available for download which adds more paths and modes to voyage through. Dodonpatchi is limited when it comes to any bigger features, the downloads themselves are different versions of the modes you already have and it ultimately doesn’t bring anything super new and exciting to you for your MSP. This is really the only disappointment in Dodonpatchi, it’s really hard to expect so much from a port that’s had success and changing it too much could have be fatal. The fifth installment offer players a great experience with added features that tie in with Xbox Live, it also offers alternative modes amongst its original modes which is a great comparison to play with it just doesn’t offer anything more, nor does it lie about what it is.

If you like a challenge, Dodonpatchi has it. It’s one of the better organized side scrollers, offering better customization options than most other titles which gives the gameplay a good stir whenever you need it. It’s many mode ensures hours and hours of play and the Leaderboard functionality give the player something to aim for while firing lazers like its no body’s business. The pace is fast enough and it’s hard enough to get the pros sweating too, additional items and attacks also have you learning and executing patterns and tactics with ease. Overall it’s one for your arcade collection (If you have one) and will keep any side scrolling urges under control, no problem.