Time Bokan Series: Bokan to Ippatsu! Doronbo (ボカンと一発!ドロンボー)
Developer: Eleven
Release Date: 1996
Platforms: PlayStation, Saturn
Time Bokan is an anime originating in 1975, consisting of several subseries that mostly involve silly superhero and mecha fighting antics similar to American Saturday morning cartoons. However, within these series, the villains were often more popular than the heroes, including the Doronbo Gang, originating from the show Yatterman. Consisting of sexy leader Doronjo, gawky Boyacky, and stout Tonzura, this trio of goofballs also inspired similar characters in later anime series, most famously Team Rocket in Pokémon. They’re also the stars of two vertical shoot-em-ups released in the 2D, as you pilot an assortment of vehicles and fight do-gooders from across the Time Bokan universe. Both games were developed by Eleven, formed by former Kaneko staff, who specialized in shoot-em-ups like Super Star Soldier.
At the outset of Bokan to Ippatsu, you can choose from six mecha from the anime, with three original ones available later in the game, each with their own primary weapon and shield. After each stage, you need to choose a new one, so you get the opportunity to try out most of them. Each can also manufacture and toss an unlimited number of bombs, making for a powerful side weapon. However, these first need to be loaded on top of your vehicle, and if you take a hit when carrying it, then it can potentially blow up in your face. When your vehicle is destroyed, then the villain trio continues their assault riding on a weakly-equipped bicycle, though one more hit will send them blasting off, requiring another credit to continue. If you grab 100 skull icons in a level, you’ll also transform into an enormous mecha.
The brightly colored 2D visuals take advantage of sprite scaling and rotation effects, lending some bounciness to the animation. The bombs are lobbed at an arc, flying through the sky before exploding with comical onomatopoeia. Together with newly created (though heavily compressed) FMV scenes, authentic voice acting for the main trio, and familiar music, it’s a perfect tribute for Time Bokan fans. (Joji Yanami, the voice of Boyacky, is also the announcer for Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius.) And even those unfamiliar with the series can get a sense of its chaotic glee.
Bokan to Ippatsu received a Saturn port which adds a new theme song, proper voices for the hero boss characters, and an extra stage. The PlayStation also received the sequel Bokan desuyo, which features new stages but plays almost identically outside of some tweaks, like stronger bombs if you load and carry them for a long period of time. This game was also released in Italy as Time Bokan: Yattaman.
