Trouble Shooter, known as Battle Mania in Japan, is a shoot 'em up game developed and published by Vic Tokai for the Mega Drive. It was released in November 1991 in North America and March 6, 1992 in Japan.
Trouble Shooter was directed by game designer Takayan, who at first was primarily responsible for every aspect of the game's development due to a lack of support from Vic Tokai. Over time, however, more people joined the project, and he took on a supervisory role for much of the game's design.
The game was given a very distinct theme of self-parody between the enemies, story and dialogue. A sequel titled Battle Mania Daiginjō was also released for the Mega Drive in Japan and Korea only.
Plot[]
The game stars teenage sisters Madison (Mania in Japan) and Crystal (Maria in Japan) as they set out to rescue the kidnapped Prince Eldon who has been taken hostage by the criminal organization Black Ball.
Madison is the light hearted one whilst Crystal is the more serious individual.
The game has a comedic tone to it, with fourth wall gags including a credit roll interruption and the villain noting the amount of levels they've fought one another.
Gameplay[]
Despite there being two characters, the player actually plays as both Madison and Crystal at the same time through the majority of the levels, although as the player largely controls Madison, Crystal doesn't take damage from enemy fire. There are times when only Madison is playable or the player will be controlling Madison, Crystal AND the Prince simultaneously, with Crystal following Madison's movement back to back and the Prince travelling inverse of the direction the sisters go.
At the beginning the player is asked to pick from a variety of engines or power boosters, each of which give different ammunition to the girls. Once selected, the player is thrown into the side scrolling shoot em up gameplay.
Madison and Crystal have rocket boosters strapped to their backs and as such are airborne. The player must guide them through the level avoiding enemy projectiles whilst firing their own. The girl's bullets can neutralise enemy fire when shot at. Crystal will cover the rear, whilst Madison shoots opponents from the front. Crystal can be turned around in order to provide double the firepower in one direction.
Like many shoot em ups, there are a variety of unique weapons that the girls can use to upgrade their arsenal including giant laser beams that shoot vertically down, additional blaster drones to give them extra firepower, gigantic energy projectiles that rotate around the two of them and lightning bolts that rain down on enemies.
After traveling through a level the player will be required to defeat a boss at the end.
Trivia[]
- Madison and Crystal/Mania and Maria both appear in Segagaga as part of the final stand against Dogma.
- The game was heavily influenced by Dirty Pair.
One of the bosses resembling Dr. Zero from the Golden Bat anime.
- The boss wearing a black suit with pointy ears and riding a small ship is most likely based off Dr. Zero from the Golden Bat anime due to the similarities in appearance.
Gallery[]
| Gallery |
|---|
 Madison/Mania in the opening  Crystal/Maria in the opening  Title Screen  Opening dialogue  Selecting your starting engine for the first level  Madison and Crystal in the first level  The first boss battle  Prince Eldon is located  Selecting your power booster for the second level onwards  Firing away. Note the blaster drone aiding the girls  Upon being rescued Prince Eldon also joins in with a blaster to help the girls in a level. He travels an inverse path to the girls. |
External links[]
- Wikipedia article
- Trouble Shooter at MobyGames
- Trouble Shooter at GameFAQs
- Trouble Shooter at Sega Retro
- Trouble Shooter at Sega-16
- Trouble Shooter at Hardcore Gaming 101
- Trouble Shooter at The Cutting Room Floor