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1990

Space Gun

Quick Overview

Space Gun is Taito's 1990 shooting arcade game in which you rescue hostages and shoot down the attackers aboard a space station overrun by alien creatures. The game is controlled with a cabinet-mounted positional gun and foot pedals, and two players can play at once.

Space Gun

Basics

  • Release1990
  • Developer and manufacturerTaito (Japan)
  • GenreShooter (light gun / first-person)
  • Players1–2 players, simultaneous
  • ControlsCabinet-mounted positional gun (with a pump) and foot pedal
  • HardwareTaito Z System

Standout Features

Cabinet-mounted positional gun with a pump for special weaponsFoot pedal to halt and reverse your progressTwo-player simultaneous modeA space station full of alien creatures and hostages

Gameplay

Shooting down the alien attackersRescuing hostages without hitting themUsing special weapons with the gun pumpRacing against the clock

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Game Objective

You advance through a space station overrun by alien creatures. Your job is to rescue the captured crew and shoot down the alien attackers before time runs out. You aim and fire with the gun mounted on the cabinet, pump it to activate special weapons, and use the foot pedal to halt or reverse your progress.

Taito: The Space Invaders Company

Taito was founded on August 24, 1953 in Tokyo as the Taito Trading Company by Michael Kogan. Its best-known game is Space Invaders (1978), and its catalog also includes Bubble Bobble and Arkanoid (both 1986). Square Enix acquired the company in 2005, and Taito is headquartered in the same building as Square Enix in Tokyo's Shinjuku district.

Fun Facts

  • Taito released it in 1990, running on the Taito Z System hardware.
  • The cabinet's positional gun has a pump that you use to activate special weapons.
  • The foot pedal lets you halt or reverse your progress, but it also costs you time.
  • Two players can play at once.
  • It reached home systems in 1992, and the Amiga and Atari ST versions support a light gun.

The Evolution of Arcade

Space Gun was a spectacular shooter of the early nineties, with its mounted gun and foot pedals. In 1992 home versions appeared for the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum and Master System. The Amiga and Atari ST versions are among the few games on those systems that support a light gun. In 2005 it was also included in the Taito Legends collection for PlayStation 2, PC and Xbox.

Who Is It For?

Fans of shooting arcade games and the early nineties. If you like a machine that pulls you into the action with a real gun and foot pedals, Space Gun is for you.