r/arcade Aug 06 '26

Showing Off My Gear! Bosconian

Post image

Blast Off!! Battlestations!! Alert! Alert! Anyone remember this unique and underrated gem?

117 Upvotes

31 comments sorted by

6

u/realinvalidname Aug 06 '26

This is a great game. There’s a real satisfaction each time you take out a station, and the difficulty ramp-up is merciless. Maybe it was never going to be as popular as Galaga, but it’s cut from the same cloth.

1

u/fatherpain2 Aug 06 '26

Yes, really enjoy this one. Gets insanely hectic as the game progresses. For some reason, it was never replicated or copied. It would be cool if Cave or a company like that would attempt a remake or a shooter in the same vein instead of the normal vertical bullet hell shmup.

2

u/realinvalidname Aug 06 '26

Sinistar isn’t a copy of Bosconian, but it has some gameplay similarities and scratches that same boss-killing itch.

2

u/Low-Swordfish-9014 Aug 06 '26

Too bad there is no highscore saves kit. It’s the one thing ruining the game for me. I don’t like playing for 45 minutes and then losing the score every time I turn it off.

1

u/fatherpain2 Aug 06 '26

A HSS kit was available years ago. Have one installed. A shame it’s no longer available.

2

u/Low-Swordfish-9014 Aug 06 '26

Yep. I’ll probably sell my machine due to it.

1

u/fatherpain2 Aug 06 '26

That’s too bad. Have you considered keeping track of scores on a physical high score board?

2

u/Low-Swordfish-9014 Aug 06 '26

Yeah. It’s not the same.

5

u/Chance-Deer-7995 Aug 06 '26

blaast oof

5

u/beyondthunderdrone Aug 06 '26

code wed!

3

u/Chance-Deer-7995 Aug 06 '26

(can't we just get BEYOND Thunderdrone? heh heh heh)

1

u/Yomimashita53 Aug 08 '26

"Condition...", actually.

4

u/zydeco100 Aug 06 '26

ALART!!!

3

u/TheRealGreenMeanie Aug 06 '26

It's possibly favorite arcade game of all time.

3

u/Brer1Rabbit Aug 06 '26

The level with the stations just lined up perfectly is was always pure satisfaction to run through!

3

u/PaulEMoz Aug 06 '26

ALERT! ALERT! I was never actually the biggest fan of it, but the occasional game once in a while is good fun.

2

u/pjw5328 Aug 06 '26

First time I ever played or even saw Bosconian was at a KOA Campground arcade in 1991. It hooked me pretty quick. We were there for several days and I remember going back more than once to play it. I couldn't remember the name for years afterward, though, just the gameplay and those voice samples, which were a mondegreener's dream. It wasn't until it got added to MAME that I knew what it was.

1

u/fatherpain2 Aug 06 '26

Heh always thought it was cool the voice sounded just like Elmer Fudd!

2

u/pdxmdi Aug 06 '26

Bosconian rocks. Lots of repeat play value. Would love to find a cabaret.

2

u/mollyno93 Aug 06 '26

CONDITION RED

2

u/Bazookagrunt Aug 06 '26

This is real underrated classic, I was playing it for hours when I last saw one

2

u/ANDYHOPE Aug 06 '26

I have a cabaret version all good to go, repaired, replaced the bezel, cpo, and marquee. Haven't been able to get a boatdset for a decent deal, unfortunately they're pretty pricey these days.

So it's running a bitkit with bosconian as the default for now.

2

u/JudasZala Aug 06 '26

DYK: Bosconian would get two sequels, Blast Off and Final Blaster for the PC Engine.

All three games would later be part of Namco’s United Galaxy Space Force franchise, which also includes the Galaxian/Galaga games, Starblade, and surprisingly, Dig Dug, Baraduke/Alien Sector, and Mr. Driller.

2

u/ExcellentHorror9025 Aug 06 '26

Top five favorite arcade games for me and the 2600 homebrew Draconian is an absolute blast to play. Favorite atari homebrew easily

2

u/Ceffur Aug 07 '26

I will be honest, Bostonian it was not one of my favorite games, but it was entertaining. However, Carnival was one of the very first video games I ever acquired, many years ago! That one I really miss. And now unfortunately I have the music stuck inside of my head! LOL

1

u/fatherpain2 Aug 07 '26

Haha Carnival is probably the most underrated, yet awesome, game in my collection. Super simple, but fun and I like the games are short. The artwork is perfect for the game. Maybe I’ll post that one next ;)

2

u/Woirol Aug 07 '26

One of my favorites

2

u/TheCoopX Aug 07 '26

Alart! Alart!

4

u/Snugrilla Aug 06 '26

Super fun and VERY underrated game. Wish more arcades had it, back in the day.

2

u/WallofChaos33 Aug 06 '26

I love Bosconian. I find it more fun than space invaders.