Hyper Duel

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Hyperduel title.png

Hyper Duel
System(s): Sega Saturn
Publisher: Technosoft
Developer:
Original system(s): Arcade boards
Sound driver: SCSP/CD-DA (35 tracks)
Genre: Shooting[1][2]

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Saturn
JP
¥5,8005,800 T-1809G
Sega Rating: All Ages
Non-Sega versions

Hyper Duel (ハイパーデュエル) is a horizontal scrolling shoot-'em-up game released exclusively in Japan for the Sega Saturn in 1996. It was initially released in arcades in 1993.

Gameplay

The game contains a faithful port of the arcade version (minimal sound differences and obligatory loading times aside) and a reworked Saturn version. Unlike other Technosoft games, this game was exclusively ported to the Sega Saturn. Design wise, it's similar to Technosoft's later entries in the Thunder Force series.

There are a total of 8 stages in predetermined order. In typical genre manner, the player fights standard small enemies middle sized sub-bosses and evades obstacles. A boss awaits at the end of most stages.

Controls

A is for a standard shot in ship form, B is for a shot in robot shape. Pressing both buttons together is for a so called “Special Attack”, which is a 360° spreadshot. This requires special energy, which automaticaly recharges. There are no screen clearing bombs like in most games in the genre. However, the nodes emitting the Special attack can eliminate most enemy bullets on contact.

The shot in robot shape is slightly stronger and the angle can be changed. As a downside, the robot is larger than the ship and thus a bigger target. Power ups can be colleted up to 4 times, after that, they give 1000 points. Suprisingly the ship's shot gets slightly weaker by collecting power ups. To compensate, the width is increased and homing missiles are added.

Two types of assist crafts can be called by collecting "G" and "T" items. "G" calls a rather agressive small mecha that attacks enemies on it's own. "T" calls a small ship staying in close proximity to the player. Up to three assisting crafts can be called. All further collected "G" and "T" items add 1000 points.

Characters

The following characters are available. Each character has its own strengths:

Keith Spader
Has spread shot, middle speed, and 360° bullets.
Lisa Rowling
Has narrow shot, fast speed, wall piercing 360° lasers, highest score potential.
Dr. B. Lloyd
Has broad shot, slow speed, 360° bombs, shot in robot form has limited range

Score System

Hyper Duel features a some extra ways to gather score.

The game continuously adds a small amount of score if the player is not moving. Interestingly, the last digit, usually reserved to count the amount of continues consumed, is also used for this. Bosses auto destruct after a set period of time to prevent unlimited accumulation of score.

The game's 5th stage is more of a bonus stage than a regular stage. Containers must be shot open, which continuously releases crystalls. Opening a container as early as possible is the key for getting a big score bonus.

Two 1UPs can be optained by scoring 500000 and 1500000 points. Allegdly an additional 1UP can also be obtained in the container stage by having a big amount of crystalls on screen, but this is at the cost of score..

An extra bonus is awarded at the end of each stage:

  • Stage clear bonus: fixed amount for proceeding in the game
  • Stock Bonus: remaining assistant crafts
  • Perfect Bonus: all enemies destroyed
  • Special Bonus: amount of remaining special energy

Aside from score, the game also gives the player a medal. The value of the medal depends on the amount of Perfect Bonus obtained

The maximum amount of obtainable points on default settings is ~2800000 (based on Arcadia rankings, arcade version). Actual scores can be much lower not only due to player performance but also due to the random nature of assisting ships.

Tips and tricks

  • There is a save bug that can turn “ALL” clear marks into a stage “1” mark on the high score table. What exactly triggers this is unknown.

Versions

When playing in Saturn mode, the following changes can be observed:

  • Most graphics and all music has been reworked.
  • In robot shape, the angle of the shot can now be fixed by holding down the R button.
  • Stage 3 boss now has indestructable bullets in it's second phase.
  • Stage 4 boss is escorted by 4 assist robots instead of 3.

Production credits

Buster Gear [Hyper Duel]
Staff
  • Main programmer: Godzy
  • System Programmer: Pen Knife
  • Main Designer: Pei Crash
  • Enemy Program: Wahrsager, Cyber Yumimint
  • Demo Program: Zany
  • Enemy Design: Pei Crash, Zephy, Sokushinbutu
  • Map Design: Pei Crash, Zephy, Sokushinbutu
  • Music Composer / Sound Effect: Tsukumohyakutaro
  • Opening Movie / Demo Design / Ending Illust and CG: OPA
  • Demo Data: Zephy
  • Character Refine: Kusuko
  • Converter And Editor: Godzy
  • Manual: Kusuko
  • Publicity: Ten Stick, OPA
  • Direction Produce: Yunker Matai
  • Executive Produce: Shigotonin
  • Special Thanks: Zako, Chinpui, Nincompoop, Mirror, Shion, Quicksilver, Sanzenten, And You
  • Presented by: Tecno Soft®
Source:
In-game credits
Hyperduel Saturn JP SSEnding arrange.pdf
[3]

Note: Original mode is same. However Order is the difference.

Magazine articles

Main article: Hyper Duel/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Ação Games (BR)
70
[4]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
55
[5]
MAN!AC (DE) NTSC-J
66
[6]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
66
[7]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
61
[8]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
63
[9]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
85
[10]
Sega Saturn
67
Based on
7 reviews

Hyper Duel

Saturn, JP
HyperDuel Saturn JP Box Back.jpgHyperDuel Saturn JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
HyperDuel Saturn JP Spinecard.jpg
Spinecard
HyperDuel Saturn JP Disc.jpg
Disc

Technical information

Main article: Hyper Duel/Technical information.

References


Hyper Duel

Hyperduel title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Magazine articles | Reception | Technical information


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