Hardcore Gaming 101 Digest Vol. 5: Treasure

by Kurt Kalata, Kyle Kubiak, Michael Sawyer

Cult classic video game developer Treasure is behind some of the most well-regarded video games of the 1990s and 2000s, including Gunstar Heroes, Guardian Heroes, Radiant Silvergun, Ikaruga, and Sin & Punishment. This book examines their entire output, including other lesser known games like Mischief Makers, Dynamite Headdy, Stretch Panic, Rakugaki Showtime, Silhouette Mirage, Bangai-O, and Alien Soldier, as well as their multiplayer anime brawlers based on Yu Yu Hakusho and Bleach. It also examines the expanded universe of related titles that have the Treasure spirit, either by sharing development staff or using similar mechanics, including Mad Stalker, Panzer Bandit, Rapid Reload (AKA Gunners Heaven), Asuka 120% Burning Fest, Phantom Breaker, Code of Princess, and several others. This way Treasure fans can expand their knowledge beyond just the titles they’re familiar with and potentially find new games to enjoy! Finally, there are capsule reviews of 80 Japanese Saturn games, the premier console for 2D action, making this essential reading for fans of retro video game action!

Genres: Gaming

120 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2019

About the author

Kurt Kalata has been writing about video games for twenty years. In addition to founding retro game website Hardcore Gaming 101 in 2003, he previously started fan sites The Castlevania Dungeon and The Contra HQ. He has also contributed to several other websites, including 1up, Gamasutra, and Siliconera. He has edited and published over fifteen books through the Hardcore Gaming 101 website, including The Guide to Classic Graphic Adventures and The 200 Best Video Games of All Time, and has contributed to several other retro themed books, including The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers, Unseen64’s Video Games You’ll Never Play, and The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Video Games. He lives in New Jersey, USA, with his wife, daughter, and two cats.

Reviews

[I.D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine BUT it has some issues. It doesn’t cover all treasure games in depth, Some get only a tiny write up. Also, it’s padded with treasure “adjacent” games ie) inspired by or worked on by former members. Then it just randomly tosses on brief looks at 80 import Saturn games. Overall it’s an ok cliff notes book but could and should have been more in depth and detailed.