DonPachi (Arcade) (July 27 - August 2, 2026)

PlayRetroGamesClubBot

Welcome to Game of the Week, where we play a short, random game each week and discuss it.

This week's Game of the Week is DonPachi!

DonPachi

What is it?
DonPachi is a 1995 vertical manic shoot-'em-up originally in arcades and was the first game from the developer Cave. Settings are mainly woodland and enemies are military vehicles and robots, culminating in the final boss, a huge robotic bee. One of three weapon configurations is chosen at start and then leveled up through dropped power-ups. DonPachi was ported to the Sega Saturn and Sony Playstation in 1996.

System - Arcade
HLTB - 0.8h
RetroAchievements - https://retroachievements.org/game/12814
Guide - https://www.ign.com/games/donpachi

PopeKehoeIII

Not quite as good as DoDonPachi (the second one) or some of the other later CAVE shmups but still a solid solid experience!

Taco

I can't wait until we get some psykio shooters and their ridiculous stories. Samurai aces, strikers and gunbird!

Salmon

Taco I have no experience with Psikyo outside of Cannon Spike on the Dreamcast, but if their shooters are anywhere near as good as that game is then I’m sure I’ll love it. Also, Cannon Spike for GotW, Joey make it happen!