15. B-Wings (Data East, Famicom, 1986)

B-Wings is a Famicom port of a vertically scrolling shooter that was originally an arcade title from Data East.

For a game that has the above description, and especially given that it came out in 1986, B-Wings turns out to be more fun that I would have anticipated.

The main conceit of the game is that your plane's wings are your special weapon and can be ejected at will (usually in order to pick up a new weapon). Stages are fairly short and I was able to clear the first without getting hit. 8D

The different wing options are actually fairly interesting to someone familiar with scrolling shooters, as there are about 8 types and each is pretty different (a nice departure from yesterday's Burai Fighter). My favorite is the oddly named Van, which has 6 wide shots fire around the front and sides of your ship. The shots are basically like a small shield, as they do not travel very far, but it made for a fun change in playstyles compared to longer range weaponry.

Interesting shot patterns aside, the game does not have much going for it. Stages look very similar and there are not a huge variety of enemy types or patterns. The game is not terribly difficult and it gives you the option of continuing form any stage, but I don't have the drive to play through more than a few of the 30 levels here.

3/5, a mildly impressive shooter (for 1986)