Point Blank (arcade game)
Encyclopedia
Point Blank is a shooting game series by Namco
for the Arcade
, PlayStation and Nintendo DS
. It was originally a trilogy first made by Namco
since 1994, later Namco created two ports for the PlayStation and the Nintendo DS
called Point Blank DS were later developed and released in 1997 and 2006 respectively. It was the first light-gun game released by Namco.
(or in the case of the DS, a pen
) to hit targets onscreen. Missions require speed, quick judgment or pinpoint accuracy.
The game consists of non-violent, all ages, shooting contests like shooting targets (and avoiding bombs and civilians), shooting cardboard targets, shooting the target of player color, protecting the iconic Dr. Don and Dr. Dan, and other miscellaneous challenges, similar to the other games Police Trainer and Area 51: Site 4.
The player chooses the desired difficulty level which will determine how many stages must be finished to complete the game in order to finish (including Practice, Beginner, Advanced and Very Hard), as well as their overall difficulty. Players are shown four missions in each grouping, and may attempt them in any order. Players have only three lives for the entire game, depending on the arcade settings. Most stages have unlimited bullets, but some stages have a limited amount of ammo.
Players can lose lives by:
They are the list of types on each stages:
mode titled Quest. This game was re-created in 1999 as Point Blank 2, adding more mini-stages and replacing Very Hard with Insane. This game was once again re-created in 2001 as Point Blank 3, only released for the arcades in Japan and for the PlayStation worldwide.
At the 2006 Game Developers Conference
in San Jose
, CA
a Nintendo DS
port of the game was announced. The console's stylus and touch screen is used in place of the light gun. The finished game was released in North America on June 13, 2006, two days after the North American release of the Nintendo DS Lite
.
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
for the Arcade
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
, PlayStation and Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
. It was originally a trilogy first made by Namco
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
since 1994, later Namco created two ports for the PlayStation and the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
called Point Blank DS were later developed and released in 1997 and 2006 respectively. It was the first light-gun game released by Namco.
Gameplay
Players use an attached light gunLight gun
A light gun is a pointing device for computers and a control device for arcade and video games.Modern screen-based light guns work by building a sensor into the gun itself, and the on-screen target emit light rather than the gun...
(or in the case of the DS, a pen
Stylus (computing)
In computing, a stylus is a small pen-shaped instrument that is used to input commands to a computer screen, mobile device or graphics tablet...
) to hit targets onscreen. Missions require speed, quick judgment or pinpoint accuracy.
The game consists of non-violent, all ages, shooting contests like shooting targets (and avoiding bombs and civilians), shooting cardboard targets, shooting the target of player color, protecting the iconic Dr. Don and Dr. Dan, and other miscellaneous challenges, similar to the other games Police Trainer and Area 51: Site 4.
The player chooses the desired difficulty level which will determine how many stages must be finished to complete the game in order to finish (including Practice, Beginner, Advanced and Very Hard), as well as their overall difficulty. Players are shown four missions in each grouping, and may attempt them in any order. Players have only three lives for the entire game, depending on the arcade settings. Most stages have unlimited bullets, but some stages have a limited amount of ammo.
Players can lose lives by:
- Failing to complete a quota in the time limit.
- Shooting a bomb.
- Letting Dr. Dan and/or Dr. Don die in any mission where the player must protect them.
- Incorrectly answering questions by shooting wrong answers.
- Shooting a cardboard civilian.
- Shooting cardboard geisha girls.
- Shooting the opposite targets.
- Having less points after completing a stage.
- Failing to complete a quota and any 1-life penalty that loses multiple lives.
- Letting the meteors destroy Earth.
- Having run out of bullets in some stages.
- Shooting incorrect differences.
- Letting the aliens steal slots.
- and more.
They are the list of types on each stages:
- Accuracy - In this type, players must shoot the designated area with the highest points.
- Intellegence - Players must count to 16 by shooting the numbers.
- Memory - Players must match two cards by shooting two matching cards except different cards.
- Simulation - In this type, players will be able to shoot bad guys but not cardboard civilians. In the Japanese theme of this type, players can shoot ninjas but not geishas.
- Visual Acuity - This type is different, just to shoot one of the matching targets
- Speed - This type allows players to shoot their own color (depending players play from left or right).
Games
- Point Blank/ (1994) (Arcade, PlayStation)
- Point Blank 2/ (1999) (PlayStation) (arcade)
- Ghoul Panic/Oh! Bakyuun (1999) (Arcade) - A spin-off title featuring a haunted house theme and 3D graphics.
- Point Blank 3/ (2000) (Arcade, PlayStation)
- Point Blank DS/Gun Bullet Trainer/Gun Bullet DS (2006) (Nintendo DSNintendo DSThe is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
)
Development
Point Blank was originally created for the arcades in 1994 but a console version was later for the PlayStation in 1997, this version included an arrange mode which added an alternate version of Arcade mode, as well as adding many gameplay modes alongside an RPGRole-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
mode titled Quest. This game was re-created in 1999 as Point Blank 2, adding more mini-stages and replacing Very Hard with Insane. This game was once again re-created in 2001 as Point Blank 3, only released for the arcades in Japan and for the PlayStation worldwide.
At the 2006 Game Developers Conference
Game Developers Conference
The Game Developers Conference is the largest annual gathering of professional video game developers, focusing on learning, inspiration, and networking...
in San Jose
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, CA
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
a Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
port of the game was announced. The console's stylus and touch screen is used in place of the light gun. The finished game was released in North America on June 13, 2006, two days after the North American release of the Nintendo DS Lite
Nintendo DS Lite
The is a dual-screen handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It is a slimmer, brighter, and more lightweight redesign of the Nintendo DS, designed to be aesthetically sleeker, while taking styling cues from the Game Boy Advance SP, and to appeal to broader commercial audiences...
.
Reception
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine called characters Dr. Dan and Dr. Don an underrated "dynamic duo".External links
- Official site (Japanese)
- GameSpot coverage of Point Blank