DonPachi

From Sega Retro

n/a

DonPachi title.png

DonPachi
System(s): Sega Saturn
Publisher: Atlus
Developer:
Genre: Shoot-'em-Up

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code

DonPachi (首領蜂) is a "bullet hell" shooter developed by Cave and released in arcades in November 1995. It was subsequently brought to the Sega Saturn in the following year. It is the first in the DonPachi series and was not released outside of Japan. The name roughly translates to "leader bee".

DonPachi is often credited for popularising the "bullet hell" shoot-'em-up sub-genre, which has the player constantly focus on enemy and bullet patterns, attempting not to be killed. As the enemies in DonPachi often fire huge amounts of bullets in all sorts of directions, it requires a lot of memorisation and skill in order to complete.

DonPachi was followed by DoDonPachi, which saw a Sega Saturn release in 1997.

Promotional Material

Physical Scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
67
70
Sega Saturn
69
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
73
[1]
MAN!AC (DE) NTSC-J
67
[2]
Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-J
32
[3]
neXt Level (DE) NTSC-J
70
[4]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
68
[5]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
50
[6]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
71
[7]
Video Games (DE) NTSC-J
58
[8]
Sega Saturn
61
Based on
8 reviews

DonPachi

Saturn, JP
DonPachi Saturn JP Box Back.jpgDonPachi Saturn JP Box Front.jpg
Cover