Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Chō Aniki plays like a classic horizontal shoot ’em up, placing you firmly in the cockpit of divine avatars Idaten or Benten as they take to the skies in a bid to thwart Bo-tei Bill’s protein-fueled invasion. Controls are straightforward: move in eight directions, unleash your primary fire, and collect the onscreen power-ups that enhance your shots, deploy ancillary helpers, or replenish your life bar. Veteran shmup players will feel right at home, while newcomers can choose from three difficulty settings to tailor the challenge.

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Where Chō Aniki truly shines is in the variety of power-up companions—tiny flying babies, buffed-up bodybuilders Samson and Adon, and more—each altering your firing patterns in unexpected ways. Experimenting with different combinations creates a satisfying layer of strategy, as certain options clear out waves of small foes while others are better suited to dealing heavy damage to oversized bosses. The learning curve is gentle at first but ramps up sharply in later levels, rewarding precision movement and smart use of your limited lives.

Enemy patterns range from simple linear volleys to unpredictable bullet-hell barrages, making memorization and quick reflexes key to progression. Boss fights at the end of each stage let you test newly acquired skills against colossal, muscle-bound monstrosities fused with machinery. Their attack rhythms and weak points encourage repeated attempts, lending the game a nostalgic replay value.

Overall, the gameplay loop—collect power-ups, dodge projectiles, destroy formidable foes—stays engaging from start to finish. While some levels may feel formulaic, the unique aesthetic and bizarre character options keep each stage fresh. Fans of arcade-style shooters looking for a short yet memorable experience will appreciate Chō Aniki’s balance of accessibility and growing difficulty.

Graphics

Graphically, Chō Aniki embraces a colorful, somewhat cheeky art style reminiscent of early ’90s console shooters. Backgrounds are richly detailed, ranging from industrial protein factories to alien landscapes adorned with floating machinery. Despite the hardware limitations of the original platform, sprites are well-animated and convey a surprising amount of personality—especially when those brawny bodybuilders take flight.

Character designs walk the line between comedic and bizarre. Playable avatars Idaten and Benten sport divine iconography that nods to their mythological roots, while their minions—babies with propellers and laser-shooting muscle men—are intentionally absurd. Enemy sprites maintain this tongue-in-cheek tone, featuring half-man, half-machine hybrids that ooze both creativity and camp. The result is a visual presentation that doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet demonstrates careful attention to sprite work and animation frames.

Color palettes vary widely from stage to stage, preventing visual fatigue as you progress. Explosive effects and power-up glows pop against darker backgrounds, helping you track onscreen action even during the most chaotic sequences. Occasional screen flicker on higher difficulty settings reminds you of the original hardware’s constraints, but it rarely interferes with the core experience.

Overall, Chō Aniki’s graphics may not match mainstream shooters of its era in technical polish, but its bold aesthetic choices and fluid animations give it a distinct identity. Those drawn to whimsical or unconventional art styles will find much to admire here.

Story

In Chō Aniki’s delightfully offbeat narrative, the formidable bodybuilder Bo-tei Bill has depleted his protein reserves after clinching ten consecutive titles in the Great Galaxy Bodybuilding contest. Faced with starvation of his bodybuilding empire, he embarks on a galactic conquest to siphon protein from other planets. The heavens respond by dispatching the god Idaten and goddess Benten—Japanese incarnations of the Hindu deities Skandha and Saraswati—to halt Bill’s protein-driven aggression.

While the story itself is minimalistic and primarily conveyed through brief cutscenes, it serves as the perfect excuse for the game’s over-the-top visuals and its army of buffed enemies. There’s a tongue-in-cheek charm to the notion that cosmic bodybuilding rivalries drive an interstellar war, and this absurd premise underpins every level’s design and enemy roster.

Character dialogue and plot beats are sparse, typically materializing only in stage intros or endings. This keeps the focus squarely on frantic gameplay, but dedicated players can still appreciate the quirky humor woven into each scenario. The narrative doesn’t demand deep engagement; instead, it provides a playful backdrop that elevates the shooter framework into something memorably oddball.

Ultimately, the story of Chō Aniki won’t win literary awards, but that’s entirely part of its appeal. Its campy setup and mythological tie-ins give players a sense of whimsical purpose as they blast through increasingly muscular opposition.

Overall Experience

Chō Aniki stands out in the crowded shoot ’em up genre by marrying classic side-scroll mechanics with a delightfully absurd bodybuilding motif. Every stage feels like a tongue-in-cheek homage to both arcade shooters and the world of competitive bodybuilding, resulting in a package that’s as entertaining to watch as it is to play. The choice of two playable characters with distinct fire modes adds a layer of replayability, while three difficulty levels ensure that both casual and hardcore players can find their sweet spot.

The game’s pacing is brisk, clocking in at a length that rewards sustained attention without overstaying its welcome. Checkpoints and extra life power-ups are distributed thoughtfully, striking a balance between challenge and fairness. Seasoned shmup veterans will appreciate the bullet-hell sequences in later levels, while newcomers can grind easier modes to learn stage layouts and power-up placements.

Audio complements the on-screen action with upbeat, synthesized tunes that range from heroic fanfares to funky background loops. Sound effects—gunshots, explosions, and even the occasional grunt—add weight to every collision, reinforcing the game’s quirky personality. Though no orchestral bombast is present, the soundtrack perfectly encapsulates early-’90s console charm.

For those seeking a shooter that breaks the mold through sheer eccentricity, Chō Aniki delivers. Its unique theme, solid gameplay foundations, and memorable presentation combine into an experience that’s hard to find elsewhere. If you’re intrigued by bizarre premises and enjoy fast-paced action, this cult classic is well worth exploring.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10