Game

Gyruss 1983

Developed by Konami

  • Shooter, Arcade, Action, Science fiction

Gyruss is a shoot 'em up video arcade game developed by Konami, and released in 1983. It was designed by Yoshiki Okamoto, who had earlier created Time Pilot for Konami. Gyruss was licensed to Centuri in the United States, and was ported to numerous games consoles and home computers. It follows in the tradition of space war games such as Space Invaders and Galaga. Gyruss was the second and last game Yoshiki Okamoto designed for Konami, after Time Pilot. Due to pay disputes, he was fired after the release of this game, and soon joined Capcom, where he would write 1942 and the first Street Fighter game. The game's background music is an electronic, fast-paced arrangement of J. S. Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565; this particular arrangement is similar in sound to "Toccata", a rock arrangement by the UK-based instrumentalist group Sky. Gyruss is notable for using stereo sound, which according to the bonus material for Konami Arcade Classics, was achieved by utilizing discrete audio circuits. The game used three microprocessors: two Z80 microprocessors and one 6809, as well as an 8039 microcontroller. For the sound, five AY-3-8910 PSG sound chips and a DAC. Gyruss was released in both upright and cocktail cabinets. R.Hirst "KOO", M.Jones, "BOX" and the Elliott Brother's are arguably considered some of the best Gyruss players of the 1990's.

ShooterArcadeActionScience fictionshoot 'em upspaceshipdigital distributionbonus stagesingle-screen levelcheat codekonami codedigital rights managementxbox one backwards compatibilityplanetno game pausefan translation - englishArcade, Xbox 360

Log it

Sign in to log this.

Where do you stand?

Three questions people argue about. Answer first, then see how your circle and the community split.

  • Has Gyruss aged badly?

    Sign in to answer

    Be the first to answer.

  • Is Gyruss overrated?

    Sign in to answer

    Be the first to answer.

  • Would Gyruss hit harder if it came out today rather than in 1983?

    Sign in to answer

    Be the first to answer.

Ask the title a question

Answered from the reviews and content notes on file, never made up. If nothing on file settles it, it says so.

Character

Plot-driven, earnest, spare and grave.

  • character-ledplot-driven
  • earnestironic
  • sparerichly built
  • gravecomic
  • contemplativerelentless

Who loves it, who doesn't

No profiled raters yet.