The Great Battle V

The Great Battle V

Introduction

Released in the twilight years of the 16-bit era, The Great Battle V stands as one of the most unique and polished entries in Banpresto's long-running Compati Hero Series. Also known by many fans as The Great Battle 5, this title marked a significant departure from its predecessors. While the earlier games in the series primarily focused on side-scrolling platforming and beat-'em-up mechanics, this fifth installment decided to shake up the formula by blending traditional action with intense, gallery-style shooting. As a crossover title featuring some of Japan's most iconic franchises—Ultraman, Kamen Rider, and Gundam—it offered a high-energy experience that capitalized on the hardware capabilities of the time. Whether you refer to it as Great Battle V or its full title, the game remains a cult classic for fans of Japanese pop culture and retro shooters alike.

Story & Setting

The narrative of The Great Battle V transports our familiar heroes to a setting rarely explored in the Compati Hero universe: a futuristic Wild West. The story unfolds on Planet Garcia, a world that looks like a colonial frontier but is inhabited by high-tech outlaws and mechanical menaces. The peace of the planet is shattered by a group of villains known as the "Zabi Alliance," forcing the legendary heroes to step in.

Unlike previous entries where the setting was a mishmash of various tokusatsu and anime worlds, the space-western aesthetic is cohesive and pervasive here. Players take control of a dream team consisting of Ultraman Powered, Kamen Rider Black RX, and God Gundam. They are joined by a series-original character named Fighter Roar. Together, they must trek across dusty canyons, steam-powered trains, and high-tech saloons to put an end to the galactic criminal uprising. The setting provides a refreshing backdrop that allows for creative enemy designs, merging classic western tropes with sci-fi flair.

Gameplay

Gameplay in The Great Battle V is characterized by its hybrid nature. The game is heavily inspired by Natsume’s cult classic Wild Guns, utilizing a 2.5D shooting gallery perspective for many of its encounters. Players move their character horizontally along the bottom of the screen while simultaneously controlling a targeting reticle to blast enemies in the background.

Each of the four playable characters possesses unique attributes and weaponry. God Gundam focuses on heavy firepower, Ultraman Powered utilizes energy beams, Kamen Rider Black RX balances speed and offense, and Fighter Roar offers a versatile moveset. Beyond the shooting mechanics, the game incorporates melee attacks for close-range combat and a dodge-roll mechanic essential for avoiding the screen-filling projectiles of giant bosses.

The game also features cooperative play, allowing two players to tackle the frontier together. The level design often shifts between standard side-scrolling movement and fixed-camera shooting segments, keeping the pace brisk. Power-ups collected throughout the stages can upgrade weapons or provide devastating special attacks that clear the screen, making the combat feel impactful and rewarding.

Platforms

This game was released exclusively in Japan for the Super Famicom, though it has gained a following worldwide through the import market and fan translations.

Legacy

Within the Compati Hero Series, The Great Battle V is often cited as a high point for its production values and experimental gameplay. It represents a time when Banpresto was willing to take risks with their established IPs to provide something more than just a standard licensed product. The shift to a shooting-gallery style was highly praised by fans who found the traditional platforming of previous titles to be growing stagnant.

Historically, the game is also significant for being one of the final major "Great Battle" titles on the Super Famicom. While the series continued on other platforms, the charm of the 16-bit pixel art found here is often considered the definitive look for the SD (Super Deformed) versions of these heroes. Today, it is a sought-after title for collectors of Super Famicom games due to its unique gameplay and the rarity of seeing Gundam and Ultraman in a Western-themed setting.

Fun Facts

  • The game’s heavy resemblance to Wild Guns is no coincidence; several staff members who worked on Natsume's shooter were involved in the development of this title, ensuring the shooting mechanics felt authentic and polished.
  • Fighter Roar, the original character introduced in the series, became popular enough to reappear in later Banpresto titles, including the Super Robot Wars series.
  • Unlike the darker, more serious tones of the individual anime and tokusatsu shows it draws from, this game embraces the "chibi" art style, giving the characters a cute but heroic appearance.
  • Despite being part of a large series, it is one of the few that does not require knowledge of the previous four games to enjoy, as it stands almost entirely as its own self-contained adventure.

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