Overall Impressions
I dove into Rival Megagun expecting a fast-paced shoot ’em up. Developer RJ Arcade and publisher KOMODO delivered a solid niche experience. The split-screen battles feel fresh. Transforming into a giant boss ship creates intense face-offs. The core loop of chaining, dodging, and unleashing special attacks kept me hooked. Yet the game’s simplicity may leave veterans wanting more depth. As a completionist, I appreciated its clear goals and tight design. I also spotted areas where seasoned shmup players might look elsewhere.
Gameplay Mechanics
Rival Megagun tests two skills: chaining and dodging. You earn score by defeating enemies in succession. Break your chain and you bank energy, spawning drones on your rival’s screen. Get hit and you lose energy. Managing that risk–reward dynamic struck me as engaging. My standout moment came when I chained hundreds of enemies, then unleashed a mega ship boss right on my opponent’s side.
What works
The enemy feed system in the game functions impressively well. Foes are consistently delivered at a pace that keeps the action moving, even when chaining slows down. I rarely experienced lulls or moments of waiting for targets, which maintained a satisfying rhythm throughout play. Character variety is another standout. The game features seven distinct pilots, each offering unique shot patterns, special abilities, and even personalized bosses. One particularly memorable moment was discovering Dr. Magic’s powerful special attack—it left a strong impression with its stunning impact, though his narrow shot spread posed a real challenge for maintaining effective chains. Online play also deserves praise. The netcode held up well across numerous matches, with low input delay in most cases. Even when facing opponents from different continents, lag was minimal. The only exception came when I took control of a boss character, where input delay noticeably increased.
What falls flat
Despite its strengths, the game stumbles in a few areas. The optional “Gear” system, which lets players customize loadouts, can sometimes disrupt competitive balance. In multiplayer, I found it best to disable Gear entirely for fairer matches. Additionally, the game suffers from occasional bugs tied to boss control during online play. Sometimes, when entering boss form, the character would freeze or become unresponsive. Given how pivotal boss battles can be, this bug has the potential to determine match outcomes unfairly. Lastly, the game’s meta layer feels shallow. While the core action and visual intensity are compelling, the broader strategic mechanics lack depth. There are no systems in place for nuanced decisions like boss counters or resource management, which leaves the strategy feeling one-dimensional—primarily about overwhelming the screen rather than outsmarting the opponent.
Story and Characters
The narrative in Rival Megagun embraces its own silliness. Characters feel deliberately one-dimensional. Their banter made me smile, but I never felt invested in their arcs. A few jokes at their expense land well, reminding me not to take the story too seriously. In a shmup, plot rarely matters, and here it doesn’t hinder the action. As a completionist, I sought every bit of lore in arcade mode. Unlocking the seventh character rewarded my persistence, but I never craved more backstory.
Visuals and Graphics
Rival Megagun adopts a colorful pixel art style. It fits the arcade shmup vibe. I found the backgrounds clean and bright, though sometimes too busy. Early on, enemy bullets blended into your shots. Thankfully a patch added bullet-visibility options. You can now tint bullets distinctly, improving readability. Boss sprites pop against the field, and I enjoyed watching my opponents squirm under pressure. Though the character portraits feel flat, the in-game visuals deliver the action clearly.
Sound and Music
The soundtrack lives up to shmup expectations. It pumps along without overstaying its welcome. I tapped my foot to the driving beats, but I wouldn’t call the music unforgettable. Sound effects feel crisp. Each weapon, drone spawn, and explosion evokes arcade nostalgia. No voice acting appears, and that suits this style. Overall, the audio blends into the background, supporting gameplay without demanding attention.
Difficulty and Replayability
Rival Megagun caters to a wide skill range. Single-player arcade mode offers multiple difficulty levels. The normal mode balanced challenge and flow. Very Hard requires boss-first survival rounds, which feel repetitive after several hours. In PvP, I faced both rookies and veterans. The simple rules make it easy to teach friends. I spent many sessions chasing combos and leaderboard spots.
Replay factors
One of the game’s strongest drivers of replayability is character mastery. Each pilot offers a unique playstyle, encouraging players to unlock and fully understand their distinct abilities. This variety not only keeps gameplay fresh but also rewards experimentation, making each session feel different depending on the pilot chosen. Mastery becomes a goal in itself, urging players to return repeatedly.
Another major factor is the game’s vibrant online tournament scene. With a dedicated community that gathers weekly in Japan and beyond, the competitive ecosystem has proven both active and resilient. The consistency and enthusiasm of these events speak to the game’s enduring appeal and the strong bonds formed among players across regions.
Finally, the score attack mode adds a compelling single-player hook. The chaining mechanics and point optimization systems challenge players to continually improve their performance. The lure of beating personal bests and climbing leaderboards keeps me coming back, even outside of online competition.
Despite its narrow meta, Rival Megagun remains addictive for completionists. However, genre veterans accustomed to Phantasmagoria: Flower View, Twinkle Star Sprites, or Change Air Blade might feel this game sits below those classics.
Developer Trivia
Rival Megagun has an intriguing origin story, having started as a homebrew project for the Sharp X68000 by developer RJ Arcade. This retro foundation gives the game a distinct flavor, blending classic shoot-’em-up sensibilities with modern competitive mechanics. Its evolution from a passion project to a full-fledged title on contemporary platforms is a testament to the developers’ dedication and vision.
Community engagement has played a key role in shaping the game’s features. One notable example is the addition of bullet tinting, which was implemented in response to player feedback. This small but meaningful change improves visual clarity during chaotic moments, demonstrating the developers’ willingness to refine the experience based on real-world play.
Further supporting the game’s cult status is its enduring competitive scene. A small, passionate international group continues to host tournaments every Saturday at 9 p.m. JST on Discord. Their consistency and enthusiasm over time reinforce Rival Megagun’s reputation as a hidden gem, cherished by a dedicated corner of the shoot-’em-up community.
Final Thoughts
Rival Megagun earns a solid recommendation as an entry-level versus shmup. It shines in chaining mechanics, character unlocks, and reliable netcode. The Gear system and occasional boss controls can frustrate, but patches continue to improve the experience. If you seek a forgiving yet rewarding duel shooter, this game fits perfectly. Veterans of the genre may skip it, but I found it a fun gateway to deeper shmup battles.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
As a completionist, I applaud RJ Arcade’s focus on clear goals and steady progression. Rival Megagun may not redefine the genre, but it offers a polished, accessible split-screen experience. Pick it up on sale, join the discord, and claim every unlockable.
