I think that the real plot of the game is that you are a Japanese pilot flying a captured, experimental, jet powered P-38. Notice the propellors never move, they are fake! You are actually flying in several different theators. Notice how the big ass plane you fight after level 3, 9 and later is pretty clearly an American B-29. The smaller bombers look like B-25 and maybe the middle ones are Lancasters. In fact, I don't think Japan had any bombers in WW2 bigger then twin engine dive bombers. Also, the ship you take off from looks a lot like a Japanese carrier to me. Well, it would be cooler if it was this way anyhow.

Also, the P-38 was used a lot in the Pacific. It was a great bomber escort until the P-51s got their extra fuel tanks. It also was very good at straffing ground tagets due to all of its guns being in the nose and pointing straight forward. Most fighters had their guns in the wings, pointing slightly in to meet at a "convergance zone" around 100-250 yards in front of the plane. Anything further away was hard to target since the bullets would be flying away at weird angles.

Huh, didn't realize it was used so much in the Pacific.

But yeah, the nose guns were big advantage over crossed wing guns.

733 900

1,847,600

yeh me

better
274 400


even better
302 700

edit for new score:
1,649,900

706,500

For me this game got way easier after downing the 3rd boss.  Once I got him down the first time went all the way to boss 7.  Wouldve most likely finished it but grabbed the wrong spec weapon right before the end of the level after having it for 4 levels straight

There has never been this many competitors for a high score challenge on here as there have been for this game, I like it, hopefully this keeps up for each challenge after this one. Its very exciting seeing all of these scores, lots of really high scores too.

Becoming "Active" only recently, I wanted to get in at the beginning instead of playing catchup later. These challenges are going to be a good way for me to actually play a game for a longer period of time. I usually get bored or frustrated, but add competition and I finally get to experience and enjoy games like when I was a kid (when you only had a couple games and mastered them all).

Yes, my heart was beating pretty fast to say the least, as I neared the end of leve 24, thought I was going to pass out.   No energy and down to the pea-shooter.  Here comes Totaku.  Yes, the hardest level on the game, there isn't even a close second.  15 is a breez compared to this one.  It took me about 20 tries to get it the first time back in September.  Then I wanted to record it, so that took about 40 MORE tries, but nowadays I think I could bat .500 on that level, just because I've played it so damn much. 

Thought I would take atleast one crack at it tonight, 2,254,800   disappointing because it was level 22, which is pretty easy for me.  I think this is the first time I've ever died on that level.  If I can get past level 15, I am money to make it to 24, but not tonight.    I accidently grabbed the wrong power up, then i got nervous and went for a power up tank  forgetting to shoot the cannon on the ship that was a centimeter away from the tank.  Point Blank, explosion. Instant death. Gameover.

I am going out of town tomorrow, so maybe Saturday I'll give it another run, after the football games.

Anyone had any success with the MAME arcade version. Personally I suck at it, but have only tried it a couple times. Seems so much like a different game. Made to eat quarters no doubt. NES Version much better! What really sucks is I don't think there is the laser shot, which is definitely a major suck-ass difference.

The last level is TOO MUCH.

2,652,700

Congrats on beating my record! Looks like there is a good chance you'll win, I'll be out of town most of this weekend. I know where I'm leaving the points on the table, I just don't have the time i'd like to do it. Maybe I'll get a run or two in. We'll see : )

Wow, that's impressive Randy. You realize you just beat the Twin Galaxies record, right?

Wow...you guys are tearing it up.

No kidding.  That needs to be recorded and submitted!

Damn Randy, that's insane! I'd better start playing again when I get home, I'm gonna be having trouble keeping up with you guys!

All I wanted to do was break 800k, and my last score was 799,500 And now that this game has rendered my hands useless I don't know how much more of it I can take!

The two scores over 2.5m are very impressive. This contest is starting off with a bang, been a good time so far and week one isnt even over.

Has anyone figured out how to get 100% damage on the Ayako planes? I can only ever get like 95% max

I did not know that.  Dang.   

I found more "hidden" stuff than I even can remember the last time going through, and felt like I got intensely lucky a number of times. 

I use the super weapon to freeze it and pump the fire button.  If it's the one(s) I'm thinking about.  Had a hard time dodging their shots, so it seemed like the best idea anyway.

^^ I can defeat the plane fine, but I can't get the full bonus for killing it... It gets shot down, but then says 90-95% damage for the bonus and I can't figure out what I'm missing

I think (not sure though) that it has to do with downing all the medium sized bombers leading up to it. The best I got was 95% and I missed one bomber leading up to the big one.

^^ Im pretty sure i always kill the enemies leading up to the plane 100% also but have the same problem on the plane, I always get 95 or 96%

Hmm, I'll probably make a few runs tonight, guess I'll have to pay more attention.

I just got 100% on that lvl 3 boss.
I think once you have all 4 engines smoking you have a limited amount of time to deal a certain amount of damage to the ship.
Once you have 4 engines smoking you have to deal a lot of damage to it fast.

To people having trouble with the lvl 3 boss, use your lightning attack when its in full range and get right up behind its engines and blast away, using another lightning when its about to wear off. If you have the SW2 you should be able to take it out in the time it takes for 3 charge shots.