DoDonPachi
Hundreds of bullets on screen and a ship that somehow fits between them. Welcome to Cave's inferno.
Coming soon to UsuArcade
Votes to bring it to the arcade: 0
In the meantime, head into the arcade and play the cabinets that are already there
- Year
- 1997
- Manufacturer
- Cave
- Players
- 2 players at once
- Genres
- Shoot 'em ups
- Decade
- '90s arcade games
DoDonPachi was the cabinet in the back where the brave ones gathered. At first glance the screen looks impossible: fans, spirals, and curtains of glowing bullets. But your ship only takes damage at a tiny spot in the middle, and that's where the magic kicks in: threading through gaps that don't look like they exist.
Anybody who could play it well drew a crowd. You didn't need to know the game to stand there mesmerized, watching someone slip through a bullet storm with two pixels to spare.
History
Cave released DoDonPachi in 1997 as the sequel to DonPachi. It became one of the most influential games in the bullet hell (or danmaku) style, where the screen floods with projectiles but your hitbox is tiny.
Its combo system and punishing difficulty made it a classic for high-score chasers, and the series kept going with several follow-ups in the years after.
How to play
You pick one of three ships: a fast one with a focused shot, one whose shot follows your movement, and a slow one with a wide spread. You also choose whether to power up your regular shot or your laser. Tap fire for shots; hold it for a powerful laser that also slows your ship down for precise dodging.
Chain kills without leaving much time between them and the combo counter climbs, sending your score through the roof. Bombs get you out of trouble, but good players hang onto them. And if you clear the first loop while meeting some very demanding conditions, a tougher second loop kicks in, capped by a secret final boss with a legendary reputation.
Fun facts
- It's the sequel to Cave's DonPachi.
- It's one of the defining games of the bullet hell style.
- Its hidden second-loop boss is infamous among fans for its difficulty.
In the arcade
DoDonPachi isn't in the arcade yet. It's on the wish list, and you can hit “I Want to Play It” on this page to push it up the line. Coming soon to UsuArcade if the votes call for it.
Meanwhile, you can warm up in the arcade with Aero Fighters, 1943: The Battle of Midway, or Slap Fight, vertical shooters with plenty of action and fewer bullets per square inch.
Once DoDonPachi lands in the arcade, you'll be able to play it online two-player, each on your own phone or PC, in the same game.
FAQ
When did DoDonPachi come out?
1997, from Cave.
How many players is DoDonPachi?
Two players at the same time, co-op.
What is a bullet hell game?
A shooter where the screen fills with bullets but your ship only takes hits at a tiny point, so you can slip through very narrow gaps. DoDonPachi is one of the genre's defining games.
Can I play DoDonPachi on UsuArcade?
Not yet. Vote for it with “I Want to Play It,” and in the meantime play Aero Fighters in the arcade.
