Editing Bangai-O (section)

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Bangaio_screenshot.png|thumb|left|A player in the center hovers through a stage while avoiding enemy shots (Nintendo 64).]]

''Bangai-O'' is a 2D [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] [[multidirectional shooter]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/bangai-o/|title=Bangai-O|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|date=January 22, 2009|work=Hardcore Gaming 101|access-date=May 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520180741/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/bangai-o/|archive-date=May 20, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The player controls a weaponized [[Mecha|mech]] that is piloted by the two main characters, Riki and his sister Mami. The story follows Riki and Mami in their efforts to stop criminals from smuggling fruit contraband to finance their evil deeds.<ref name=":3" /> The player can fly freely around each of the game's 44 stages, and must find and destroy the [[Boss (gaming)|boss]] in each stage to advance.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/11/bakuretsu-muteki-bangaio-import|title=Bakuretsu Muteki Bangaio (Import)|last=Gantayat|first=Anoop|date=April 10, 2000|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|access-date=May 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116001743/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/11/bakuretsu-muteki-bangaio-import|archive-date=January 16, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/n64/bakuretsu_muteki_bangaioh|title=Bakuretsu Muteki Bangaioh Review|last=Watts|first=Martin|date=June 16, 2013|website=Nintendo Life|publisher=[[Gamer Network|Hookshot Media]]|access-date=May 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926134352/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/n64/bakuretsu_muteki_bangaioh|archive-date=September 26, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The mech can shoot in eight directions, and the type of ammo is dependent on which character is piloting. The two pilots can be interchanged instantaneously, Riki fires homing missiles and Mami shoots reflecting projectiles which bounce off walls.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/bakuretsu-muteki-bangaioh-import-review/1900-2544085/|title=Bakuretsu Muteki Bangaioh (Import) Review|last=Bartholow|first=Peter|date=October 7, 1999|website=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[Fandom (website)|Fandom]]|access-date=May 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520181351/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/bakuretsu-muteki-bangaioh-import-review/1900-2544085/|archive-date=May 20, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The stages are populated with destroyable buildings and obstacles, as well as some walls that are opened by switches.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> There are also hazards such as gun turrets and enemy mechs which fire projectiles at the player. The player has a health meter but no brief invulnerability period after being hit, so can die instantly if hit with a barrage of fire.<ref name=":2" /> Destroyed enemies and objects yield fruit which replenishes a meter that is used to power the "scatter bomb" attack.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.gamesdatabase.org/Media/SYSTEM/Sega_Dreamcast//Manual/formated/Bangai-O_-_2000_-_Virgin_Games,_Ltd..pdf|title=Bangai-O ''instruction manual''|publisher=Sega|year=2000|location=Dreamcast|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520180741/https://www.gamesdatabase.org/Media/SYSTEM/Sega_Dreamcast//Manual/formated/Bangai-O_-_2000_-_Virgin_Games,_Ltd..pdf|archive-date=May 20, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> This attack can be charged to release up to 100 shots scattered in all directions at once. Hitting all 100 shots on enemies will open a small portal to a shop where the player can get upgrades such as improved shot damage.<ref name=":2" />

The Dreamcast version of ''Bangai-O'', released after the initial Nintendo 64 version, features significant differences in gameplay which results in a more streamlined experience. In the Dreamcast version, the bullets are stronger, and destroying objects and enemies refills the bomb attack meter instead of fruit which now only add to the player's score. The bomb attack also can no longer be charged to a specific number of missiles, but is dependent on the player's proximity to enemy projectiles.<ref name=":0" /> In the Dreamcast version, up to 400 missiles can be shot at once in comparison to 100 on the Nintendo 64.<ref name=":7" /> Also, the shop is removed. Instead, the game includes power-ups that can be found among environment wreckage. There are also other minor differences such as scoring differences and more structure and enemy types.<ref name=":0" />