GYRUSS: A FORGOTTEN CLASSIC

In the pantheon of arcade classics, “Gyruss” holds a special place for its unique blend of gameplay mechanics and its journey through the solar system. Developed by Konami and released in 1983, “Gyruss” was designed by Yoshiki Okamoto, who also created “Time Pilot” for Konami. The game was notable for its 3D tube shooter style, where players navigated a spaceship in 360 degrees to fend off incoming enemies, all set to an electronic rendition of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor. The goal was ambitious: start from Neptune and battle through waves of alien attackers across the planets until reaching Earth. Each level brought players closer to home, passing by Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars. The gameplay was a twist on the shoot 'em up genre, offering a fresh perspective quite literally with its circular, tube-like stages that wrapped around the screen. Despite its innovation and the excitement it brought to arcades, “Gyruss” has not remained as prominent in the collective memory as some of its contemporaries. Yet, for those who remember or discover it anew, “Gyruss” offers a nostalgic blast from the past and a reminder of the creativity that defined early video game development.