Vimana (arcade game)
Encyclopedia
is a vertical scrolling shooter, developed by Toaplan
and released by Romstar
and Tecmo in 1991 for the arcades worldwide. Vimana was unique in its combination of a Sci-Fi theme with Hindu
references.
The standard shot weapon was a spread-shot weapon capable of covering most of the screen. However, the player had to tap the fire button to fire rapidly; once the button was held down, the player would charge a stronger version of the normal shot. The player’s bomb weapon, the Circle Bomb, would encircle the player once activated and seek out enemies upon an additional tap of the bomb button.
There were a total of four Items for the player to pick up: One powered-up the player’s shot strength, one would increase their Circle Bomb stock, one would grant the player 10,000 points and the other would grant the player an extra life. Extends were awarded with every 70,000 points.
which were described as flying vessels capable of firing axes. Early in the game’s opening, the take-off sequence features the Vimana ships being energized by two statues of four-armed humans with the heads of elephants, almost identical to the Hindu God Ganesha
.
Toaplan
, sometimes written as Toa Plan, was a video game developer from Japan. They were responsible for the creation of a wide array of relatively famous scrolling shooters and arcade games, yet the company declared bankruptcy in 1994.-Games developed :...
and released by Romstar
Romstar
Romstar Inc. was a video game distribution company based in Torrance, CA that started operations in 1984. They originally started as the first American distribution arm for SNK . They were known for licensing arcade games from major makers for distribution. Among Romstar's clients include Taito,...
and Tecmo in 1991 for the arcades worldwide. Vimana was unique in its combination of a Sci-Fi theme with Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
references.
Story
In an unnamed galaxy, the inhabitants of an alien planet fought a long and horrific war caused by an accumulation of worldwide social and political insanity that resulted in the most sane and industrious of the world populous to leave the planet entirely. Now living in space colonies, the exiles are still accosted by their victors who dominate the desolated home world. The exiled inhabitants plot to win back their planet with the help of the Vimana Warriors, pilots capable of handling ancient, powerful space fighter ships.Gameplay
Players controlled the ship over a constantly scrolling background; the scenery never stopped moving until the final boss was encountered. Players had only two weapons at their disposal: the standard shot and a bomb weapon.The standard shot weapon was a spread-shot weapon capable of covering most of the screen. However, the player had to tap the fire button to fire rapidly; once the button was held down, the player would charge a stronger version of the normal shot. The player’s bomb weapon, the Circle Bomb, would encircle the player once activated and seek out enemies upon an additional tap of the bomb button.
There were a total of four Items for the player to pick up: One powered-up the player’s shot strength, one would increase their Circle Bomb stock, one would grant the player 10,000 points and the other would grant the player an extra life. Extends were awarded with every 70,000 points.
Cultural references
As implied by the name, Vimana carries a few significant cultural references into its presentation, specifically from Indian culture. The Vimana ships as well as the crescent shape of their charged shots all refer to the mythological creations of ancient Indian mythology the VimanaVimana
Vimāna is a word with several meanings ranging from temple or palace to mythological flying machines described in Sanskrit epics.-Etymology and usage:Sanskrit vi-māna literally means "measuring out, traversing" or "having been measured out"...
which were described as flying vessels capable of firing axes. Early in the game’s opening, the take-off sequence features the Vimana ships being energized by two statues of four-armed humans with the heads of elephants, almost identical to the Hindu God Ganesha
Ganesha
Ganesha , also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati , Vinayaka , and Pillaiyar , is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations...
.