Vulgus
Encyclopedia
is a vertically scrolling shooter developed and published by Capcom
in Japan
in 1984, and was later released in North America
by SNK
the same year. The word "Vulgus" comes fom Latin
and means "common people", people of lower layers of society. The game has the distinction of being Capcom
's debut video or arcade game. The game is also included in Capcom Classics Collection
and is now available as freeware
.
titled Titan Warriors, featuring new music and several new features, but was ultimately unreleased.
Vulgus is available in the compilation title Capcom Generation 3 for the Sony
PlayStation
and Sega Saturn
. The game was also included in the 2005 Capcom Classics Collection
for the Sony PlayStation 2
and Microsoft
's Xbox
and in Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded for the PlayStation Portable
.
In 2001, Capcom released Vulgus as freeware for IBM PCs and PDAs. The port was done by Hanaho
, makers of the Hotrod joystick.
Captain Commando duly notes Vulgus' position in gaming history as Capcom's first game in one of his Marvel vs. Capcom
win quote
s. Deadpool also states in Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds
for a win quote that he'll continue petitioning Capcom for Vulgus 2.
The Pow icon is re-used in many other Capcom
games, like 1941: Counter Attack
, Bionic Commando
, and Exed Exes
. Likewise, the Yashichi enemy has made later appearances in many Capcom games, usually in a more benign role as a power-up. Valgas, a boss character from Power Stone
series, has his name based on this game.
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in 1984, and was later released in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
by SNK
SNK Playmore
SNK Playmore Corporation is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. SNK is an acronym of , which was SNK's original name. The company's legal and trading name became SNK in 1986....
the same year. The word "Vulgus" comes fom Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and means "common people", people of lower layers of society. The game has the distinction of being Capcom
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
's debut video or arcade game. The game is also included in Capcom Classics Collection
Capcom Classics Collection
Capcom Classics Collection is a compilation of arcade games released by Capcom for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox on September 27, 2005. It was developed by Digital Eclipse Software . A second volume, Capcom Classics Collection Vol...
and is now available as freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
.
Gameplay
The player controls a spaceship with a single objective: destroy incoming enemies. The vessel has two different weapons: a primary weapon with infinite ammo and a limited supply of bombs. By picking up the "Pow" icons, which sporadically appear throughout the levels, the player can replenish supplies. In contrast to most other titles of this genre, the game does not have distinctive levels. Instead, the background alternates between the surface of a planet and a space field. The game repeats with increased difficulty until the player has lost three lives. Thus the game can be considered, in terms of gameplay, somewhere between a fixed shooter and a scrolling shooter. Because the player's ship is destroyed if hit only once and there are no continues available, it is generally a better strategy to avoid enemies than to try destroying them.Ports and related releases
A fully complete quasi-sequel/port was made for the Nintendo Entertainment SystemNintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
titled Titan Warriors, featuring new music and several new features, but was ultimately unreleased.
Vulgus is available in the compilation title Capcom Generation 3 for the Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
and Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
. The game was also included in the 2005 Capcom Classics Collection
Capcom Classics Collection
Capcom Classics Collection is a compilation of arcade games released by Capcom for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox on September 27, 2005. It was developed by Digital Eclipse Software . A second volume, Capcom Classics Collection Vol...
for the Sony PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
's Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
and in Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded for the PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
.
In 2001, Capcom released Vulgus as freeware for IBM PCs and PDAs. The port was done by Hanaho
Hanaho
HanaHo Games Inc, is a division of Semco/PVG, services the commercial coin-op industry with custom built arcade cabinets, cutting edge games designs, and coin-op redemption units. Company started by Tony Hanna and Conway Ho...
, makers of the Hotrod joystick.
Captain Commando duly notes Vulgus' position in gaming history as Capcom's first game in one of his Marvel vs. Capcom
Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
is the fifth Marvel Comics-licensed fighting game by Capcom and the third game in the Marvel vs. Capcom series. In contrast to X-Men vs. Street Fighter and Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter, the game features characters from numerous Capcom franchises such as Mega Man and Strider, rather than...
win quote
Win quote
A win quote is a phrase spoken by a fighting game character after defeating an opponent. In older games such as Fatal Fury and traditionally in 2D fighting games such as Capcom vs...
s. Deadpool also states in Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds
Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds
is a crossover fighting game developed by Capcom. It features Capcom's own characters and characters from American comic book company Marvel Comics. It is the fifth installment of the Marvel vs...
for a win quote that he'll continue petitioning Capcom for Vulgus 2.
The Pow icon is re-used in many other Capcom
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
games, like 1941: Counter Attack
1941: Counter Attack
1941: Counter Attack is an arcade game in the "vertical scrolling shooter" genre made by Capcom in 1990. It was also released on Capcom Classics Collection Remixed for the PSP and Capcom Classics Collection Vol. 2 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox....
, Bionic Commando
Bionic Commando
Bionic Commando may refer to the following video games:* Bionic Commando , the original arcade game released in 1987* Bionic Commando , a 1988 NES video game, partly based on the arcade game...
, and Exed Exes
Exed Exes
is an arcade game that was released in 1985 by Capcom. It is a vertically-oriented scrolling shooter. It was originally released in North America as Savage Bees by Memetron ....
. Likewise, the Yashichi enemy has made later appearances in many Capcom games, usually in a more benign role as a power-up. Valgas, a boss character from Power Stone
Power Stone
Power Stone is a fully 3D arena fighting game series made by Capcom. Power Stone was initially released on the Sega NAOMI hardware and later ported to the Dreamcast...
series, has his name based on this game.