DF Retro: Gunbuster vs Wolfenstein 3D - How 1992 Revolutionised The FPS

Haven't heard of Gunbuster, or Operation Gunbuster? We're not surprised. It's an arcade shooter from 1992 released mere months after Wolfenstein 3D re-architected the first-person shooter on PC. The thing is... there's a lot of commonality here in terms of presentation, movement and control with the key difference coming down to technology. Gunbuster's entire presentation is based on sprites, a dead-end technology for the FPS revolution to come but in 1992? It was the Wild West and anything was possible.

[Renk]

Good to get a glimpse of a game I’d known nothing about. Thanks for the episode! These smaller ones are a good idea.

[MadX]

It's great to have you back John. These DF Retro are something else and your work in general is definitely what I prefer about Digital Foundry. Thank you!

[whiteflare]

I always enjoy the retro looks. I had never heard of this game, but I really enjoy hearing about game history. Thanks, John and DF team.

[diehlr]

I think John hit the nail on the head in comparing the graphics technique used in this game with how the Saturn handled quads. I don’t think there was anywhere else to go with sprite based tech than to start warping textures using quads / triangles. It saved artists too much time and effort to warp their artwork in realtime rather than spend so much more time and memory to store precalculated versions taken at different angles.

[TheSurreptitiousSquirrelCabal]

Gunbuster is an evolution of Taitos first-person shooter 'Space Gun', released two years earlier in 1990. The backpedal on the cabinet was an interesting touch in which you could reverse the set and automated forward and side scrolling momentum, to slightly extend your reaction time from the oncoming alien onslaught. The cabinets mounted guns also had a pump action mechanic which were used to launch screen clearing grenades. Check it out if you are able to, one of my favourite arcade games. Simple yet very fun.

[TheKillerPingu]

I remember playing Gunbuster alot at the arcade when I was a kid. This plus Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Time Crisis, and Gunblade NY were my favourite go-to arcade games.

[SirCalalot]

Great video, John!
Even though it’s a smaller one, I don’t feel short-changed at all! It still has your trademark care and attention. (Not to mention the top-quality, un-stretched capture!)

I’d never heard of this game either until now, so I’m off to try it out.
Keep up the awesome work, mate!

[SuperPowerPainter]

This is such a gift. We don't deserve this, John!!! Another masterclass video from ya. I especially loved the Zuntata music montage. Thank you

[lenina]

Ultima Underworld and Catacomb 3-D says hello. Both 1991.

"However, Doug Church has said that John Carmack saw the game's summer 1990 software convention demo, and recalled a comment from Carmack that he could write a faster texture mapper. Paul Neurath has recounted the incident similarly, with both Carmack and Romero present."

So 1990, even. Underworld is low key one of the most influential games of all time.

[Polyhdron]

Loved this smaller video, I also never would've known about this game without it. Looking forward to the Road Rash epic too.

[unacomn]

1992 was a hell of a year for first person games. When are you folks going to cover Ultima Underworld?

[jotakux]

This was like the best idea. You guys of had a long time. Thank you for this.

[rickydo]

Every single game shown in this video looks absolutely amazing and I'm baffled I had never even heard about most of them.

I feel like arcade gaming is largely unrecognized when it comes to gaming, there's an entire universe of absolutely amazing stuff that's just obscure nowdays, thousands of hidden gems most peopl don't know, and this game is absolutely one of those gems.

[BeersYourFriend]

It's so interesting to see these old games in action and what made them so special. The peeks behind the scenes explaining a games history, comparison videos of other classics at that time, and even covering the in-game music is just top-notch. Keep the retro videos coming. Excellent video John! Cheers! 🍻

[videothumbtv]

Phenomenal work as always, love the smaller focused format in between bigger projects, just the right amount of info and entertainment. Nobody does it better

[Rationalific]

I love DF Retro! It's very apparent that you (John) have a real passion for what you cover. Even with that medley of songs that you thought we had to "survive", we can tell that you love some things so much that you feel you need to share them (which I'm all for!). I was around when Gunbuster came out, but it's a new game to me. Thanks for shedding light on all of this fascinating info!

[ring]

Short videos, long videos, multi-episode series. All are welcomed in this house, John! Whatever you can produce and fits you schedule, we appreciate it! I'm honestly really hyped about the Road Rash video(s) I may finally see Road Rash 64 and Road Redemption (if you talk about modern successors) getting some time in the spotlight!

[SneakyFox]

Witnessing the technological and design methods to implement concepts we take for granted today is always a fascinating time - even more so when you guys do it!

Also, I may need to go to a Taito music deep dive soon...

[CarterDotson]

I played this at Galloping Ghost and was amazed at how advanced it was for 1992!

[baldinggrey]

I loved that you included that Night Boat clip, classic Simpsons is such a gem