Developers CAVE Interactive and M2 announced that the classic bullet hell shoot ’em up will return as an all-new collection titled DoDonPachi Blissful Death Re:Incarnation! Revealed during the developer live stream by M2, the game will feature both the original release version of Blissful Death and the alternate Black Label version of the game in a two-for-one package.
Previously announced under the tentative title “DoDonPachi Blissful Death M2 ShotTriggers Edition” back in late 2022, the game is planned to release on December 7 in Japan, priced at JPY$7,480 for the physical version, while the digital version will cost JPY$4,950.
The DoDonPachi Blissful Death Re:Incarnation collection will include modern changes to the original including the M2 Gadget HUD layout found in all recent shoot ’em up titles rereleased by the developer. The layout elements display minute details such as shot levels, current player rankings, boss HPs, and more on both sides of the game screen.
Re:Incarnation also adds several extra modes primarily useful for newcomers to the series. This includes the Super Easy Mode difficulty and the Arcade Challenge/Arcade Rundown modes that allow players to practice difficult bullet patterns found throughout the stages of the campaign!
As mentioned above, Re:Incarnation also includes the upgraded and remixed version of the original game titled DoDonPachi Blissful Death Black Label. This edition of the arcade board includes a relatively toned-down difficulty slope in general compared to the original release of Blissful Death. Black Label also features a separate campaign that can be beaten in one cycle, in comparison to the original which requires at least two full playthroughs.
▍About DoDonPachi Blissful Death
Originally released as DoDonPachi DaiOuJou, DoDonPachi Blissful Death is the fourth installment in the Donpachi series. Developed by Cave for arcades and released on April 5, 2022, the game would also see later ports on the PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and iOS down the line.
Perhaps most well known for its brutal difficulty, Blissful Death introduced the Hyper system, in which racking up combos and attacking enemies at close range would build up a hyper meter that would cause power-up drops to begin falling. Picking them up would allow players to go into the hyper state, which, when activated, canceled all on-screen bullets and dramatically increased the firepower of the character’s shot and laser.
A separate Special Edition box containing exclusive packaging featuring artwork by series illustrator Junya Inoue, a developer interview materials collection booklet, an arcade instruction card reprints, a 25x25mm Hyper Item pin badge, and the official soundtrack CD converted to stereo sounds by composer Manabu Namiki, will all be available for JPY$10,780.
Early adopters of DoDonPachi Blissful Death Re:Incarnation can pick up a 24-page walkthrough booklet that contains art and a detailed guide on beating the first campaign on arcade mode! The booklet is offered only for the physical copy of the game.
▍DoDonPachi Blissful Death Re:Incarnation Special Edition
A separate Special Edition box containing exclusive packaging featuring artwork by series illustrator Junya Inoue, a developer interview materials collection booklet, an arcade instruction card reprints, a 25x25mm Hyper Item pin badge, and the official soundtrack CD converted to stereo sounds by composer Manabu Namiki, will all be available for JPY$10,780.
Early adopters of DoDonPachi Blissful Death Re:Incarnation can pick up a 24-page walkthrough booklet that contains art and a detailed guide on beating the first campaign on arcade mode! The booklet is offered only for the physical copy of the game.
▍M2STG Special Live Stream #6
