Keio Flying Squadron Video Game Series
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Rami_Nana-Hikari_from_Keio_Flying_Squadron.jpg
Comprising of three separate games, the Keio Flying Squadron series of games (known as "Keio Yuugekitai" in Japan) were released for the Sega CD (Mega CD in Japan) console, Sega Saturn console, and Sony Playstation console in chronological order respectively. Developed and published by Victor Entertainment, Inc., each game was primarily a different genre - 2D shooter, platformer, and "party"\dice game. Players assumed the role of Rami Nana-Hikari, a young 14-year-old girl and newly appointed Keeper of the Secret Treasure.
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Games
- Keio Yuugekitai (慶応遊撃隊)\ Keio Flying Squadron (1994 - Sega CD \ Sega Mega CD - Released in Europe, Japan and the United States)
- Keio Yuugekitai Katsugekihen (慶応遊撃隊 活劇編)\ Keio Flying Squadron 2 (1996 - Sega Saturn - Released in Europe and Japan)
- Keio Yuugekitai Okiraku Tamatebako (慶応遊撃隊 お気楽玉手箱)\ Keio Yuugekitai Katsugekihen (1996 - Sega Saturn - Released in Europe and Japan)
- Rami-chan no Oedo Sugoroku -Keio Yuugekitai Gaiden- (蘭未ちゃんの大江戸すごろく慶応遊撃隊外伝) (1998 - Sony Playstation - Released in Japan)
Keio Flying Squadron \ Keio Yuugekitai
Released in 1994, this game started it all with a simple shoot-'em-up style of game. While being a frenetic game, it was considered to be too hard by casual and hardcore gamers as well.
Keio Flying Squadron 2 \ Keio Yuugekitai Katsugekihen
Regarded as possibly the best in the series, if not a little less popular than the first game, Keio Flying Squadron 2 was released in Japan and Europe only. It is often critically regarded as a fantastic example of Sega Saturn platform games and is generally considered the highest-acclaimed game to have come out of the Keio Flying Squadron series. In it, the story of Rami's adventures as the Keeper of the Secret Treasure are continued as she races Dr. Pon and a new rival Himiko Yamatai for an ancient treasure.
Keio Yuugekitai Okiraku Tamatebako
Not actually a part of the game series, but it should be mentioned, this game was a "not for resale" Saturn disc available in Japan (serial number: 610-6321-01). This item had high quality versions (compared to the original Mega CD ones of course) of both the intro and ending movies of the first game, and also featured demo levels from the second episode as well as an art gallery being available both ingame and seperatly accessible on the CD via a personal computer.
Rami-chan no Oedo Sugoroku -Keio Yuugekitai Gaiden-
The final (at this point!) game in the Keio Flying Squadron series came with this obscure Playstation "party" title, released on the Sony Playstation on the 17th of September, 1998. The title roughly translates to "Rami-chan's Big Edo Board/Dice Game -Keio Yuugekitai Sidestory-" (note that Edo is the old name of Tokyo) - no official title is available, as the game was a Japan-only release. There is little information available pertaining to this game on the internet, so far.
Characters
Rami Nanahikari
Grandchild of an ancient family with the mission of guarding the key that opens the Ark, Rami wears the traditional Kimono at the beginning of the first game, and later changes into the "Super Ultra Cute Battle Suit" that is nothing more than a bunny suit, complete with bunny ears and tail.
Spot \ Pochi
Rami's pet, always loyal but as lazy as its owner. Spot has no problems with flying and Shooting fireballs.
Himiko Yamatai
Rami's rival, first appearing in Keio Flying Squadron 2.
Dr. Pon
A super intelligent racoon that stoles the Key in front of Rami's nose, his IQ is of 1000.
Keio is also the name of a Japanese era, and Keio University was named after this era.