Classic Game Room - BOSCONIAN arcade video game review

Classic Game Room reviews BOSCONIAN arcade video game by Bally Midway and Namco released in 1981. Bosconian is a top down free roam style space ship shooter that is rare to find in its original arcade videogame cabinet form because many Bosconian arcade games were turned into Galaga machines because they run on similar hardware and Galaga was more popular. Gameplay is fast and frantic as you blow up enemy space ship based and wipe out waves of space ships. Fans of top down shooters like Thunder Force 2 should hunt down some Bosconian! This CGR review of Bosconian has Bosconian arcade machine gameplay showing the Bosconian cabinet, videogame machine and game play at PAPA world headquarters.

[@derekwilliams1066]

This is one of my favorite games of all time. When I was a kid, I pretty quickly got to the point where I could play this for hours and never lose. I would have a crowd of kids watching me play. When I got tired or bored or hungry, I would just walk away and give the game to some kid standing next to me to finish my game. There is a Namco 50th anniversary version on Playstation 1 or 2, I believe it is. My stepkids have it.

[@josef733]

This and Rally-X are some of my favourite arcade games of all time.

[@cats_2878]

I have an old :"plug and play tv games" thing that I got in the early 2000s that has both Bosconian and Rally-X on it.

[@SubscribersWithNoVideos-in9jh]

Cats_ and galaxian and dig dug and Pac-Man

[@michaelmelton999]

Namco Museum vol 1 for PlayStation has those.

[@yourneighborhoodxenos]

@@cats_2878 I probably have the same one. Mine still works, is from 2003, and has Dig Dug, Bosconian, Rally X, Pacman, and Galaxian. The first 2 got WAY more play than the last 2, but Rally X was still fun XD there are a few new ones left online, but used are super cheap

[@Myriagonvaltorix]

Bosconian is the most badass, fun, amazing arcade game ever. I've been trying for 10 years to get a Bosconian arcade machine but it seems like they've all been converted to some other game!

[@Amberjack1973]

There's a great port of Bosconian available on to one of those Plug-n-Play games. The one I own, which appears to be the exact game you're playing, came on a Sega Genesis Plug-n-Play that features Sonic the Hedgehog, Golden Axe, Altered Beast, Nappy and Kid Chameleon all controlled by a Sega d-pad. It was a great buy!

[@adamdenardis5438]

It's also in the first Namco Museum collection for PS-One.

[@illuminatidad]

I played this game a bunch as a kid when I got it on this plug and play console. It was my favorite game, and I was surprised nobody really knew about it but me.

[@johnheatherly4747]

I am from the future, there is namco collections on ps1, volume 1 has Galaga, Pacman, Toypop, Pole position, Rally X, New Rally X, and most importantly BOSCONIAN! I got the Ps1 game on my PS Vita off the psn store for 6 bucks, (It is also available for ps4) and it is amazing.

[@DESTRAKON]

Its also on the Ms.Pacman plug n play

[@michaelmelton999]

Yessir Roger that, also have on my PSVita. Is A-OK

[@Synathidy]

"Pole Position," huh? Must be a rated M game.

[@MrKiates]

Ended up here because someone on Reddit commented that my game had a Bosconian vibe and I didn't know anything about the game. Thanks for archiving these classics. Nice quick summary of the game for someone that has never heard of it before.

[@HTwenty1]

This comes on one of those plug n' play devices that also includes Pac Man, Dig Dug, and a couple others. Good times.

[@user61920]

Exactly. It's the only thing I've ever seen it on

[@WizardClipAudio]

I've been fortunate enough to play the arcade machine, in different places throughout my lifetime. In all likelihood,.... it was probably exactly the very same machine, just relocated to different places, throughout my life. It's definitely my all time favorite arcade game. Last place I played it was at a then new, Bar/Arcade joint in Shepherdstown, WV, about 5 or 6 years ago. I can't get over how under-rated and under-recognized Bostonian Star Destroyer is. It truly deserves more love from the gaming community than it gets.

[@saigokun]

Thanks for posting this. It was one of my favorite games on the MSX.

[@royyeager6540]

This just popped up in my suggested videos. When the game came out I immediately took a liking to it. joystick used to keep up with records. I set the first world record score and someone broke it. I learned the the beat of Jack and Diane coincided with the movement of the ship. Mad because my record got broke I walked into Funland in Fayetteville Tn, gave someone about 20.00 worth of quarters and told them to keep playing Jack and Diane on the juke box no matter what happened. I stuck a quarter in the machine and around 7 hours later got off with a world record that stood for a long time. I quite playing it shortly after that. Funny thing is I don't even remember the score nearly 40 years later.

[@plurp7]

THIS is keeping the spirit of CGR alive right now. thanks Mark for another terrific arcade review. That pinball house has some great things going on there, we thank you for a peek at a time with each treasure you review from that great place.

[@isetmfriendsofire]

I have to say, my favorite version of this was on that first namco plug and play with pac-man, Rally-X, Dig Dug, Rally-x, Galaxian.

[@andrewulrich8053]

I have that version

[@andrewhoward4471]

I discovered this game on a plug n play. This is a great game. I have talked about this game to people but I've never met anyone who's ever played it nor even heard about it. This should have been an absolute classic arcade game but instead really lost to history. It really is that great.

[@technoshock11]

I haven't played on the arcade cabinet yet, but I have this game on several Namco Museum compilations (PS1, PSP, and Xbox 360). Love this game, still haven't got tired of it.

[@BTAL1ama]

Man this is one of my favorite arcade spaceship games, coincidentally along with Galaga XD

[@5Puff]

Wasn't around back when this was new, in fact just discovered it today but it easily competes in one of my favorite games of all time!

[@Reguba24]

First played this game on a little Namco plug and play tv game thing. Was my favorite game on the machine... So much fun!

[@AwesomePossumReviews]

NO WAY NO WAY NO WAY, i didn't think he would ever review this, it is my favorite arcade game ever, gotta love those blue boomerangs.

[@P3pperjam]

Just got to play this at the NW Pinball Show, great game thanks for turning me on to this game!

[@kikeaguilar1695]

what a beautiful game

[@TheRetroShed]

Great video! I never played this back in the day because I simply never came across it. I’ve made up for it now though and play it often. Fabulous game and lovely cabinet!

[@yourneighborhoodxenos]

I discovered retro gaming through plug-n-plays like many kids that grew up in the 00s. Bosconian and Dig Dug are by-far my favorites. I cherish my Namco/Jakks Pacific 2003 PnP that still works like new. I just wish I would have been able to keep our old Gateway PC with almost all original Sims packs and Civ III, etc. and PS2/games instead of having to sell them to afford new games/consoles, but I had to if I wanted new stuff. At least I held on to Civ III for roughly 2 decades before updating to the already "outdated" Civ V 🤣 somehow got it working on a Surface Pro 4 with an external disc drive

[@PimblyCharles]

Now I see where Captain Skyhawk, for NES, got its first level boss & spacestation designs from. Awesome!

[@matthewbertrand4139]

...the voice lines on this one are fucked though.

[@tharob]

Dude, I totally played the hell outta this game in Myrtle Beach sc at the Pavillion when it was still there. That and a super sweet Tom Baker Doctor Who pinball machine

[@vision821k4]

Bos was not out at the same time as Baker....we have a LIAR here. man, I never thought i'd find a loser pathetic enough to make up his past.

[@tharob]

Hmm, of course the Tom Baker era of doctor who was earlier. Who said it was a new machine? I'm no liar and I won't take this trolls bait.

[@GHWTVideos]

They have this game as well as Ms. Pacman at a hockey rink in my city. This game is pretty awesome to play!

[@aegisofhonor]

This game is very very rare as he says. I have only seen one in my entire life, and that was nearly 30 years ago when I was like 5 or 6 at a downtown arcade in the early to mid 80s. People generally played Galaga in that arcade over Bosconian what I remember; which is probably why these were converted to Galaga machines so often.

[@yokedmonster]

the only way I was able to play this game was with one one those plug and play systems that have multiple games you would have to put batteries and plug in the RCA jacks to the tv.

[@saigokun]

Thanks for posting this. Bosconian was a fantastic game. I played it many times back in the day on my trusty MSX computer.

[@frankatchley3555]

this brings back memories. I bought a cheap plug in play for the patients at a facility I worked at and bosconian was on it. one of the most fun games I've played. only could find it on ps1's version of Namco museum.

[@G1MARKSMAN]

This is one of my favorites! This and astro warrior. I remember playing this on one of the collection games for playstation... either Namco museum or midway presents one of them. Makes me want to go back to my collection and fire this game up. Greatness plain and simple...

[@G1MARKSMAN]

On a separate note I do know there is a plug and play version of this game.

[@Chandlr]

I have this game on one of those arcade sticks you plug into your TV, and I LOVE it. I'm so excited that you could review this!

[@trevorgrier4511]

I remember a little cafeteria that had Qbert and Bosconian. Many of my misspent youth quarters could be found in the bottom of those machines. They replaced Qbert with Arkanoid and things only got worse lol

[@DanZero77]

To clear a few things up - Mark is right, Bosconian cabinets became Galaga for the hardware and internal connections are nearly identical, however the video layout was used previously in Rally-X (map on right, High Score of the Day screen) - It was the first arcade game that had a continue feature (it can be disabled via DIP switch by the operator) - Ports were limited to a few Japanese computers and the PS1, and a special sequel "Bosconian '87" was released for Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum

[@MightySquirrel724]

Wow... I had no idea PAPA had one of these. I just may see if I can go play it. I love this game so much... I'd play this and FunHouse all weekend.

[@user-so9du1cx9o]

All of my allowance went into this game as a kid! It drives me crazy that this game is not on any platforms! WHY GOD, WHY!!!???

[@457zim]

I have it on my GameCube-version of Namco Museum, it's awesome!

[@az12223]

3 vidoes in 1 day? holy cow im in heaven!

[@cyborgfail96]

i love these reviews cuz u get to see mark's face

[@JTSDAD67]

Wow. I had forgotten about this one. That was a great game. Reminds me of Sinistar with the free roam.

[@derekwilliams1066]

Sinistar was awesome too!

[@JetsDuck]

Nice video. It's nice to actually see you in your reviews once in a while, lol.

[@argent2020]

I used to go straight to Showbizz Pizza Place right after high school and spend a great deal of time playing this game. Those were fun days. The now game rooms are ok, but not to thrill about them. There was a game of a robot that shoot all directions. That was hard to play "In put another, in put another.. There were so many. I wish there be a Classic Game room near by.

[@tbb033]

Showbiz Pizza, where a kid can be a kid!

[@1weegee2]

i used to have those joysticks that you could turn on the tv and playarcade games my fav was dig dug my friend loved this game

[@KorsuMies]

I am eating pizza (ham, pineapple), drinking beer and watching CGR !! :D

[@NAJ0202]

I love this arcade review, and that reference to The Last Starfighter is rad. That's totally the kind of movie that Mark would dig =)

[@JoshyBoy98311]

Bosconian is amazing! I found it surprisingly on the Namco Musuem Battle Collection on the PSP! =D

[@JoseMolina-ij3xx]

I was actually thinking about Time Pilot, when I saw this video.

[@richardhutnik]

Namco collections for the PSX and beyond have Bosconian in it. There was also a stand alone machine system you hooked up to the TV.

[@MrJR0986]

I first played this recently on Namco Museum Megamix for Wii. Great game.

[@DeanTheAdequate]

Aw, great game. Never had the opportunity to play an arcade machine, However, it is my good fortune to have every volume of the "Namco Museum" collections on the PS1. On Volume 1 of said collections is the arcade port of "Bosconian". I hear it's one of the more rare volumes to find, but well worth it for that game alone.

[@KimCheeWarrior]

this is actually the first review ive ever watched of his where ive finally seen how he looks like. he doesnt do enough videos where he actually shows his face, i think it makes his reviews better, more "animated".

[@FondooTube]

This game can be found on the 'Namco 5 in 1 Plug and Play' along with Pac-man, Galaxian, Rally-X and DigDug. Such an awesome thing to have!

[@Zeldaplayersv]

I have this game on a Plug 'n' Play console. Thank God Namco ported it to SOME home-console... I've also heard that it's available on PS1/2, but I'm more of a Nintendo-person than a Sony-person.

[@CommodoreFan64]

it was actually ported to these classic computers, Sharp X68000(Japan only), MSX, Commodore 64 and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, and there is an arcade sequel, called Blast Off, Also A home computer sequel, Bosconian '87, was released in 1987 for the Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectruml. I had BOSCONIAN on a bootleg floppy for my C64 back in the day, and it is an awesome game indeed. :-)

[@quantumangel]

Actually, there are a few compilations that carry the game including "Namco mñMuseum 50th Anniversary" for the Game Cube and probably PS2. Which is great cause it's one of the best games of its era.

[@r3tr0sp3ct3r]

I used to play this in the car on gameboy advance

[@atsymbol8761]

Namco museum 50th anniversary on PS2 has Bosconian!!!

[@wagnerlopez9138]

Wow, IT was my favorite game, when I was 12, I ve been looking for in PC

[@Afr0cat]

Midway makes some awesome arcade games.

[@WizardClipAudio]

If you have the Namco 50th Anniversary Collection on PS2, and the PS1 Asciiware Arcade stick, load Bosconian Star Destroyer with the regular PS2 controller, once your in, you can hot swap the controller over to the arcade stick to make it work. That's probably the best alternative way of playing Bosconian Star Destroyer, at home, short of obtaining an actual working arcade machine.

[@gettotehchopper]

I love your arcade reviews, reminds me of being a kid. Thumbs up if you want more!

[@realcourte]

This game was EPIC! ;) and awesome sounds ( voice!!! )

[@schmoab]

Endless summer 3: Stormtroopers take the beach! Love the sound effects of this game.

[@MrCheeseman5656]

love Bosconian, I got it it a Namco collection thing. Its awesome lol

[@BlueEmeraldX]

I remember playing this game back in '04; I was terrible at it. XD The only thing kept me coming back to it was the awesome sound and victory theme. The artwork on the bottom of that arcade machine looks amazing, by the way!

[@killerskiely1]

oh my god!...... I'm watching Classic Games Room!

[@Tricob1974]

The closest Bosconian port I've seen is called "Draconian". The enemy ships were all dragons, and there's a special, indestructible enemy named "Draconian", who appears if you take too much time to complete the level. As unlikely as it sounds, these changes actually seemed to work in the game pretty well for me. :-) The port was released by Tom Mix Software, and was made for the Tandy Color Computer.

[@samurai1833]

Loved this game!

[@risseer23]

That shirt is awesome for sure.

[@garu629]

LOVE your t-shirt!!!

[@MichaelManza]

The easiest and closest emulation of this game is one Namco museum 50th anniversary. The plug n play versions are off and only support 4 way control instead of 6 way for diagonal turning, which works on the 50th anniversary

[@slitheryjuggler94]

Bosconian was on the Namco Museum vol. 1 for the playstation for anyone who wants a way to play this awesome game! :D

[@GamerMGO]

this game is so awesome i have it on a plug n and play thingy and im so beast at it

[@JulianPerez-zv6os]

The name Bosconian probably comes from Boskonia, the evil conspiracy in the Lensman novels made of space pirates. The Lensman novels were huge, the biggest things in the pre-Isaac Asimov fan communities.

[@musicforever9098]

So thats the name of this game i was trying to figure out that the name was the other day. I played this when i was like 5, such an amazing game!

[@phunq9087]

My dying wish is to have owned an original Bosconian cab. I am not joking. If I ever find a dedicated Bosconian cab that I can afford, I will die at its ankles

[@supermario101000]

I have the pacman plug and play tv thing from 2003!!! Ohhh the rareness... LOL

[@sonicbigfan1]

man! I used to play that on a namco plug in play TV games.

[@MichaelCutts7]

I played this game in namco museum for ps1!

[@Amberjack1973]

I was wrong, it wasn't on THAT plug-n-play... it was on one that shared the processor with Dig Dug, Pac Man, Galaga and Rally X. Sorry it I confused anyone!

[@HarrisonMonroe]

i was just playing this last night... in the car... while listening to depeche mode..

[@ThePspdog98]

There's one at the funspot which is 2 1/2 hours away from where I live. Totally worth the drive to get there though.

[@truelifek9856]

You can get this get on Namco Museum Vol. 1 on PS1. Just got it the other day. Also comes with PacMan, Galaga, and a few others.

[@charlesn898]

Have a Bosconian boardset-BUT NO MACHINE TO PUT IT IN!!! :( Yes, Galaga and Bosconian machines have the same wiring and video boards( this made the Bosconian to Galaga conversion easier; just rotate your monitor, change the control panel and graphics on the cabinet and ta-dah!) Quick gameplay tip: Run the enemy ships into asteroids,mines, and enemy base shots- you get get the points as if you shot them yourself :)

[@celinesenden4142]

I miss classic game room 😭

[@clb961]

another great reveiw by my favorite classic game reveiwer

[@nintendovcs11]

It's on the pacman party arcade and cabinet machine! The pacman party machine is easy to find today!

[@SilentDeath901]

I like how the entire high score list at the end is CGR haha. No wonder it's not popular, no one ever gets the chance to play it lol.

[@yohnazo]

Ah, my family has got this game around somewhere on a plug and play TV game, though I was pretty terrible at it and resorted to other games that where on there :)

[@youvegotmailed]

i like the way you have first place on the records

[@illustriouschin]

Bosconian was featured in several Namco collections, that is the only place that I have played it, I really like it but maybe not as much as Galaga.

[@Lalobe]

Best shirt review ever

[@supamarioisbeast]

i love this game have it on the namco collection plug in tv thing

[@starninjaproductions]

Awesome surfer stormtrooper shirt i didnt know that kind of stormtrooper existed, i think they were sent to hawai

[@JMDAmigaMusic]

Someone made an excellent Atari XL port recently and there was an MSX port that i did play on my amiga on emulation

[@LadyAnbar]

Namco Museum 50th Anniversary has an awesome version of this game. In case you can't find an arcade machine.

[@SoldatCrinale]

It does have a release on the ps1 and ps2. When namco did their museum releases for the PS 1, this was part of their first set of releases.....than it hit the classics on ps2 and now to think of it...xbox 360 on their classic collection if im not mistake.

[@FourthPiece]

You can get this in a few of the Namco Museums for the PSX and so on.

[@richardhutnik]

Yes, that was the stand alone one I remember. I think that one had a 4 directional joystick which makes it much easier to play, which I found when trying it.