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5[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bosconian.png]]
6[[caption-width-right:350:[[{{Tagline}} Full color video game]] with [[DancingBear voice commands]]!]]
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8->''"Blast off!"''
9-->-- '''MissionControl'''
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11''Bosconian'' is a multi-directional ShootEmUp developed by [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment Namco]] in 1981 and released overseas by [[Creator/MidwayGames Midway]] later the same year.
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13As was common back in the day, gameplay was fairly simple: The player took control of his rocket and blasted off to destroy menacing green space stations, asteroid swarms and frighteningly competent enemy ships. More than a mere ''VideoGame/{{Galaxian}}'' knock-off, ''Bosconian'' was unique in that it gave the player not only total directional control over his spaceship, but also the ability to fire additional shots from the aft of the ship.
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15While never quite as popular as ''VideoGame/SpaceInvaders'' or Namco's own ''VideoGame/{{Galaga}}'', ''Bosconian'' nevertheless enjoys a strong following and is available on multiple iterations of ''VideoGame/NamcoMuseum'', Plug N' Play TV games, and other retro gaming collections. Platform/{{Famicom}} space sim ''Star Luster'' has some connections to ''Bosconian'', and Japanese arcades also saw a VerticalScrollingShooter sequel/spin-off called ''Blast Off''.
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17!!''Bosconian'' contains examples of:
18* AttackItsWeakPoint: The stations have two opposite-facing openings into their cores that the player can shoot into.
19* CoresAndTurretsBoss: Each station has six turrets. Destroying all of them will destroy their base.
20* EndlessGame: Except for in the Platform/SharpX68000 port, the game never has an ending stage and eventually resets.
21* MissionControl: One of the game's biggest selling points is the inclusion of an actual voice actor who serves as ground control, indicating to the player their current status and whether any attack ships are incoming.
22* RedAlert: On the "CONDITION" indicator, the status switches between Green, Yellow, and Red depending on the player's status.
23---> Green: The player is not in any direct danger, but can still die from running into an asteroid or bomb.
24---> Yellow: The player is in minor danger, status caused by being pursued by a missile.
25---> Red: The player is in serious danger and is being bombarded with missiles, see StalkedByTheBell below for causes.
26* ShoutOut: The title and the names of the enemy ships (Eich/I-Type, Ploor/P-Type, and Eddore/E-Type) are references to the ''Literature/{{Lensman}}'' series.
27* StalkedByTheBell: When the player takes too long on a level, or misses a Spy Ship, then Condition Red begins.
28* TheWarSequence: Condition Red, accompanied with an alarm and the repeating "CONDITION RED!".
29* WrapAround: Each stage has a set boundary border that, when crossed, throws the player ship to the other side of the screen.

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