Twinkle Star Sprites

Twinkle Star Sprites
Japanese Title: ティンクルスタースプライツ

English Title: Twinkle Star Sprites

Airdate: November, 25, 1996

Plot
The land is covered in darkness by Mevious and his minions. In order to save the land from further suffering, Load Ran leaves her home to look for the magical Twinkle Star, an artifact that is said to grant any wish. In the final two stages of the game, Load Ran's broom is broken which she can no longer use to fly, so she transforms into her magical girl in the form of Sprites. After she beats Mevious, she has to battle against her mother. She succeeds in her mission and peace is returned to the world.

The game's world concept seems to be a parody of the Sailor Moon manga, however the game's comic relief 'Rabbicat' seems to be a parody of Tenchi Muyo's mascot, 'Ryo-Oh-Ki' the cabbit.

Manga Adaptation
A manga version by Tsukasa Saito was serialized in Comic Gamemest. The adaptation was also distributed as a doujin from Saito's personal circle.

Protagonists

 * Load Ran
 * Sprites - A Magical Girl transformation for Load Ran
 * Rabicat

Antagonists

 * Griffon
 * Dark Ran
 * Dark Rabicat
 * Mevious

Supporting Characters

 * Arthur Schmitt
 * Kim
 * Nanja Monja
 * Macky and Pentell
 * Meirin – Sega Saturn exclusive
 * Queen Memory
 * Really Till
 * Drappy
 * Tinker and Linker
 * Yan Yanyang
 * Pig Bird

Minor Characters

 * Evan, and Burn - Griffon's loyal admirers.

Gameplay
The game plays like a combination of your standard shooter and competitive puzzle game. The player can shoot two different types of shots: a normal shot and a charge-up shot. The two players' playfields are separated by a vertical bar, each one having its own independent of the other.

A series of enemies will arrive from the top of the screen. The player is to successfully destroy them in chains (combos), which will send one or more fireball projectiles to the screen of his adversary (Normal Attack). Shooting at Normal Attacks several times reflects them back as glowing Reverse Attacks. If Reverse Attacks are reflected again, a number of powerful counterattacks in the shape of one or more indestructible enemies appear (Extra Attack) their attacks are dependent on who the player is controlling. Reflecting many Reverse Attacks at once can instead summon a boss (Boss Attack) which will send smaller indestructible enemies which traits vary depending on the character.

In the start of each round, the players start with two bombs which enables you in the event of desperate plight, to clear your side of the screen while briefly acquiring a state of invincibility.

The game would later inspire some games in the Touhou Project series, more specifically Phantasmagoria of Flower View and Phantasmagoria of Dim.Dream.

Ports
SNK has ported Twinkle Star Sprites to home consoles through the Neo-Geo AES on January 31, 1997, then a Neo-Geo CD version on February 21, 1997 which features an enhanced soundtrack, viewable character Art Work, and the ability to adjust the difficulty of the game. On December 7, 1997, ADK developed and published an updated version of it to the Sega Saturn, featuring an anime-style intro, tweaked gameplay, character voice overs in cutscenes, a new character and a bonus 'Fan Disc' full of extra materials. A Sega Dreamcast port on March 23, 2000 which was based more on the Neo Geo versions but not the Saturn incarnation of the game.

Twinkle Star Sprites: La Petite Princesse
Japanese Title: ティンクルスタースプライツ ～La Petite Princesse～

English Title: Twinkle Star Sprites: La Petite Princesse

Airdate: July 28, 2005

Plot
Three days has passed since Load Ran has successfully retrieved the Twinkle Star and defeated Mevious. The common people start to forget about fairies, demons, and angels, which causes an multidimensional rift called the "Star Distortion". With the world tearing apart and Load Ran no where in sight, Time Buttermint rises to stop the destructive phenomenon.

Manga adaptation
A manga adaptation was serialized in Monthly Dengeki Comic Gao!, and by purchasing Twinkle Star Sprites: La Petite Princesse at game stores, you would get a book summarizing all four series.

Protagonist

 * Time Buttermitt
 * Dogmog

Antagonist

 * Tenjin Mikoto

Supporting Characters

 * Ciel Ah Ruu
 * Do Edge
 * Friesia Rosemary
 * Gao Gao
 * Maruu and Soran
 * Really Ries
 * Piruru
 * Retam and Merry
 * Vier Ah Ruu
 * Dark Ran
 * Dark Rabicat
 * Load Ran
 * Sprites - A Magical Girl transformation for Load Ran
 * Rabicat
 * Queen Memory
 * Really Till
 * Drappy
 * Yan Yanyang
 * Pig Bird

Minor Characters

 * Arthur Schmitt
 * Mevious

Gameplay
The game plays similar to the first game, albeit the game is slightly slower and features 3d models of characters and environments.

Twinkle Star Sprites Gaiden: Twin Star Memories
Japanese Title: ティンクルスタースプライツ外伝　～ツインスターメモリーズ～

English Title: Twinkle Star Sprites Gaiden: Twin Star Memories

Airdate: February 1, 2007

Plot
The story takes place after the events of the first game. Once Ran returned home, she learns the Twinkle Star has already been replaced by Anutet. In its place are the Twinkle Star's twins, the Twin Stars, and they plead Ran to retrieve the Twinkle Star.

Protagonist

 * Load Ran
 * Rabicat
 * Sprites - A Magical Girl Transformation for Load Ran
 * Really Till
 * Drappy

Supporting Characters

 * Macky and Pentell - they are shop keeps of their air balloon shop.
 * Friesia Rosemary
 * Prism Flower - Friesia Rosemary's giant cactus flower, a boss character
 * Koumori-kun - Mevious' large cartoonish bat, boss character
 * Maruu and Soran - two cupids who guard heaven, they play as two simultaneous boss characters

Antagonist

 * Anutet - an Egyptian cat princess. She seems probable to be responsible for the Twinkle Star's disappearance. Boss character.
 * Rah - the king of Memphis and the individual who ordered Anutet to steal the Twinkle Star. Final boss character.

Gameplay
Unlike the first two games in the series, the game is not a competitive puzzle shooting game, instead it reverts to its typical shooting roots which plays like your standard vertical shooter game. Each stage ends with a boss you have to defeat.

The player can choose between two characters: Load Ran or Really Till. Load Ran is a player for beginners, she has a ranged charge shot, Really Till has only a close ranged, long lasting charge shot. Players can stop in a floating shop to replenish their health or gain the use of other buffs and bonuses.