Grind Stormer

File:V-V arcadeflyer.png Japanese arcade flyer of V・V.
Developer(s)	Toaplan Co., Ltd.
Publisher(s)	Tengen
Platforms	Arcade, Sega Genesis
Release date(s)	Arcade Sega Genesis
Genre(s)	Shoot 'em up
Mode(s)	Single-player

V・V arcade PCB

Grind Stormer, also known as V・V (ヴィ・ファイヴ, "Vee Five"), is a vertically forced scrolling shoot 'em up developed for the arcade by Toaplan, and ported to the Sega Genesis in 1994 by Tengen.

Story

The game takes place in the year 2210 where 'the ultimate arcade machine' Grind Stormer/V・V has finally been released. A VR shooting game, Grind Stormer/V・V becomes so addicting that the government assigns a young man to investigate the arcade phenomenon in order to question its true purpose and to perform the impossible: to beat the game.

Gameplay

The game was released on the Sega Genesis as a 2-in-1 package. Players can choose to play either V・V or Grind Stormer, the chief difference being in the power-up system:

• In Grind Stormer, the players have the normal weapon layout with instant power-ups and bomb icons (gems). This game version also has Speed-Up icons as well as Speed-Down icons, and higher value point items.
• In V・V, the players collect gems that allow them to choose the various power-ups (sans bombs) through a Gradius-like power meter; Toaplan experimented with this system in their earlier Slap Fight.

Weapons

Shot - The standard Vulcan weapon, the Shot beam can fire in three different directions, but when the ship's options "merge" the smaller shots will converge into one large beam. This is the ship's default weapon.

Search - A weapon that only affects the options, this will turn the options into homing devices that seek out any enemies on the screen (even if they were invulnerable). This item will turn the ship a light violet once equipped.

Missile - This weapon fires non-homing rockets, though with an incredible firing rate and power. This item will turn the ship blue once equipped. The options follow the ship in the "snake" or "shadow" style also similar to Gradius.

Reception

Reviewing the Genesis version, GamePro remarked that "While not as technologically innovative as Star Fox or other top space marauders, Grindstormer is still a colorful, fun, thumb-bustin' good time."