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Griffin

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Griffin is a futuristic action game in which the player controls a tank. The goal is to beat four horizontally scrolling levels. The tank can be moved freely in order to shoot enemies and dodge obstacles. There are four weapons available: regular shots, torpedoes, grenades and a limited supply of...

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Developer
Telenet Japan

Released on
1991

Size
1 Player

Version
Game Gear

Requirements
Sega Game Gear

Downloads
Shooter

Publisher
Renovation Game

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Griffin is a futuristic action game in which the player controls a tank. The goal is to beat four horizontally scrolling levels. The tank can be moved freely in order to shoot enemies and dodge obstacles. There are four weapons available: regular shots, torpedoes, grenades and a limited supply of smart bombs. Getting hit decreases the life energy, but it can be refilled by collecting power-ups. The reward for beating a level is a still picture of the female tank pilot.

Griffin

Overview & History

Released exclusively in Japan in 1991 by Taito, Griffin is an obscure, vertically scrolling shoot-em-up developed specifically for the Sega Game Gear. Unlike many of its contemporaries that relied on sci-fi tropes, this title drops players into a mythical fantasy realm where humanity must ride legendary beasts to wage war against an invading dark empire. Taito utilized the Game Gear's limited hardware to deliver impressive sprite scaling and vivid background color palettes, making it a distinct visual standout in the console's early library. Though it never received an official Western localization, the game has since gained a cult following among retro collectors hunting for hidden gems.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Players pilot the titular Griffin across five intense stages filled with mythical beasts, dragons, and monolithic flying fortresses. Unlike standard mech or jet shooters, your character relies on a mix of magical projectiles and physical maneuvers. Collecting glowing orbs dropped by defeated enemy commanders upgrades your primary fire—shifting from a single spread shot to homing plasma spheres. You can also unleash a screen-clearing "Bomb" attack that summons a thunderstorm of divine energy to wipe out dense waves of grunts. The game is notoriously difficult, featuring relentless enemy bullet patterns and punishing hitboxes that demand precise positioning in the cramped Game Gear screen aspect ratio.