Vulgus (set 1)

Vulgus arrived in arcades in 1984 as Capcom's debut title, offering a straightforward but compelling vertical scrolling shooter experience for up to two players. Piloting a spaceship, you navigate a constantly advancing screen filled with waves of enemy spacecraft – some bearing an unusual insect-like appearance – and attempt to survive as long as possible. Players control their ship’s movement using an 8-way joystick, utilizing a basic blaster weapon and limited supply of bombs to clear the path ahead. The game features continuously changing backgrounds that transition from planetary surfaces to deep space environments before eventually looping back around. There are no defined levels; instead, players progress through increasingly challenging waves of enemies in an endless descent. Simple in design, Vulgus provides a pure, focused shooting experience centered on reaction and skill. Originally released as an arcade conversion kit, the game's distinctive marquee displayed a red background with a unique blue logo featuring prominent red veins. While basic in its mechanics, Vulgus laid the foundation for Capcom’s future success in the video game industry.