《抓蟲敢死隊》（Gemini Wing）是日本遊戲公司Tecmo在1987年推出的一款經典縱向卷軸射擊遊戲，以充滿創意的武器系統與昆蟲主題聞名。不僅在街機時代受到歡迎，後續還移植至ZX Spectrum、Commodore 64、Amstrad CPC、Amiga、Atari ST、MSX 與 X68000等多個家用平台。其後，HAMSTER於2020年將其納入「Arcade Archives」系列，於Nintendo Switch再度發行，讓玩家能重溫當年的街機經典。

背景設定在遙遠的未來，地球遭受未知輻射污染，使得昆蟲異變成巨大且具攻擊性的怪物，人類文明陷入滅絕危機。為了奪回家園，人類政府秘密組建一支特戰部隊，代號「Gemini Wing」。玩家將化身這支部隊中的菁英駕駛員，操縱一架配備先進火力的戰鬥直升機，深入敵方巢穴，展開一場對抗變異巨蟲的終極戰役。遊戲的核心目標，是通過消滅敵人與擊敗關卡首領（BOSS），一步步奪回被昆蟲佔領的地球。

在操作層面上，採用經典的縱向射擊玩法，需控制戰鬥機上下移動、閃避敵人攻擊，並使用機槍與特殊武器消滅成群的敵人。其最大特色在於獨創的「GUNBALL 系統」──飛機後方會懸掛一串「能力球」，每個能力球都擁有不同的爆炸性攻擊特效，從雷電、火焰到追蹤導彈等，共有八種類型。可透過擊落敵人或搶奪對方掉落的GUNBALL來強化自身火力。這項設計讓戰鬥過程更具策略性，如何管理與釋放這些能力成為遊戲進程中的關鍵。

遊戲節奏緊湊，敵人造型以昆蟲為主，從巨型甲蟲、毒蠍到飛行蠅怪，數量龐大、攻勢猛烈。每一關的末尾都設有巨大頭目，必須掌握攻擊模式與時機方能取勝。整體的難度偏高，若玩家失敗，往往需從關卡開頭重新挑戰，這在當年被視為極具挑戰性的設計。此外，支援雙人合作模式，兩位玩家可共同出擊，互相掩護或搶奪對方的能力球，增加對戰的互動性與娛樂性。

在音效與畫面表現方面，在1980年代的街機作品中屬於相當出色的代表。音樂節奏感強烈，配合緊張的戰鬥節奏，成功營造出生死一線間的臨場感。畫面色彩鮮豔，敵人設計誇張細膩，關卡場景多樣，從沙漠、叢林到外星廢墟，都展現出當時Tecmo的美術實力。

遊戲推出後，獲得街機玩家的廣泛好評。評論家讚揚其獨特的主題、創新的武器系統與高重玩價值，認為其難度設計雖然嚴苛，但極具挑戰魅力。許多玩家視其為與《沙羅曼蛇》（Salamander）與《雷電》（Raiden）齊名的經典射擊遊戲之一。2020年Switch重製版推出後，懷舊玩家紛紛表示「再度體驗童年街機的緊張與快感」，並讚賞HAMSTER完美保留原作的操作手感與畫面風格，同時加入全球排行榜功能，使遊戲競爭性更高。

總體而言，《抓蟲敢死隊》（Gemini Wing）不僅是射擊遊戲史上一款極具創意的作品，更是80年代街機文化的象徵之一。它以強烈的視覺衝擊、緊張的節奏感與獨樹一幟的GUNBALL系統，為縱向射擊遊戲樹立獨特的標竿。至今仍被許多老玩家視為那個「每一顆子彈都關乎生死」的黃金年代代表作。

Gemini Wing, also known as Bug Buster Squad, is a vertically scrolling shooter developed and published by Tecmo in 1987. The game first appeared in arcades before being ported to various home systems such as the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Amiga, Atari ST, MSX, and Sharp X68000. In 2020, it was re-released on Nintendo Switch as part of the Arcade Archives series by HAMSTER Corporation, faithfully recreating the original arcade experience while allowing players to adjust game difficulty and visual settings to mimic the authentic cabinet display.

The story takes place in a distant future where Earth faces an ecological catastrophe. A mysterious form of radiation has caused insects to mutate into gigantic, terrifying creatures, threatening human survival. To reclaim the planet, the government forms a secret elite unit known as the Gemini Wing Squadron. Players take on the role of a skilled pilot from this task force, operating a heavily armed attack aircraft on a perilous mission to eliminate the monstrous insect menace and save the world.

Gameplay revolves around piloting a futuristic gunship through vertically scrolling stages filled with enemies inspired by mutated animals and insects. The unique feature of Gemini Wing is its innovative weapon system centered around Gunballs—special orbs that trail behind the player’s ship like a chain. Each Gunball holds a distinct explosive power, serving as a “super weapon” capable of devastating enemies in creative ways. There are eight different types of Gunballs, and players can also steal additional ones from defeated enemies to strengthen their arsenal.

The controls are straightforward yet demand precision. Players navigate the aircraft, fire the main weapon continuously, and strategically deploy Gunballs when surrounded by hordes of enemies or facing powerful bosses. Timing and positioning are key, as the game’s difficulty escalates rapidly with waves of enemies and complex attack patterns. Every level concludes with a massive insect-like boss, requiring pattern recognition and careful resource management to defeat.

Gemini Wing also features a two-player co-op mode, allowing players to team up and combine firepower. Cooperation adds a tactical layer, as both players can coordinate attacks and compete to collect Gunballs dropped by enemies. This shared chaos enhances the game’s intensity and fun factor, making it one of the more memorable multiplayer shooters of its time.

Visually, the game was praised for its colorful and detailed sprite art, with each insect enemy designed to look menacing yet imaginative. The music, composed in the typical energetic arcade style of the late 1980s, perfectly complements the fast-paced action and sense of urgency throughout the missions.

Upon release, Gemini Wing stood out for its unique insect invasion theme and innovative weapon mechanics, distinguishing it from other shooters of the era like 1942 or Raiden. While its high difficulty level was daunting for casual players, arcade enthusiasts appreciated the challenge and replay value. Many retro gaming fans today regard Gemini Wing as a cult classic, remembered fondly for its originality and the tense, strategic gameplay that demanded both reflexes and tactical thinking.

The Arcade Archives re-release in 2020 revived interest in the title among modern players, giving a new generation the opportunity to experience Tecmo’s distinctive take on the shoot-’em-up genre. Whether played solo or with a partner, Gemini Wing remains a vibrant piece of 1980s arcade history—an exhilarating, insect-blasting adventure that helped define the golden age of scrolling shooters.