Sega CDOverview
Keio Flying Squadron, also known in Japan as Keiō Yūgeki-tai: Keio Flying Squadron, is a comedic historical-fantasy side-scrolling shooter developed by Victor Entertainment and published by JVC for the Sega CD in Japan on August 6, 1993, with an overseas release sometime in 1994.
Set in a comical version of Japan's short-lived Keiō era (in the mid-19th century), Keio Flying Squadron puts players in control of Rami Nanahikari, a young girl (12-year-old in the Japanese version, 20-year-old in the overseas version) who happens to be a descendant of ancient aliens and is one of the last guardians of the giant key leading to her ancestors' sacred treasure. When the super-intelligent criminal leader (and tanuki) Dr. Pon steals the key, Rami must transform into her super form (a bunny suit) and ride her dragon pet Spot (Pochi in the Japanese version) into battle to fight Dr. Pon's forces and recover the key.
Similar to the 1991 games Parodius Da! and Hacha-Mecha Fighter, the game features a more comedic take on shoot-'em-ups, with animals (both anthropomorphic and not) as prominent enemies. The gameplay is similar to the aforementioned games, including both a sub-weapon system and companion "aircraft" (Spot Jr.'s). The game also features animated cutscenes from Studio Pierrot, then known for the YuYu Hakusho series. The game later received two sequels: Keio Flying Squadron 2 in 1996 and the Japanese-exclusive Rami-chan no Ōedo Sugoroku: Keiō Yūgeki-tai Gaiden in 1998.
One of the things the game is known for is its demo inclusion in the demo disc of the December 1994 issue of the European magazine Sega Pro CD. While the game is only supposed to include the first level of the game, players found out that the entire game was included in the disc and is playable through the game's level select cheat code.
