is an action

photography Photography is the art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. It is employed ...

video game Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...

developed by Tomcat System and published by

Irem is a Japanese video game console developer and publisher, and formerly a developer and manufacturer of arcade games as well. The company has its headquarters in Chiyoda, Tokyo. The full name of the company that uses the brand is Irem Softwar ...

for the PC Engine. The game is centered on taking

photograph A photograph (also known as a photo, image, or picture) is an image created by light falling on a photosensitive surface, usually photographic film or an electronic image sensor, such as a CCD or a CMOS chip. Most photographs are now create ...

s of the interactive environments through which the player progresses.

Story

David Goldman is an amateur photographer, who always loved to take pictures. One day, he went to Los Angeles Photography School to study more about taking pictures. Every day, David commutes on the crowded trains, but trained and learned better in the academy so he can achieve his dreams on becoming the best photographer he ever wished for. He was happy at that time, but suddenly misfortune hit him. David's parents suddenly died in a plane crash, leaving him orphaned and all alone. He loved his parents deeply and cried at their burial, thinking that they will come back. David lost his confidence and is about to leave the academy to live a lonely and sad life. However, for Dean, the principal of the academy saw him and made an unexpected proposal to him. The principal said if he completed 8 tests by taking 8 special photograph shots in 8 different locations, then he's allowed to graduate in the academy. Unsure about this offer, David still accepted the test and did everything he could to pass.

Gameplay

Players must guide David through the given

level Level or levels may refer to: Engineering *Level (instrument), a device used to measure true horizontal or relative heights *Spirit level, an instrument designed to indicate whether a surface is horizontal or vertical *Canal pound or level *Regr ...

attempting to photograph rare or exceptional occurrences which transpire around him, all the while evading obstacles that may injure him. As he take a successful shot of an unexpected situation, he is rewarded with extra film, increased speed and bigger camera lens. The player can only advance to the next stage if the required score is met.

Re-release and sequel

In 2002, the Japanese version of ''Gekibo'' was re-released on the

PlayStation is a video gaming brand that consists of five home video game consoles, two handhelds, a media center, and a smartphone, as well as an online service and multiple magazines. The brand is produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, a divisi ...

as Volume 94 of the ''Simple 1500 Series'' under the title ''The Cameraman: Gekisha Boy Omakefu''. This version features an added stage and an unlockable

cooperative gameplay Cooperative game may refer to: * Cooperative board game, board games in which players work together to achieve a common goal * Cooperative game theory, in game theory, a game with competition between groups of players and the possibility of cooperat ...

with a second player as the Gekisha Girl. A sequel for the

PlayStation 2 The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October 2000, in Europe on 24 November 2000, and in Australia on 3 ...

titled '' Polaroid Pete'' (or ''Gekisha Boy 2'' in Japan) was released in Europe and Japan in 2001. However, there were no further words about a European release and the publisher suddenly disappeared. A competition was held in the UK "Official Playstation Magazine", but it is unknown if they announced any winners after the cancellation.

References

External links

Screenshots from VG MuseumReview
{{Irem 1992 video games Action video games D3 Publisher games Irem games Japan-exclusive video games Photography games PlayStation (console) games Tomcat System games TurboGrafx-16 games Video games developed in Japan Single-player video games