Gunstar Heroes

Gunstar Heroes for the Genesis is a game that proves just how solid of a console the Genesis was for arcade-style action. The visuals and sound are surprisingly bright and the run-and-gun gameplay with variable power-ups offers tons of heavy action. It's a formula that works well, and is certainly one of Sega's console gems.

Gunstar Heroes' story is not important. It's serviceable, but doesn't even need to be known to enjoy the game or know what's going on. You are part of a merc group set out to destroy the Empire before they can collect gems to revive a long-dormant evil. Certainly not the worst story in the world, and it does come up during gameplay, but not anything you need to keep in mind. The key here is to grasp the Contra-style gunning and to find the control style and power-up combo that works for you. From the powerful flame to the helpful homer, finding your favourite way to dish out damage is key to your success in Gunstar Heroes.

The game looks and sounds great on the system. While it certainly won't get any Metal Slug fans jealous, it's a solid entry on the platform with fun animations, massive bosses, and a bouncy soundtrack. It's a game where you want to see what's around every corner, even if it's just so you can blow it up.

The game never felt too difficult for me until the final boss rush. While I found pretty early on that the double-homer weapon combo can do the work for you, it still wasn't always enough for each boss, where some strategy needed to be used instead of simply blowing your way through. The final level (again, the buss rush in particular) gave me some grief, but trial and error, and learning enemy movement and attack patterns, got me through.

Overall, Gunstar Heroes is a fantastic game for the Genesis, the type that every collector must own. It's got so much going for it that stands outside the standard Sonic and other platformers on the system. It's just a wonderful time!