Gunstar Heroes

Gunstar Heroes (1993) is a running and shooting game where you defeat evil villains to save the world. Using different guns and abilities, you charge through chaotic, fast-paced stages, defeating heavily armoured enemies to reach the boss. It stands out for its mix-and-match weapon system that enables you to adapt your firepower to each new battle, where you must master each opponent's attacks and movement.

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You play Gunstar Red or Gunstar Blue as you take on an evil empire and save the world. The story is different in the original Japanese release compared to later releases, but it largely serves as justification for its fast-paced action. Play involves traversing the side-scrolling levels and using your gun and melee attacks to defeat hordes of enemies. Each stage ends with a fight against a more powerful enemy.

Each level is nonstop action, dodging bullets and blasting foes until you reach the end. You can choose from two different shooting styles, four different gun types, or combine pairs of these guns to create more possibilities. Each play style has advantages and drawbacks, and some are well suited to one stage but not another, so experimenting with different permutations is key. Boss battles raise the stakes with challenging movement, as you learn enemy attacks, ride on walls, and whittle down their health.

The result is a game that demands you adapt your weapons and play style to match the challenge at hand. While you can play on your own, it's best when you're blasting enemies away with a friend at your side, helping each other and collaborating to avoid friendly fire.

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Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Gunstar Heroes 3 weeks ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 3 weeks ago.