Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Game of the Day 4/17/2016: Ranger X (Genesis)

  1. #1
    celerystalker is a poindexter celerystalker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    St Louis, MO
    Posts
    2,816
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    3
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    16
    Thanked in
    14 Posts

    Default Game of the Day 4/17/2016: Ranger X (Genesis)

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20160416_225417.jpg 
Views:	12 
Size:	93.7 KB 
ID:	8906Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20160416_225530.jpg 
Views:	12 
Size:	82.1 KB 
ID:	8907Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20160416_225913.jpg 
Views:	12 
Size:	94.9 KB 
ID:	8908Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20160416_231838.jpg 
Views:	14 
Size:	76.2 KB 
ID:	8909Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20160416_233503.jpg 
Views:	13 
Size:	92.7 KB 
ID:	8910Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20160416_234705.jpg 
Views:	12 
Size:	120.1 KB 
ID:	8911Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20160416_234757.jpg 
Views:	12 
Size:	83.3 KB 
ID:	8912Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20160416_235122.jpg 
Views:	12 
Size:	75.1 KB 
ID:	8913

    Ranger X is one of the later-generation Sega Genesis games that really drew attention for its graphics. It's a horizontally-scrolling... um... basically run 'n gun in which you control the powerful giant robot, Ranger X, and you seek and destroy a nimber of pre-set targets in each stage. Doing so will complete the area and take you to that stage's boss fight. Destroy the enemy commander in the heart of his stronghold to win the game!

    Controlling Ranger X takes a second to get used to, but is a breeze after that. In each stage, you control the Ranger X directly while being followed along by a courier ship or the Indra, a sort of motorcycle. You can enter these in order to change secondary weapons you have collected, and in the Indra's case, ride around inside of it, which lessens your firepower, but can absorb extra damage and turns your regular fire into a homing shot. The Ranger X itself can walk, jump,and thrust about as long as you have energy to do so, which refills almost instantaneously as you touch the ground. Your secondary weapons are very powerful, but have their own gauge to deplete, which can refill by standing in light. This can be sunlight or artificial light, such as light from shooting out the windows of a skyscraper *cough stage four cough*. If you find an energy transfer station, you can transfer weapon power into life power, so clever use of these and light can keep you alive through most stages.

    Unfortunately, those stages are over very quickly, as they aren't particularly long, and there are only a handful to begin with. Playing through it again tonight, I had forgotten how quickly the game passes by, and while it is satisfying enough, normal mode is a breeze. Still, what stages are there are well-designed, colorful, and look great.

    Matter of fact, pretty much everything in Ranger X looks great. Yes, a lot of larger sprites are fairly pixelated, but they make great use of color, making you quickly forget about any Genesis color limitations. The animation is good on the characters, there's tons of background and foreground scrolling effects, and bosses are huge. It all looks, feels, and sounds excellent, and it left me wanting more.

    I like Ranger X a lot, as it scratches that Assault Suits series itch while playing better than many games in that franchise. It's one of the Genesis' real showcase games for action and graphics, and it's aged better for me than I'd have expected.

    Played it?
    Last edited by celerystalker; 04-17-2016 at 12:43 AM.

  2. #2
    Pretzel (Level 4)
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    KY, USA
    Posts
    800
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    15
    Thanked in
    13 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    Azathoth1488
    PSN
    Azathoth_IKA
    3DS Friend
    4313-0753-9074

    Default

    Bought this at launch and loved it.

    So many times over the years I tried to get the "happy land" level code to work that was pictured in Diehard Gamefan. The code was for the original JP version and let you choose an easy difficulty level which started you out in a cartoony world. Apparently they completely took the ability to play this level out since they changed the difficulties around and made the easy difficulty selectable from the start in the US version. Fast forward nearly 20 years and I spoke with Tony H about help finding an Action Replay code to find it in the US version and before the night was out I was able to fly around in the same goofy level I saw in Gamefan so many years ago. There was also 2 or 3 weapons you could only pick with a Game Genie as well.

    Great game, one of those that surprised me it was released in the US. There were so many great MD games that never left Japan and I was almost sure this would be one of them.
    Last edited by Az; 04-17-2016 at 02:15 AM.

  3. #3
    Strawberry (Level 2) Custom rank graphic
    FoxNtd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    USA/米国
    Posts
    569
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    4
    Thanked in
    4 Posts

    Default

    Dammit, another reminder of something on my Mega Drive wishlist...

    I don't know why I keep grouping this with E-SWAT, I don't think they're related at all. But while I'm at it, E-SWAT is worth mentioning too. It's also a surprisingly interesting MD title! The very beginning of the game might not impress, but the level designs later in the game is where it starts to shine.

  4. #4
    Pac-Man (Level 10) Emperor Megas's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    The Dark World
    Posts
    2,272
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    2
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    6
    Thanked in
    5 Posts

    Default

    I don't know why I don't own a copy of this game yet. I didn't know about it besides it was a mech shooter, and I thought that the box art was cool, but hearing about the whole light charging thing has me more interested and any similarities to the Assault Suits series is even more of a selling point for me. Target Earth was a pretty special Genesis entry for me when I was a kid because it reminded be so much of Robotech/Macross. Almost anything in a similar vein appeals to me.

  5. #5
    celerystalker is a poindexter celerystalker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    St Louis, MO
    Posts
    2,816
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    3
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    16
    Thanked in
    14 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Az View Post
    Bought this at launch and loved it.

    So many times over the years I tried to get the "happy land" level code to work that was pictured in Diehard Gamefan. The code was for the original JP version and let you choose an easy difficulty level which started you out in a cartoony world. Apparently they completely took the ability to play this level out since they changed the difficulties around and made the easy difficulty selectable from the start in the US version. Fast forward nearly 20 years and I spoke with Tony H about help finding an Action Replay code to find it in the US version and before the night was out I was able to fly around in the same goofy level I saw in Gamefan so many years ago. There was also 2 or 3 weapons you could only pick with a Game Genie as well.

    Great game, one of those that surprised me it was released in the US. There were so many great MD games that never left Japan and I was almost sure this would be one of them.
    That's awesome! I was unaware of that code. I'm gonna have to try it on my Japanese version!

  6. #6
    Strawberry (Level 2) Custom rank graphic
    FoxNtd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    USA/米国
    Posts
    569
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    4
    Thanked in
    4 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Emperor Megas View Post
    I didn't know about it besides it was a mech shooter, and I thought that the box art was cool, but hearing about the whole light charging thing has me more interested and any similarities to the Assault Suits series is even more of a selling point for me.
    I have Leynos too, and it's great but holy hell it's hard. It has a difficulty level higher than the standard one, I doubt I'll ever get through it. At least Valken lets you have more attempts before it's all over. Then there's Leynos 2 which makes me wish more SS games existed with a design like that. SS is exceptionally great for 2D!

  7. #7
    celerystalker is a poindexter celerystalker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    St Louis, MO
    Posts
    2,816
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    3
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    16
    Thanked in
    14 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by FoxNtd View Post
    I have Leynos too, and it's great but holy hell it's hard. It has a difficulty level higher than the standard one, I doubt I'll ever get through it. At least Valken lets you have more attempts before it's all over. Then there's Leynos 2 which makes me wish more SS games existed with a design like that. SS is exceptionally great for 2D!
    I very much agree with this. Leynos 2 is a load of fun. I wish Valken 2 had continued along that road instead of becoming a Front Mission strategy clone. At least Front Mission: Gun Hazard is an Assault Suits clone to make up for it.

  8. #8
    Strawberry (Level 2) Custom rank graphic
    FoxNtd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    USA/米国
    Posts
    569
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    4
    Thanked in
    4 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by celerystalker View Post
    I very much agree with this. Leynos 2 is a load of fun. I wish Valken 2 had continued along that road instead of becoming a Front Mission strategy clone. At least Front Mission: Gun Hazard is an Assault Suits clone to make up for it.
    Agreed 100%.

  9. #9
    Luigi (Level 20) Custom rank graphic
    kainemaxwell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    12,601
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    12
    Thanked in
    9 Posts

    Default

    Love this game! Wasnt it one of the first that utilized the 6-button controllers?
    My Gaming Collection (Now at Google Drive!)

  10. #10
    Cherry (Level 1) jammajup's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Birmingham area (UK)
    Posts
    381
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    3
    Thanked in
    2 Posts

    Default

    This is a game I disliked on its release but returned to years later, I quite like it now.

  11. #11
    celerystalker is a poindexter celerystalker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    St Louis, MO
    Posts
    2,816
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    3
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    16
    Thanked in
    14 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jammajup View Post
    This is a game I disliked on its release but returned to years later, I quite like it now.
    I had a similar experience with this one. It didn't sit well with me originally, but I came back to it several years later and it just clicked. Like it a ton now days!

Similar Threads

  1. Game of the Day 3/30/2016: Cybernoid
    By celerystalker in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-31-2016, 04:57 PM
  2. Game of the Day 2/23/2016: SOS
    By celerystalker in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 02-29-2016, 05:09 PM
  3. Game of the Day 1/26/2016: RC de Go
    By celerystalker in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 01-26-2016, 02:06 AM
  4. Ranger X "NOT FOR RESALE" Genesis game
    By NESCollector75 in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 01-08-2012, 10:31 PM
  5. Space Ranger Cocktail game
    By Bubba in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 08-27-2007, 08:24 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •