Sunset Riders

[ColecoFan1981]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunset_Riders

What do you guys remember about Sunset Riders, a 1991 shoot-'em-up arcade game released by Konami that is set in the American Old West?

You and three of your friends play as one of four cowboys per player: Steve, Billy, Bob and Cormano. Only the arcade version allowed up to 4 players per game; all home versions (none available in Japan, oddly) limited multiplayer ability to 2 players. Furthermore, the Sega Genesis port removed Steve and Billy as playable characters.

Both the Super NES and Genesis versions were heavily censored and were thus stripped of all references to American Indians (the Super NES port removed all references to women as well; the Super NES port changes the American Indian boss's name from Chief Scalpem to Chief Wigwam). Those censors alone would've been ignored in the Japanese Super Famicom and Mega Drive ports if they existed there, but didn't.

I also think that SR could've seen an 8-bit NES release but, I would think it not to sell well due to the fact that the NES is old technology; it would of course remove all the voices, in addition to the Genesis version's heavy stripping down.

~Ben

[Leo_A]

This was included in one of the Room Room packs for the 360. But for some odd reason, it alone was never unlocked.

Maybe if Microsoft ever restarts the service with another partner we'll finally get it.

[BetaWolf47]

Of course we remember it. It's a great alternative to Konami's own Contra, and has a much fairer difficulty. I rented it back in the day, and me and my brother played it for hours. I managed to find it a few years back too.

Didn't know they stripped stuff out of the SNES version though. Then again, Nintendo was anal about what it allowed on its consoles.

[T]

Sunset Riders is one of my top 50 favorite games of all time

I love playing co-op.

back in the day, i beat the genesis version

Recommended

[thom_m]

Sunsetriders is a great game! Played it a lot at the arcade, and also the Genesis version, owned by a friend of mine. The SNES game is awesome, censorship and all, and I'm looking forward to get me a cart.

There's some hate around for the Genesis game, but I liked it. Yes, it was heavily stripped down (and often used, back in the day, as an example of why the SNES was better than the Genny, much to my annoyance) , but it was also fun to play, fast paced, and I enjoyed the bigger sprites. Not as cool as the SNES game, but cool nonetheless, and a nice addition to the Genesis library.

[retroguy]

I love this game! I never played the console version (yet), but I'm a big fan of the arcade original. I've mainly played it via MAME, but I have played an actual machine a couple of times. A similar and equally excellent game is Wild West COWboys of Moo Mesa, which, sadly, never got a home console release. Thank the Gods for the internet. Without it, stuff like that would never be seen again.

[NBaco]

Sunsetriders is a great game! Played it a lot at the arcade, and also the Genesis version, owned by a friend of mine. The SNES game is awesome, censorship and all, and I'm looking forward to get me a cart.

There's some hate around for the Genesis game, but I liked it. Yes, it was heavily stripped down (and often used, back in the day, as an example of why the SNES was better than the Genny, much to my annoyance) , but it was also fun to play, fast paced, and I enjoyed the bigger sprites. Not as cool as the SNES game, but cool nonetheless, and a nice addition to the Genesis library.

I didn't even know there was a Genesis version actually.

Anyway, although I don't currently own Sunset Riders I have to agree it was a pretty fun game. It's got some memorable quotes and awesome shoot-em-up gameplay. I really need to buy a copy of this game in fact.

[Brianvgplayer]

Both the Super NES and Genesis versions were heavily censored and were thus stripped of all references to American Indians (the Super NES port removed all references to women as well; the Super NES port changes the American Indian boss's name from Chief Scalpem to Chief Wigwam).~Ben

This isn't entirely accurate. The Genesis version isn't heavily censored. Only the SNES version removed the American Indians (aside from Scalpen/Scalpem/Wigwam). The Genesis version has the American Indians. The SNES version still has the girls when you enter the bar, but gives them more modest clothing. Both versions are missing the dynamite girl, but other references to women are still there.

[Rickstilwell1]

Hey look at prices for the SNES cart alone on ebay. It's in pretty good demand it seems. It's a good game but I never thought it would be popular enough to command $20-$25 for cart only.

[Informationator]

This was one of the games I added to my SNES collection very early on. I remember playing it on my cousin's Genesis over a decade ago when they checked it out from Blockbuster. Fantastic game.

[Steven]

Quality quality Konami title.

I remember on the SNES version you could do the whole 2nd player join in for 1P's last continue trick... and the 2nd player would have all his continues.

[MachineGex]

I love this game. I am one of the few that like the fact that the Genesis and SNES versions are so different. To me, it is like playing part 2(or at least 1.5) . My son even calls the Genesis version Sunset Riders part 2.

[Steven]

I love this game. I am one of the few that like the fact that the Genesis and SNES versions are so different. To me, it is like playing part 2(or at least 1.5) . My son even calls the Genesis version Sunset Riders part 2.

Your son rocks. IIRC he's the same one who figured out the tricks in the unreleased BS Out of Bounds Golf game?

[MarioMania]

Konami botched the Genesis Port

It could have been better, Konami just wanted to make the SNES Port better

[frogofdeath]

I love Sunset Riders. Only game that probably ever received more of my quarters was the Simpsons arcade game.

[Smashed Brother]

Sunset Riders is awesome! When I was 16, I'd stop at the mall arcade and play it before I went to my shitty busboy job! The SNES version was great too, but the Genesis version...ehhhhhh

If you like Sunset Riders, you should try Mystic Warriors. It's another arcade game from Konami that runs on the Sunset Riders engine, but plays a bit like Shinobi, too. I don't think that it was ever ported, so MAME is your only choice.

[Flack]

I paid $50 for this one at an auction about five years ago. Worked 100%.

http://robohara.com/arcade_collection/Sunset_Riders.jpg

I sold it for a couple hundred bucks and when the buyer picked it up he told me he was going to MAME it and resell it for a sweet profit. Oh well.

[ColecoFan1981]

Did Konami ever plan to release a sequel to this title?

[MachineGex]

I paid $50 for this one at an auction about five years ago. Worked 100%.

http://robohara.com/arcade_collection/Sunset_Riders.jpg

I sold it for a couple hundred bucks and when the buyer picked it up he told me he was going to MAME it and resell it for a sweet profit. Oh well.

That is a crying shame. I wish I had one of those bad boys!

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v4US1FaLdi0/TT9E-4tmwDI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/9PqMZGZUeIs/s1600/1.gif

I'm pretty sure that I saw all of those guys hanging out on Christoper Street in NYC.

Seriously.

Sunset Riders: Great 4 player run and shoot, gayest cowboys ever. (Not that there's ANYTHING wrong with that!)

Sunset Riders 2: Sunset Pride Parade?

[MachineGex]

Your son rocks. IIRC he's the same one who figured out the tricks in the unreleased BS Out of Bounds Golf game?

Dang Steven, good memory! Yeah, he is the one. He loves playing co-op games with me.

Right now, we are having some epic battles playing Mario Bros. Arcade on S. Mario Bros. Allstars. He beat me the first three rounds, but I have come back and won the last 3 out of 4. He works the bottom of the level and I stay up towards the top. We have some crazy matches.