Name This SNES Contra-Like Shooter

[Jorpho]

There is a SNES shooter that I only know of from its in-depth coverage (I think it was the "back of the poster" game) in an issue of Nintendo Power towards the end of the SNES's lifetime. (Something around the time of X-Caliber 2097, I think.) It had a rather European (Amiga?) look about it, and I think the first or secondl level was a forest. It was described as Contra-like, and I think the protagonist was described as an android in the storyline (though he really just looked like an ordinary guy dressed in white).

Unfortunately, my stack of old Nintendo Power issues is deeply buried at present. Any ideas?

[it290]

Super Turrican or Jim Power, I would guess.

[Iron Draggon]

Sounds like Total Carnage to me.

"I'll buy you for a dollar!"

LOL

[Jorpho]

Nah, it was more human-looking than Turrican, and it was a side-scroller (unlike Total Carnage). And I'm pretty sure Jim Power was a number of years earlier.

If it helps, I don't think the character had any gimmicky special moves (unlike Turrican).

[VGfan]

Time Slip?

[Jorpho]

Nah, looks like Mr. Time Slip is dressed in green. (If you know of a good place for screenshots, 'twould be appreciated.)

[Sotenga]

Yeesh... usually, I have the one-up on games such as these, but this one's got me baffled. If I had to take three random but somewhat relevant guesses...

1. Time Trax
2. Blackthorne
3. Universal Soldier

I doubt that's much help, but I will investigate the matter post-haste.

ADD: AHA! Snap! Could it be Gun Force?

http://www.vgmuseum.com/pics4/gunforce001.gif

Note: Screenshot from arcade version.

The main guy's not white, but the game is rather Contra-esque and starts in a forest area.

ADD2: I think I got it! Could it be Run Saber?

http://www.vgmuseum.com/pics2/Run%20Saber%20-%20Ingame%204.gif

The guy, Allen, is white, and he's apparently an android, but he utilizes a saber instead of a gun... still, not a bad guess, eh?

[Iron Draggon]

Gun Force is the most Contra-like game on the SNES, but the characters are mechs, not regular guys in white shirts. I would've guessed Time Slip too, or maybe even Operation Logic Bomb, but that one is an overhead scroller also.

[Sotenga]

Got a few more guesses:

1. Hagane

I don't know why I say that, but it is fast-paced and challenging, and the protagonist is a cyber-ninja.

2. Earthworm Jim

You do lots of shooting and Jim's dressed in white, so I'm thinking that could be plausible. I definitely saw him in one of the posters too.

3. Mega Man X/X2

I know, I know, bad guess there, but I'm running out of options. I'm starting to have a strong feeling that it's Earthworm Jim, but if it's not that or Run Saber, then I am absolutely out of guesses. I can only help you further by giving you the link to the Video Game Museum and see whatcha find in the screenshots department.

www.vgmuseum.com

Go forth, young Jorpho, and find out what the hell that game is! :)

[Lemmy Kilmister]

Run Saber maybe?

[Sotenga]

Run Saber maybe?

I said that as well, and based on the fact that the protagonist is white-clothed, I'd say that the game is either that or Earthworm Jim. And if it's not... then there's a really cool SNES shooter out there that I don't somehow know of. O_O

[Yamdasrd]

Doom Troopers?

[Lemmy Kilmister]

Run Saber maybe?

I said that as well, and based on the fact that the protagonist is white-clothed, I'd say that the game is either that or Earthworm Jim. And if it's not... then there's a really cool SNES shooter out there that I don't somehow know of. O_O

Yeah It has to be that one of those, I don't know what else it could be. Anyways, your Run Saber link seems to be dead, so here is a pic.

http://www.juegomania.org/emuladores/snes/1/1673.jpg

[Sotenga]

Run Saber maybe?

I said that as well, and based on the fact that the protagonist is white-clothed, I'd say that the game is either that or Earthworm Jim. And if it's not... then there's a really cool SNES shooter out there that I don't somehow know of. O_O

Yeah It has to be that one of those, I don't know what else it could be. Anyways, your Run Saber link seems to be dead, so here is a pic.

http://www.juegomania.org/emuladores/snes/1/1673.jpg

Thanks for backing up my link. :)

...!!! Yamdasrd, I think you may be onto something with Doom Troopers! I can't believe I didn't guess that, I've been playing that game quite a bit recently! AUGH! Anyway, the first level is a forest, both of the characters are cyborgs even though one of them (Mitch) looks like a normal human, and it is rather Contra-esque, even though the Genesis version of Doom Troopers plays faster (and is better, IMHO).

So, it's basically down to three very likely suspects now...

1. Run Saber
2. Earthworm Jim
3. Doom Troopers: The Mutant Chronicles

If it's not any of those, I'll eat my balls.

[Joelius]

Earthworm Jim is super distinguishable though, isn't it? I mean, Jim is a big walking earthworm for crying in the mud. But if its it, all the better. Earthworm Jim was a great game.

[Jorpho]

Nay, I distinctly remember Run Saber, and it would be quite unusual if I did not distinctly remember EWJ. And, sadly, Doom Troopers doesn't sound right either (though there's no screenshot on VG Museum).

I'm quite sure about the forest thing, anyway. The boss itself might have been some giant mutant tree. I also seem to remember crystals, and the plot might have had biological elements - biomechanical android, or maybe some sort of virus. (I know that sounds even more like Run Saber, but I am positive it was not Run Saber.)

No other ideas? Or must this wait until I sift through my Nintendo Power magazines again one (happy) day?

[Sotenga]

... *eats balls*

Well, now that you mention the mutant tree, I... still don't have any idea, but I can't think of too many games that have you fighting a tree, except for the Kirby series. So, I'll keep looking, and letcha know what I find, mmmkay?

[Iron Draggon]

You must drive us all nuts wondering what game it is until you finally dig out your Nintendo Powers and reveal that it was actually a Mario game, and the forest level is actually the mushroom kingdom! That's how this usually goes...

Anyway, I wanted to say Hagane too, since he is supposed to be a cyber ninja, even though he looks like a samurai or something. Same thing with Musya, except I only wanna say that because every time one of these two games is mentioned, I feel compelled to mention the other one. They're both very sweet games, especially if you're into traditional Japanese themes.

I kinda wanna mention Blackthorne too, or maybe even Flashback, could it be one of those two? Flashback is a bit of a stretch, but Blackthorne isn't stretching it too far. I don't think he's supposed to be a cyborg though.

Maybe it could be Realm or Time Cop? Again, these aren't exactly what you described, but they're kinda close. I'm starting to run out of ideas though...

[Lemmy Kilmister]

Nay, I distinctly remember Run Saber, and it would be quite unusual if I did not distinctly remember EWJ. And, sadly, Doom Troopers doesn't sound right either (though there's no screenshot on VG Museum).

I'm quite sure about the forest thing, anyway. The boss itself might have been some giant mutant tree. I also seem to remember crystals, and the plot might have had biological elements - biomechanical android, or maybe some sort of virus. (I know that sounds even more like Run Saber, but I am positive it was not Run Saber.)

Mutant tree, crystals? Is it Skyblazer?

http://www.juegomania.org/emuladores/snes/1/1816.jpg

[Sotenga]

Maybe it could be Realm or Time Cop? Again, these aren't exactly what you described, but they're kinda close. I'm starting to run out of ideas though...

REALM!!! That is another likely candidate! I've barely played it until now, but goddamn if that first level isn't a forest stage! And the element of crystals... there are crystals everywhere where you can get powerups. You're also able to shoot in all directions like in Contra, so... I do believe we have a match. :D

But if it's not, I'm not eating my balls again if it's not Realm.

[Jorpho]

A WINNER IS REALM

Thanks for playing! Next question: Is there a particular reason this game does not hold a proper place in the pantheon of SNES shooterism ?

[Sotenga]

YAY! Credit goes to Iron Draggon for the plan, though. :)

From what little I played of it, it seems to be a damn cool game. Music is unremarkable, though, and I don't think it ever aspired to be that big a game, but it seems to be worth a play.

ADD: HEY! They ripped the "I got hit" sound off from Super Castlevania IV!

[Crush Crawfish]

Crap, you guys beat me to it! As I was scrolling through the topic, realm just popped into my head. I played it a bit on an emulator, and it was pretty cool, but I couldn't figure out how to get up the trees after run right a bit. Yep, I suck. LOL :embarrassed:

[poloplayr]

how the heck could i miss this game...just tried it and it's pretty good.

[spooie]

Hey... Skyblazer. That was the "good" Sony game, if I recall. :-P

[Predatorxs]

..and i was gunna say super valis VII, but i'm too late and too wrong lol ;)

http://www.xs.dsl.pipex.com/avator/ms_ufo.gif..Mike

[Lemmy Kilmister]

Hey... Skyblazer. That was the "good" Sony game, if I recall. :-P

Sure beat Smartball.


..and i was gunna say super valis VII, but i'm too late and too wrong lol

Hun, Super Valis VII? The hell?! Did you mean Super Valis IV?

[Predatorxs]

Hey... Skyblazer. That was the "good" Sony game, if I recall. :-P

Sure beat Smartball.


..and i was gunna say super valis VII, but i'm too late and too wrong lol

Hun, Super Valis VII? The hell?! Did you mean Super Valis IV?

Yeah i meant IV lol... ;)

http://www.xs.dsl.pipex.com/avator/ms_ufo.gif..Mike