Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah, I get it. People LOVE Gunstar Heroes. One of the best games on the Genesis, they say. Treasure's finest, even! Well guess what? I don't care much for it! That's right, applaud me. Applaud me for my bravery!
Gunstar Heroes is fine. I personally find it to be a pretty average run-and-gunner with some solid mechanics, good controls, and some really fun set pieces. However, it's my least favorite game by Treasure on the genesis. I find Alien Solider to be a lot more mechanically engaging, and when it comes to humor and style Dynamite Headdy has this game beat. Even when compared to other run-and-guns on the system, Gunstar is far from my first choice. And yet, the way people talk about this game you'd think it's the second coming.
For years I've seen this game talked up but never quite found the time to get around to it. This was probably to my detriment, as Gunstar Heroes continued to gestate in my mind, growing in power until it reached almost mythical levels of hype. Of course it couldn't live up to my expectations, and that's not really the game's fault, but after hearing for so long that this was the Sega Genesis game, it's hard to not feel disappointed when it doesn't even stack up to the rest of Treasure's output.
That is also why I think this game deserves a revisit (if I can ever get around to it.) Perhaps I'd like it more now that the illusion has been shattered. I can enjoy it for what it is and not what it was built up to be. Who knows, maybe one more run might be all it takes to tip me over and make me join the ranks of the converted.
Gunstar Heroes is fine. I personally find it to be a pretty average run-and-gunner with some solid mechanics, good controls, and some really fun set pieces. However, it's my least favorite game by Treasure on the genesis. I find Alien Solider to be a lot more mechanically engaging, and when it comes to humor and style Dynamite Headdy has this game beat. Even when compared to other run-and-guns on the system, Gunstar is far from my first choice. And yet, the way people talk about this game you'd think it's the second coming.
For years I've seen this game talked up but never quite found the time to get around to it. This was probably to my detriment, as Gunstar Heroes continued to gestate in my mind, growing in power until it reached almost mythical levels of hype. Of course it couldn't live up to my expectations, and that's not really the game's fault, but after hearing for so long that this was the Sega Genesis game, it's hard to not feel disappointed when it doesn't even stack up to the rest of Treasure's output.
That is also why I think this game deserves a revisit (if I can ever get around to it.) Perhaps I'd like it more now that the illusion has been shattered. I can enjoy it for what it is and not what it was built up to be. Who knows, maybe one more run might be all it takes to tip me over and make me join the ranks of the converted.
5 Comments
Now that's a hot take! Have you tried Contra Hard Corps at all by chance? It's kind of almost a sister game of sorts considering the relation between Konami and Treasure.
I have. Hard Corps is my favorite contra and hands down the best run-and-gun on the Genesis.
Fuck yeah!
agreed on alien soldier being the better game. i think cutting down on the number of weapons, removing 2p, and expanding your movement tools makes that game so much deeper and intricate
FallenGrace
1 year ago