Status Inc Nov 19, 2023
I'd just like to draw everyone's attention to this cool article about the making of one of my all time favourite games, Gunstar Heroes.
Gunstar Heroes (1993)
Android · Linux · Mac · PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 3 · Sega Mega Drive/Genesis · Wii · Xbox 360 · iOS
3.95 from 368 ratings
795 members have it in their collection · 11 playing now · 197 backlogged · 89 wish listed
How long? Main story 3h (from 4 logged playthroughs)
Details
- Developers
- Treasure
- Publishers
- Sega, Tec Toy
- Genres
- Arcade, Platform, Shooter
- Themes
- Action, Science fiction, Warfare
- Series
- Gunstar Heroes
- Steam
- View on Steam
Release dates
- Sep 09, 1993 (Worldwide) Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
- 1993 (Brazil) Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
- Dec 02, 2006 (Japan) Wii
- Dec 11, 2006 (North_America) Wii
- Dec 15, 2006 (Europe) Wii
- Jun 10, 2009 (Worldwide) Xbox 360
- Jun 11, 2009 (Worldwide) PlayStation 3
- Nov 22, 2010 (Worldwide) iOS
- Jan 26, 2011 (Worldwide) Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Dec 20, 2017 (Worldwide) Android
Also available on
- Gunstar Heroes (1995) · GG
- 3D Gunstar Heroes (2015) · 3DS
Related
Bundled in
- Classic Collection (Dec 1996) · GEN
- Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 25: Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box (Feb 2006) · PS2
- Gunstar Heroes: Treasure Box (Feb 2006) · PS2, PS3
- Sega Mega Drive and Genesis Classics (Jun 2010) · LIN, MAC, NSW, Oculus Rift, PC, Steam VR
- Sega Genesis Classics: Series 4 (Jan 2011) · PC
- Sega Genesis Classics (May 2018) · NSW, PS4, XONE
- Classic Collection (Dec 1996) · GEN
- Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 25: Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box (Feb 2006) · PS2
- Gunstar Heroes: Treasure Box (Feb 2006) · PS2, PS3
- Sega Mega Drive and Genesis Classics (Jun 2010) · LIN, MAC, NSW, Oculus Rift, PC, Steam VR
- Sega Genesis Classics: Series 4 (Jan 2011) · PC
- Sega Genesis Classics (May 2018) · NSW, PS4, XONE
- Sega Classics for Amazon Fire TV (Dec 2018) · FIRE
- Mega Drive Mini (Sep 2019) · Plug & Play
- Sega Genesis Mini (Sep 2019) · Plug & Play
- Mega Drive Mini (Sep 2019) · Plug & Play
- Game Gear Micro Blue (Oct 2020) · Handheld Electronic LCD
Featured in lists
Rating distribution
5 stars
105
4 stars
157
3 stars
93
2 stars
8
1 star
5
Community All Reviews Statuses
Status Reset_Tears Oct 23, 2020
Gunstar Heroes is a classic for the Genesis. I've played it off and on over the years, but only recently was able to get through the whole thing (co-op with a friend, how it's best to enjoy). Really fun, frantic run-and-gun side-scroller. It's this sort of fast-paced arcade-style game that really defined the system. Waves upon waves of enemies to …
Gunstar Heroes is a classic for the Genesis. I've played it off and on over the years, but only recently was able to get through the whole thing (co-op with a friend, how it's best to enjoy). Really fun, frantic run-and-gun side-scroller. It's this sort of fast-paced arcade-style game that really defined the system. Waves upon waves of enemies to mow down with your lasers, flames, and bullets -- and explosions go off all around you. It's a blast!
What makes the game fun for multiple playthroughs is how the weapon system works. You can pick up two weapon styles, and choose to mix them up how you wish. Have you ever wanted to wield a homing flamethrower? Now you can. Then you can switch it up to shoot extra-fast lasers, or just go full-Contra with double-powered bullets. Lots of fun to mess with.
The other aspect that really stands out for this game are the bosses. Mayhem, just pure mayhem for some of these wacky yet challenging set pieces. I think this was a time when devs were trying to find ways to make games feel a bit more "epic" in an action movie sort of way, and Gunstar Heroes pulls that off really well. I think my only downside for this game is that it does lag pretty bad at times, but still it's impressive how well the game does generally manage to run with so much happening on-screen at any given moment. (Lag is less of an issue if playing alone, I'll note.) The game also leans heavily into spectacle, so those looking for a more precise run-and-gun will want to stick with Metal Slug and the like.
Status SIGINT Mar 17, 2020
God, the 2nd stage boss in this game is insanely hard to me. I’m in some kind of mine cart jumping between floor and ceiling tracks and it’s got a ton of phases named things like the hilarious “Crab Force.” I coasted through the game up until now despite feeling awkward with the controls, but this will probably destroy my …
Read moreGod, the 2nd stage boss in this game is insanely hard to me. I’m in some kind of mine cart jumping between floor and ceiling tracks and it’s got a ton of phases named things like the hilarious “Crab Force.” I coasted through the game up until now despite feeling awkward with the controls, but this will probably destroy my soul like that dragon in Cuphead... I looked at a FAQ but I can’t quite get it, maybe I’m not cut out for this type of game lol. It seems awesome in most departments besides the fact that I’m trash at it
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Status filmbeats Sep 1, 2019
I was not immediately attracted to Gunstar Heroes. As a fan of Contra Hard Corps, I didn't like Gunstar Heroes' art style and having to choose between fixed shot and free shot seemed limiting. Also without having a manual, I didn't know how to pick up power-ups. After a few attempts I gave up on the game. A long time …
I was not immediately attracted to Gunstar Heroes. As a fan of Contra Hard Corps, I didn't like Gunstar Heroes' art style and having to choose between fixed shot and free shot seemed limiting. Also without having a manual, I didn't know how to pick up power-ups. After a few attempts I gave up on the game. A long time passed and I ended up trying out the GBA sequel a bit (which allows the use of both fixed shot and free shot together), I eventually did go back to the original. I guess for whatever reason, it clicked with me this time and I was amazed at some of the effects and the boss battles. Batshit crazy would be an appropriate descriptor of the action. Also it was fun to do the non-shooting moves like kicks, slides and throws which added some nice variety. Weapon combining was also fun.
If only the 3DS remake of this game could be made available on PC because I hear that M2 added some nice features including the combination of free shot and fixed shot. I am almost tempted to buy a 3DS just for the Gunstar Heroes remake.