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Gunstar Heroes




  developer Treasure Co Ltd
  publisher Sega
  designer Treasure Co Ltd
  released <br /><br/>
  genre Run And Gun
  modes Single Player , Cooperative
  ratings : 3+
  platforms Sega Mega Drive <br> Game Gear <br> PlayStation 2 <br> Virtual Console
  media 8- Megabit Cartridge


is a Run And Gun Videogame developed by Treasure Co. Ltd and published by Sega . The game was released September 9 , 1993 in North America and the following day in Japan for the Sega Mega Drive and Game Gear .

The side-scrolling shooter features a customizable weapon system, whereby the player has access to up to sixteen different weapons. In ''Gunstar Heroes'', the player encounters a array of recurring bosses and puzzles, such as a dice game.

On . It is also available on the Nintendo Wii Virtual Console .


GAMEPLAY

At game start, the player chooses between "Fixed Shot" or "Free Shot" mode, and its starting weapon. Free Shot allows the player to move while firing and perform a diving attack. In Fixed Shot, it must stop to fire, but may fire in all eight directions while standing.

The basic weapons are: Force, a rapid fire weapon; '''Lightning''', a narrow blue beam that can go through enemies; '''Fire''', a short-range flame thrower; and '''Chaser''', small green triangles that seek out the closest enemy. The weapons are found through out the stages, mostly dropped by bird-like robots.

The weapon system allows the player two weapon slots. The weapons can be used separately or combined to form a combo shot.

In addition to the weapons, the player can engage enemies in close quarters combat. It is possible to grab and toss enemies, perform a sliding and jumping attacks and a long-range skid.


PLOT

The Gunstar family has been the protector of the planet Gunstar 9 (G-9) for generations. In his youth, Professor White Gunstar defeated Golden Silver, a destructive android that traveled millions of miles to suck G-9 dry of all its resources. Professor White was able to extract the four famous Mystical Gems, the robot's power source, and imprisoned it on one of G-9's moons.

Years later, a new menace rises. Smash Daisaku, a vicious dictator found out that the Gunstars knew the location of the Mystical Gems. One day, Smash Daisaku kidnapped the Gunstar twins' older brother Green and used a mind control machine to make Green obey his orders.

With Green's help, Smash Daisaku amassed all four Mystical Gems, has turned Gunstar 9's peaceful worker droids into deadly menaces, and is now preparing to leave for Gunstar 9's moon to reactivate Golden Silver.


CHARACTERS

  • Gunstars Red and Blue. The playable characters. Twins brothers who protect Gunstar 9.

  • Gunstar Yellow. Navigator and sister of the Gunstars, she gives them short briefings on the levels.

  • Professor White Gunstar. Also known as Dr. Brown, he deactivated Golden Silver in the past, but is too old to do so again, Instead, he becomes Red and Blue's mentor.


;Boss characters
  • Pink. A well-known bounty hunter hired to stop the progress of the Gunstars. She is joined by Kain and Kotaro.

  • G.I. Orange. Head of a huge warship, Orange loves melee combat, and attacks with his incredible fighting skills and strength and bright blue plumes of energy.

  • Dr. Black. A gambling fanatic, he awaits the Gunstars at his fortress, filled with traps and treasures.

  • Gunstar Green. Brainwashed by the Empire, now he is working to collect the Gems that can reawaken Golden Silver. He also has possession of the giant mech, "Seven Force".

  • Smash Daisaku. A villain who aspires to reawaken Golden Silver. He is eager to face the Gunstars.

  • General Gray Leader of the Empire. Introduced in Stage 5.

  • Golden Silver. A 1000-year-old robot, programmed to go across the universe and suck the energy out of planets.



VERSIONS AND RERELEASES


Shortly after its original release, ''Gunstar Heroes'' made its way to Sega 's handheld machine, Game Gear . The port was handled not by Treasure, but by development house M2. As the console's power could not be matched to that of the Mega Drive , the game was significantly scaled down, stripping its multiplayer mode, Black's Dice Maze, and several graphic effects. It does, however, add in a few new features such as a jetpack level and the chance to drive one of the walker robots from later in the 16-bit version. The game was not released in Europe nor North America.

On October 6 , 2005 , Treasure and Sega released '' Gunstar Super Heroes '', a ''Gunstar'' sequel for the Game Boy Advance . The game makes few changes to the gameplay, such as having a fixed weapon selection and the addition of overpowered attacks controlled by the trigger.

On February 23 , 2006 , Sega released a Treasure-oriented entry in their '' Sega Ages '' series for PlayStation 2 . Named , it contained ''Gunstar Heroes'' prominently (to the extent of it being on the front cover), along with '' Dynamite Headdy '' and '' Alien Soldier ''. "''Treasure Box''" also contains the various versions of these titles (such as Game Gear versions, or versions from different countries), as well as digital manuals and other bonus materials.

''Gunstar Heroes'' was released December 11 , 2006 in North America on the Wii Virtual Console and December 15 , 2006 in Europe.


SEE ALSO



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