Gunstar Super Heroes [GBA]

It's been 10 years since Sega and Treasure let loose Gunstar Heroes for the Sega Genesis. Before its release, the term "sleeper hit" wasn't widely used, but this game defined it by being a great title that eluded the average gamer's radar. Capturing Contra's frenetic pace and level design creativity never before seen, Gunstar Heroes still tops the lists of those in the know.

Gunstar Super Heroes expands on that classic cartridge on the Game Boy Advance -- a system that has become lord high mucky-muck of 2D gaming, due in large part to another Sega shooter, Astro Boy: Omega Factor. What we have here is a shooter where you never know what to expect -- and not just because you have two different characters with four distinct weapons between them (one is exclusive for each). Treasure flexes its creative muscles to bring a nonstop thrill ride of sublime side-scrolling.

Though there are only six levels, Super Heroes is packed with more memorable moments than any other game out there. You'll find yourself defying gravity and dodging missiles while standing atop a spaceship, with the world and sky spinning behind you. You'll tackle a shape shifting boss while either riding a flying creature, running upside down, or sprinting on the surface. You'll be a piece in a wicked board game where a roll of the dice can lead to rewards or ruin. You'll even try to force a mutant teddy bear into oncoming traffic.

Those who know and love Gunstar Heroes may find some familiarity in some of these scenarios. That's because there's a lot in Super Heroes that you've already seen in the predecessor. While a lot has been updated and changed around, that still means hardcore fans have been there and done that in many portions of the game. You can view it in one of two ways: It's a lazy sequel or an ambitious remix.

The parts that are new to this version are a mixed bag. The rotating and scrolling world effects are really cool and may actually leave you feeling a little nauseous -- which, believe it or not, is a compliment. However, not all the new stuff works. For example, a Xevious-style overhead shooter level is far too slow and cumbersome to be considered fun. But, when what you're doing changes every few minutes, any unpleasant sections are over fast.

This brings up another good thing about Super Heroes: The levels are split up into chapters, which allows you to save after every one. This means you won't have to trudge through them all on one turn. You'll still need to be wary of how much life you have at the beginning of each section, however, and wade through 10 screens before you're able to reload your save. This, along with the ability to choose which level to play next, keeps players from becoming angry and abandoning the game. It's a more approachable, user-friendly shooter -- without sacrificing intensity or difficulty.

Super Heroes's gameplay is unique and intuitive. Yes, you are able to shoot to your heart's content with multiple firearms and unlimited ammo; but there's also a melee mechanic to take into account. You can do just as much damage with sword slashes and jump kicks, and they're much more stylish. Use one gun enough, and you'll be able to unleash a supercharged attack. Controls are excellent -- especially the ability to move around while firing in the same direction.

Super Heroes' graphics have obviously improved over the 16-bit original. Scrolling backgrounds look excellent, and a large number of enemies appear onstage without sacrificing performance. However, one downer deals with the dimensions of the GBA screen: You can't really make the bosses as massive as you could on a TV, because you'd have to shrink everything else down so much. Still, this is a minor complaint. As for audio, you'll be amazed at the clarity and wealth of speech that you'll come across while playing. The music and sound effects match the pace and setting of the game perfectly.

It's debatable whether you can call this a full-fledged sequel. What no one can dispute, however, is the fact that Super Heroes is an amazing shooter, reviving the 2D gameplay. It's disappointing to see co-op multiplayer missing and a few more levels really would've been nice, but Super Heroes will still save the day for just about anyone with a GBA or DS.