My Played Video Games Review: Strike Gunner S.T.G. for the Super Nintendo

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Strike Gunner S.T.G. is a classic vertical shooter arcade game from 1991 by Japanese video game developer Athena that was later released for the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom. The Super NES version was released in Europe with the title "Super Strike Gunner" and was published by Activision.

This was another fun to play, coop with 2 player, flying shooter back in the early 90s days.

Cool Super Famicom box cover art for Japan. (Image source)

The Story

Several nations are working towards global peace by eliminating nuclear weapons and decreasing their military stockpiles. However, Sovinia, a military state, is secretly planning to invade the planet. As the pilot of the advanced F-14 Strike Gunner fighter jet, it is up to you to defend Earth and save humanity in the "PROJECT EARTH" mission.

Box, manual and cartridge of the game. (Image source)

The Graphics and Sound

The game boasts impressive graphics, featuring a variety of locations including a desert and an alien mothership. The design of the alien ships is particularly noteworthy and unique. Your fighter also looks impressive. While it may not be groundbreaking, the game is definitely visually appealing and enjoyable to play.

I really enjoy the music in this game - it has some great tunes. The sound effects are also really well done (I particularly like the Megabeam Cannon sound). The audio really enhances the overall experience of the game, so you won't want to mute your TV while playing. In my opinion, the audio is a standout feature of this game.

Gameplay video sample of Strike Gunner S.T.G. on the Super Nintendo. Watch in 360p for near TV resolution of that time.

The Gameplay

As for the gameplay, it is standard for a shooter game. You control a high-tech jet, the "Strike Gunner" and navigate a vertical screen, shooting down tanks, helicopters, and eventually alien ships.

What sets this game apart is the option to use 15 different special weapons per level. These weapons range from the Auto-Aim Vulcan, which automatically targets enemies, to the powerful Megabeam Cannon, which can defeat any enemy, including bosses, in a single hit. However, you must be careful as each weapon can only be used once per level. Friendly aircraft may appear in levels to give you power-ups, such as increased speed or improved weapons.

Overall, this game is enjoyable to play. Additionally, the game features a two-player mode, allowing for even more fun with a friend. In this mode, you can combine your fighters to form a double fighter, with one player controlling the main gun and special weapons and the other using a new special weapon. This adds an extra layer of strategy to the game.

Strike Gunner S.T.G. has a lot of replay value and is unlikely to get old quickly. It's a great game to play in short bursts or for longer gaming sessions.

My Verdict

Strike Gunner S.T.G. is easy to pick up and have fun with for a while, especially in the two-player mode. It is a good addition for retro arcade flying shooter fans to add to their collection.

Play it on the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom or play it on a good emulator. Try to play it coop with a friend.

Let's keep on gaming in the free world!