EricR: Let's Play Some Games

Full Playthrough. Strikers 1945, alternatively known as Striker 1945, emerged in 1995 as a dynamic vertical shoot 'em up arcade game from the developers at Psikyo. It gained momentum in Japan when Atlus ported it to the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in 1996. This game also featured in Psikyo Shooting Collection Vol. 1: Strikers 1945 I & II, launched by Taito for the PlayStation 2, and introduced to European gamers by Play It as '1945 I & II: The Arcade Games.' The success of Strikers 1945 paved the way for its sequels, Strikers 1945 II in 1997 (simply titled 'Strikers 1945' in North America) and Strikers 1945 III in 1999, along with a remake of the second installment named Strikers 1945 Plus. By 2022, the game's classic arcade version made a comeback as part of the Sega Astro City Mini V, a vertical variant of the Sega Astro City mini console. In Strikers 1945, each aircraft is equipped with three types of attacks: a standard shot, a more potent charged shot, and a bomb capable of clearing the screen of lesser foes and projectiles. Players can enhance both the standard and charged shots by collecting power-ups, and additional bombs can also be acquired throughout gameplay. Notably, gold bars obtained from demolishing select structures or adversaries can be collected for extra points. Completion of each level, culminating in the defeat of the final boss, results in a tally of the player's time, collected gold bars, and enemies vanquished, with exceptional performance rewarded with either a silver or gold medal. A unique feature in the Japanese arcade edition is a secret bonus revealed post-credits, granted to players who complete the game without losing a single life, showcasing the six pilots (comprising five females and one male) in a playful, undressed pose. Retro Corner series playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgosg4ryyB1te6pYhU5YM1cv6r0JAMi3b&si=HH41MkQruMJlm9Wa Retro Achievements user profile: https://retroachievements.org/user/Nostromo82 Retro Achievements Strikers 1945 game page: https://retroachievements.org/game/12380 LaunchBox Games Database: Strikers 1945 https://gamesdb.launchbox-app.com/games/details/2333-strikers-1945 Developer: Psikyo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psikyo Publisher: Psikyo Genre: Shoot 'em Up Released: 1995 Platform: Windows RetroArch https://www.retroarch.com/ Core: FinalBurn Neo https://github.com/finalburnneo/FBNeo #Strikers1945 #Arcade #RetroGaming #EricRLetsPlaySomeGames #RetroAchievements #RetroArch #Launchbox #FinalBurnNeo #FBNeo #ArcadeGaming #ArcadeClassics #VintageGaming #ClassicGames #PixelArtGames #Strikers1945Arcade

Full Playthrough. Launched in 1987, 'Double Dragon' marked its debut as a groundbreaking beat 'em up video game, conceived by Technōs Japan and globally distributed by Taito across arcades in Asia, North America, and Europe. This seminal game laid the foundation for the Double Dragon series. Yoshihisa Kishimoto spearheaded its development, creating a game that not only succeeded but also advanced the essence of Technos' previous title, Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun (internationally known as Renegade, released in 1986). Initially intended as a sequel within the Kunio-kun series, Kishimoto instead evolved 'Double Dragon' into an original concept featuring a new ensemble and setting. 'Double Dragon' brought innovative elements to the classic beat 'em up style of Kunio-kun. These innovations included an evolving side-scrolling environment to enhance the sense of journey, cooperative gameplay for two players, a feature allowing players to wield weapons taken from enemies, and cinematic cutscenes to enrich the gaming experience visually. The game's name, a nod to its two-player mode, also pays homage to Bruce Lee's iconic film 'Enter the Dragon' (1973), a key influence behind both Kunio-kun and Double Dragon. The design and backdrop of the game drew inspiration from the 'Mad Max' film series and the 'Fist of the North Star' manga and anime. Achieving pioneering success in the beat 'em up genre, 'Double Dragon' ascended to become the third highest-grossing table arcade game of 1987 in Japan and later the top-grossing dedicated arcade game in America for two consecutive years, 1988 and 1989. It garnered widespread critical acclaim, including the prestigious 1988 Game of the Year award from Electronic Gaming Monthly. The game's triumph led to the expansion of the Double Dragon franchise with two arcade sequels, several spinoffs, and a significant influence on the beat 'em up genre. This influence sparked a 'Golden Age' for beat 'em ups, setting standards for similar games in the late 1980s and 1990s. Originally an arcade exclusive, 'Double Dragon' was eventually adapted for various home gaming systems including NES, Master System, Atari, Amiga, and more during its peak. In 2003, the series saw a revival with 'Double Dragon Advance' on the Game Boy Advance. Retro Corner series playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgosg4ryyB1te6pYhU5YM1cv6r0JAMi3b&si=HH41MkQruMJlm9Wa Retro Achievements user profile: https://retroachievements.org/user/Nostromo82 Retro Achievements Double Dragon game page: https://retroachievements.org/game/12082 LaunchBox Games Database: Double Dragon https://gamesdb.launchbox-app.com/games/details/10490-double-dragon Developer: Technōs Japan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Techn%C5%8Ds_Japan Publisher: Taito https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taito Genre: Beat 'em Up Released: 1987 Platform: Windows RetroArch https://www.retroarch.com/ Core: FinalBurn Neo https://github.com/finalburnneo/FBNeo #DoubleDragon #Arcade #RetroGaming #EricRLetsPlaySomeGames #RetroAchievements #RetroArch #Launchbox #FinalBurnNeo #FBNeo #ArcadeGaming #ArcadeClassics #VintageGaming #ClassicGames #PixelArtGames

Full Playthrough. Dive into the action-packed world of 'RoboCop,' a 1988 arcade masterpiece developed and released by Data East. Drawing inspiration from the acclaimed 1987 movie, the game takes you on an intense journey through the crime-ridden streets of a futuristic city. Players step into the boots of RoboCop, a powerful cyborg law enforcer, battling various threats with his array of high-tech weaponry. This arcade hit mirrors the gameplay style of Data East's earlier release 'Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja,' featuring a thrilling mix of beat 'em up and run and gun elements. In 'RoboCop,' players engage in close-quarters combat as well as strategic shooting action, making for a diverse and immersive gaming experience. The game features audio clips of RoboCop (Peter Weller) and memorable digitized photos from the film, enhancing the cinematic feel. As players progress, they encounter different types of enemies, including a final showdown with the notorious crime boss. Whether it's hand-to-hand combat or tactical firearm use, 'RoboCop' delivers an unforgettable arcade experience, capturing the spirit of the movie with its innovative gameplay and striking visuals. Retro Corner series playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgosg4ryyB1te6pYhU5YM1cv6r0JAMi3b&si=HH41MkQruMJlm9Wa Retro Achievements user profile: https://retroachievements.org/user/Nostromo82 Retro Achievements RoboCop game page: https://retroachievements.org/game/12366 LaunchBox Games Database: RoboCop https://gamesdb.launchbox-app.com/games/details/8412-robocop Developer: Data East https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_East Publisher: Data East Genre: Action Released: 1988 Platform: Windows RetroArch https://www.retroarch.com/ Core: FinalBurn Neo https://github.com/finalburnneo/FBNeo #RoboCopArcade #RetroGaming #1988Arcade #ArcadeClassics #RoboCopGame #RetroAchievements #RetroArch #Emulation #FinalBurnNeo #BeatEmUp #VintageGaming #GamerLife #ClassicArcade #OldSchoolGaming #GamingNostalgia

Full Playthrough. Embark on an action-packed journey with 'Final Fight,' a classic side-scrolling beat-'em-up game crafted by Capcom. Launched in arcades in 1989, this game emerged as the seventh project for the CP System hardware. Set against the backdrop of the make-believe Metro City, 'Final Fight' invites players to step into the shoes of one of three heroes: Mike Haggar, a former pro wrestler turned city mayor; Cody Travers, a skilled street fighter; and Guy, a ninja of the modern era. This fearless trio embarks on a daring mission to save Jessica, Haggar's daughter and Cody's beloved, from the clutches of the notorious Mad Gear Gang. Originally envisioned as a sequel to 1987's 'Street Fighter' and initially titled 'Street Fighter '89,' its development path took a turn. Inspired by the success of 'Double Dragon,' the game shifted from a fighting to a beat 'em up format, leading to its rebranding as 'Final Fight.' This title has been adapted for various platforms, including the ZX Spectrum, Super NES, and Sega CD. Achieving significant commercial triumph, 'Final Fight' sold an impressive 30,000 arcade units globally and dominated as 1990's top-grossing arcade game in Japan and the best-selling arcade conversion kit in the United States. Its SNES version also enjoyed immense success with 1.5 million copies sold worldwide. Spawning the 'Final Fight' series and multiple sequels, this game's legacy continued. Its development team contributed to 'Street Fighter II,' and several 'Final Fight' characters made their way into the 'Street Fighter Alpha' series and beyond, enriching the fighting game genre. Retro Achievements user profile: https://retroachievements.org/user/Nostromo82 Retro Achievements Final Fight game page: https://retroachievements.org/game/11727 LaunchBox Games Database: Final Fight https://gamesdb.launchbox-app.com/games/details/5221-final-fight Developer: Capcom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capcom Publisher: Capcom Genre: Beat 'em Up Released: 1989 Platform: Windows RetroArch https://www.retroarch.com/ Core: FinalBurn Neo https://github.com/finalburnneo/FBNeo

Full Playthrough. Retro Achievements user profile: https://retroachievements.org/user/Nostromo82 Retro Achievements Altered Beast game page: https://retroachievements.org/game/11975 LaunchBox Games Database: Altered Beast https://gamesdb.launchbox-app.com/games/details/5267-altered-beast Developer: Sega https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega Publisher: Sega Genre: Beat 'em Up Released: 1988 Platform: Windows RetroArch https://www.retroarch.com/ Core: FinalBurn Neo https://github.com/finalburnneo/FBNeo

Full Playthrough. Superman is a 1988 arcade action game released by Taito and featuring the DC Comics character Superman. While not directly based on the original film series, throughout much of the game the "Superman Main Theme" and "Can You Read My Mind" from the Superman films are used as background music. In the game, the player assumes the role of Superman, who must fight through five levels to make the world safe from the evil Emperor Zaas, a character exclusive to this game. The game can be played by up to two players simultaneously, with the second player taking control of another Superman with a different colored costume. Retro Achievements user profile: https://retroachievements.org/user/Nostromo82 Retro Achievements Superman game page: https://retroachievements.org/game/12442 LaunchBox Games Database: Superman https://gamesdb.launchbox-app.com/games/details/21977-superman Developer: Taito https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taito Publisher: Taito Genre: Beat 'em Up Released: 1988 Platform: Windows RetroArch https://www.retroarch.com/ Core: FinalBurn Neo https://github.com/finalburnneo/FBNeo

Full Playthrough. Batman is a horizontally scrolling beat 'em up arcade game released by Atari Games in 1990 in North America, and in 1991 in Japan and Europe. The storyline is based on the eponymous 1989 movie. It features stages based on locations in the film, including first-person control of the Batmobile and the Batwing. The game features audio clips of Batman (Michael Keaton) and the Joker (Jack Nicholson) as well as digitized photos from the film. Batman can use various weapons, such as batarangs and gas grenades, as he takes on various goons and the Joker. Retro Achievements user profile: https://retroachievements.org/user/Nostromo82 Retro Achievements Batman game page: https://retroachievements.org/game/15000 LaunchBox Games Database: Batman https://gamesdb.launchbox-app.com/games/details/10285-batman-atari Developer: Atari https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari Publisher: Atari Genre: Beat 'em Up Released: 1990 Platform: Windows RetroArch https://www.retroarch.com/ Core: FinalBurn Neo https://github.com/finalburnneo/FBNeo

Full Playthrough as Leonardo. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, released in Japan as TMNT: Super Kame Ninja and in Europe as Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles, is a 1989 beat 'em up arcade game released by Konami. It is based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, including the first animated series that began airing two years earlier. In the game, up to four players control the titular Ninja Turtles, fighting through various levels to defeat the turtles' enemies, including the Shredder, Krang, and the Foot Clan. Released during a high point in popularity for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, the arcade game was a worldwide hit, becoming the highest-grossing dedicated arcade game of 1990 in the United States and Konami's highest-grossing arcade game. Versions for various home systems soon followed, including the Nintendo Entertainment System. A sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time, was released in 1991. Retro Achievements user profile: https://retroachievements.org/user/Nostromo82 Retro Achievements Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game page: https://retroachievements.org/game/12210 LaunchBox Games Database: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles https://gamesdb.launchbox-app.com/games/details/8344-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles Developer: Konami https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konami Publisher: Konami Genre: Beat 'em Up Released: 1989 Platform: Windows RetroArch https://www.retroarch.com/ Core: FinalBurn Neo https://github.com/finalburnneo/FBNeo

Full Playthrough. The Punisher is a 1993 beat 'em up arcade game developed and released by Capcom. It stars the Marvel Comics' antihero the Punisher (Frank Castle) and co-stars S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury as the second player's character as they embark on a mission to kill the crime lord the Kingpin and bring down his organization. While following the same general formula as Capcom's previous beat 'em ups, the game has a range of usable weapons and a comics-style presentation. The Punisher gained significant popularity in arcades and is widely regarded as one of the best titles in the beat 'em up genre as well as one of the best video game adaptations of comic books. A Mega Drive/Genesis port was developed by Sculptured Software and published by Capcom to mixed reviews and commercial failure. Retro Achievements user profile: https://retroachievements.org/user/Nostromo82 Retro Achievements The Punisher game page: https://retroachievements.org/game/11787 LaunchBox Games Database: The Punisher https://gamesdb.launchbox-app.com/games/details/7962-the-punisher Developer: Capcom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capcom Publisher: Capcom Genre: Beat 'em Up Released: 1993 Platform: Windows RetroArch https://www.retroarch.com/ Core: FinalBurn Neo https://github.com/finalburnneo/FBNeo