Cybernator (Virtual Console) Review

Cybernator

It is the near future. Resources are dwindling and the major powers of the world are locked in a territorial dispute. As Pacific States Marine Corps soldier Jake, you must lead your platoon on a deadly mission to destroy the enemy's ultimate weapon.

Pilot your Cybernator G5-E (a five-story tall mechanised humanoid Assault Suit) through seven exciting stages, using the suit’s destructive arsenal of weaponry. As you progress through the game, you will also be able to power each weapon up to a maximum of three levels. It's up to you whether to power up one specific weapon or all weapons simultaneously, adding an element of strategy to the non-stop action.

The powerful background music, military atmosphere and intense story development combine to give the world of Cybernator a gritty, sci-fi feel that you won’t soon forget.

By Damo

The Japanese have a real love for big robots that hasn't entirely crossed over into the West. Thankfully Cybernator (AKA: Assault Suit Valken) - a follow up to the Megadrive Assault Suit Leynos/Target Earth - made the jump from East to West and remains one of the more memorable SNES shooters.

After the mission-based gameplay of Target Earth, Cybernator comes across as a lot more straightforward. There's quite a bit of in-game dialogue (another hallmark of Target Earth) but you usually have to get from one end of the level to the other. Some of the settings are truly memorable - one level sees you attacking an orbiting space station, the owners of which then turn the tables on you by aiming the huge structure at Earth. You then have to disable a series of boosters to prevent impact, before jumping off and falling to the planet's surface. Thankfully your suit is able to withstand the intense heat generated by re-entry. It's suitably epic stuff and as a result the game feels like it's on a bigger scale than other shooters on the SNES.

Even today the graphics are impressive - big, clean and supremely detailed sprites battle it out over gorgeously-realised terrain. The music is also of a high standard, and the sound effects are suitably punchy and loud. Controlling the mech takes some getting used to, but once you've got the hang of it you really do believe you're in charge of a massive, hulking death machine. Each limb of your robot is a different sprite and this permits some silky-smooth animation that has to be seen to be believed.

NCS updated the formula on the Saturn with Assault Suit Leynos 2 but the SNES version remains the best of the three and is a game you really should look to buy as soon as possible.

5/5

Average reader rating: 4.14 (29 ratings)

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Cybernator Screenshot

Cybernator Screenshot

Cybernator Screenshot

Cybernator Screenshot

Cybernator Screenshot

Cybernator Screenshot

Cybernator Screenshot

Cybernator Screenshot

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1. Bass X0 28 Sep 2007, 15:12 GMT

Such an awesome game. I never did get very far without cheating originally though. But the first few levels that I could do by myself were quite fun.

2. niner 28 Sep 2007, 18:47 GMT

Yeah, this games was pretty good. Let's just hope Konami releases the pseudo-sequel Metal Warriors at some point.

3. RoninDennis 04 Oct 2007, 12:04 GMT

Indeed, excellent game, if only for the superb story and drama (and multiple endings) for the time. Also, the music is fantastic and the manga graphics are just delicious. I'm going to get this right after its available!

4. Delay 27 Oct 2007, 16:31 GMT

OK game, but the story of the japanese version was reduced a lot, espacially in the final level.

5. darthmix 01 Nov 2007, 17:17 GMT

A terrific action game. Can't wait for this.

6. Ray 12 Nov 2007, 22:11 GMT

I played my mates American import of Super Contra. I looked for it desperately in the shops (under both its names) and couldn't find it anywhere. In my despair I bought Cybernator because it looked really close to Super Contra. I wish I hadn't bothered. Super Contra rocks. This sucks so bad words fail me.

7. aaronsullivan 03 Dec 2007, 14:20 GMT

I prefer its predecessor, Target Earth (for Sega Genesis), overall but I wish it had the graphics of this one. It's shorter than Target Earth but has some very memorable moments and great ideas. Super fun. Definitely picking this one up.

8. Shiyo 07 Dec 2007, 07:57 GMT

I've played this quite a bit, and it's brutally difficult, especially the level where you're flying through space, dodging asteroids and stuff.

Still, it's got quality written all over it, even if I never did get very far.

I just bought it on the VC, I'll play it after I get home from class today. :]

9. RoninDennis 07 Dec 2007, 09:22 GMT

Consider my surprise when I saw this game listed beneath Double Dribble! Instant download, one of the most memorable games in my gaming life. And Ray, you can't compare this to Super C. This is no simple run 'n gun game!

10. RoninDennis 07 Dec 2007, 20:22 GMT

Eh?! We seem to have the US version, it doesn't have the mugshots next to the dialogue. Still, seems a good trade off for black borders and 50hz gameplay...

11. Cactuar18 08 Dec 2007, 15:14 GMT

I haven't played it but by looking at the videos, it looks sweet. Should I buy it...?

12. Robert 16 Dec 2007, 12:30 GMT

Classic game, the only things that are missing are the suicide scene and the original anime artwork from the Japanese Assault Suit Valken original. Nevertheless awesome.

13. Chad 17 Dec 2007, 23:09 GMT

Looks just like Metal Warriors. Now that was a great game. Hopefully they will release that at some point.

14. FalloutBR 18 Dec 2007, 10:16 GMT

Very nice game, bought it yesterday. The controls take some time to get used to, but after a few deaths, I got to the last level. Love the music and the atmosphere... this game really shows that some 16-bit games can really be immersive!! (More so than many modern games imo.)

15. JD 19 Dec 2007, 19:04 GMT

I've never played it before Monday, I got it and I don't regret it.

What a totally underrated game.

16. butanebob 23 Dec 2007, 12:09 GMT

Underrated for sure.
Kudos should actually be given to Masaya and not Konami. Konami just published and distributed it in the west, Masaya actually did the developing.
Also note the japanese version has a bit of stuff not in the western release. There's a lot more dialogue/story and also character portraits pop up whenever you receive a message from one of your team mates. Quite a bit was censored aswell in particular a specific scene at the end of the game...
Buy this anyway but at the same time i recommend locating the translated original Japanese version aswell.

17. 19 Jan 2008, 13:07 GMT

oh yeah!

18. Inquisitor 24 Jan 2008, 01:50 GMT

I played many SNES games but i never remember playing or hearing about this and i am glad that its out on the VC becouse i now i have a chance to play it.

19. Nigel 07 Feb 2008, 14:38 GMT

I just downloaded this and haven't beat the first stage yet, but it's a pretty neat game once you get the hang of it.

20. Nigel 09 Feb 2008, 03:13 GMT

Okay I beat the first stage. The second stage is a bitch!

21. Roo 23 Feb 2008, 19:33 GMT

This is mince.

And that's my analysis.

22. HiPNoTyQ 26 Feb 2008, 05:58 GMT

just tried it out on emulator (always try before you buy) and I'm really digging it. I'm sure the game will be much easier to control with the classic controller over keyboard though haha

23. GoodOldTimes 30 Apr 2008, 11:47 GMT

Yeah! Great game! I never played that one before. It is absolutely worth buying it and gives me that kind of 2D-Feeling i need!
I want more of that! Wheres the "Killing Game Show"? I think it was on Amiga...

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