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.
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...
24. Mickeymac
12 Jul 2008, 01:45 GMT
Fun game, though the controls did take a while to get used to, especially considering the video made it look so easy. I hope we get Metal Storm after this, that looked pretty cool, far as I've seen.
Maybe even Metal Warriors, that one was awesome.
25. Nobarai
18 Jul 2008, 04:52 GMT
I dunno why, but the music in the video made me feel uncomfortable... Game looks great though! i'll buy this one sooner or later.
26. Dormin87
04 Aug 2008, 15:42 GMT
Oh wow, I couldn't even get past the second stage until I found the secret weapon, then I kicked all kinds of butt. This is definitely a great game.
27. Marvel_Maniac
08 Sep 2008, 16:39 GMT
I've still on the fence on this one. I like the look, I've tried the emulator, but I can't seem to justify 800 pts on it with so many other option out there. I'll have to watch for more player comments before I'm convinced.
28. Slionr
29 Sep 2008, 16:39 GMT
After reading this review and watching the review of this game by kwing on YT, I wanted to give this game a chance and realy, its great
If you like contra (probotector), Vectorman or eny such shooters, this one is Highly recommended ^^
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