Run and gun
14 games
Contra
Contra is a 1987 run and gun game developed and published by Konami for arcades. A home version was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988, along with ports for various home computer formats, including the MSX2. The arcade and computer versions were localized as Gryzor in Europe, and the NES version as Probotector in the PAL region. The arcade game was a commercial success worldwide, becoming one of the top four highest-grossing dedicated arcade games of 1987 in the United States. The NES version was also a critical and commercial success, with Electronic Gaming Monthly awarding it for being the Best Action Game of 1988. Several Contra sequels were produced following the original game.
Metal Slug 7
Metal Slug 7 is a run and gun video game developed by SNK Playmore for the Nintendo DS. It is the seventh and final title in the main Metal Slug series. It marks the first game in the main series that would be released without an arcade version. The game was released in 2008 for Japan on July 22 and North America on November 28 by Ignition Entertainment.
Time Soldiers
Time Soldiers, known in Japan as Battle Field (γγγ« γγ£γΌγ«γ), is a 1987 run and gun video game developed by Alpha Denshi "ADK (company)") for arcades and published by SNK. It was distributed in North America by Romstar. A Master System version was also produced, as well as versions titled Time Soldier for the Amiga, Commodore 64, and Atari ST. Time Soldiers can be played by either a single-player, or by two players simultaneously. Players move their characters with an eight-way rotary joystick, shooting enemies along a scrolling backdrop. The rotary joystick allows players to walk in one of eight directions while shooting in any of twelve directions. These controls are similar to the SNK-developed Ikari Warriors (1986) which allowed the player to walk and rotate in eight directions. The plot involves the protagonists traveling through time to rescue their comrades from the villainous Gylend.
Contra: Hard Corps
Contra: Hard Corps, released as Contra: The Hard Corps in Japan and Probotector in Europe and Australia, is a 1994 run and gun game developed and published by Konami for the Sega Genesis, making it the first game in the Contra series released for a Sega platform. Set five years after the events of Contra III: The Alien Wars, a terrorist group led by the renegade Colonel Bahamut has stolen an alien cell recovered from the war and now intends to use it to produce weapons. A new task force, known as the titular "Hard Corps", are sent to deal with the situation. The game features a branching storyline with multiple possible endings. Hard Corps spawned its own series of follow-ups; including the Appaloosa-developed sequels, Contra: Legacy of War & C: The Contra Adventure; and the Arc System Works-developed prequel, Hard Corps: Uprising. Hard Corps has since been considered to be a spin-off from the mainline Contra entries.
Gunstar Heroes
Gunstar Heroes is a 1993 run and gun video game developed by Treasure and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis. It was Treasure's first developed video game. The premise is centered around a pair of characters, the Gunstars, in their efforts to stop an evil empire from recovering four powerful gems. The characters can fire guns and perform a series of acrobatic maneuvers to fight enemies across each stage. There are four weapons which can be combined with one another to create different shot types. Development on Gunstar Heroes began among a team of staff working at Konami in 1991. Following an unwillingness of Konami to embrace their original game ideas, the team quit in 1992 and formed Treasure to see their project through. The team wanted to develop their game for the Genesis because of the system's powerful Motorola 68000 microprocessor.
Alien 3
Alien 3 (stylized as ALIEN3) is a 1992 run and gun video game based on the film of the same name. It was released for the Sega Genesis and Amiga in 1992, then for the Commodore 64, Game Boy, Game Gear, Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Master System. Each version was developed by Probe Software, except for the Game Boy version, which was developed by Bits Studios.
Earthworm Jim 2
Earthworm Jim 2 is a 1995 run and gun "Run and gun (video game)")platform game. It is the sequel to Earthworm Jim "Earthworm Jim (video game)"), and the second and final game in the Earthworm Jim series developed by original creators Doug TenNapel, David Perry "David Perry (game developer)"), and Shiny Entertainment. It was released in late 1995 and early 1996 depending on the region and video game console, initially for the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System, before being ported to other platforms. The purpose of the game is largely the same as it was in the original Earthworm Jim; traverse through the levels in order to save Princess What's-Her-Name from Psy-Crow. However, gameplay is much more diverse than the original. While the majority of levels are still based on run and gun and platformer elements, separate levels incorporate different gameplay mechanics as well.
Sunset Riders
Sunset Riders is a 1991 run and gunvideo game developed and published by Konami for arcades. It was released in North America in October 1991 and Japan in November 1991. It is set in the American Old West, where the player(s) take control of bounty hunters who are seeking the rewards offered for various criminals. The arcade version was released in two variants: a two-player version and a four-player version. Home console versions of Sunset Riders were released for the Mega Drive/Genesis in 1992 and for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993 to a positive reception. Hamster Corporation released the game as part of their Arcade Archives series for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in June 2020. The game, which is set in a fanciful version of the American Old West, revolves around four bounty hunters named Steve, Billy, Bob, and Cormano, who are out to claim rewards offered for eliminating the most wanted outlaws in the West. Each bounty hunter wields different guns.
Contra III: The Alien Wars
Contra III: The Alien Wars is a 1992 run and gun video game developed and published by Konami for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It is the third home console entry in the Contra series after Contra (1988) and Super Contra (1990) for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). In PAL regions, it was known as Super Probotector: Alien Rebels, because due to Laws of Germany prohibiting the sale of violent games to minors, the main characters had to be replaced with Probotectors (robots) named "RD-008" and "RC-011", while the Japanese version is called Contra Spirits, with Bill and Lance being featured like the American version. The player is tasked with fighting off an alien invasion of Earth across six stages. Four stages feature side-scrolling action traditional to the series while two are presented from an overhead perspective. It is the first Contra title to have been directed by Nobuya Nakazato who later directed other games in the series.
Zombies Ate My Neighbors
Zombies Ate My Neighbors is a 1993 run and gun video game developed by LucasArts and published by Konami for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis. The player controls the protagonists Zeke and Julie in order to rescue the titular neighbors from monsters often seen in horror films. Aiding them in this task are a variety of weapons and power-ups that can be used to battle the numerous enemies in each level. Various elements and aspects of horror movies are referenced in the game with some of its more violent content being censored in various territories such as Europe and Australia, where it is known only as Zombies. While not a great commercial success, the game was well-received for its graphical style, humor and deep gameplay. It spawned a sequel, Ghoul Patrol, released in 1994.
Jackal
Jackal,#cite_note-3) also distributed under the title of Top Gunner, is an overhead run and gun video game released for arcades by Konami in 1986. The player must maneuver an armed jeep in order to rescue prisoners of war (POWs) trapped in enemy territory. The Jackal unit is an elite group of four soldiers that have undergone a harsh training regimen to survive in any environment. The team is composed of Colonel Decker, Lieutenant Bob, Sergeant Quint and Corporal Grey. They have been given a mission to drive two armed jeeps into hostile territory in order to rescue and extract POWs.#cite_note-jackalchirashi-4) Jackal can be played by up to two players simultaneously. A second player can join in during play any time and the two jeeps are numbered on their hoods to indicate which player is in control.
Operation C
Operation C (released as Contra (γ³γ³γγ©, Kontora)#cite_note-Jpntitle-3) in Japan and as Probotector in the PAL region) is a 1991 run and gun video game by Konami released for the Game Boy. It is a sequel to Super Contra, and the first portable installment in the Contra series "Contra (series)"). Operation C features gameplay and graphics similar to the Nintendo Entertainment System versions of Contra and Super Contra. The game has a total of five stages, many of which share design similarities to Super C (the NES version of Super Contra). The three odd-numbered stages (1, 3, and 5) are played from a side-view perspective, while the two even-numbered ones (2 and 4) are top-view. The soundtrack consists primarily of arranged background music from the original Contra, with the exception of a few tunes (namely the Area 2 theme, the Stage Select theme, the sub-boss theme in Area 3, and the ending theme).
Super C
Super Contra, known as Super Contra: The Alien Strikes Back#cite_note-5) in Japan, is a 1988 run and gun game developed and published by Konami for arcades. It is the sequel to the original Contra and part of the Contra series "Contra (series)"). The game stars Bill Rizer and Lance Bean as they are sent to thwart another alien invasion from the vicious Red Falcon. It was ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System under the shortened title of Super C in North America and as Probotector II: Return of the Evil Forces in Europe. Both the arcade version and the NES version have been re-released for various other platforms since their original releases. A year after the battle with the Red Falcon Organization,#cite_note-6) Bill and Lance are sent on another mission. This time, the alien forces have taken over an allied military base, possessing most of its troops.
Contra Force
Contra Force is a 1992 run and gun game developed and published by Konami for the Nintendo Entertainment System in North America. It is a spinoff of the Contra series, being the third game in the series released for the NES following the original Contra and Super Contra. However, the game's plot and setting are unrelated to both previous and succeeding entries, as the villains in the game are human terrorists instead of an alien menace. The game was scheduled to be released in Japan under the title of Arc Hound (γ’γΌγ―γγ¦γ³γ, Δku Haundo), with no ties to the Contra series, but was cancelled.
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