Summary
- Release Year: 1986
- Genres: Arcade, Racing, Shooter
- Platforms: Amstrad CPC, Arcade, Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, ZX Spectrum
- Developers: Konami
- Publishers: Konami
Top Gunner: A Detailed Retrospective
Introduction
Top Gunner is an overhead run-and-gun shooter game developed and published by Konami in 1986. It was released in arcades and on various home computer systems, and was known as Jackal outside of the United States. The game is notable for its fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and iconic soundtrack.
Gameplay
Top Gunner is a vertically scrolling shoot-’em-up where the player controls a jeep armed with a machine gun and a limited supply of bombs. The player must navigate through a variety of war-torn environments, including jungles, deserts, and mountains, while shooting down enemy helicopters, tanks, and other vehicles. The player’s jeep can be destroyed if it is hit by enemy fire or collides with obstacles, and the player has a limited number of lives.
The game’s objective is to rescue prisoners of war (POWs) who are being held captive by the enemy. POWs are located in bunkers throughout each level, and the player must shoot the locks on the bunkers to release them. Once all of the POWs in a level have been rescued, the player can proceed to the next level.
In addition to the main campaign mode, Top Gunner also features a two-player cooperative mode. In this mode, two players can team up to take on the enemy forces and rescue the POWs.
Development
Top Gunner was developed by Konami’s arcade division in Japan. The game was designed by Hideo Yoshizawa, who was also responsible for the design of other classic Konami arcade games such as Scramble and Gradius. Yoshizawa wanted to create a game that was fast-paced and challenging, but also accessible to players of all skill levels.
The game’s graphics were created by Kazunori Ueda, who was known for his work on the arcade game Hyper Sports. Ueda’s pixel art is detailed and colorful, and it brings the game’s war-torn environments to life.
The game’s music was composed by Konami sound designer Miki Higashino. Higashino’s soundtrack is energetic and catchy, and it perfectly complements the game’s fast-paced gameplay.
Release
Top Gunner was released in arcades in Japan in 1986. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it was soon ported to a variety of home computer systems, including the NES, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum.
The home computer versions of the game were not as graphically impressive as the arcade original, but they retained the game’s fast-paced gameplay and challenging difficulty. The NES version of the game was particularly popular, and it helped to introduce Top Gunner to a wider audience.
Legacy
Top Gunner is considered to be one of the classic run-and-gun shooters of the 1980s. The game’s fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and iconic soundtrack have made it a favorite among retro gamers.
The game has been ported to a variety of modern platforms, including the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. These ports allow a new generation of gamers to experience the classic gameplay of Top Gunner.
Conclusion
Top Gunner is a timeless classic that still holds up today. The game’s fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and iconic soundtrack make it a must-play for fans of run-and-gun shooters. Whether you’re a retro gamer or a newcomer to the genre, Top Gunner is sure to provide hours of enjoyment.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
