Your top 10 best Run 'N' Gun games?

nsonthi77@hotmail.com · Thu Aug 18, 2005 2:03 pm

For me...

1. Metal Slug 1
2. Metal Slug X
3. Contra- The Alien War
4. Gun Star Hero
5. Ranger-X (underratted)
6. Bloody Wolf
7. Twinkle Tales
8. Contra
9. Mega Turrican
10. Mercs

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 2:35 pm

I would agree with your list 100% and I would actually throw in Lilo & Stitch for the GBA. I played the hell out of the game for 3 months straight; it was genuinely good which I always found amazing.

Ord · Post by **Ord** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:31 pm

In no particular order -

1.Metal Slug
2.Contra Alien Wars
3.Gunstar Heroes
4.Alien Hominid
5.Demon Front
6.Metal Slug 3
7.Alien Soldier
8.Astro Boy-Omega Factor
9.Contra-Shattered Soldier
10.Metal Slug X

it290 · Post by **it290** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:17 pm

1. Metal Slug
2. Metal Slug X
3. Metal Slug 3
4. Contra
5. Super C
6. Gunstar Heroes
7. Metal Slug 5
8. Contra Hard Corps
9. Guerilla War (if that counts)
10. Shock Troopers (ditto)

Didn't include Slug 2 because of X, although it definitely deserves a spot otherwise.

Andi · Post by **Andi** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:25 pm

What? No Sunset Riders?

I can't believe you people.

it290 · Post by **it290** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:45 pm

I like Sunset Riders, but its gameplay would be improved if the sprites were a bit shorter.

Grinning Cat · Post by **Grinning Cat** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:31 pm

Nothing will top Alien Soldier. Ever.

nsonthi77@hotmail.com · Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:45 pm

C'mon, there gotta be someone out there that doesn't Metal Slug.

Anyway, Alien Soldeir would've been a very great run 'n gun game if they had made the game with more platforming parts. I mean you fight a boss like every minute or so with very little break in between...sometimes I want to run around and blow things up for a while before fighting a boss.

Grinning Cat · Post by **Grinning Cat** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:56 pm

But that's what makes it so great. It's focused, where so many other Treasure games are bloated and unwieldy. I'm looking at you, Silvergun...

LoneSage · Post by **LoneSage** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:05 pm

I made a Top 10 RNG list at another forum a few months back, the people thought I was on crack or something

From lowest to best:
10. Gunstar Heroes
9. In the Hunt
8. Metal Slug 5
7. Neo Contra
6. Sunset Riders
5. Contra: Shattered Soldier
4. Metal Slug X
3. Metal Slug
2. Contra: Hard Corps
1. Contra III

and of course, the childhood memories come in for the win! something inside of me tells me Contra 3 isn't the best, but if I took it off the #1 spot I'd feel like I pushed grandma down the stairs -- just isn't right.

Contra 3 is still hards as balls on the Hard difficulty. The bullets move sooo fast!

Diabollokus · Post by **Diabollokus** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:21 pm

Don't think I've even played 10

1. Contra Hard corps
2. Contra the alien wars 3
3. Gunstar Heroes
4. Alien Soldier
5. Ranger X
6. Super probotector
7. Mega Turrican
8. Expendable
9. Ikari warriors
10. robocop vs terminator.

fukkit best i could do.

PaCrappa · Post by **PaCrappa** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:24 pm

1 Cowboys of Moo Mesa
2 Metal Slug
3 Gunstar Heroes
4 Gunners Heaven
5 Geo Storm
6 Metal Slug X
7 Demon Front

I can't even think of any others that I've played recently.

Pa

LoneSage · Post by **LoneSage** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:31 pm

Yeah, I made up a list of all the run 'n gunners I owned and have played; most of them are on the NES:

Metal Slug Advance, Apocalypse, Assault: Retribution, In the Hunt, Metal Slug X, Alien Hominid, Contra: Shattered Soldier, Metal Slug. Metal Slug 4, Metal Slug 5, Neo Contra, Sunset Riders, Contra: Hard Corps, Contra III. Gunstar Heroes, Midnight Resistance, Predator 2, Contra, Contra Force, Guerrilla War, Ikari Warriors, Iron Tank, Atomic Runner (still not too sure about this classification), Journey to Silius, Power Blade, Super C, Gunforce, Turrican series, Super Smash TV, Total Carnage, Timeslip

Then I just picked the best ones from that and was done.

It really shows you how the RNG genre, while widely more acknowledged becaue of Contra and Metal Slug alone, just doesn't have many games in it. And I was really pushing it with a few games on there, such as Super Smash TV, Apocalypse (the PS1 Bruce Willis game

), and a few others. Amazing that only a few phenomenal games can make this genre more appreciated and known whilst the shmup genre gets by with only (maybe) Gradius and R-Type Final with the mainstream crowd because of their recent releases.

Dammit, someone make another run 'n gunner, using GGX-styled visuals....

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:38 pm

Red Star, I read, recently got picked up by a publisher, so that will be a nice slick update of the genre.

SheSaidDutch · Post by **SheSaidDutch** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 10:45 pm

Contra III:Alien Wars
Contra:Hardcorps
Metal Slug I
Gunstar Heroes

I think thats it for me

MadSteelDarkness · Post by **MadSteelDarkness** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:51 am

Brian wrote:Red Star, I read, recently got picked up by a publisher, so that will be a nice slick update of the genre.

That's killer news.

Well, for me it would be (in no particular order):

Metal Slug 3
Metal Slug
Contra III
Contra: Hard Corps
Contra
Alien Soldier
Gunstar Heroes
Rendering Ranger
Astro Boy: The Omega Factor
Mega Turrican

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 2:23 pm

No takers for Mega Drive E-Swat? Don't know if the speed of it classifies it as a RUN and gun, but a fantastic title all the same.

Dunno about ten, but Ghosts 'n' Goblins, and Super Ghouls n'n Ghosts would definitely be on my list, Turrican 2 (Amiga), Midnight Resistance, and Alien 3 in SNES, which seems a sadly forgotten gem.

I'm one of the weirdo's that doesn't really rate any Metal Slug game after the first, heresey I know but there you go.

Ex_Mosquito · Post by **Ex_Mosquito** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 5:02 pm

Before you say anything, i class shinobi games as a run&gun. Just think of the shurikans as bullets

No particular order:

1-Shinobi - Arcade
2-Shadow Dancer - Megadrive
3-Contra3
4-Metal Slug X
5-Metal Slug 3
6-Ghouls n Ghosts - Arcade
7-Wardener (Strongest power-up looks like a gun

)
8-Shock troopers
9-Soldier of light
10-Sunset Riders

howmuchkeefe · Post by **howmuchkeefe** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 5:39 pm

1. Contra III
2. Metal Slug 3
3. Super Ghouls N' Ghosts
4. Contra
5. Contra: SS
6. Ghosts N' Goblins
7. Neo Contra
8. Metal Slug 5

I haven't played very many run n' guns, and about half of the ones I have I've only played a handful of times. I like the genre, but I like every genre except sports- I only have so much time!

The only terrible run n' gun I've run into is Metal Slug 4. I haven't suffered a case of sequel disappointment so severe since Highlander 2.

captain ahar · Post by **captain ahar** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 6:52 pm

Brian wrote:Red Star, I read, recently got picked up by a publisher, so that will be a nice slick update of the genre.

uh red star as in... here

i'm not doubting your information (completely), just wanted to say if true that is very cool.

theevilfunkster · Post by **theevilfunkster** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:06 pm

Nice to see some love for Astro Boy Omega Factor, that game is a fucking beast!

Anyway, here's my faves (In no particular order)

Gunstar Heroes
Metal Slug
Metal Slug X
Metal Slug 3
Astro Boy Omega Factor
Contra Shattered Soldier
Ranger X
Robocop Vs Terminator
Alien Soldier

Hopefully I'll be adding Gunstar Super Heroes to this list in the future.

Tomtom · Post by **Tomtom** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:50 pm

PaCrappa wrote:1 Cowboys of Moo Mesa
Pa

Wha? I need to see this sometime. Anyway, I absolutely SUCK at the genre, but there are a few that need to be mentioned, in no particular order:

-Outzone (no one else?...)
-Metal Slug 1, 2, 3
-Super C

...I think that's about all I've played, actually

Andi · Post by **Andi** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:17 pm

Atomic Runner is pretty notable. While I inititally hated it, I was convinced of its beauty and now its easily one of the best run and gun games - at least on the Genesis.

Super Laydock · Post by **Super Laydock** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:23 pm

two words: Midnight Resistance!

Kiki Kai Kai 1 & 2 are both fantastic as well, as is Knightmare (MSX).

SheSaidDutch · Post by **SheSaidDutch** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:26 pm

Marc wrote:I'm one of the weirdo's that doesn't really rate any Metal Slug game after the first, heresey I know but there you go.

I agree,the successors dont bring anything new to the table IMHO

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:43 pm

Here are my favorites:

1. Contra Hard Corps
2. Contra III
3. Contra
4. Super C
5. Mega Turrican
6. Metal Slug X
7. Metal Slug
8. Rolling Thunder
9. Operation C
10. Metal Slug 2

Note: I like Astro Boy quite a bit, but Run 'n Gun? It's more of an action game. It has melee moves as the main attack and some beat 'em up like elements. I left it off the list becuase I don't count it as Run 'n Gun.

Moogs · Post by **Moogs** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:44 pm

LoneSage wrote:Dammit, someone make another run 'n gunner, using GGX-styled visuals....

What, like Dolphin Blue?

Davey · Post by **Davey** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 1:20 am

LoneSage wrote:Amazing that only a few phenomenal games can make this genre more appreciated and known whilst the shmup genre gets by with only (maybe) Gradius and R-Type Final with the mainstream crowd because of their recent releases.

Seriously. Every loved Contra back in the day, and Metal Slug is pretty popular given the niche it works in. It's really weird that there weren't more clones in this genre, but then again, maybe we're better off without them.

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 2:09 am

captain ahar wrote:
Brian wrote:Red Star, I read, recently got picked up by a publisher, so that will be a nice slick update of the genre.
uh red star as in... here

i'm not doubting your information (completely), just wanted to say if true that is very cool.

Yea, I know, and I have not read it was picked up on the internet. But, I did read it in a magazine recently that it was back on its feet. I forget which mag, but I am thinking it might be the latest GamesTM (at least in the States) with Link on the cover.

Fighter17 · Post by **Fighter17** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 2:09 am

Super Turrican 1 and 2 for the SNES was very good. Play it, you will enjoy it!