Review: Super Star Soldier (Wii VC) (Wii)
Super Star Soldier was the first direct sequel to the 1986 Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) game Star Soldier. Appearing on NEC’s Turbografx in 1990, the overhead shooter proved popular enough (especially in Japan) to spawn two further games; Final Soldier and Soldier Blade.
Visually NEC’s 16-bit system brings to life what were fairly bland looking games on the NES. Backgrounds are sometimes a little sparse, but the mechanised enemy are nicely detailed and full of character. The shooting action benefits from some flashy firepower effects too, but it’s the soundtrack that really stands out featuring some excellent, catchy tunes.
The four colour coded weapons return along with the defensive options of satellites or missiles. Powering up the same colour repeatedly will improve the firepower, boosting the on-screen pyrotechnics whilst also adding to your ships shield level. Once a particular weapon type is at full power, collecting additional power-ups of that colour will trigger an explosion destroying all on screen enemies. It’s often as important to dodge the wrong colour power-up as it is to collect the right one, and choosing the most suitable defensive option adds a slight (but welcome) tactical element.
Hudson originally included the two and five minute Caravan modes in their Turbografx releases, the very modes contestants used to compete in the Hudson All Japan Caravan Festival. Once the challenge of the main game is over these high score modes are a nice way to extend the life of the title. Not that it’s an easy game to finish: if you die with less than three lives you’ll be sent back to the beginning of the level and stripped of all your power-ups.
The question then is whether to wait for the release of Final Soldier and Soldier Blade or splash the points on Super Star Soldier now? It really comes down to how much of a shooter fan you are. Despite being competent, the later games are more accomplished, and there are better series out there too (though not on Virtual Console yet). If you happen to be shooter mad like Gamestyle, though, Super Star should scratch that itch nicely.
Cost - 600 Points
Rating: 6 / 10
Not bad work for four guys in an office in Madrid. We wish them luck on their next project.
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