Bitmap Books’ latest book, Run 'n' Gun: A History of On-Foot Shooters, is out now! Detailing the history of the genre and each notable game, author Dave Cook has put together the essential guide to run ‘n’ gun games.
To celebrate, we’ve picked our magnificent seven of the most famous and important run ‘n’ gun games, complete with a snippet from the book.
To read more about these and dozens more run ‘n’ gun games, purchase Bitmap Books’ brilliant Run 'n' Gun: A History of On-Foot Shooters now.
Front Line
Until this Taito game appeared in arcades in 1982, run ‘n’ gun games were confined to single screens. Front Line changed this limited approach and paved the way for more renowned games such as Commando and Ikari Warriors. Now, the player actually ran – and gunned – through an enemy-infested landscape, introducing the new challenge of adapting to enemies as they appeared.
“This simple but pivotal change added a new layer of intensity and momentum to the genre and is also why Front Line is commonly regarded as one of the first true run ‘n’ gun releases.”
Contra
While very far from the first run ‘n’ gun game, Contra is perhaps the one that defines the genre the most. Originating in the arcades, Konami’s NES version popularised the series, introducing a smoother and less frustrating experience. Of course, whatever version of Contra you play, it’s as hard as nails. Its pair of heroes, Bill and Lance, can only take one hit, and the constant stream of soldiers and gun emplacements will test even the most experienced gamer. The addition of its internal third-person segments also helped thrust the genre into a new dimension.
“It would be an understatement to say that Contra is a difficult game. From the first moments of the opening jungle stage, you’re set upon by endlessly spawning foot soldiers that rush you from both sides of the screen. Contra’s innovations don’t just stop with its precise controls, rewarding challenge and great weapon design. The second and fourth stages are set in heavily defended Red Falcon bases and are viewed from a third-person perspective, with a similar feel to Konami’s own arcade shooter, Devastators.”
Rolling Thunder
Rolling Thunder’s James Bond-stylings and athletic star alone marked it out as a thrilling run ‘n’ gun game; where it excelled was with the inclusion of a cover mechanic, giving the player the option of charging in, or crouching behind an obstacle or in a doorway, taking pot shots at the enemy when safe. It wasn’t safe very often, but the choice was there…
“Rolling Thunder’s cover mechanics help it stand apart from the other shooters of the ‘80s. However, you have to play smart and fast, as the game’s time limit is incredibly tight. Do you potentially waste valuable seconds by hunkering down behind cover to pick your shots carefully, or do you risk rushing ahead into the fray to save time?”
Bionic Commando
Jumping is a key mechanic in the vast majority of run ‘n’ gun games. This one, however, eschews the stereotypical leap into the air in favour of a bionic arm that extends out and acts as a grappling hook. Only by using this can your character ascend to higher levels. Bionic Commando’s expansive maps and inventive communication rooms help – the commando can hack into the latter and learn more about their mission – but that telescopic arm is undoubtedly Bionic Commando’s USP.
“Map aside, the real star of the show is Ladd’s bionic grappling-hook arm. You can use the arm to latch onto grapple points to reach higher ground, avoid danger or get closer to enemies for a clearer line of fire.”
Turrican
Inspired by Data East’s brutal arcade run ‘n’ gunner, Psycho-Nics Oscar, Manfred Trenz unleashed the phenomenon known as Turrican on the world in 1990, instigating a series that would inspire several sequels and versions over the years. Turrican’s most impressive aspect is its immense levels, each an explorable area that sprawls out in all directions.
“Each of the game’s worlds can be fully explored and is brimming with enemies, alternate paths, weapon upgrades, hidden 1-UPS and diamonds that you can collect to earn continues. There’s a tangible sense of exploration and discovery running throughout [Turrican] that fans of releases such as Metroid will surely appreciate.”
Zombies Ate My Neighbors
This Mega Drive/Super Nintendo release evokes a certain B-movie charm, much like its forebear, the arcade game Escape From The Planet Of The Robot Monsters. Zombies incorporates many tropes that made the genre so popular – two-player mode, weapon upgrades and frantic, fast-paced action – and welds them to a quaintly ‘50s horror movie theme and a free-to-explore map laden with monsters and hidden goodies. Don’t forget to search that trashcan!
“The team at LucasArts has to be applauded for coming up with an inventive range of weapons that are a blast to use. Zombies Ate My Neighbors is a blast from start to finish. It really benefitted from LucasArts’ slick animation, which helped to bring all the monsters’ personalities to life.”
Metal Slug
With its cartoonish display and outlandish comedy violence, Metal Slug re-invigorated the run ‘n’ gun genre in 1996. In truth, most of its gameplay – weaponry, driveable vehicles, rescuing hostages – had been done before; it was its anarchic, explosion-ridden gameplay and sheer electrifying pace that endeared it to fans and set a new brash and bold template for the genre.
“Metal Slug’s lavish stages are incredibly detailed, with so much love and care put into every inch of the play space. The franchise’s importance to the run ‘n’ gun genre and the history of gaming as a whole cannot be understated.”
Thanks for reading the latest Bitmap Books blog post. Don’t forget, to read all about these games and more, head over to the Bitmap Books website and secure your copy of the brilliant Run 'n' Gun: A History of On-Foot Shooters. Done that? Great! Now rush to the next area, soldier!
