Blazing Lazers 1989

Is it still worth playing?

In this vertical shooter from 1989, a lone fighter, the Gunhed Advanced Star Fighter, takes on the Dark Squadron across nine areas, each with bosses to destroy. It was released as Gunhed in Japan, where it tied in with a film, though the film's mecha never appears in the game itself. Four weapons, marked with Roman numerals, are powered up by picking up the same number again, and purple orbs strengthen whichever weapon you hold. Bombs are limited, and the Select button cycles the ship through five speeds, trading agility for precision. A flashing orb lets you carry on from where you were destroyed. Five ship speeds and four weapons still let you tune how the ship plays.