Gunstar Heroes

* Genesis
* Mega Drive
* Title Screen

Gunstar Heroes (Japanese: ガンスターヒーローズ Gansutāhīrōzu) is a game released for the Sega Mega Drive, and the first game in the Gunstar Heroes series. It was developed by Treasure and also included on the Nintendo Switch Online pack and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Classics with Game Gear ports and a Nintendo 3DS port. Interestingly, it also was on the Treasure Box Collection.

## Plot

The storyline differs depending on version, although the Japanese version is considered canon for the Game Boy Advance sequel.

#### **Japanese Plot**

The world was nearing its end. An evil organization created the ultimate weapon, Golden Silver, the God of Ruin, to destroy countless cities on Earth from the moon. The Gunstars, who were Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow, were seeing the Earth turn into a living hell before them and fueled by righteous anger, confronted the powerful Golden Silver. After a lengthy and arduous battle, they defeated the evil God of Ruin. To make sure it is never resurrected, they sealed its body on the moon and took the four gems that powered it, and sealed them away in separate areas on Earth. The exhausted Gunstars, having been pushed to their limits, prayed for a new civilization to arrive, and they began their long cryogenic sleep. All that is, except for one...

Time passed, and a new civilization was built on Earth. A legend was spread across the land; "*Revive the God that sleeps on the moon, and he will guide the most righteous people to Utopia.*"

General Grey, the commander of the dictatorship calling themselves the "Empire", believed in this legend and attempted to carry it out. So, he sent people to the moon in a battleship called the "Ark", in order to mine for the gems that would call forth the God. It was then that the leader of the underground mining excursion, Dr. Brown, uncovered some capsules, in which the Gunstars were having their stasis.

Once they awakened, they learned of the Empire's plan to revive Golden Silver. Their companion, Green, whom they had remembered being with them until the very end, had lost his previous memories and was now assisting the Empire in the revival of the God of Ruin.

"*We won't let such a tragedy happen again! We'll get back the gems and put a stop to the revival of Golden Silver!*"

Once Dr. Brown heard the Gunstars' words, he decided to betray the Empire and promised to help the Gunstars in their battle.

### Western Plot

The Gunstar Dynasty has been the protector of the planet Gunstar 9 (G-9) for generations. In his youth, Professor White Gunstar defeated Golden Silver, a destructive android that traveled millions of miles to suck G-9 dry of all its resources. Professor White was able to extract the four famous Mystical Gems, the robot's power source, and imprisoned it on one of G-9's moons.

Years later, a new menace rises. Colonel Red, a vicious dictator, found out that the Gunstars knew the location of the Mystical Gems. One day, Colonel Red kidnapped the Gunstar twins' older brother, Green, and used a mind control device to make Green obey his orders.

With Green's help, Colonel Red amassed all four Mystical Gems, has turned Gunstar 9's peaceful worker droids into deadly menaces, and is now preparing to leave for Gunstar 9's moon to reactivate Golden Silver.

## Gameplay

When starting a game, Player 1 controls Red and Player 2 controls Blue.

Players can first choose beween two differnt firing stances which are Free-Shot and Fixed-Shot. In Free-Shot one players can move while firing, and in Fixed-Shot players can fire in 8 different directions but while immobilized while firing does help players with precision aiming.

They then choose one of 4 different types of weapons, which are Force, Lightning, Chaser, and Fire.

Players can combine 2 weapons with each other to produce stronger or unique shot types.

In addition to firing their weapon, players can pull off a series of acrobatic maneuvers, including jumping, sliding, and grabbing and throwing enemies.

### Stages and Bosses

#### **Ancient Ruins**

* Papaya Dance
* Bravoo Man

* Pinky Roader

#### **Flying Battleship**

* Smash Daisaku
* Orange

#### **The Strange Fortress**

##### *Dice Palace*

* Valvalion
* Timeron
* Minion Soldier
* Melon Bread
* Pit
* Phantom
* Vortex Base
* Curry Rice
* Abarenbou Gel
* Super Gondola
* Black Beat Stepper

#### **Empire's Space Craft**

* Timeron
* 1000MM Gun
* Seven Force
* Core Guard System

#### **The Final Battle**

* Duck Battalion
* Kain
* Pink Lobster
* Orange
* Black Fly
* Gunstar Green
* Golden Silver

## Trivia

* Name concept ideas were "Blade Gunner" and "Lunatic Gunstar." The first name was changed because of copyright reasons and the second because Sega didn't like the word "lunatic" very much.
* Being Treasure's first game, it has been commonly referenced throughout other Treasure franchises.

## Gallery

North American Box artPinky Roader Boss FightGolden Silver Boss FightGameplay