Difference between revisions of "Guerrilla War (NES)"

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[[Image:Guerrilla War - NES - USA.jpg|thumb|256x256px|North American NES box art.]]
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{{Video Game
 +
| Title            = Guerrilla War
 +
| Image           = Guerrilla War - NES - USA.jpg
 +
| ImageDescription = NES - USA - 1st edition.
 +
| Developer        = {{VideoGameDeveloper|SNK}}
 +
| Publisher        = {{VideoGamePublisher|SNK}}
 +
| PublishedYear    = 1988
 +
| PublishedMonth  = 12
 +
| PublishedDay    = 26
 +
| Platforms        = {{Platform|NES}}
 +
| Genres          = {{VideoGameGenre|Action video game|Action}}, {{VideoGameGenre|Scrolling Shooter|Scrolling shooter}}, {{VideoGameGenre|Shooter|Shooter}}
 +
| Themes          = {{MediaTheme|War}}
 +
| Series          = ''[[Guerrilla War (universe)|Guerrilla War]]''
 +
| Multiplayer      = {{GameMultiplayer|Simultaneous co-op}}
 +
| Distributions    = {{VideoGameDistribution|Commercial}}
 +
}}
  
'''''Guerrilla War''''' is a [[scrolling shooter|run and gun]] developed and published by [[SNK]] for the [[NES]] on 1988-12-26. It is based on the [[Guerrilla War|arcade original]], but is different enough to warrant a separate page. In the game, you play as either Ernesto "Che" Guevara or Fidel Castro in their attempt to invade Cuba to overthrow dictator, Fulgencio Batista. The appearance and controls are similar to ''[[Commando]]''.
+
'''''Guerrilla War''''' is a [[scrolling shooter|run and gun]] developed and published by [[SNK]] for the [[NES]] on 1988-12-26. It is based on the [[Guerrilla War|arcade original]], but is different enough to warrant a separate page.
 +
 
 +
In the game, you play as either Ernesto "Che" Guevara or Fidel Castro in their attempt to invade Cuba to overthrow dictator, Fulgencio Batista. The appearance and controls are similar to ''[[Commando]]'', but significantly improved upon.
  
 
==Personal==
 
==Personal==
 +
{{VideoGameStatus
 +
| Own      =
 +
| CantOwn  =
 +
| Won      = Yes. USA, Japanese, European versions on hard mode.
 +
| CantWin  =
 +
| Finished = Early 1990s. Europe: 2024-03-09.
 +
}}
 +
 
I first saw the original arcade in the late 1980s, but never played it at the time. Around 1990, I played this port with my cousin who was borrowing it from a friend. Since the game gives you unlimited continues, we beat the game the first time we played it, but had a lot of fun doing it. I have since played through the game about a dozen times, and still enjoy it.
 
I first saw the original arcade in the late 1980s, but never played it at the time. Around 1990, I played this port with my cousin who was borrowing it from a friend. Since the game gives you unlimited continues, we beat the game the first time we played it, but had a lot of fun doing it. I have since played through the game about a dozen times, and still enjoy it.
 
==Status==
 
I do not own the game, but I have beaten the American version on hard mode and Japanese version on easy mode.
 
  
 
==Review==
 
==Review==
Line 16: Line 38:
 
===Good===
 
===Good===
 
* As run-and-guns go, this one is well-made. There are numerous weapons, each is effective, you can ride in tanks, the environment changes in each level, harder enemies appear as you progress, and there is variety among the bosses.
 
* As run-and-guns go, this one is well-made. There are numerous weapons, each is effective, you can ride in tanks, the environment changes in each level, harder enemies appear as you progress, and there is variety among the bosses.
* For the time and platform, the graphics are quite good. The engine is capable of supporting a huge amount of sprites on the screen at once.
+
* For the time and platform, the graphics are quite good. The engine is capable of supporting a huge amount of sprites on the screen at once. The mine cart stage also impressively simulates a full-screen rotation.
* The music composed by [[Kazuhiro Nishida]], [[Yoko Osaka]], and [[Toshikazu Tanaka]] is really good with lots of up-tempo tunes and marches.
+
* The music composed by [[Kazuhiro Nishida]], [[Yoko Osaka]], and [[Toshikazu Tanaka]] is really good with lots of up-tempo tunes and marches. Although the fidelity is lower than the arcade hardware, I actually prefer this soundtrack.
 
* The story, though limited and censored in the USA, is a good backdrop.
 
* The story, though limited and censored in the USA, is a good backdrop.
* The maps are designed in such a way that guns show up repeatedly in certain areas to help showcase them. For example, the flamethrower is common along the river, and the laser is common outside of the mines.
+
* The game has great map design. Each stage has new and unique terrains, hostages are held in interesting locations, and guns show up in certain areas to help showcase them. For example, the flamethrower is common along the river, and the laser is common outside of the mines.
 
* Having the enemy use refugees as human shields makes the game more complex.
 
* Having the enemy use refugees as human shields makes the game more complex.
 
* Adding multiple difficulty levels that change the behavior of the enemies and bosses is a nice touch that adds game play.
 
* Adding multiple difficulty levels that change the behavior of the enemies and bosses is a nice touch that adds game play.
* The ending sequence is pretty awesome.
+
* The ending sequence is pretty awesome and far more satisfying than the arcade original.
  
 
===Bad===
 
===Bad===
* Unlimited continues may seem nice, but, because you are allowed to continue right where you left off, it ultimately hurts the game. Victory is guaranteed no matter how terrible you are at the game, you're basically just going through the motions until you eventually win. I would have preferred continues that either make you restart the level, or a limited number. Failing that, at least having a counter at the end to show how many times you died so you could keep score that way. Luckily, the game is fun enough that this doesn't ruin it.
+
* Unlimited [[continue]]s with no drawback initially seems nice, but it ultimately hurts the game because victory is guaranteed no matter how terrible you are; you're basically just going through the motions until you eventually win. I would have preferred continues with minor drawbacks like making you restart the level, or at least having a counter at the end to show how many times you had to continue so you could keep track. Luckily, the game is fun enough that this doesn't ruin it.
 
* Since the difficulty/warp screen is not documented in the game, and most kids lose the manual (or never read it in the first place), it often goes overlooked.
 
* Since the difficulty/warp screen is not documented in the game, and most kids lose the manual (or never read it in the first place), it often goes overlooked.
 
* While the difficulty setting adds a nice challenge, beating the game on hard mode doesn't offer any additional reward in the end.
 
* While the difficulty setting adds a nice challenge, beating the game on hard mode doesn't offer any additional reward in the end.
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<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
Guerrilla War - NES - Japan.jpg|The Japanese Famicom box places a rough painting of a Guerrilla fighter over a screenshot of the map. It's pretty half-assed, but the title text is nice.
 
Guerrilla War - NES - Japan.jpg|The Japanese Famicom box places a rough painting of a Guerrilla fighter over a screenshot of the map. It's pretty half-assed, but the title text is nice.
Guerrilla War - NES - USA.jpg|The American NES box, is an orgy of action with explosions and bullets flying everywhere. It not only perfectly depicts the game's gratuitous nature, but captures the feel of the Cuban jungle. This is my favorite art.
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Guerrilla War - NES - USA.jpg|The American NES box, painted by [[Marc Ericksen]], is an orgy of action with explosions and bullets flying everywhere. It not only perfectly depicts the game's gratuitous nature, but captures the feel of the Cuban jungle. This is my favorite art.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
===Documentation===
 
===Documentation===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
Guerrilla War - NES - Manual.pdf|Mmanual.
+
Guerrilla War - NES - Japan - Manual.pdf|Manual - Japan.
Guerrilla War - NES - Ad.jpg|Advertisment.
+
Guerrilla War - NES - USA - Manual.pdf|Manual - USA.
 +
Guerrilla War - NES - Ad.jpg|Advertisement.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 60: Line 83:
  
 
===Videos===
 
===Videos===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5CtC5Tg4bc youtube.com/watch?v=s5CtC5Tg4bc] - Longplay.
+
{{YouTube|EQ21DbD_AZg|Longplay, perfect run.}}
 +
 
 +
==Play Online==
 +
{{PlayOnline|https://www.retrogames.cc/nes-games/guevara-japan.html|Famicom}}, {{PlayOnline|https://www.retrogames.cc/nes-games/guerrilla-war-europe.html|NES (Europe)}}, {{PlayOnline|https://www.retrogames.cc/nes-games/guerrilla-war-usa.html|NES (USA)}}
 +
 
 +
==Representation==
 +
{{Representation
 +
| Media                      = Video games
 +
| StrongFemaleCharacterStatus = Fail
 +
| StrongFemaleCharacterNotes  = The only woman is a hostage running for her life.
 +
| BechdelTestStatus          = Fail
 +
| BechdelTestNotes            = No women talk.
 +
| StrongPOCCharacterStatus    = Pass
 +
| StrongPOCCharacterNotes    = All of the characters are Central American, including the heroes.
 +
| QueerCharacterStatus        = Fail
 +
| QueerCharacterNotes        = There are no queer characters.
 +
}}
  
 
==Differences Between the Arcade and NES Port==
 
==Differences Between the Arcade and NES Port==
 
* Since the NES doesn't feature a rotating joystick, player control was altered to just face the direction the player is moving.
 
* Since the NES doesn't feature a rotating joystick, player control was altered to just face the direction the player is moving.
* The NES port has several new levels, guns, enemies, refugee types, and bosses.
+
* The NES port has several new levels, the existing levels are much longer, and there are new guns, enemies, refugee types, and bosses.
 
* Naturally, the arcade has superior graphics, although the NES port has a larger variety.
 
* Naturally, the arcade has superior graphics, although the NES port has a larger variety.
 
* In the arcade game, when you pick up a gun, you get limited ammo. In the NES port, you keep the gun until you die.
 
* In the arcade game, when you pick up a gun, you get limited ammo. In the NES port, you keep the gun until you die.
 
* In the NES port you have unlimited grenades.
 
* In the NES port you have unlimited grenades.
 
* In the arcade, when you die, you go back to the last check point. In the NES, you respawn immediately and the action never stops.
 
* In the arcade, when you die, you go back to the last check point. In the NES, you respawn immediately and the action never stops.
* The arcade uses FM synthesis audio, while the NES uses the weaker NES APU. However, the NES uses a completely new and larger soundtrack which I prefer.
+
* The arcade uses FM synthesis audio, while the NES uses the weaker NES APU. However, the NES uses a completely new and larger soundtrack.
 
* The NES port gives you unlimited continues.
 
* The NES port gives you unlimited continues.
 
* The NES port has difficulty settings adjustable by the player and a built-in stage warp.
 
* The NES port has difficulty settings adjustable by the player and a built-in stage warp.
 +
* You actually kill the final boss in the NES version.
 
* The NES port has a longer ending with various animations and new music.
 
* The NES port has a longer ending with various animations and new music.
 +
 +
==Credits==
 +
{| class="wikitable" |
 +
! Roles !! Staff
 +
|-
 +
| Director || [[Koji Obata]] (as Mr Oba)
 +
|-
 +
| Designer || Kepara, Yokohiro
 +
|-
 +
| Main Programmer || [[Yukio Kaneda]] (as KNT no Kinchan Die)
 +
|-
 +
| Assistant Programmers || [[John Guso]], Fly Garuda [JP version], Ninja Sasuke [US version],
 +
|-
 +
| Composers || [[Kazuhiro Nishida]] (as Kenny), [[Yoko Osaka]] (as Oh Chan), [[Toshikazu Tanaka]] (as Tarkun)
 +
|-
 +
| Special Thanks (Original Team) || SNK Jr, [[Akira Goto]] (as Akira G), Tetsuya
 +
|-
 +
| Special Thanks || [[Kazuto Kouno]] (as Mr Kohno), [[Kita Kitsuteru]] (as Mr Kita), Jiroshima, Rushana, Tokisato, Uncle Boo Boo
 +
|-
 +
| Supervisor || [[Eikichi Kawasaki]]
 +
|-
 +
| Box Illustrator || [[Marc Ericksen]]
 +
|}
  
 
==Titles==
 
==Titles==
Line 87: Line 150:
 
{{Link|Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guerrilla_War_(video_game)}}
 
{{Link|Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guerrilla_War_(video_game)}}
 
{{Link|VGMPF|2=http://www.vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php?title=Guerrilla_War_(NES)}}
 
{{Link|VGMPF|2=http://www.vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php?title=Guerrilla_War_(NES)}}
{{Link|NESHacker|2=http://www.thealmightyguru.com/Games/Hacking/Wiki/index.php?title=Guerrilla_War}}
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{{Link|ROMDetectives|2=http://www.romdetectives.com/Wiki/index.php?title=Guerrilla_War}}
 
{{Link|TCRF|https://tcrf.net/Guerrilla_War_(NES)}}
 
{{Link|TCRF|https://tcrf.net/Guerrilla_War_(NES)}}
  
  
[[Category: Games]]
 
[[Category: Video Games]]
 
[[Category: 1988 Video Games]]
 
 
[[Category: Video Game Prime Order - Action, Adventure, Strategy]]
 
[[Category: Video Game Prime Order - Action, Adventure, Strategy]]
[[Category: Video Game Genre - Scrolling Shooter]]
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[[Category: Trope - Damsel In Distress]]
[[Category: Video Game Genre - Shooter]]
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[[Category: Game mechanic - Playable person of color]]
[[Category: Media Theme - War]]
 
[[Category: NES Games]]
 
[[Category: Action]]
 
[[Category: Games I've Beaten]]
 
[[Category: Multi-Player]]
 
[[Category: Multi-Player Co-op]]
 

Latest revision as of 16:57, 12 March 2024

Guerrilla War

Guerrilla War - NES - USA.jpg

NES - USA - 1st edition.

Developer SNK
Publisher SNK
Published 1988-12-26
Platforms NES
Genres Action, Scrolling shooter, Shooter
Themes War
Series Guerrilla War
Multiplayer Simultaneous co-op
Distribution Commercial

Guerrilla War is a run and gun developed and published by SNK for the NES on 1988-12-26. It is based on the arcade original, but is different enough to warrant a separate page.

In the game, you play as either Ernesto "Che" Guevara or Fidel Castro in their attempt to invade Cuba to overthrow dictator, Fulgencio Batista. The appearance and controls are similar to Commando, but significantly improved upon.

Personal

Own?No.
Won?Yes. USA, Japanese, European versions on hard mode.
FinishedEarly 1990s. Europe: 2024-03-09.

I first saw the original arcade in the late 1980s, but never played it at the time. Around 1990, I played this port with my cousin who was borrowing it from a friend. Since the game gives you unlimited continues, we beat the game the first time we played it, but had a lot of fun doing it. I have since played through the game about a dozen times, and still enjoy it.

Review

Video Game Review Icon - Enjoyment.png Video Game Review Icon - Control.png Video Game Review Icon - Appearance.png Video Game Review Icon - Sound.png Video Game Review Icon - Replayability.png
6 6 7 6 6

Best Version: NES

— This section contains spoilers! —

Good

  • As run-and-guns go, this one is well-made. There are numerous weapons, each is effective, you can ride in tanks, the environment changes in each level, harder enemies appear as you progress, and there is variety among the bosses.
  • For the time and platform, the graphics are quite good. The engine is capable of supporting a huge amount of sprites on the screen at once. The mine cart stage also impressively simulates a full-screen rotation.
  • The music composed by Kazuhiro Nishida, Yoko Osaka, and Toshikazu Tanaka is really good with lots of up-tempo tunes and marches. Although the fidelity is lower than the arcade hardware, I actually prefer this soundtrack.
  • The story, though limited and censored in the USA, is a good backdrop.
  • The game has great map design. Each stage has new and unique terrains, hostages are held in interesting locations, and guns show up in certain areas to help showcase them. For example, the flamethrower is common along the river, and the laser is common outside of the mines.
  • Having the enemy use refugees as human shields makes the game more complex.
  • Adding multiple difficulty levels that change the behavior of the enemies and bosses is a nice touch that adds game play.
  • The ending sequence is pretty awesome and far more satisfying than the arcade original.

Bad

  • Unlimited continues with no drawback initially seems nice, but it ultimately hurts the game because victory is guaranteed no matter how terrible you are; you're basically just going through the motions until you eventually win. I would have preferred continues with minor drawbacks like making you restart the level, or at least having a counter at the end to show how many times you had to continue so you could keep track. Luckily, the game is fun enough that this doesn't ruin it.
  • Since the difficulty/warp screen is not documented in the game, and most kids lose the manual (or never read it in the first place), it often goes overlooked.
  • While the difficulty setting adds a nice challenge, beating the game on hard mode doesn't offer any additional reward in the end.

Ugly

  • Even on easy difficulty, the game is unbelievably hard, so, if you want to beat it without continuing, you have to slowly sneak your way across every inch of the map in order to prevent being overwhelmed, which ruins the theme, not to mention the fun, of the game.

Media

Box Art

Documentation

Maps

Videos

Longplay, perfect run.

Play Online

Famicom, NES (Europe), NES (USA)

Representation

Strong female character?FailThe only woman is a hostage running for her life.
Bechdel test?FailNo women talk.
Strong person of color character?PassAll of the characters are Central American, including the heroes.
Queer character?FailThere are no queer characters.

Differences Between the Arcade and NES Port

  • Since the NES doesn't feature a rotating joystick, player control was altered to just face the direction the player is moving.
  • The NES port has several new levels, the existing levels are much longer, and there are new guns, enemies, refugee types, and bosses.
  • Naturally, the arcade has superior graphics, although the NES port has a larger variety.
  • In the arcade game, when you pick up a gun, you get limited ammo. In the NES port, you keep the gun until you die.
  • In the NES port you have unlimited grenades.
  • In the arcade, when you die, you go back to the last check point. In the NES, you respawn immediately and the action never stops.
  • The arcade uses FM synthesis audio, while the NES uses the weaker NES APU. However, the NES uses a completely new and larger soundtrack.
  • The NES port gives you unlimited continues.
  • The NES port has difficulty settings adjustable by the player and a built-in stage warp.
  • You actually kill the final boss in the NES version.
  • The NES port has a longer ending with various animations and new music.

Credits

Roles Staff
Director Koji Obata (as Mr Oba)
Designer Kepara, Yokohiro
Main Programmer Yukio Kaneda (as KNT no Kinchan Die)
Assistant Programmers John Guso, Fly Garuda [JP version], Ninja Sasuke [US version],
Composers Kazuhiro Nishida (as Kenny), Yoko Osaka (as Oh Chan), Toshikazu Tanaka (as Tarkun)
Special Thanks (Original Team) SNK Jr, Akira Goto (as Akira G), Tetsuya
Special Thanks Kazuto Kouno (as Mr Kohno), Kita Kitsuteru (as Mr Kita), Jiroshima, Rushana, Tokisato, Uncle Boo Boo
Supervisor Eikichi Kawasaki
Box Illustrator Marc Ericksen

Titles

Language Native Transliteration Translation
English Guerrilla War
Japanese ゲバラ Gebara Guevara

Links

Link-MobyGames.png  Link-Wikipedia.png  Link-VGMPF.png  Link-ROMDetectives.png  Link-TCRF.png