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Gunstar Super Heroes
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 31 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 10 votes
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Game Info
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Treasure
Genre(s): Action, Platform
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)
Release Date: October 25, 2005
Summary
(Also known as "Gunstar Future Heroes") The long-awaited sequel to "Gunstar Heroes," one of the most critically acclaimed 2D games of all time, is here. Treasure, the legendary team responsible for the original, works their magic all over again with all-new levels, bosses, and weapons. Gunstar Super Heroes offers cool mini-game elements amid its traditional fast-paced gameplay, like an After Burner-inspired aerial sequence. Precision gunplay and brilliant visuals create a revelatory experience for newcomers and a major gaming milestone for hardcore fans. [Sega]
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Nintendo Power
It's the work of masters at the height of their craft. [Dec 2005, p.118]
BonusStage
Though the adventure is ridiculously short and there’s not much of a plot to get behind, Gunstar Super Heroes through both its supreme gameplay and technical achievements is simply too brilliant and addictive a game to ignore.
Read Full Review >GameCube Advanced
This must-buy game is not for the weak of heart. There's enough action here to wear your thumbs out for entire days.
Read Full Review >GameShark
This game is just a blast to play – it’s too bad there’s no 2-player or cooperative mode via a link, but it’s easily the best Game Boy Advance game I’ve played in quite some time.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
In fact, the entire game seems to be pushing the GBA to its limits. This is arguably the best looking GBA game around, with all sorts of scaling, rotation, parallax scrolling, and all sorts of neat, SNES-caliber effects.
Read Full Review >IGN
This fantastic action game pushes the GBA as hard as it can, all the while offering some seriously tight and fun gameplay throughout the special effects display.
Read Full Review >GameZone
The graphics will probably have a few of you dumbfounded wondering just how powerful GameBoy Advance really is.
Read Full Review >Play Magazine
The simpler past is sometimes as good as the present. [Dec 2005, p.71]
Nintendojo
The gameplay variety and overall visual and audio experience is outstanding-- if only such a fun game were lengthier.
Read Full Review >Digital Entertainment News
Gunstar Super Heroes is a wonderful game and deserves, nay, needs, to be in anyone's GBA collection.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Its fast, furious action and brilliant visual style will appeal to any side-scrolling action fan.
Read Full Review >Gamer 2.0
Sure, the game only has about six levels, but when you consider all the time you'll puti into it with the different difficulty settings and characters; you'll have to think about the well-being of your thumbs and fingers.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
A fine adventure with a lot of old-school charm. [Dec 2005, p.186]
My Gamer
Treasure definitely knows action and 2D gaming. If you thought the action was intense in "Astro Boy: The Omega Factor", then you will love what they have done with Gunstar.
Read Full Review >NintendoWorldReport
It more than meets expectations, with its addictive gameplay, scorekeeping, and level-selecting all well-suited for GBA gaming on the go.
Read Full Review >1UP
Gunstar Super Heroes is a superpowered orgy of 2D effects like you haven't seen since the golden age of video games, primarily on the Sega Genesis.
Read Full Review >Siliconera
The beating heart of GSH is one of awing action and great craftsmanship, one in the same as its parent’s. It may be jaded posturing from an over-analytical critic, but nothing will eclipse the original Gunstar Heroes. That comparison isn’t everything, though, and as far as handheld action games go, nothing will eclipse Gunstar Super Heroes.
Read Full Review >Gaming Horizon
If twitchy, button mashing games that require some thinking skills are your cup of tea, Gunstar will certainly deliver.
Read Full Review >Computer and Video Games
The game takes the proverbial pants off every other GBA shooter, and leaves them flailing around their ankles.
Read Full Review >Total Video Games
If you were a fan of the original you need to find this game; if you’re not a GBA owner it’s worth picking up a new Game Boy Micro just for this game.
Read Full Review >Yahoo! Games
An amazing shooter, reviving the 2D gameplay. It's disappointing to see co-op multiplayer missing and a few more levels really would've been nice, but Super Heroes will still save the day for just about anyone with a GBA or DS.
Read Full Review >G4 TV
The omission of a co-op mode and the lack of longevity hurt Gunstar Super Heroes a bit, but overall it's still a fantastic game that deserves a spot in anyone's Game Boy Advance library.
Read Full Review >NTSC-uk
GSH carefully sidesteps out of the shadow of its imposing ancestor and manages to be one of the most addictive and unadulterated blasters on Nintendo’s handheld.
Read Full Review >Jolt Online Gaming UK
GFH will be an absolute boon for anyone who has fond memories of its MegaDrive predecessor, but it’s still the kind of game that’ll upset people who don’t take kindly to frustration. In other words, if you were pissed off by games like "Ninja Gaiden," you’ll get pissed off with this.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
Even with these ill-advised changes, it's still one helluva game: Creative, unpredictable levels keep you on your toes, killer bosses pepper the levels, and impossibly good graphics erupt from your aging GBA.
Read Full Review >GameBrink
The game is fun, but it has some tedious parts such as the helicopter stage or the parts where you are on top of the small ship. So if you want some good boss and mini-boss fights then this game is for you.
Read Full Review >games(TM)
It’s frantic, satisfying, very challenging and full of the sorts of explosive set-pieces, generous destruction and screen-filling sprites that made the original such an enormous success. [Christmas 2005, p.113]
Edge Magazine
A thrilling ride, but with so little strategic variety, and without the benefit of multiplayer, a certain sameness takes hold and unfortunately cuts short what could have been a fantastic portable shooter resurgence. [Christmas 2005, p.111]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 9.5 (out of 10) based on 10 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
BarryBethal B. gave it a9:
All though not perfect, Gunstar has elements which make it hands down one of the best GBA games. Level 3 in particular is absolute shmup perfection "I am Green! Seven force..." etc. Looking at these graphics, it is interesting to note that they are far superior to the SNES original.. Treasures mind boggling visual imagination is particularly evident again on Moon 3 as the IndianaJonesesque mining truck becomes some kind of floaty Japanese ostrich thing. NB_ Yes the helicopter bit is crappy, but the jaw-dropping bosses more than make up for this. Buy this soon to be hard to find cult classic ASAFP. Treasure! Please make a shooter for the DS... Bet on Black?
The Splash gave it a9:
Great old school shooting (and brawling) coupled with amazing variety throughout that keeps the gameplay feeling fresh. The game is quite short and designed to be played in short bursts, and although it is played best this way the core action is so satisfying that it will keep you coming back and re-playing the game even after you beat it. However the lack of multiplayer and some lacklustre flying levels as well as the overall short gameplay experience do prevent this game from being truly great. With that said this the best side scrolling shooter available for the GBA and is fun while it lasts. Iif you are into this sort of game, you should definitely check this out.
The knife gave it a10:
Sick. can't wait until some developer uses the DS like this too. I hope treasure reads this.
J. L. gave it an8:
One of the best action games on gameboy. Graphics at a 10, fantastic for a gameboy. But I miss the spacious enviroment of the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Version. The Gameboy version has kinda of a cramp feeling. Music brings back memories. Though this type of game is aging, its still an enjoyable game (for a short while anyways, ...road trip anyone).
Alan A. gave it a10:
A great sequel to one of the best games of all time, Gunstar Heroes for the Genesis. This game, without a doubt, is the best side-scrolling shooter of all time, the best action game this year on any platform, and truly one of the best games ever. The control scheme is simply brilliant, more innovative and intuitive than any game I have ever played. The graphics are probably the best the GBA has to offer, making it one of the best looking 2D games of all time. If you like Metal Slug, Contra, Megaman, or any of those games, I promise that this game is 10 times better. If you like any games that are popular right now on consoles, I promise that this is much better and much more fun. Sadly though, this landmark game will probably go unnoticed like its predecessor and barely sell a fraction of whatever crappy Pokemon game is coming out this week (don't people get that it's the same game over and over and over and over...). 2D games are dying out, especially will portables and mobile phones going to 3D graphics now, so this may very well be the last great 2D game. Go out and buy this game, and remember that games are about fun, they're not homework like all of those boring, ridiculously long unfulfilling games feel like. Who needs some complex, convoluted story when you have a much more creative story being told visually with new humorous and creative touches every couple of seconds. I could go on forever... just buy this game... it will make your wildest dreams come true.
Tony G. gave it a10:
the must buy game for the advance this year!! amazing everything. WOW is all I can really say. move over mega man, we have a winner! run and gun out to the local store and buy this today! Truly SUPER.
