Super Turrican (Super Nintendo, 1993)

I am the first person to write a review for this game which is very surprising considering it is one of the best games on the Super Nintendo. Super Turrican reminds me a lot of Super Metroid and Contra III since it combines several aspects from both games.

Essentially, Super Turrican is an action packed run and gun game in which you just blow things up. However, the thing that makes this game different is the amount of exploration involved. Unlike other action games, you can freely explore each level which are full of hidden items and lives. This adds a lot of replay value to the game because you will spend a lot of time exploring each level. You are equipped with a standard gun, a laser that is used to stun enemies for a second or two, and bombs that wipe away everything on the screen. You can only carry three bombs at a time and you can use your laser as well as your gun an unlimited amount of times.

Throughout the level, you can pick up different weapons such as spreaders, powerful lasers, and bullets that bounce all over the place. This is similar to the sub-weapons in Castlevania because you can keep changing them. Picking up the same weapon more than once will increase its power. You can also transform into a ball, just like the morph ball from Super Nintendo, to reach tight spaces or avoid enemy attacks. While you are shooting which is all the time (I pretty much held down the fire button throughout the whole game) you will reveal hidden platforms. Shooting these platforms earns you shields, bombs, and health, and are often used to reach secret areas. There are a few secrets throughout the game that you have to reach via hidden tunnels as well.

In addition to the top notch gameplay, Super Turrican has great music and bright and colorful graphics. If it weren’t for the lack of a password feature, this game would be perfect. Super Turrican is the second best action game on the SNES, next to Super Metroid, and should be in any SNES owner’s library.

Pros:
- Excellent action game.
- Great music.
- Cool weapons.
- Tons to explore.
- Great graphics.

Cons:
- No password feature.