Update: February 23, 2006
«©NCSX» Gunstar Heroes put developer Treasure on the map. NCS recalls the first time we plugged in the MegaDrive cartridge and were struck by the quaint Treasure Box animation, the rotating Gunstar Heroes title screen, and the sharp presentation. The game appeared to be fairly standard until we reached the first boss... and then the next boss... and even more bosses which were more fantastic and radically different from the one before it. NCS looked forward to other Treasure games and marked our calendar whenever we saw a DEV. TREASURE on distributor preorder lists. When Gunstar was released in the USA, sales were poor. Maybe buyers didn't like the cover art or didn't believe the hype. In any case, we recall bunches of the game shuffled into discount bins at Toys R' Us and other mass merchandisers. Sega gathers together three of Treasure's hits from the age of MegaDrive: Alien Soldier, Dynamite Headdy, and Gunstar Heroes. All are unique and all feature side scrolling platform action with a different bent. If Sega ever produces Sega Ages: Radiant Silvergun Treasure Box, we look forward to the following Saturn games on that collection: Silhouette Mirage, Radiant Silvergun, and Guardian Heroes. While the PS2 may be incapable of handling Saturn emulation, the PS3 should have the muscle to emulate the Saturn's twin processing cores. Jan Code: 4974365831554 View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCSX website.
NCS Game Notes
* Upon booting the game, the "Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box" title screen appears immediately after the Sega logo. Press START and a "Galaga" sound effect from Alien Soldier plays followed by some artwork in the background of Gunstar Heroes villains and heroes and a Title Select Box. The first game is Gunstar Heroes, the next is Dynamite Headdy, and the third is Alien Soldier. When flipping between the games, the background graphic changes to match the highlighted title. * There is a literal treasure trove (sorry) of material in the ARCHIVES section of the games. Everything's unlocked at the outset and fans may view images and artwork based on the games. The original cartridge inserts, scans of the original manuals (JAPAN and USA when applicable), as well as original conceptual artwork that was drawn up during the development of the games. In the case of Alien Soldier, the game concept scripts are scanned and thrown in for good measure. This is historic stuff for Treasure fans to peruse which has never been released to the public. In the Gunstar Heroes section, there are a few pages of artwork with "BLADE GUNNER" text in the upper left corner. We're guessing that was the original name of the game before Ridley Scott or related parties for the Harrison Ford vehicle caught wind. Use the L-Analog pad to move around the page and the R-Analog to focus in on the detail. NCS pored over the Dynamite Headdy and Gunstar material for a good 30 minutes this morning. * In level 8 of Alien Soldier, out hero starts the mission inside a plane and eventually opens a door to step outside where he faces a prehistoric-looking monster on the roof of the convoy. If he attempts to use the flame force attack, it'll blow back at him because Treasure programmed atmospheric effects in the game and the high winds blow the flames back. * We don't recall the MegaDrive games as looking this good. Then again, the best we had back in the day with the Sega Genesis was composite AV. And the Nomad. We have the old PS2 piping out with D-terminal on a fairly large LCD monitor and the games look bright, crisp, and very sharp. The detail and crisp clarity of the bosses in Alien Soldier are eye candy. Check out the ant humanoid boss in level 2 and the sharp and bright details in Gunstar. * To access OPTIONs inside any game, press the SELECT button and the following options appear in ENGLISH: VERSION / JAPAN or OVERSEA
OPTIONS / CONTROLLER CONFIG and EXTENDED OPTIONS (Spite Display Limit, Stage Select)
ARCHIVES / REPLAY and GALLERY
SYSTEM FILE / Save and load system file to and from memory card
DISPLAY SETTING / Adjust the screen to suit your preference and/or needs
CREDITS / View the end credits without having to finish the game.
RESET / Restore default settings
RETURN TO TITLE / Main menu * To unlock the Game Gear and Sega Master System conversions of Gunstar Heroes and Dynamite Headdy, press "SELECT" on either game to access OPTIONS menu. Next, push and hold the D-pad to the right for 12 seconds on the "VERSION" option. This document is ©NCSX 2006. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part of this document may be made without express written consent of National Console Support, Inc.
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