Burai Fighter (1990-)

• Developer: KID

• Publisher: Taxan | Taito | Nintendo

• Genre: Scrolling Shooter

• Designer: Ken Lobb

• Composer: Norio Nakagata

Burai Fighter for the NES was developed by KID and released in 1990. The game was published by Taxan in North America, while other regions saw different publishers handle its release. Originally an arcade title, Burai Fighter made its way onto the NES, bringing a fast-paced run-and-gun experience that stood out among the more typical platformers of its time. It was also available on the Famicom in Japan, making it accessible to a wide range of gamers interested in action-packed shooters.

The game’s premise revolves around the player controlling a futuristic soldier tasked with eliminating waves of alien enemies and robots through various side-scrolling levels. Its gameplay draws clear inspiration from earlier run-and-gun arcade hits like Contra and Rolling Thunder, combining intense shooting sequences with platforming challenges. Players can collect power-ups to enhance their weapons and must navigate through levels filled with enemies and environmental hazards, testing both reflexes and strategic movement.

Burai Fighter features a soundtrack that matches its energetic and intense gameplay style, with music designed to keep players engaged during the rapid action sequences. Sound effects emphasize the firing of weapons and explosions, adding to the game’s immersive atmosphere. There is no known prequel to Burai Fighter, but it did later inspire a sequel on the Super Nintendo titled Burai Fighter Deluxe, which expanded on the original’s mechanics and graphics.

Promotion for Burai Fighter highlighted its arcade roots and challenging gameplay, aiming to attract fans of action shooters looking for a home console alternative to arcade titles. The game was generally well-received, praised for its tight controls and fast pace, though some players noted its high difficulty level. Despite not achieving blockbuster status, Burai Fighter earned a solid reputation among NES enthusiasts for its engaging gameplay and solid presentation.

Images from MobyGames