Ikari III: The Rescue (1990-)

• Developer: SNK

• Publisher: SNK

• Genre: Run and Gun

Ikari III: The Rescue for the NES was developed and published by SNK and released in 1990. Like its predecessors, it was first introduced as an arcade title before being adapted for home consoles. The NES version aimed to capture the cooperative action and intensity of the arcade game while tailoring it to the limitations and strengths of the hardware. As the third entry in the Ikari Warriors series, it followed Ikari Warriors and Ikari Warriors II: Victory Road, but returned to a more grounded military theme after the experimental science fiction setting of the second game.

The storyline centers on Ralf and Clark, two commandos tasked with rescuing a kidnapped child from a ruthless terrorist group. Unlike the alien-filled landscapes of the previous game, this installment focused on realistic environments such as jungles, bases, and enemy compounds, evoking the look and feel of action films of the late 1980s. The return to a contemporary military narrative was likely inspired by the popularity of action cinema at the time, and it served to make the game more familiar to fans of the original title.

Gameplay in the NES version differs from its predecessors by emphasizing close-quarters combat. While firearms are still available, punches, kicks, and martial arts-inspired moves are given much greater prominence, making hand-to-hand fighting a central mechanic. Players could also collect weapons, grenades, and power-ups, but conserving ammunition and mastering melee techniques became essential. Cooperative two-player mode once again allowed friends to play together as Ralf and Clark, continuing the series’ tradition of teamwork-focused action.

The soundtrack makes use of fast-paced, militaristic themes that build tension and urgency throughout the missions. Sound effects such as explosions and strikes against enemies were designed to match the grittier, combat-heavy gameplay. While the game closed out the main trilogy on the NES and arcade, no direct sequel titled Ikari IV followed, though Ralf and Clark continued to appear in other SNK properties, particularly the Metal Slug and King of Fighters series. Promotion for Ikari III: The Rescue highlighted its cooperative features and new fighting mechanics, but reception was mixed. Some players praised the attempt to refresh the series with melee-focused gameplay, while others felt it strayed too far from the shooting action that defined the first entry. Nonetheless, it stands as the conclusion of the NES Ikari Warriors trilogy and an important milestone in SNK’s early console history.

Images from MobyGames