Sunset Riders: A Blast from the Past on Sega Genesis

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Nostalgia strikes hard when thinking back to the classic beat 'em up genre of the 90s, and few titles evoke that same nostalgic rush as Sunset Riders. Developed by Yuki Kajitani's team at Sunsoft for the Sega Genesis (known outside North America as the Mega Drive), this side-scrolling action-packed romp takes you on a wild ride through the dusty streets of Western town in 1889.

Released in Japan under the title 'Sunsetriders' and later brought to American shores by Telenet USA, Sunset Riders hit stores worldwide during October 1993 for an MSRP of $29.99 USD - quite steep by today's standards! But trust us folks; this game was worth every penny back then (and still is now).

Graphics & Sound

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Visually speaking, Sunset Riders doesn't exactly hold up against modern standards with its chunky pixel art aesthetic and somewhat low-resolution backgrounds. However, there lies charm in these imperfections - the grainy textures give everything an almost retro-film feel that adds to the overall grittiness of 1889's Wild West.

As for audio? Forget about it! The chiptune soundtrack perfectly captures the spirit of old-school gaming while still managing not to grate on your nerves after multiple playthroughs. Throw in some suitably over-the-top sound effects and you've got yourself an auditory experience that will transport you back in time like nothing else.

Story Mode

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But enough about aesthetics - let's talk story (if you can even call it that). You take control of one out three bounty hunters hellbamed on ridding the town of notorious outlaw 'The Kid' and his gang. Along the way, expect plenty of shootouts, fistfights galore as well as some rather...creative ways to dispatch your enemies.

Gameplay-wise? Expect nothing more than what you'd typically find in any standard beat 'em up - run left or right mowing down anything that gets in your path with whatever weapon you've currently got equipped (shotguns being personal favorites here). Collecting health-ups and upgrading your arsenal as needed will help keep those pesky baddies at bay for just a bit longer.

Multiplayer Action

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And speaking of multiplayer action, Sunset Riders does deliver! Up to two players can join forces online or via local co-op play on the same Genesis console (via the Sega Saturn's RGB output and an NTSC-to-PAL adapter if needed). While not as smooth as modern multiplayers might expect due to technical limitations at the time, it still adds a fun layer of competitive gameplay that will keep friends and family entertained for hours upon end.

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So there you have it folks - Sunset Riders: A classic beat 'em up that may look dated by today's standards but still manages to pack plenty of old-school charm into its pixelated package. If retro gaming is your thing (and let's face facts, who doesn't love a good ol' fashioned nostalgia trip every now and then?), then grab yourself an original copy of this Sega Genesis classic pronto!

Rating: 8/10

Recommended for fans of:

* Classic beat 'em up action

* Retro Western-themed gameplay

* Local co-op multiplayer shenanigans

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