Retro Review: Spiraling Back to “Gyruss” on the NES

My first encounter with “Gyruss” for the Nintendo Entertainment System was in the early ’90s at a friend’s house—Frank Thomas was the name—and it’s a gaming session I remember fondly. Fast forward to today, and with a mix of nostalgia and determination, I’ve revisited this classic shooter, finally seeing the ending that eluded me as a kid.

A Tube Shooter with a Twist

“Gyruss,” developed by Konami and released for the NES in 1988, is often celebrated as a standout in the shooter genre. The game’s unique “tube shooter” design offers a 3D-esque experience, as players navigate a spacecraft in a circular pattern around the edge of the screen, diving into the screen’s depth to combat foes and dodge incoming fire.

Gameplay and Mechanics

The gameplay is both simple and addictive. You rotate around a fixed center, aiming to shoot down enemy ships and asteroids while avoiding collisions and enemy fire. Power-ups come in the form of satellites, which enhance your weapons and offer additional firepower—a necessity as the game progresses and the difficulty ramps up.

The controls in “Gyruss” are responsive, a crucial feature for a game that requires such precise maneuvering. The challenge curve is fair, though steep, giving players a sense of accomplishment with each conquered wave and successfully navigated stage.

The Musical Score: A Classical Edge

One cannot review “Gyruss” without praising its soundtrack. The game features an adaptation of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D minor,” a piece that lends an epic and intense atmosphere to the space-shooting action. It’s a testament to how classical music can elevate a video game experience, making for an unforgettable audio-visual combination.

Visuals That Hold Up

For an NES title, “Gyruss” boasts impressive visuals. The illusion of depth as you spiral towards the center creates a sense of speed and urgency that many flat shooters lack. The sprites, though simple, are distinct and vibrant, making it easy to distinguish between enemy types and projectiles, even in the heat of battle.

The Journey to Neptune

The game’s goal is to reach Neptune, passing through various planetary stages, each with its unique set of enemies and a challenging boss battle. This journey is no mere cakewalk; completing “Gyruss” requires skill, memory, and a bit of luck. Finally defeating the game was a moment of genuine triumph, a testament to the engaging and challenging nature of classic NES titles.

Final Verdict

In revisiting “Gyruss,” I’ve rekindled a connection with the frenetic energy and pure fun that defined so many of the era’s arcade ports. It’s a game that stands the test of time, not just as a nostalgic relic but as a genuinely enjoyable experience. For those who appreciate retro shooters with a twist, “Gyruss” offers a journey worth taking—and for me, a journey that was worth completing after all these years.

If you’re a fan of the shooter genre and enjoyed the likes of “Gyruss” on the NES, there are several other classic titles that you might want to check out. Here’s a list of some must-play NES shooters that offer a range of experiences from side-scrolling action to top-down chaos:

1. Contra – Known for its fast-paced gameplay and the infamous Konami Code, “Contra” is a side-scrolling shooter that has you blasting away enemies and dodging a barrage of bullets.
2. Gradius – Another Konami classic, “Gradius” is a side-scrolling space shooter with a unique power-up system that lets you customize your ship’s abilities on the fly.
3. Life Force (Salamander) – A spin-off of “Gradius,” this game combines horizontal and vertical scrolling stages with cooperative two-player action.
4. Blaster Master – While not a traditional shooter, “Blaster Master” combines platforming and shooting in an open-world environment with both side-scrolling and top-down segments.
5. 1942 – This vertically scrolling shoot ’em up has you piloting a plane through waves of enemy aircraft, set against the backdrop of the Pacific theater of World War II.
6. TwinBee – A cute ’em up with bright, colorful graphics, and a bell power-up system. It’s a vertical shooter that’s less intense but full of charm.
7. Zanac – A vertically scrolling shooter known for its artificial intelligence system that adjusts the difficulty based on how you play.
8. Galaga – The sequel to “Galaxian,” “Galaga” is a fixed shooter where you fight off waves of alien ships. It’s simple yet highly addictive.
9. Gun.Smoke – This game offers a Wild West twist on the shooter genre, featuring a top-down perspective and a bounty-hunting theme.
10. The Guardian Legend – A hybrid action-adventure and shoot ’em up game that features exploration elements alongside intense shooting action.
11. R-Type – A tough, side-scrolling shooter where you must use your “Force” pod effectively to survive the challenging levels.
12. Section Z – With its unique map progression and shooting mechanics, “Section Z” is a side-scrolling shooter that has you navigating through a space station.
13. Dragon Spirit: The New Legend – A top-down shooter where you play as a dragon, breathing fire and battling various mythical creatures.
14. Xexyz – This game mixes platforming and shoot ’em up stages with a unique science fantasy setting.
15. Sky Shark – A vertically scrolling shooter where you pilot a fighter plane against ground and air enemies, with a heavy emphasis on bombing.

These games capture various aspects of the shooter genre, from the power-up heavy gameplay of “Gradius” to the cooperative play in “Life Force,” and the unique challenges presented in “The Guardian Legend.” Each game offers a unique twist on the genre and should provide hours of entertainment for any NES enthusiast looking to rekindle their love for classic shooters.