Gunstar Heroes
Gunstar Heroes is a 1993 run-and-gun developed by Treasure for the Sega Genesis, and the studio's debut title, immediately establishing its reputation for technical flair. Players battle through frantic side-scrolling stages packed with explosions, huge bosses, and relentless enemy fire.
Its standout feature was a flexible weapon system that let players combine two of four base gun types to create distinct firepower options, encouraging experimentation. Players could also grab and throw enemies in melee, and inventive set pieces, from a spinning board-game stage to multi-part mechanical bosses, showcased the developer's ambition and pushed the hardware hard. A dedicated two-player cooperative mode made the chaos even more frantic.
Though it sold modestly at launch, it became a revered cult classic praised for its creativity and polish. The game has been re-released in Treasure collections and on classic-game services, letting a wider audience appreciate one of the Genesis' most inventive action titles.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Gunstar Heroes, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
Blazing Chrome Indie
€ 16,99A modern indie run-and-gun in the Gunstar Heroes and Contra mold.
Blazing Chrome runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Huntdown Indie
€ 19,99A stylish indie run-and-gun with pixel art and relentless bosses.
Huntdown runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Verified.
SEGA Genesis Classics
€ 29,99The official Genesis collection includes Gunstar Heroes.
SEGA Genesis Classics runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Valfaris Indie
€ 20,99A heavy-metal run and gun with enormous bosses and weapon variety, in the Treasure tradition.
Valfaris runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Steel Assault Indie
€ 12,99A short, dense 16-bit action game built on zip-line traversal and spectacle set pieces.
Steel Assault runs on PC, Mac, Linux, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox. It is Steam Deck Playable.
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