Shock Troopers (set 1)

Shock Troopers is a fast-paced, cooperative shooter for two players released in 1997 by Saurus on SNK’s Neo-Geo MVS hardware. Players take on the roles of elite commandos tasked with rescuing a hostage and preventing a terrorist organization from unleashing a mind-control drug upon military forces. The gameplay builds upon classics like Commando and Mercs, tasking players with navigating scrolling environments filled with enemy soldiers, tanks, helicopters, and landmines while collecting weapon upgrades and health packs. Levels offer varied challenges beyond simple run-and-gun action, including sequences riding fast-moving vehicles or traversing rock faces. Players can select from three distinct routes through the game, each presenting a unique set of levels and encounters. The game’s control scheme utilizes an eight-way joystick for movement and four buttons allowing players to fire, evade attacks, trigger special abilities, and switch player characters in cooperative play. Though initially released exclusively as an arcade title, Shock Troopers has since been ported to various platforms including PlayStation 2, PSP, Nintendo Wii, and PC. A limited edition soundtrack album was also released shortly after the game’s debut, featuring music composed by Masahiko Hataya and Masaki Kase.