The Great Battle IV - Sun L / Banpresto - 1994 - Action Platformer
Sometimes I come across licensed titles that I expect absolutely NOTHING from and am completely amazed by the quality I encounter, especially when I don't remotely care about the properties involved.
As I mentioned in the hints, this game is a crossover 2D platformer, and you take control of one of the four shown characters during the stages, each with their own special abilities. Kamen Rider ZO has a spiffy multidirectional flamethrower, rider kick, and the ability to climb walls; the V2 Gundam can fly and has a grenade launcher and beam saber; Ultraman Powered can shoot lasers, has a bazooka, and can turn into a ball to get into tight spaces; and Roa, who I'm pretty sure was made for this series, has bouncing bullets and can double jump. You start controlling the V2 Gundam, but you can swap between the characters at any time, so you can just use whoever you like the whole game and swap for other abilities when needed. There's also the Compatible Kaiser who you get to control for some boss battles, which is super awesome. >: D
Once you complete the intro stage there are five planets you get to pick from, and it doesn't really matter which order you complete them in. Each has its own theme, and they may be inspired by the various shows (I have no knowledge whatsoever of these series). They are all colorful and respectably challenging, though at least one stage has an unfortunate habit I like to call: OPEN DEATH PITS #^!@%*& EVERYWHERE, which, it turns out, might be a bit annoying at times.
The game is pretty short, I believe 7 stages total, but it is well constructed and a lot of fun, so if you happen to be up for a spiffy platformer on the SNES you may not have played, give this game a try -- or the fifth one, which throws some Wild Guns into the mix. It certainly isn't Mega Man X or Demon's Crest, but it is still worth looking into and remains . . .
an awesome game you should know about
PS. It's also multiplayer.
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