Natsume 1991

Shoot 'em Up

NES

1 Player | 2 Player Co-op

 

S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team

It's the year 2029 and humanity faces certain extinction! An alien force led by the Supreme Commander Vile Malmort is positioned to destroy the earth.

The President had little time to act. He assembled the greatest scientists from around the globe to stop this menace. From their laboratory came mankind's last hope - the members of S.C.A.T.

The Special Cybernetic Attack Team has one goal; the utter destruction of the alien fleet. "They've sent an armada to conquer us. We've sent two warriors from S.C.A.T. ...It should be a fair fight."

Your cybernetic enhancements let you hover in any direction using the D-Pad. Each stage has winding paths that take you in all four directions, so it's important to position yourself well to defend against aliens coming from all sides. The [A] button will lock your twin satellite weapons in place as they continually shift positions. By changing their angle, you can hit targets in all directions, independent of your normal attack. You can choose different satellite configurations to boost your firepower straight ahead, protect your back, or even target aliens above or below you without needing to get in front of them. You can collect Special Items by defeating alien Item Enemies scattered throughout each stage: S - Speed Increases your flying speed, making it easier to maneuver around aliens and their attacks. L - Laser A narrow beam will obliterate everything in its path. Its high rate of fire makes it the best all-round weapon. W - Wide Beam This beam’s wide spread allows you to hit multiple aliens at once. B - Bomb This situational weapon is slow to fire, but when it lands, everything in its range will be destroyed. R - Recover Often found near the end of each stage, near the boss, this helpful item will restore lost energy. One cybernetic warrior is powerful, but two are unstoppable. Invite a friend to combine firepower and break through choke points, defend back-to-back, or split up to cover the entire screen.

Your mission to stop the alien invaders will take you from the smoldering ruins of New York City all the way up to their mothership in outer space: New York City Ruins Your route will take you over towering skyscrapers and the ruined streets below. Pick up the laser upgrade to make short work of aliens hiding behind rubble, and use your satellites to hit enemies attached to the buildings without needing to enter their line of sight during your ascent. Subterranean Realm The jagged walls offer cover for aliens, and cyber snakes will emerge from the ground with their long reach. Positioning your twin satellites is key to breaking through the stage's many bottlenecks. The Astrotube Once you enter this vertical tube, you'll move at breakneck speeds with aliens dropping in from all sides. With a partner, you can cover opposite sides of the screen, but otherwise, you'll need to use your satellites to watch your own back. The Battleship The battleship's deadly forward lasers will quickly eliminate anything in their path. Time your attacks or use your satellites to strike from a distance, and be prepared to cross their heavily fortified bridge. The Orbiting Platform Indestructible lasers guard the passage, so find safe zones between their rebounding beams. When you face Vile Malmort, unleash everything you have against his skull while using your speed upgrades to dodge his attacks. Each stage is guarded by a boss, each with their own unique weapons and attack patterns. Watch them closely for an opening, then strike their vulnerable weak spot.

Game Genie Codes

AANSUGPA	Invincibility	Game Genie
ZUXGKTTA	Start With More Energy	Game Genie
ZANVNGLE	More Energy Gained	Game Genie
NNEIKGAK	Longer Immunity	Game Genie
APKSEGAG	Shorter Immunity	Game Genie
AEESVKAA	Don't Lose Speed-Ups When Hit	Game Genie
TENIKIGA XNNISSKN	Faster Speed-Up	Game Genie
PAEIKTTE NYEISVXY	Faster Max Speed-Up	Game Genie

In-Game Codes:
Gain 12 Lives	On the title screen, hold [A], [B] and [Up] on controller 2 while pressing [Start] on controller 1
Level Select	On the title screen, hold [A] and [B] on controller 2 and input the following on controller 1:
Stage 2:	[A] + [Start]
Stage 3:	[B] + [Start]
Stage 4:	[Right] + [Start]

 

S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team
A great scrolling shooter with one of the most tragically chosen acronyms in gaming. The standout feature of this game is the twin satellites that follow you while automatically shifting their positions around you. You can lock them in place at any time, allowing you to shoot in any direction, even behind you. Since enemies will come from all sides, including above and below, this allows you to line up your shots vertically instead of having to engage them from the side. Even better, your character can turn left and right to change the firing direction of your main weapon, preventing sneaky enemies from hitting you from behind.

Playing solo can be challenging, but adding a second player opens up many cooperative play options. You already have your twin satellites to defend yourself, and with teamwork, you can cover the entire screen against attacks from any direction. There's no collision damage with the ground or other objects, and with unlimited continues, this tough game is surprisingly friendly for newcomers. Many may have missed out on this due to its later release on the NES, but it's a must-have for shooter enthusiasts and anyone seeking a fantastic cooperative multiplayer experience.