Retro(game)spective - Sunset Riders

Welcome to Retro(game)spectives, in which every day Ben “Ben Pack” Pack or one of his brave compatriots will play a retro game, and break it down for you. That’s right, every day. To complain about us eventually missing a day or suggest your own, go ahead and comment below the article, or email us at retrogamefunclub@gmail.com

9/14/2010
The Game: Sunset Riders

Wait so you want me to shoot the game?

Skewes: Arcade, Genesis, SNES

So, what’s it like: Sunset Riders is a side-scrolling shooter, in the vein of Contra. You take the role as one of four cowboy bounty hunters (only two in the Genesis port), who are collecting bounties on various criminals. You can play as Steve or Billy, who each have faster-firing pistols, or Bob and Cormando, who each have shotguns. Trust me, you want shotguns. You can collect power-ups giving you an additional gun and rapid fire, as well as cash. There are eight levels and bounties (again, only half in the Genesis version)

Don't bring a knife to a double shotgun fight.

Aside from being pretty generic in its gameplay and story, but what this game really has going for it is the racism. Each of the bosses represents it’s own stereotype. It’s like Punch-Out!!, but meaner. From the Mexican Paco Loco, to the feminine British dandy Richard Rose, to probably the most racist, Chief Scalpem.

Oh boy...

Now I would be a little more understanding if this was made in the era of “Custer’s Revenge,” but this was 1993. The aforementioned chief’s only dialogue in the game is “Me ready for pow-wow.“ Some attempts to cover up the racisim, like changing certain maybe-black character’s lips from giant and purple to just giant and red, and Scalpem’s name to Wigwam (still racist).

My favorite word is "stereotypes."

Should this game be remade: No. While Red Dead: Redemption proved that there is such a thing as a good western video game, I’m not sure Sunset Riders would be a good choice to capitalize on this.

Should you go back: Yes. This fun game, best played co-op with a friend, should take you no more than a couple of hours to beat. The main gameplay mechanics are repetitive, but the game isn’t so long that you would get bored.