U.N. Squadron

"A very good game from early in the SNES's life, and a keeper as well."

If you have heard anything about <U>U.N. Squadron</U> for the Super Nintendo, you will know that it is a very challenging game. 10 stages packed with lasers, flame throwers, and missiles await before you can crown yourself champion of this game. It's up to you, your aircraft, and your skill to defeat the bad guys. Now onto the review...

Graphics: 10/10

The graphics for this game are nothing short of great. Detailed and varied backgrounds are there to fit each level and what must be done. There are stages that go from a dark sky to a canyon to an attack over the ocean. Everything you'll see has great detail and is very easy on the eyes.

Gameplay: 10/10

Before you start every new game, you will have your choice between three pilots to play as- there is Shin, who can upgrade the power of the main gun the quickest, which can help you get off to a running start in the early levels. The next guy is Mickey, who takes longer to power up his main gun than Shin, but he has the capability of using his gun as well as special weapons at the same time. Finally, there's Greg, who I would say is the best pilot to use for beginners. Of the three pilots, he takes the longest to power up the main gun, but can take very heavy damage before he folds.

As I have mentioned earlier, this is a hard game. To advance, you will need to upgrade weapons and power up your gun to a high level. You can do this by collecting icons which will increase your gun's firepower, and earn money with each stage you succesfully beat to buy new aircraft and weapons, which will become essential by the time 5 or 6 stages have been conquered. Bosses are huge and powerful, and they will not go down easily.

Sound 10/10

All of the sounds that you would expect to hear from an air combat game are intact. There is explosions, gunfire, and that dreadful sound of your plane going down from too much impact before you get right back into the level to try again. The music is varied and there's a different tune that will play when you reach each level's boss. This game has some of the best music among the SNES's early releases.

Control 10/10

Controls are basic and quite easy to master. Whichever direction you want to go corresponds exactly to your game controller's D-Pad. Controls are tight and responsive, which is good for a game in which you will constantly be moving around to avoid getting hit.

Replay Value 10/10

Once you beat the game on the normal level, you can play the game's hard mode and then hyper if you actually have the skill to go through the whole game with bullets being fired at breakneck speed. If you like a big challenge, this game will satisfy.

Buy/Rent

I would reccomend buying this game due to its fun gameplay and challenge to give the best gamer a hard time. If you like playing air combat games like this one, then add this one to your shelf.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 09/21/09

Game Release: U.N. Squadron (US, September 1991)