Rush’n Attack is a run and gun video game developed and released by Konami in North American arcades in 1985, and ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System and MS-DOS PCs. Its name is a play on the phrase “Russian attack” because of its Cold War. It was released in several countries as Green Beret and ported to home systems, becoming a critical and commercial success for arcades and home computers.
Rush’n Attack holds a special place in my gaming memories. When I was younger, I could only play it during visits to my cousin’s house because I didn’t own the game. However, the amazing soundtrack and amazing gameplay make it unforgettable.
The game revolves around a commando armed only with a knife, sent to various stages to fight enemy forces. It’s a straightforward action game, skipping long stories. Once you hit the start button, you will immediately push the action, defeating Russian opponents.
What sets Rush’n Attack apart is its realistic approach. Unlike other action games of the time, there are no alien creatures or fantasy elements. You only rely on your knife skills, sometimes finding grenades, bazookas, or pistols. The game even has a Star power-up similar to Super Mario Bros, which gives temporary invincibility.
The enemies you face range from footmen and martial artists to officers and paratroopers. Bosses offer creative challenges, such as paratrooper squads or packs of attack dogs. Defeating special Power-Up enemies provides useful items.
Rush’n Attack delivers satisfying gameplay as you plan ways to defeat enemies with your knife and defeat martial artists. It’s a must for anyone looking for an action-packed 8-bit experience.
The gameplay is easy to understand, with intuitive controls. The two-player mode allows simultaneous play, a pleasant surprise. The story is simple-disable a dangerous weapon-and the graphics, while basic, have a gritty charm. The sound quality is impressive for an early NES game, and the ending sequence has fun graphical touches.
With its nostalgic appeal, Rush’n Attack offers strong replayability. You can easily find the game for a bargain, making it a worthy addition to your collection. So grab your old style army helmet and dive into the action whenever you want.
