Product Info

Platform

Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One

Publisher

Ratalaika Games

Developer

Masaya

Series

Cyber Citizen Shockman

Genre

Adventure, Beat-'em-up, Multiplayer, Platform

Players

1-2

File Size (Minimum)

45 MB

Release Date (NA)

Jul 5, 2024

Purchase From

eShop

PSN Store

Microsoft Store

Cyber Citizen Shockman Zero is a side-scrolling, beat ‘em up hidden gem that’s worth your time, especially for fans nostalgic for 16-bit gaming.

Go Go Cyber Citizen Shockman!

Cyber Citizen Shockman Zero was originally released in 1997 on the Satellaview, an add-on to the Super Famicom (Super Nintendo). It was the first Cyber Citizen Shockman game to appear outside the PC Engine and the last of the series.

You play as the bionic heroes Raita and Azuki (Raita if playing solo) as they take down the BB Gang that’s looking to take over the world. You’ll play through various levels such as a moving train, an aquarium, and more. Dodging and maneuvering to defeat enemies is fun, and yes, there are frustrating times that can be learned for the next round. You’ll confront bosses at each level and, at times, mid-bosses in specific areas. The closer you get to the final level, the tougher things become. 

In this beat ‘em up, Raita uses boxing gloves to punch enemies around and shoot a Shoryuken-like attack. Azuki carries a laser sword to cut down foes. Response times and the ability to create combos feels great and fun. To play as Azuki, you’ll need a second player to join you for co-op action. Having both players play together does make it an entertaining mission. It’s unfortunate you cannot choose which character to play when tackling the adventure solo.

A New Way to Play

Like other games of the genre, your character has a health gauge. Once depleted, you have several continues before the official “Game Over” screen. You can also rewind the game to avoid mistakes or fast forward by a simple press of the trigger on the controller. You can even create a save point.

For those who need more of a helping hand, the game offers options to cheat your way through. One-hit kills, invisibility, and more are at your disposal. Now you can feel like Saitama in One Punch Man. The game also lets you play the original Japanese version from 1997.

The ‘90s Are Calling Back

The music is fantastic, giving off familiar vibes from popular SNES titles such as the Mega Man X series. Songs are catchy, and you’ll be humming some of them after playing.

Cinema scenes in between gameplay have humorous dialogue that screams the ‘90s. The graphics and designs are kept intact from the original, and it’s a trip for those who grew up during the 16-bit era. It’s great to see this hidden title come back for those who missed out (most of us). It’s the first time the game’s been properly translated, and for a cost of $6.99 USD, it’s well worth the price.

For those seeking a more retro or modern feel, there are several display options. From sizing choices such as widescreen, filters like CRT for that tube television look, and color options like black and white, there’s something for pretty much everybody. The only thing missing is an art gallery. Flipping through original artwork scans and seeing the history of the game would have been a great bonus.

The Final Battle

Cyber Citizen Shockman Zero is a fun trip to the ‘90s with its beat ‘em up gameplay and rockin’ soundtrack. It’s well worth the price if you’re a fan of the Super Nintendo days.

A PlayStation 5 review code provided for this review.