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Shatterhand

NES

NES

In the year 2030, a group of military renegades known as Metal Command, led by General Gus Grover, are seeking to conquer the world by building an army of cyborg soldiers. Steve Hermann, a young police officer from the Bronx, ends up losing both of his arms during a skirmish with members of Metal...

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Developer
Natsume

Released on
1991

Size
1 Player

Version
NES

Requirements
Nintendo Entertainment System

Downloads
Action

Publisher
Jaleco

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

In the year 2030, a group of military renegades known as Metal Command, led by General Gus Grover, are seeking to conquer the world by building an army of cyborg soldiers. Steve Hermann, a young police officer from the Bronx, ends up losing both of his arms during a skirmish with members of Metal Command. After the incident, Hermann is offered two specially developed cybernetic arms developed by the Law and Order Regulatory Division (L.O.R.D.) to replace the ones he lost. Hermann accepts the offer and becomes an agent codenamed “Shatterhand,” who is now tasked with the mission to defeat Metal Command.

Shatterhand

Overview & History

Developed by Natsume and published by Jaleco in 1991, Shatterhand (known as *Metal Hero Sleipnir* in Japan) is a gritty, cyberpunk NES action-platformer that stands out for its unique blend of gritty aesthetics and inventive mechanics. Set in the dystopian year 2030, the plot follows Steve Hero, a former police officer who loses his arms in a brutal encounter with a rogue military organization known as the Metal Syndicate. Equipped with advanced cybernetic limbs, Steve adopts the moniker "Shatterhand" to infiltrate the terrorist group's floating headquarters, the Seven Oceans, and foil their plot to conquer humanity. Though it arrived late in the NES lifecycle, its tight controls and distinctive art style earned it a cult following among retro gaming enthusiasts.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike standard side-scrollers, Shatterhand revolves around a robust melee combat system where Steve uses his metallic fists to pummel enemies and shatter fragile walls to collect power-ups. The gameplay's defining feature is the Alpha-Beta drone system. By collecting letter icons dropped by enemies, players can summon floating satellite helpers. Combining specific pairs of 'A' and 'B' icons transforms the drone into one of several unique companion bots, granting abilities like a fiery flamethrower, a bouncing sonic wave, or a protective energy shield. Players can also physically grab their drone and hurl it like a deadly boomerang. Across eight distinct stages—ranging from subterranean metro lines to high-tech aerial fortresses—Steve faces punishing platforming challenges and screen-filling boss fights, backed by an unforgettable, driving chiptune soundtrack composed by Yasuaki Fujita.