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Shock Troopers

Neo Geo AES

Neo Geo AES

Shock Troopers is a 1-2 player game where players select one of eight characters to play as. Each character has their own attack. Players also have to choose one of three routes to take. The object of the game is to go toward the end of the level and defeat the end-of-level boss, which is usually...

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Developer
Saurus Co., Ltd.

Released on
1997

Size
1–2 Players

Version
Neo Geo AES

Requirements
SNK Neo Geo AES

Downloads
Platform

Publisher
SNK of America

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Shock Troopers is a 1-2 player game where players select one of eight characters to play as. Each character has their own attack. Players also have to choose one of three routes to take. The object of the game is to go toward the end of the level and defeat the end-of-level boss, which is usually a huge vehicle. Crates that are scattered throughout the levels can be broken into to reveal new weapons and power-ups.

There is a team mode where players have to select three characters. The characters can be switched on-the-fly during gameplay, which is useful if one of them is badly injured. Players can use the other teammates until life-ups can be found.

Shock Troopers was released on the SNK arcade platform in 1997 but never officially for AES. However, an unlicensed ROM conversion of the MVS cartridge was created to work on the AES platform.

Shock Troopers

Overview & History

Released by Saurus in 1997 for SNK’s powerful Neo Geo MVS and AES hardware, Shock Troopers stands as a high-octane pinnacle of the run-and-gun isometric shooter genre. Dropping players into a treacherous jungle and industrial combat zones, the plot follows an elite multinational strike force tasked with rescuing a kidnapped scientist and his granddaughter from the clutches of the ruthless terrorist syndicate, the Bloody Scorpions. Unlike its contemporary Metal Slug, Shock Troopers opts for an eight-way directional combat plane viewed from a top-down perspective, allowing for unprecedented tactical mobility. It remains a cult classic of the AES library, celebrated for its frantic pacing, branching path system, and vibrant pixel art that pushes the Neo Geo hardware to its absolute limit.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Shock Troopers introduces a revolutionary "Lonely Wolf" or "Team Battle" mode, letting players choose either a single powerhouse soldier or a dynamic trio of commandos who can be swapped on the fly. The roster features eight distinct characters—ranging from the bazooka-wielding Jack to the knife-throwing Lyn—each possessing unique speed ratings, special melee moves, and distinct sub-weapon payloads like homing missiles or napalm. The mechanics emphasize constant motion: players can utilize a responsive dodge roll to evade dense bullet hell patterns, perform sliding attacks to knock down enemies, and interact with destructible environments to unearth crucial power-ups, health items, and point multipliers. The inclusion of branching routes drastically increases replayability, ensuring no two playthroughs of its grueling four main operational zones are identical.