U.N. Squadron

A fighter jet cuts through the sky, enemy territory spreads out beneath its wings, and you know that every downed machine means money for better equipment. U.N. Squadron is a horizontal aerial shooter that brought an unusual layer of strategy to the shmup genre and became one of the favorite titles for the Super Nintendo.

The game is based on a Capcom source and at its core is a classic horizontal shmup in which you pilot a combat plane, mow down waves of enemies in the air and on the ground, and fight your way through to massive bosses. What sets it apart is the money system: kills earn you funds that you spend between missions on weapons, special armament and upgrades, so to a certain extent you plan your own progress. This economic dimension gives the game a depth that shooters of the time usually lacked.

The player also chooses between several pilots and types of aircraft that differ in their attributes and durability, which affects the play style and difficulty. Choosing your machine and shopping wisely for equipment makes you not just a pilot but a bit of a strategist too, one who has to weigh how to handle limited funds ahead of the more demanding stretches. This makes U.N. Squadron a game worth returning to and trying different approaches.

Visually and sonically the game makes good use of the Super Nintendo's capabilities and offers brisk, readable action across varied environments. Among fans of the genre, U.N. Squadron holds a good reputation as a solid and cleverly designed shooter that, thanks to its shopping system, has aged better than many a more straightforward rival. For fans of aerial shmups it is a title worth getting to know.

The combination of adrenaline-fueled aerial action and thoughtful resource management makes U.N. Squadron a pleasantly refreshing piece. It is neither the hardest nor the most famous shooter on the console, but it is well thought out and fun, and it gives you the feeling that you decide your success even beyond the battle itself. That is precisely why it earned its firm place among the 16-bit classics of the genre.

Why play: A horizontal shmup with an unusual equipment-buying system that adds a layer of strategy. A great choice for anyone who loves aerial action with a bit of planning.