A Japanese vertical shooter based on the Gunhed film. Decent action, honest visuals. Little known outside Japan. For film fans and Famicom catalogue collectors.
Your verdict
Category
Shooter1 player7+
Description
Vertical shoot-'em-up featuring the combat robot Gunhed exploring mechanical levels. Published by PC Engine, released in Japan in 1990. Top-down view with mechanical power-ups and robot bosses. An original SF vertical shooter on Famicom.
Gunhed - Aratanaru Tatakai review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Difficult"
Lifespan
"Short"
Technical info
💾0,08 MB📅20/07/1990
Published by Varie
Gunhed - Aratanaru Tatakai (NES) price, value & rarity
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Alert active — budget
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Collector interest
Gunhed - Aratanaru Tatakai adapts the Gunhed film licence into a vertical shooter exclusive to Famicom, never leaving Japan. The appeal lies in that Japanese exclusivity tied to a sci-fi franchise little known outside the archipelago, more than in technical brilliance. The Japanese pressing stays obtainable at measured prices, making it a reasonable entry into licensed Famicom shooters.
Is Gunhed - Aratanaru Tatakai still worth playing in 2026?
A vertical shoot 'em up drawn from the Gunhed world, this title has you pilot a combat robot through dense mechanical levels, against swarms of enemies and imposing bosses. The snappy shooting, the power-ups and the brisk pace offer an effective arcade action, in the vein of the era's Hudson shmups. The decent production and the readability hold up, with no great originality against the competition. For a fan of retro shooters or someone curious about Gunhed related productions, the title keeps a direct arcade pleasure.
