Summary
Among the numerous genres that populate the video game landscape, which features everything from slow-paced life simulations all the way to interactive blockbuster movies, the rail shooter is one that tends to get forgotten about. The concept is simple: it thrusts players through stages with an aiming reticle and a fire button, then throws enemies at them. This simplicity is deceptive, however, as it’s a genre full of challenging games.
Placing the player on a moving track and giving them a reticle andsomething to shoot atsounds simple enough, but the boundless amount of unique settings and fascinating worlds it has created is impossible to overlook. Running the gamut from intriguing fantasy worlds and gritty, more realistic settings, the rail shooter has seen quite a diverse blend of worlds to exist in. Tracing its origins to arcade games likeSpace Harrier, the rail shooter has quietly been the home of both original concepts to adapting some pretty popular IPs, as this fabulous genre of video games is still going strong to this day.
8Space Harrier
Early Rail Shooter Set The Tone For The Future Of The Genre
Often described as the origin of the rail shooter,Space Harrierwas directedby the legendary Yu Suzuki, who would go on to createShenmueand become one of the most prominent figures in the industry.InSpace Harrier, the player is thrown into a fast-paced shooting adventure outfitted with a jetpack and an energy weapon to defeat enemies.
Space Harrierhas remarkable speed and momentum for a game of its era, still feeling quite fast and frantic even today. But considering that Sega was one of the most well-versed racing game developers of the time period, it isn’t entirely surprising. The fast-paced shooting action ofSpace Harrieris outstanding, as this iconic game gave birth to one of the industry’s best genres.
Resident Evilis certainly no stranger to spin-off titles, as the iconic survival horror series has dipped its toe into light-gun and even online co-op games previously. But some of the best spin-offs have been rail shooters, including the absolutely spectacularResident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, which launched for the Nintendo Wii in 2009, then the PS3 in 2012.
Following the equally wonderfulUmbrella Chroniclesfrom 2007,The Darkside Chroniclesdetails events fromResident Evil 2andCode: Veronicain a high-energy thrill ride through some historical moments and locations from the series. Moving through these locations and firing off the explosive weapons thatResident Evilhas become known for is fantastic, as it shuttles the player through at a brisk pace and features some outstanding boss fights. It’s still one of the bestREspin-off titles and is due for a remaster.
Developed by a team inside Sega that came from the arcade department,Panzer Dragoonwas conceived as a way to bolster the Saturn’s launch line-up. And it worked out quite well, as this epic 3D rail shooter utilized Sega’s impressive hardware to create a huge, sprawling fantasy world and dropped players into the fight.
Riding the backs of dragons through enormous 3D environments, this expertly crafted rail shooter features precise controls mixed with a sense of wonder that is still phenomenal today. It would go on to spawn multiple sequels, as this unique world was a perfect setting for an expanding story and upgraded systems.Panzer Dragoonwas also remastered for modern platforms in 2020, making this classic shooter easier than ever to play today.
5Sin And Punishment
N64 Exclusive Rail Shooter Showcases Apocalyptic Future
After being released as a Japan exclusive for the N64 in the year 2000,Sin and Punishmentwas later brought to the West in 2015 on the Wii eShop and later the Switch via NSO. Set in an apocalyptic future where a famine is crippling the world,Sin and Punishmentis a highly energetic and fast-paced shooter with two playable characters and a surprisingly dark story for being a Nintendo 64 game.
The stages feature some great variety and the shooting feels immersive and tight, mostly thanks to the driving music that ranks up with some of thebest soundtracks of all time. This outstanding shooter is still one of the most visually unique and intriguing in the genre, and is readily available today.
After pioneering 3D graphics in 1993 with the originalStar Fox, which was powered by the impressive SuperFX chip, Nintendo opted to bring Fox McCloud and the crew back into action on the N64.Star Fox 64was developed by re-arranging elements from the original game as well as the infamously canceled sequel, introducing many key elements like Star Wolf and the Landmaster that would become standard for the series.
The stages are absolutely amazing, putting players in control of either an Arwing or the Landmaster. As the player is guided through the huge 3D stages, which still feel impressive for a game from 1996, shooting from these iconic vehicles at the nefarious forces of Star Wolf and Andross is fabulous fun. It is readily available on the Nintendo Switch via NSO, so it’s easy to pick up and play today.
3Panzer Dragoon Orta
Fourth Panzer Dragoon Game Flies Onto Xbox As Exclusive
Although thePanzer Dragoonseries achieved some successon the Sega Saturnwith the first three games, the Japanese giant found itself exiting the hardware market in 2001. But with new hardware like the Xbox proving to be quite capable, Sega decided to dust off the franchise and developPanzer Dragoon Ortaas an exclusive for Microsoft’s console.
Panzer Dragoon Ortaused the power of the then next-generation Xbox to its advantage in some pretty fantastic ways, as the stages are bigger and full of more spectacle than the series had seen to that point. The levels are full of amazing action and some huge boss battles, as this fourth and final entry in thePanzer Dragoonsaga isn’t just the best in the franchise, but is one of the genre’s best achievements.
Produced by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, who would later work on the phenomenalTetris Effect,Rezwas amusic-based rail shooterthat casts the player as a hacker entering cyberspace in order to fix a corrupt AI system. This inventive and visually stunning game features the player traversing through gorgeous, surreal environments and blasting away to the thumping beat of a killer soundtrack.
Rezcombines slick, over the top visuals with some outstanding shooting gameplay, in a highly entertaining package that is still one of the genre’s best. The art direction is absolutely stellar, as the world that the player traverses is a delight to look at.Rezwas remastered for modern hardware in 2015 and is still a blast to play.
1Sin And Punishment: Star Successor
Wii Exclusive Is Still The Best Rail Shooter Ever Made
During the spectacular height of the Wii, Nintendo was making some pretty amazing titles that are pretty remarkable when viewed through a contemporary lense. One game that could use a second look isSin and Punishment: Star Successor, which launched on the console in 2009 and is still a terrific rail shooter that is in dire need of a remaster.
Star Successortakes place several years after the firstSin and Punishment, featuring the return of the characters from the previous game and introducing even more new ones. The shooting feels even tighter, the stages are bigger and more complex, and the story gets pretty hectic, involving multiple Earths and dimensions. It’s a truly fantastic game that was lost in the shuffle of great Wii games in 2009 and is still impressive even today.
