The Punisher

This game wasn't in my arcade, so I had to download it off of the internet and play it with MAME. Although this isn't Capcom's first side-scrolling beat-em-up game (Final Fight in 1989), it is definitely their best, with a Q-Surround sound system and excellent digitized graphics. A player can kill the enemy with methods ranging from a simple knockout to a gruesome slaughter with a battle axe, and plenty of gun action in there as well. Everything about this game is interactive. Play as bloodthirsty Frank Castle or cool, collected Nick Fury (with the cigar and the eyepatch) and prepare for level after level of carnage.

Also, this game has one of the most dramatic continue screens that I have ever seen. For those of you who haven't played it, I won't spoil it for you, but for those who have, you know what I'm talking about.

In conclusion, play this game by whatever means necessary, and enjoy sweet, sweet revenge at a cost of only 25 cents.

This game is one of my favorate comic book to video game adaptaion, beat em ups and one of my favorate video games in general. When this game was released in the arcades and made by my favorate video game company Capcom, it was a dream come true because I'm a fan of the Punisher series; and despite a major character for Marvel there really haven't been many Punisher video games made except for the NES, PS2, and the downloadable PS3 game which I though were all good in their own way but this arcade game I still think is the best one in my book.

It's sort of the typical beat em up video game but it's the execution (no pun intended) that makes it stand out and it's the perfect fit since the Punisher series is on seeing Frank Castle take out a multitude of bad guys. You have a soild combo system and when things get too harry you have a power move to take out multiple baddies as well as drain a big portion of the bosses life.

However what I really love are the use of weapons and this game is never in short supply of those from bats, knives, battle axes, katanas, flame throwers. On each level you will see different kinds of weapons pop up and essential uses as well as does damage in different ways, it's always fun to pick up and use these weapons almost like being a kid trying out and playing with a new toy. You also have another power move as you are armed with grenades, whenever you jump it gives you a momentary opportunity to throw down a grenade or two to take out multiple enimies and do severe damage to the bosses; and as you collect grenades it increases your attack power.

But the highlight in the combat is when you actually get to pick up and use gun. There is automatic aiming when your opponents get close enough you are able to freely pump their guns full of lead. There are also bonus stages that are really fun, I really love the one where your armed with the gun and you have to shoot and destroy as many oil barrels as you can. All these things really keep the game fresh and greatly contribute to the games pacing which is another strength.

The pace in this game is great is practically a break neck pacing each level consists of you going though one point to another makes it feel like your going though comic book pannels . Even like the graphics which I think are great I really like the character animation and some of the backgrounds which really look close to the art from the comic, but I really love how they incorporate the common action words like "Pow", "Wham", etc in this game. All these things make the game feel like the comic book come to life but here you actually get to participate in it which makes it an even more fun experience.

The Punisher arcade game hits the target.

Rating: 4 stars

This is better than any other arcade beat-'em-up I've ever played. It has the style and sophistication of games such as Streets of Rage, but as it was made for the arcade and not a console it lacks any real storyline. But it has plenty of nice features like the "bang" and "whack" appearing on screen, and plenty of special moves like dropping grenades or executing special hyper-kicks if basic button combinations are pressed (i.e. jump & punch; double-forward & punch etc.). Would be great for the GBA, and is still worth your money if you can find it in an arcade! The Punisher looks just as he did in the original comics, as does Nick Fury, so it gives the real 'old-school' feel to the game. It is great to play with a mate as both Castle and Fury have very similar basic moves, yet still relatively different special moves. Plenty of thugs to take out, and at certain points in the level you will pull out your trusty Colt .45 sidearm, and with an unlimited supply of ammo you can blast away all your enemies - a short refreshing break from constant hand-to-hand fighting. All in all an excellent game, and not one to be missed if the opportunity arises!

This game really needs a re-release on the GBA. It's perfect hand-held fodder. But don't let that put you off if you see it in the arcade. It's a great button-basher, especially if playing with a pal.

In 2-player mode you play as both Frank Castle and Nick Fury blasting your way through loads of the Kingpin's thugs through varied locations with mental power-ups and weapons (guns included). Yes, it's the same old beat-em-up stuff you've seen in countless other games but this time around the comic-book edge and blood spatters make it worthwhile. The graphics are also very cool, mimicking Marvel comic-book artwork and every other time you punch someone the words 'POW!' or 'WHAM!' will flash up on the screen.

You'll have a great time playing this Punisher game. It's probably somewhat overshadowed by the new Punisher movie and game (which is a lot more bloodier and brutal), which means that a new console port is unlikely but I would still love to see this on the GBA.