Psychosis (USA)
Psychosis (USA): TG16 Shooter
Psychosis (known as Paranoia in Japan) is a side-scrolling shooter that puts you in a fantasy world full of weird creatures. It came out on the NEC TurboGrafx-16 in 1990, developed by Naxat Soft and published by NEC. The USA release kept the same trippy action but swapped the name to avoid confusion with the mental condition. If you dig old-school run-and-gun games with a surreal, almost dreamlike atmosphere, this one's worth a look.
The game plays from a third-person perspective, meaning your character is shown from behind as you move left to right. You shoot at monsters that pop up from all sides, dodge their attacks, and collect power-ups to upgrade your weapon. There are no complex puzzles or branching paths - it's straightforward arcade action where you keep moving and blasting until you reach the end of each stage. The controls are simple: move with the D-pad, shoot with one button, and jump with another.
What makes Psychosis stand out today is its strange visual style and the way it mixes fantasy creatures with a gritty, almost horror-like feel. It's not as polished as some bigger TurboGrafx titles, but it has a cult following for its weirdness. If you enjoy games like Blazing Lazers or Gate of Thunder but want something a bit slower and more eerie, Psychosis delivers that niche experience. Just don't expect a deep story or modern conveniences - it's pure, slightly unsettling retro action.
How to Play Psychosis (USA) Online
When you start Psychosis, you'll see a title screen - press Enter to advance to the main menu, then use the D-pad and X to select options. The game is in English, so reading menus is no issue. You begin as a character in a dark fantasy world, immediately facing enemies. The core loop is simple: move right, shoot everything that moves, collect orbs for points and weapon upgrades, and survive until the stage boss. Your main attack is the B button (S key), and you can jump with A (X key) to avoid ground-based hazards or reach higher platforms.
New players should focus on learning enemy patterns rather than rushing in. Some foes shoot projectiles, others charge at you. Weapon upgrades appear as floating icons - grab them to increase your firepower, but be careful because getting hit can downgrade your weapon. There are no lives or continues, so one mistake can send you back to the start of the stage. Take it slow, memorize what each enemy does, and use the environment to block attacks when possible. The game is short but tough, so persistence pays off.
Psychosis (USA) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
Comments (0)