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Shockman (USA)
Shockman (USA) Overview
Shockman (USA) is the North American release of the second game in the Shubibinman series, an action platformer for the NEC TurboGrafx-16. It landed here after the original Japanese version proved popular, offering a run-and-gun style that many compare to Mega Man. The exact year of this localization isn't widely documented, but it arrived during the early 90s when the TurboGrafx was still competing with the NES and Genesis.
You control one of two playable characters, each with distinct weapons and movement, blasting through side-scrolling stages filled with enemies and bosses. The core loop involves shooting your way forward, jumping over pits, and collecting power-ups to boost your firepower. You can switch between the two characters at certain points, though the game is designed for a single player. Stage order is usually linear, with a boss fight at the end of each level.
What makes Shockman worth checking out today is its solid action and the novelty of the Shubibinman series, which never got as much attention outside Japan. It's a competent, if not groundbreaking, platformer that fans of the era will appreciate. If you enjoy Mega Man but want something a bit rarer, this is a decent pick. It's not a masterpiece, but it's a fun slice of TurboGrafx history.
You control one of two playable characters, each with distinct weapons and movement, blasting through side-scrolling stages filled with enemies and bosses. The core loop involves shooting your way forward, jumping over pits, and collecting power-ups to boost your firepower. You can switch between the two characters at certain points, though the game is designed for a single player. Stage order is usually linear, with a boss fight at the end of each level.
What makes Shockman worth checking out today is its solid action and the novelty of the Shubibinman series, which never got as much attention outside Japan. It's a competent, if not groundbreaking, platformer that fans of the era will appreciate. If you enjoy Mega Man but want something a bit rarer, this is a decent pick. It's not a masterpiece, but it's a fun slice of TurboGrafx history.
How to Play Shockman (USA) Online
You start by pressing Start to see the title screen. From there you can pick between two characters - each has a different main weapon and special attack. The game will then drop you into the first stage. Your goal is to run to the right, shoot everything that moves, and collect power-ups that appear from destroyed enemies. Watch for hidden items in walls or environmental objects.
The core loop is straightforward: blast through enemies, avoid hazards, and defeat a boss at the end of each stage to progress. You have a health bar, and getting hit reduces it. Grab health drops when you can. If you die, you'll restart at the beginning of the current stage with your power-ups reset. Learning attack patterns of bosses is key. The game doesn't have continues, so you'll need to beat it in one sitting. Practice the early stages to memorize enemy placements and item locations.
Shockman (USA) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Shockman stand out among NEC TURBOGRAFX-16 titles of its era?
It offers two playable characters with distinct abilities in a Mega Man-like run-and-gun format, which was less common on the platform. Being the US version of a Japanese series also gives it a bit of rarity for collectors.
Is there anything iconic or memorable about Shockman?
The character designs and the fact it's a localized Shubibinman game make it a curiosity. Some players recall the unique ability to switch between characters mid-level, though the gameplay itself is fairly standard for the genre.
Is Shockman considered easy to pick up or challenging?
It's moderately challenging, similar to other TurboGrafx action games. The learning curve is fair, but later stages and bosses require good pattern recognition. No continues means you have to finish the whole game in one go, which raises the difficulty.
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