Steel Talons (USA) (Beta)

When you boot up Steel Talons (USA) (Beta), you'll first see a title screen. Press Start to get into the game. The main menu lets you choose between three missions or a death-match arena. Mission selection is straightforward - pick one with the D-pad and confirm with A or Start.

The core loop is simple: pilot your helicopter through side-scrolling stages, dodge enemy fire, and shoot down ground and air targets. You control your chopper's altitude and horizontal movement with the D-pad. The B button fires your main weapon, and the A button might handle secondary functions like missiles (check the in-game prompts). Each mission has a set path with enemies and obstacles, and the death-match arena is a free-for-all against a second player or AI.

Since this is a beta, you might encounter incomplete graphics or placeholder text. The game plays very much like the arcade original but with Genesis-appropriate controls. Take your time learning the enemy patterns - they tend to fire in predictable arcs. If you're playing solo, the game offers a decent challenge even on early missions. Don't expect much story; this is all about fast helicopter combat.