Guerrilla War (USA)

Guerrilla War on NES is an intense top-down action shooter developed by SNK. Players take on the roles of two rebel soldiers, inspired by Che Guevara and Fidel Castro (in the US version, characters were renamed to avoid political controversy), with the mission to liberate an island from the rule of a brutal tyrannical regime.

The gameplay of Guerrilla War focuses on continuous, fast-paced action. Players navigate through diverse stages, from jungles and villages to military bases, confronting countless enemy soldiers, tanks, turrets, and other weapons. The primary objective is to eliminate all enemies in your path while simultaneously rescuing captured Prisoners of War (POWs). Rescuing POWs not only grants points but sometimes provides crucial support items like health or special weapons.

The player's basic weapons are a rifle with unlimited ammunition and grenades with limited quantities. However, throughout the game, players can pick up various more powerful weapons such as machine guns, flamethrowers, rocket launchers, and can even control tanks in certain stages to boost firepower and defense. Other support items include medical kits for health recovery.

The game allows for two players simultaneously, adding to the tactical depth and cooperative play. Players must be careful of enemy fire as well as on-screen obstacles. Each stage often concludes with a challenging boss battle, requiring players to master movement skills and effective weapon usage. Guerrilla War is known for its high difficulty, embodying the classic arcade game style, demanding persistence and quick reflexes from players.