I’ve written about Assault Fits Valken so many instances now. Greater than I ever thought I’d. Once I performed it beneath the title Cybernator as a child, I didn’t assume sooner or later I’d be spouting novels about its stompy robots. However right here I’m with Retro-Bit’s re-issue of the title.

In reality, usually when Retro-Bit sends me certainly one of their reissues, I write an entire, in-depth article speaking concerning the recreation, however I don’t understand how I’d do it a 3rd time. I’ve informed you it’s nice – twice – and people articles are nonetheless obtainable.

Nonetheless, as a fast refresher, Assault Fits Valken (type of sequel to Assault Fits Leynos or Goal Earth) was localized by Konami in 1993 as Cybernator. Past giving a horrible title to an superior recreation, in addition they censored a part of it, reduce some minor options (largely, the character portraits), and didn’t do the most effective job of translating it.

Final 12 months, Rainmaker Productions re-translated and re-released it as Assault Fits Valken: Declassified. It’s a strong however type of costly port to trendy consoles, however a minimum of it restored all of the options and uncensored the ending.

Now, Retro-bit has not solely re-translated it (individually from Rainmaker’s model) however has reproduced it as a type of particular version SNES cart. So, now you possibly can play a extra trustworthy model on the unique {hardware}.

Assault Fits Valken is available in “deluxe” and “collectors” editions. The collectors version is probably the most primary with a cardboard preserve case and instruction handbook. The cartridge itself is “Bronze Shielded,” which is a coppery metallic end.

I used to be supplied the deluxe version, which has the identical gear because the collectors version however with an “Aurum Armor Gold” cartridge and a second case with a bunch of extras. It comes with a reasonably neat translucent stand that appears like a diagram of the ASS-117A Valken armor, a coin, and a “Soundbytes” keychain that makes a number of the power-up noises from the sport. I might do with out the knick-knacks, however the standee is type of neat.

The standard is identical as Retro-bit’s earlier releases, which is to say: fairly superior. Quite than go for the looks of an genuine product, Retro-bit goals to make them extra like particular editions, which is an effective way to go about it. Whereas the preserve case is cardboard, it’s much less like packaging and extra like a hardcover ebook. It has a magnetic closure that makes it really feel actually strong. The cartridge has the identical look, really feel, and match as an official cartridge. The colour and massive, expressive label with embossed options assist make it really feel a bit extra deluxe.

I’m not an enormous fan of both selection of cartridge coloration, however I’m pleased they aren’t gray.

It’s laborious to actually touch upon the interpretation as a result of I’m used to studying it a technique, and any change from that’s bizarre. It’s additionally going to be a matter of desire. Retro-bit’s launch doesn’t use the identical translated script as Rainmaker Productions/M2’s. I discovered it higher in some methods, however worse in others. The fourth mission is an efficient instance. When one of many enemy pilots reviews that they’re unable to halt their re-entry trajectory, within the Rainmaker model they are saying:

“My ve-vernier is damaged! He-Assist me!”

Whereas in Retro-bit’s they are saying:

“I can’t improve the thrust of my ve-vernier… H-help me…”

They’re extraordinarily comparable and talk the identical factor (although, I’m undecided why neither capitalized “Vernier”). Nonetheless, I believe the Retro-bit model is barely extra pure than saying the costly army {hardware} you’re piloting is “damaged.” Alternatively, at the start of that very same mission, the textual content crawl reads for Rainmaker:

“… all I can do is watch on the displays as my exterior armor begins to glow purple…”

However Retro-bit phrases it:

“… I watched my scorching armor beginning to burn on the displays.”

Right here, I want Rainmaker’s model of the phrase as a result of it paints the scene higher. However neither compares with Konami’s model in Cybernator:

“The lengthy ten seconds to dying begins now…”

There actually isn’t any good translation.

One factor that’s misplaced in Retro-bit’s model is the power to call your pilot. This was in each Cybernator and Assault Fits Valken Declassified, however not within the Retro-bit re-release. They are saying it’s because it might have brought on points with the displayed textual content. Because of this you’re going to must play with the protagonist’s default title “Jake.” It’s not a dealbreaker, however that does type of suck.

In any other case, it’s a extra trustworthy model of Assault Fits Valken. If you happen to haven’t performed it, know that it’s a reasonably stellar 16-bit sidescroller that looks like a precursor to one thing like Metal Battalion. Sooner or later, conflict nonetheless sucks, however a minimum of we now have large robots. Restricted continues make it extraordinarily tough to see the tip, however the excellent music, detailed artwork, and complicated controls make all of it value taking part in.

An authentic copy of Cybernator has steadily risen in value during the last decade to the purpose the place Retro-bit’s re-issue is a superb worth as compared. It may not be as tantalizing as after they sort out a a lot more durable to search out title, nevertheless it’s not a nasty worth when you wish to play on the unique {hardware} like I do.

I received my copy early, and the preliminary preorders from Restricted Run Video games have ended. Nonetheless, you’ll nonetheless have the ability to decide up each variations of Assault Fits Valken from retailers later in Could.

It’s good to see Assault Fits Valken get the respect that it deserves. Whereas it’s not absolutely the most obscure recreation within the SNES library, it’s not as well-recognized appropriately. It’s an absolute masterclass title that belongs on the rostrum with the technology’s finest. It ought to be encased in precise gold, however I suppose gold-colored plastic is shut sufficient. For now…