Trouble Shooter (also known as Battle Mania in Japan) is a distinct horizontal shoot ’em up developed by Vic Tokai and released for the Sega Genesis in 1991. The game stands out in the genre by letting you control two operatives simultaneously: Madison, who provides constant forward firepower, and Crystal, an invincible partner whose firing direction can be flipped to cover your rear.
How to Play
Your objective is to fly through each stage, destroying enemy waves and defeating the boss at the end. Use the arrow keys to maneuver Madison, with Crystal trailing closely behind. Press the X key (Genesis B) to fire your main weapons. The C key (Genesis C) flips Crystal’s aim between firing forwards and backwards, which is crucial for surviving ambushes. Press the Z key (Genesis A) to unleash your special weapon when your gauge is full. Press Enter to Start.
Tips
- Only Madison has a hitbox and can take damage. Crystal is completely invincible, meaning you can safely position her inside enemy sprites or dense bullet patterns to deal damage without risk.
- Get into the habit of constantly toggling Crystal’s firing direction. Enemies frequently spawn from the left side of the screen, making rear-covering fire essential.
- Save your special weapon for bosses or when you are completely boxed in. It not only deals massive damage but also grants brief invincibility when activated.
Leave a Comment / Review: