$9.99Blaster Master Zero
A remake of the 1988 NES classic: drive the battle tank SOPHIA III through side-scrolling underground worlds, hop out as hero Jason to clear top-down mutant dungeons, and spend your upgrades on new weapons and moves that open up more of the map. Retro looks, a chiptune soundtrack, and a friend can ride along in co-op.
Is Blaster Master Zero worth it?
Blaster Master Zero is worth it if…
- you want a metroidvania that is friendly to newcomers, with a map and saves the NES original never had
- you like retro pixel art and chiptune music in a colorful, fast-paced package
- you enjoy earning upgrades that unlock new routes through a connected underground world
- you want a short adventure to play through with a friend lending a hand in co-op
Screenshots
Two ways to play, one tank
The whole game runs on a two-perspective loop. On the sideview maps you drive SOPHIA III, platforming and shooting your way across an area while you hunt for the entrance to the dungeon where its boss waits. Find it, and Jason climbs out: the view flips to top-down and you go in on foot to fight the mutants inside. Beat the mid-bosses and area bosses and you earn items, sub-weapons, upgrades for both the tank and Jason, and new abilities that let SOPHIA III reach places she couldn't before. The switch back and forth keeps the pace moving: one stretch is momentum and careful aiming, the next is tighter combat and puzzle work.
A remake that fixed the old pain
This is built on the original 1988 Blaster Master, with new areas, new bosses, extra sub-weapons and a fuller story layered on top. It is also much kinder than its source: there is a save feature, a map, gentler enemies and clear, readable pixel art where everything is easy to tell apart. The tank's movement has some weight to it, so the first area takes a little getting used to, but after that the traversal is quick and fun. One warning for the final stretch: the last few stages step up the difficulty sharply, so expect to sharpen your skills before the end.
Bring a second player
If you want to share the run, a second player can join in and support Player 1 as they make their way through the game. It is a back-seat kind of co-op rather than two separate heroes: one person drives the adventure, the other helps out along the way, which makes it an easy game to play with someone who wants in without taking over. Sessions are short and snappy, so it works well as a "one more area" game on a couch, with the chiptune soundtrack doing its part to keep things lively.
What should you know before playing?
Do you need to have played the original?
No. The game was built from the 1988 Blaster Master as a base, but it adds new areas, bosses, weapons and a more robust scenario, and it is widely seen as a good place to start with the series. Knowing the original adds a layer of recognition, not a requirement.
Is there anything that might annoy you?
A couple of things. There is no fast travel, so backtracking through earlier areas means driving the whole way back, and Jason is fragile: a drop from slightly too high is fatal. Neither ruins the game, but if backtracking makes you restless, it is worth knowing going in.
How does the weapon system work?
Jason's gun levels up as you find power-ups in dungeons, but taking a hit without protection knocks it down a level, so staying unharmed keeps you strong. Different enemies and bosses are also weak to specific weapons, which matters more the deeper you go, and sub-weapons give you extra options for the stubborn cases.
