$12.99Nitro Express Cute Cops, Heavy Firepower
Join the Atypical Vehicle Disposal Squad and blast rogue drones through the retro streets of Nitro City.
Is Nitro Express worth it?
Nitro Express is worth it if…
- you want a 2D shooter where aiming in any direction and choosing the right gadget matters more than raw reflexes
- you love detailed pixel art and a comedic, retro Tokyo setting
- you enjoy short missions you can replay for money between story stages
- you can put up with a demanding, sometimes chaotic difficulty curve in exchange for the style
Screenshots
Aim anywhere, shoot everything
Positioning matters: a steady stance makes your bullets land harder and more accurately. SMGs forgive you for walking and spraying at close range, but the bigger the gun, the more it punishes sloppy footing. Stand still, take aim, and the heavy stuff does real work. Ammo is unlimited, and that includes grenades, so after a short cooldown the lightning comes right back to your hands. Just like magic, as the game itself puts it.
Twelve gadgets for every problem
If a plain grenade feels too traditional, the arsenal goes further: an EMP, radio-controlled drones that deal damage, auto-firing turrets, flamethrowers, anti-tank missiles and more, twelve gadgets in all. They matter because rifles and SMGs barely scratch armored targets, and Nitro City sends plenty of those your way: tanks, helicopters, armored cars. The flamethrower in particular has a reputation for steamrolling even shield carriers. Picking the right tool for the mission, a shield for a tank fight, mines for a crowd, is often the difference between a clean run and a long one.
Rogue drones in a nostalgic Tokyo
Welcome to Nitro City, Tokyo Special Administrative Region, a metropolis a bit different from the one we know, with streets that feel straight out of the 80s and 90s. Autonomous drones called Companions are part of daily life here, and when one becomes a threat to society, the Atypical Vehicle Disposal Squad rolls out. The story plays out entirely over optional police radio comms you can read or ignore at will, which suits repeat runs fine. The pixel art is the star: dense backgrounds full of small jokes, expressive character animation, and a comedic, fast-talking tone.
What should you know before playing?
How long is the game?
The story mode is short, roughly two hours for a first run, with extra missions on top that also serve as a way to earn money for new weapons. Replaying missions and trying different loadouts stretches things out, but this is a compact game rather than a long one.
Is it a fast run-and-gun like Metal Slug?
It looks like one, but it plays more deliberately. You have health, enemies come in heavy numbers, and pushing forward while spraying often loses to picking your spots, using sub-weapons and advancing carefully. Expect a tense, methodical side-scroller with arcade looks, not a pure speed rush.
How is the story handled?
All story dialogue happens over police radio comms during stages, and it is completely optional: you can ignore every transmission and just play. The tone is comedic and quick, with gags woven into the missions themselves.
