RUN & GUN / Surprise Attack

RUN & GUN

Run & Gun is my favourite basketball game. I am thrilled to bring this to the FPGA realm!

History

This 5-on-5 basketball action game was released by Konami in 1993. When playing solo, you’ll be matched against the CPU. There are 16 teams in total — 8 in the East and 8 in the West — and you choose one to play as. The CPU will select another team from the same league as your opponent.

Instead of the usual side-view of the court, the game is played from the perspective of pushing forward into the opponent’s side. The player characters are drawn large on screen, with detailed muscle animation and powerful motion. Every dash, pass, shot, and rebound is supported by impactful sound effects that build tension, and the lively commentary adds even more hype. When you pull off a dunk or a fake-out shot, the game switches to a dramatic slow-motion replay. There’s even a halftime show with cheerleaders. Altogether, the experience feels like you’re right in the middle of a live TV broadcast — the kind that sweeps you up into the excitement of the match.

Tech Talk

This has been a tough core to develop. I started it four months ago and it was plagued with difficulties. The latest one has been about the game failing memory checks and refusing to start. That one was hard and unexpected. Other problems were anticipated. It was clear from day one that we needed a full frame buffer implemented in the same way as the original. The massive amount of sprite data required a high speed clock (96 MHz). So far only the CPSx cores required a 96MHz clock. The courtfield projection, including rotation and scaling, was also very challenging and we ended up implementing it first on Golfing Greats. The intention was to do it on a simpler core first. But Golfing Greats turned out to be a beast on itself. Anyway, we finally got here, to a point where we can make a first decent beta.

Known Issues

There are several graphical problems which should not be hard to fix:

1. There is garbage around the screen

2. The game does not fill the Analogue Pocket screen, leaving black borders with garbage around it

3. Shadows are not implemented yet

Two other issues are a bit more demanding:

1. Only 1 player game, played on an independent screen works

2. Some sound problems, similar to those of the JTXMEN core

Note: when you start the game, select PLAY INDEPENDENTLY or the game will get stuck.

SURPRISE ATTACK

This game is promoted from beta to public and also moved from its own independent core into the JTPARODA core. So JTPARODA supports now Parodius and Surprise Attack.

History

This game was released by Konami in 1990, is one of those classic "pattern-based action games" where you get further not by reacting faster, but by learning the stage. Konami already had a strong history with this style, think Gradius in 1985 or Contra in 1987, games where the real fun comes from figuring out the enemy layouts, timing, and the safest route.

Surprise Attack might initially overwhelm you with enemies and traps attacking from all directions, feeling difficult. However, as you build your own strategy routes and repeat them, various tactics become apparent. For example, yellow and green enemies firing rocket launchers won't shoot if you're at a different height than them. If enemies are below you, simply approach from above to attack. That moment of realization “Ah, so that's how you beat this!” is the game's true essence.

It’s very much part of that late 80s / early 90s arcade tradition of learn → memorize → execute gameplay that keeps you coming back for “just one more run.”

Other Updates

• The beta key has changed as Run'n Gun has been a big effort. Please copy the new one to your devices

• The NeoGeo Pocket shutdown button does not work instantly anymore. Now, it requires you to hold it for about three seconds to take effect. This will prevent unintended interruptions.

As Run&Gun beta is finally out. I will start working on CPS3 this month. The team will keep working on open issues, especifically in closing up cores in beta phase. Schematic work on Premier Soccer is still going on and once ready we'll take a few days to make the core, which hopefully won't be too hard. CPS3 is going to be tough to do, so please, bear with me and keep your subscriptions alive during the wait.