Truly hardcore.

Games targeting nostalgia are not in short supply. Having grown up playing titles like Castlevania and Contra it is no secret that those formulas are often copied in all manner of modern titles. On the surface Blazing Chrome looks like it is aiming to be the sequel to Contra: Hard Corps we always wanted, and after digging into it I can say it is about as close as we will ever get. Toss in some Metal Slug and plenty of mechanics from other games of the era. The best part is that it doesn’t just use the nostalgia as a hook, it also modernizes it enough to make it feel like more than a carbon copy of that thing I remember.

Checking screenshots of Blazing Chrome would lead most to believe it is just a Contra clone, but it really buries a lot of its nostalgic depth under the surface. Almost any game of that bygone era can be referenced here. Instead of rattling them all down let’s just talk about Blazing Chrome itself. This is a left-to-right shooter. There are weapons that can be obtained to spruce up combat. These can be switched between and last until an enemy gets the best of me. I can shoot up and down and even hold down a button to shoot from a stationary position. All sounds familiar right?

MSRP: $16.99
Platforms: PS4 (reviewed), XB1, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $16.99

There is also a vehicle level, a mirror mode, unlockable characters, and of course a boss rush mode. While the core game is only four levels with some added incentive, there is also not any wasted space. Everything the game throws at the player mimics the ingenious level design of 16-bit games. Teaching mechanics and strategies on-the-fly, it is a smart game, and once I was done plowing through it I wanted to explore all the bonuses found after it concluded. This is not a mystery, it is good game design.

Creating a game that invokes the 16-bit era is not difficult, but creating one that invokes what my brain remembers from that era takes skill. Blazing Chrome modernizes just enough to make it work. There are CRT filters to be had and the soundtrack is absolutely fantastic. The little stinger on the title screen sets the mood and everything that follows just works. I loved the enemy and level design as it feels like it came right out of Konami’s classic playbook. Also taken into account is how good this game feels to play. Going back recently to the classic Contra games, they feel good, but this takes it to another level of fluidity.

I mentioned before the bonuses that come in upon completion, but it really is a game-changer. The new melee characters bring a whole new dimension to the game play. Toss in the mirror mode and stages feel fresh. The boss rush mode is even more interesting thanks to the unique patterns each foe has. It really brings out a package that feels fantastic. Combine that with the idea that this game is currently available on Xbox Game Pass and there is simply no excuse not to play it. It has co-op with a friend that makes for an easier experience, which is nice because this game is tough. To sweeten the pot though both players share lives upon running out of continues – a neat mechanic that can lead to some arguments for sure.

The difficulty never felt unfair and instead teaches the player how to handle everything the game may throw at them. The checkpoints are generous on normal modes, and for those looking for the ultimate challenge there is a hardcore mode. It feels like Blazing Chrome has something for everyone.

I loved my time with this game and it being offered on Game Pass for Xbox owners only sweetens the deal. Even still Switch and PS4 owners should not hesitate. For $20 this is one nostalgia trip worth taking, even for those that didn’t necessarily grow up with the games it attempts to mimic. A good game is still a good game regardless of generation.

Review copy of game provided by publisher.