Shadowrun (Super Nintendo)

Shadowrun (Super Nintendo)

Shadowrun for the Super Nintendo is an adaptation of the pen and paper RPG of the same name and is based on the first novel in the Shadowrun universe. Shadowrun is interesting because it combines fantasy with a near future cyberpunk environment. I would say that this game is underrated but that isn't quite right. This game was highly rated but didn't sell all that well. This was more due to what the demand was predicted to be and how many units were shipped vs actual poor demand.

Shadowrun is an action RPG and is played from an isometric point of view. The cyberpunk elements are definitely influenced by William Gibson's Neuromancer but magic exists in this world also. There was also a Genesis adaptation but it was not a port. Though it was also an action RPG based on the same story, it was developed by a different company and is quite a different game.

If you want to play the original SNES version, you'll have to track down an original (and they can be quite expensive) or use the miracle of emulation. The good news is that there have been a few sequels that were released much later, the first of which was a 2012 Kickstarter effort titled Shadowrun Returns. It ties together the stories of the original Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis games. These games are tactical turn based RPGs which is a better way to go as far as I'm concerned. There was also a 2007 first person shooter based on this franchise for the Xbox 360 and Windows. The RPGs are much better though.

At any rate, though the Super NES original is a little better than the Genesis version, both are worth playing. Whether you like RPGs, cyberpunk and/or fantasy, these games have something you will probably enjoy.