Blazing Chrome

Rad and totally kickass, Blazing Chrome stands as one of the best run n' gun games of all time. A worthy successor to the Contra crown from concept to execution.

Coming in hot after the release of Konami’s Contra Anniversary Collection, Blazing Chrome steals its thunder. It out-Contras Contra, basically. It pretty much perfects the run ‘n’ gun formula, only it doesn’t really offer anything new while doing so. That shouldn’t, and won’t, be a problem for the many clambering for the return of the action-packed genre though. And who knows, developer Joymasher ...

Blazing Chrome an excellent throwback to the games of yesteryear, and a loving tribute to Contra and Metal Slug that establishes its own identity through beautiful art, fantastic design, and an excellent soundtrack.

For those longing for a time when side-scrolling shooters ruled the roost, Blazing Chrome is exactly what you're looking for. Perfect for short sessions, its slick gameplay and old-school art direction make for an astonishingly fun game full of explosions, epic set pieces and spectacular boss battles. Its brutal difficulty may not be for everyone, but if you're up for the challenge, then get ready...

Blazing Chrome is a great throwback to games such as Contra; simple run-and-guns with swarms of enemies, awesome boss fights, special weapons, and a great soundtrack to go with it. With fluid controls, multiple difficulties, and a stage select so you can pick which stage to tackle in any order, Blazing Chrome is definitely worth picking up if you’re into Contra-style games.

With Blazing Chrome you kind of get what you get: it’s an hour and change shooter that pays extreme homage to the Contra series. JoyMasher has already proved that they “get” the bygone eras of retro gaming with Oniken and Odallus, and now they have yet another triumph to add to their resume.

Deceptively simple, insanely challenging and thoroughly entertaining.

Blazing Chrome is a true old-school throwback to the glory days of Metal Slug and Contra. It may pay a little too much homage to its forebears, but there's plenty of satisfying hardcore action on offer for the faithful.

Blazing Chrome is a top-of-the-line appetizer to what could be a masterpiece of a five-course meal. I really hope this game does well because I cannot wait to see what JoyMasher does for their follow-up. If they can build on the rock-solid foundation they've created here, they might produce something truly spectacular.

Packing retro aesthetics and just the right amount of challenge, Blazing Chrome is the best run-and-gun in years. Though it is a bit on the short side, it perfectly encapsulates the pure kinetic energy that put the genre on the map.

The best Contra game for decades, even if it’s not an official sequel, with amusingly over-the-top action and a great co-op mode.

Blazing Chrome is a game that makes feels like I stepped into a time machine and arrived back during the heydays of the forgotten Run N’ Gun arcade shooter genre. Challenging, fun and one of the best games 2D shooters I’ve played in quite some time.