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Salamander
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Salamander

1987
ShooterArcade

Sci-Fi

Salamander's side-scrolling, shmup action is defined by its branching paths and inventive enemy designs. The game's real hook, however, is its blend of horizontal and vertical stages, a daring design choice for the era. This variety, along with the option for two-player co-op, keeps players coming back, eager to master its challenging levels and iconic power-ups.

About Salamander

Details
The MSX port of Salamander (沙羅曼蛇, Saramanda) is significantly different from the original and any other ports. New to this port is a graphical introduction that introduces human pilots for each ship, as well as names for each stage. The levels are notably longer than the arcade original, and the player is forced to start from a pre-defined checkpoint upon death of either pilot, instead of starting where he left off. After level two, the player can choose the order of the next three stages. In addition, the player can collect "E" capsules by destroying certain enemies. Collecting fifteen will permanently upgrade one of the available weapons on the power-up bar. Some weapons allow the player ships to merge, one player controlling movements and the second player controlling weapons. Instead of the Vic Viper and the Lord British Space Destroyer, the ships are known as the Sabel Tiger and the Thrasher; piloted by human characters named Iggy Rock and Zowie Scott. The story takes place in the year 6709 A.D and has 2 different endings. The MSX version was re-released for the Wii's Virtual Console in Japan on January 12, 2010. It was later released for the Wii U's Virtual Console on July 20, 2016. They were also made available for the Project EGG on Windows Store on May 19, 2015.

Top 3 Alternatives to Salamander

1
Rating
Critic & community
85
Match
Recommendation strength
78%

Helldivers 2

2024 · Shooter

Team up with friends to unleash a hail of bullets and liberate planets from alien threats, mirroring Salamander's chaotic, co-op action.

Why recommended

  • Fast-paced, bullet-hell combat against hordes of enemies creates a similar sense of overwhelming odds and twitch-reflex demands.
  • Criteria — Multiplayer focus with cooperative missions where coordinated fire and tactical positioning are essential for survival.
  • The constant threat of friendly fire and environmental hazards adds to the challenge, requiring careful positioning and communication.
2
Rating
Critic & community
79
Match
Recommendation strength
70%

Fight off waves of giant insects and alien invaders with over-the-top weaponry, capturing Salamander's escalating action and arcade spirit.

Why recommended

  • The constant barrage of enemies and explosive weaponry creates a similar sense of overwhelming action.
  • Criteria — Multiplayer allows for cooperative play to tackle challenging missions.
  • The sheer number of enemies and the need for precise aiming and resource management create a demanding experience.
3
Rating
Critic & community
75
Match
Recommendation strength
65%

Engage in team-based battles with a variety of super-powered characters, channeling Salamander's frenetic, competitive energy.

Why recommended

  • Fast-paced action with a focus on reflexes and strategic team play.
  • Criteria — Multiplayer matches where players compete against each other.
  • The need for quick thinking and precise execution mirrors the core gameplay of Salamander.

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