Xboxist

Rocket Knight Coming to the Rescue on Xbox Live

In the current crop of retro arcade remakes, you'll find the usual suspects: your Megaman, your Bionic Commando, and even your New Super Mario Brothers. Given the popularity of those old arcade franchises, it is somewhat unusual to see a company give the remake treatment to a lesser-known game from years gone by. But that is exactly what Konami Digital Entertainment plans to do by releasing an updated version of Rocket Knight for Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network early next year.

Rocket Knight is a 2D side-scrolling title that first released on the 16-bit SEGA Genesis and later on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The 1993 game Rocket Knight Adventures featured a heroic opossum named Sparkster who could fly in 8 directions thanks to a rocket pack, and attack enemies using his energy sword. Certain levels featured horizontal shooting action similar to the Gradius series. The game is notable for its designer, Nobuya Nakazato, who also worked on Contra: The Alien Wars.

The Original Rocket Knight Adventures on Sega Genesis.

The updated Rocket Knight debuts on next generation consoles fifteen years later with updated graphics and colorful new environments.

"Konami's classic 2D action platform titles have a legacy of being well received and enjoyed by gamers worldwide," said David Daniels, Director of Marketing at Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. "So it was only natural that we bring Sparkster, our favorite opossum hero, to next generation consoles with a combination of elevated graphics, all new environments and of course, the signature rocket action gameplay."

In Rocket Knight, players once again take on the role of Sparkster, who returns home to the Kingdom of Zephyrus after 15 years to find it in shambles. Using wits and trusty rocket pack, players must steer clear and overcome a hostile wolf army looming to take the lives of the Zephyrus people. A 2.5D action adventure title, Rocket Knight brings expansive new worlds, each with massive platform levels and a rocket flying level. As players navigate through the challenges, their rocket pack can be used to ricochet off walls, launch Sparkster through obstacles and enemies in his way, and rocket drill through weak walls to create new passageways.

Along with burst projectiles that shoot from Sparkster's sword to attack distant foes, a burst vortex can also be created from players' rocket pack to repel enemy bombs back at them. If all else fails, players can use Sparkster's prehensile tail to hang from and slide down rails in order to avoid danger. With timed levels and leaderboards, dedicated players will also be able to show off their high scores and fastest times online.

Rocket Knight is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and will be available for download
in 2010 for Xbox LIVE Arcade, PSN and Steam.