Step into the cockpit, pilot! If you were gaming on the Sega Genesis back in the early '90s, chances are you might have encountered a little game called Target Earth. Or perhaps, more accurately, you encountered its reputation. Known in Japan as Assault Suit Leynos, this side-scrolling mech shooter from Masaya wasn't just another run-and-gun; it was a test of patience, skill, and maybe, just maybe, your ability to not throw your controller across the room.
Let's power up our Assault Suits and dive back into this challenging 16-bit classic.
What Exactly is Target Earth?
Released for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in 1990 (1989 in Japan), Target Earth puts you in control of a heavily armed robotic suit. It's part of the Assault Suit series, which also includes the equally revered Assault Suit Valken (known as Cybernator in the West) on the Super Nintendo. While often overshadowed by its SNES cousin, Target Earth carved out its own niche with its intense action and unforgiving difficulty.
The Story: Earth Under Siege
The year is 2201. Humanity has expanded into space, but peace is shattered by the sudden arrival of the Chron, a mysterious and hostile cyborg army. Earth and its space colonies are under relentless attack. You play as Rex, a skilled pilot in the Earth Defense League, tasked with piloting an experimental Assault Suit to push back the Chron forces and uncover the truth behind their origins and motives.
It's a classic sci-fi setup with giant robots and desperate battles across space stations, asteroids, and eventually, Earth itself. While the Western localization of Target Earth simplified some plot points compared to the original Japanese Assault Suit Leynos, the core narrative of humanity fighting for survival against a seemingly unstoppable robotic foe remains intact.
Gameplay: Mech Action with a Kick
At its heart, Target Earth is a horizontal, side-scrolling shooter with light platforming elements. You pilot your Assault Suit through eight distinct missions, blasting everything in sight. What sets it apart are a few key mechanics:
- Weapon Loadout: Before each mission, you can customize your mech's weapons and armor. Success in missions unlocks new gear, encouraging replayability and strategic choices. You can equip up to six different items, including various guns, missile launchers, shields, and jetpacks.
- Limited Resources: Unlike many shooters of the era, special weapons often have limited ammo. Using them wisely is crucial, especially given the game's difficulty.
- Health Regeneration: Your suit's health can slowly regenerate when you're not taking damage. Finding brief moments of respite is key to survival, though the relentless enemy onslaught makes this a rare luxury.
- Varied Objectives: Missions aren't just about reaching the end. You'll have objectives like defending a specific area, destroying enemy warships, or navigating treacherous environments. This adds depth beyond simple progression.
The Legend of the Difficulty
Let's not mince words: Target Earth is hard. Like, really hard. It's frequently cited as one of the most challenging games on the Sega Genesis, and for good reason.
Enemies come at you constantly from all directions. Boss battles are intense and require learning patterns. Your health can vanish in seconds if you're not careful. Add to this a very limited number of continues (often just two!), and you have a game that demands near-perfect execution, memorization of enemy placements, and careful resource management. For many players, simply seeing the later levels required significant dedication or, let's be honest, perhaps a little help from emulator save states.
Graphics & Sound: 16-bit Grit
Visually, Target Earth is typical for an early Genesis title. The sprites are detailed, especially the Assault Suit itself and the various enemy mechs and ships. There's a definite anime influence in the character designs and cutscenes (though some were cut in the Western release). The environments are varied, taking you from space stations to planetary surfaces.
The sound design features decent explosions and weapon effects, though they can be a bit generic. The music, however, is a highlight for many, providing an atmospheric backdrop to the intense action. It might not be Yuzo Koshiro, but it fits the gritty sci-fi theme well.
Playing Today: Reliving the Challenge
Feeling brave enough to tackle Target Earth now? You have a few options:
- Original Hardware: Dust off that Sega Genesis and track down a cartridge. The authentic, unforgiving experience awaits!
- Emulation: Playing via emulators on PC or other devices is a popular way to experience retro games like this. It also offers the potential benefit of save states, which can make the brutal difficulty a little more manageable for a modern player.
- Remakes/Re-releases: The game received a modern remake, Assault Suit Leynos, for PlayStation 4 and PC (available on platforms like GOG and Steam) in 2016. While it updates the graphics and gameplay, it retains the core challenge. The original Genesis version has also appeared on the Nintendo Switch Online service.
Our Verdict
Target Earth isn't a game for the faint of heart or those seeking a casual stroll through memory lane. It's a demanding, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately rewarding experience for fans of classic mech combat and challenging 2D shooters. If you appreciate tough-as-nails gameplay, strategic loadouts, and a cool sci-fi setting with giant robots, giving Target Earth a shot is well worth your time. Just be prepared to die... a lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Target Earth the same game as Assault Suit Leynos?
Yes, Target Earth is the Western title for the Japanese Mega Drive game Assault Suit Leynos. The Western version had some minor censorship and plot simplifications.
Is Target Earth a difficult game?
Yes, Target Earth is widely considered one of the most difficult games released on the Sega Genesis, known for its relentless enemies, limited continues, and demanding gameplay.
Can I play Target Earth on modern consoles?
The original Genesis version is available on services like Nintendo Switch Online. A modern remake titled Assault Suit Leynos is available on PlayStation 4 and PC (via digital stores like GOG and Steam).
