Blazing Lazers (TurboGrafx-16) - Retro Game Review

Blazing Lazers is a shoot'em up on the TuboGrafx-16 which has gained a bit of notoriety lately. Here's my review.
Intro artwork by: / babia-majora
"Cantina Blues" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons...

[@VGMrawk]

not sure if you knew, but those power ups that hang around, you can shoot them until they flash colors. collect it to respawn after death and not have to back track at all. your tiny ship in the lower right corner will turn orange when you do this.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+VGMrawk I did not know that, that should be helpful for next time I play, thanks.

[@nintenjoel]

So far, my favorite TG16 game... With Ninja Spirit being a close second. This review was spot on, literally touched on everything that I would have. Music is decent but not really memorable at all. I can't believe how well this game runs, it was one of the first games I got for the console and it seriously impressed me. Great review!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thank you!

[@RetroMMA]

Music isn't memorable? You're cancelled.

[@nintenjoel]

@@RetroMMA You'll live.

[@RetroMMA]

@@nintenjoel Yes... but will you? You too, are canceled.

[@nintenjoel]

@@RetroMMA Yeah, read that the first time. Weird. I don't SEEM cancelled.

[@RetroCynical]

Oh an absolute classic, I even recall the first time I learned of this game. It was on Gamepro (the TV show based off of the magazine that was hosted by JD Roth).

[@cjarmour7288]

ONE OF THE BEST SHOOTERS EVER MADE!! LOVE THIS GAME AND MUSIC!!!!!

[@lovemadeinjapan]

If you love the music, you suck at this game, as from stage 3 to the end the music is totally annoying.

[@brandybear8332]

This is actually the next game I plan on buying. Good to have another review for it. Keep up the good work! :)

[@post-apocalypticcomingsoon1625]

Sweet game and review. Turbographx 16 had quite a few little gems like this game.

[@IAmLovie]

Great Review! Love this game! It’s a fantastic example of the power this system had. I got this game when I purchased my Turbografix back in either 89 or 90. I still love the sound of the digitized upgrades! Homing missle…..

[@DaddyGamerDiaries]

The Retro Game Squad podcast discussed Blazing Lazers this month, so I was really excited to watch your video. I was impressed by the visuals, without a doubt. Thanks for sharing one of Will's recent pick-ups!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+Diego Avila I'll have to listen to that episode.

[@Lord_of_the_Pies]

Getting the laser and riding with it throughout the game made it easy. it was like using the spread gun in contra

[@OldSchoolJules]

I recall being in maybe 5th grade when I saw this advertisement on TV. Thought it was the coolest thing ever. Sadly I never got to actually play it.

[@NeoTurboManiac78]

Blazing Lazers was a favorite of mine back in the days. I've not been able to complete it either. I have reached the final boss, but got my butt kicked and that was nearly 25 years ago. I played a few weeks ago and was able to get to the last stage, but no final boss. For those shootable power ups that change, if you shoot them long enough, it will turn into a flashing gel which aside from destroying all enemies on screen, will allow you to continue without any interruption in gameplay, if you lose a life.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+NeoTurboManiac Ah, I saw that flashing thing happen once or twice, but didn't know what had triggered it. Thanks!

[@kirgeez-gaming]

Had this game growing up.. Didn't think much of it at the time but still its a good shooter. It was one of the better shooters on the TG16.

[@AirZonkWorldChamp]

Great review, this game was one of the reasons why I wanted a TG-16 way back in 1989.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+Ryan AirZonkWorldChamp Thanks!

[@delturge]

Blazing Lasers, Dungeon Explorer, Galaga 90', Ys Book I and II, Dragon Spirit, Ninja Spirit, R-Type, Gradius II (Super CD-ROM Japan Import) ... how many hours in my youth. I love them all.

[@97warlock]

its 2022 & Im playin this one Right now!!

[@phubans]

My favorite Compile shmup (and favorite NES game alongside Crystalis) is The Guardian Legend. It's nice to see how many similarities this game has with TGL.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+phubans I love The Guardian Legend!

[@Ripp81]

My all time fav shooter.

[@pepijn23]

A retro game store I go to has this set up for anyone to play along with a vectrex.

[@zborgerd]

I absolutely love this game. I have the Japanese release (Gunhed). I'm a big fan of Compile's shooters and props to any KZbin channel that feels the same way. Thanks for the review. There are a few great Compile games on the PCE/TG16. I just picked up one of the Spriggan games in my attempt to complete my Compile collection. Also just got Power Strike for Master System. Talk about challenging; Probably one of the most difficult Compile shooters but still quite rewarding when you finally begin to master the levels.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+Zach B I used to have Power Strike, but the SMS collection is gone now.

[@halwakka504]

Great review, one of my favorite TG16 games and my favorite shooter of all time. Totally wrong about proton blaster though, IMHO. Grab proton blaster and homing missles and then fully upgrade them both with nothing but power gels. 8-way fire proton blaster and full-speed/full power homing missiles will obliterate most enemies before they can appear on the screen. ;)

[@cathy2106]

I LOVED this game! my fave shooter on the TG-16. much better than R-Type in my opinion.

[@DarkMikaruX]

I had R-Type too... such classics

[@cryingzombie]

I beat this game using Homing Missiles and Photon Blasters at maximum levels. I stick with Homing Missiles as my secondary weapon of choice. I'm determined to beat this game with Ring Blasters at maximum to go with my missiles. The idea is to use a weapon that chases targets and one that cancels enemy projectiles at the same time.

[@DarkMikaruX]

That's how I used to do it. I just bought the TG16 mini and was amazed to find I still remembered my tactics from when I was a kid. Full Photon Blaster / MultiBody for the first 3 stages... then Ring Blaster / Shield combo for the rest. Take down the end boss in seconds.

[@magnum2524]

I just stumbled on ur channel. I've watched several in a row. I must say I have enjoyed all of ur videos so far. new subscriber. I noticed u take care to actually respond to the comments. nice to see that kind of interaction

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+magnum2524 Thanks for subscribing!

[@jakek5417]

Great review Pam! Have you ever played Zanac for the NES? I think you would like it.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I have, it’s pretty good. Hard though.

[@jakek5417]

@@Cannotbetamed1 It is a hard game! Very complex for a shump too. I kinda dig it.

[@ROJOyNARANJA]

NOT MANY PEOPLE TALK ABOUT TURBOGRAFX-16 GAMES, DO THEY? THIS REVIEW WAS NICE

[@marcosdiogenes9380]

OMG I LOVE THIS GAME! We didn't have the TurboGrafx-16 in Brazil, but I had a clone console who had stored a selection of games from various consoles such as the NES, Master System, etc. It was just a weird controller with an A/V cable you'd hook up to a TV that really resembled a N64 controller. It also needed to be plugged to the wall for power. This game was in this console. Really awkward console ripoff, but lot of great games I'd never have access to otherwise as a kid.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+Marcos Diógenes It's good you had a chance to play, even with no TG16s available to you.

[@lailanitaganap6314]

Top 3 best shooter of all time underrated gem Blazing Lazers

[@TheGameGrinder]

This is a pretty fun game, and a fair review. A good friend of mine played this last year, and now he has a TG16, 2 Duo's and a lot of games for the systems. It blew his mind. I don't get it but hey, I can play his Turbo stuff.

[@joshdieckmann595]

Awesome game! Blazing Lazers was one of my first games I got after I bought my TG16 about a decade ago. Great gameplay, good difficulty curve, and a fun weapons system. Gotta love the Field Thunder weapon and its ability to cut a giant swath of destruction! The game has an awesome soundtrack as well. Keep at it - I 1CC this game after a bit of practice, so even though I'm a shmup enthusiast, I don't consider myself to be that good at them, though this game didn't pose too much of a challenge.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I love the Field Thunder. I really like the different weapons and how they interact with the different power-ups.

[@lailanitaganap6314]

Game was tuff you sure you beat the game without cheating? Lol

[@NefariousWes]

Great shooter! Classic Compile! The stage 1 music is always getting stuck in my head at random times, with no trigger whatsoever. Catchy-as-hell tunes!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+Westapo: Video Games and Loud Music Compile makes good music.

[@JustinHall1976]

She need to up her game. It's all about that field thunder IV with homing mod and two options.

[@jineshlachmansingh4709]

Proton blaster + homing missiles was my combo

[@The_Badcompany]

Blazing Lazers is one of the better Hu-card games on the TG16, also still very affordable for one of the better games.

[@OnionChang]

I love the music in this game

[@lovemadeinjapan]

It's mono! The PC Engine has fantastic stereo, yet this is mono. Put on the stage 1 track of this and Kyukyoku Tiger on headphones, night and day. Both are small size cards from the first batch of games, but Gunhed sounds as if they did not understand the music chip yet.

[@TommyCosta]

This game is the bomb. My favorite on TG16

[@TheRamVox]

Now I know what all the hype is about (though I have no idea what a Khan-yay is).

[@eagix]

Great video! Looking forward to more! : - )

[@stucazzo2000]

Nice review! When you mentioned the developer "Compile", I immediately thought of one of my favourite shmups on the SNES: Space Megafore! (presented by Toho). SM definitely looks like the spiritual successor to Blazing Lazers. In your playthroughs of Blazing Lazers, how identical would you say the games are to each another? I'm assuming you've played Space Megaforce.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I haven't played Space Megaforce, I'm not big on Nintendo after the NES.

[@stucazzo2000]

Just try Space Megaforce on the SNES by any means necessary. :) You really didn't like the SNES?!? What is wrong with you?? :) :)

[@Ziggomastor]

They really aren't that similar, other than the general "vertical shooter with a few power ups" type of deal, just like it and Zanac aren't the same game, but made by the same people . . .

[@future_Tarzan]

Have you listened to Life of Pablo?

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+Joshua Magdaleno No, I rarely listen to anything new.

[@ades5305]

I miss this game, where is place to buy turbograft16?

[@Lord_of_the_Pies]

this was my favorite console shootemup. ill have to check out gun nac.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Awesome, let me know what you think

[@michaeltwofeather7899]

Cannot be Tamed thanks for doing the review and really rocks I played this game a lot as a kid it was like my favorite game LOL shows my age I didn't know the game was on the come up seriously though great review definitely going to subscribe

[@jabetitbasen]

Best shooter ever made...very nice review.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thanks

[@HeavyHands70]

You don't have to start at a checkpoint after dying if you collect the flashing orbs that float toward the top of the screen. You can get those by shooting the hell out of the powerups that freeze when you hit them or by letting them hit the bottom of the screen. It's the ONLY way to beat the game until you get good enough to beat it without dying. Definitely one of the best shooters I've ever played! One time I managed to beat it with zero deaths.

[@Collectorcast]

Such a great game. I hope to see a review of Sapphire soon!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+Collectorcast Maybe. I love shoot'em ups, but I'm finding I'm running out of words to describe them in reviews.

[@Collectorcast]

More ZAPS and POWS will work.

[@CmdrPinkiePie]

You should review more TG16/PC-Engine games in the future. There are so many great ones to choose from: Soldier Blade, Dragon Spirit, Ninja Spirit, Final Lap Twin (a racing game AND a jRPG!), Magical Chase, Legendary Axe, Splatterhouse, Devil's Crush, Neutopia, Bravoman, Dragon's Curse (a great remake of Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap) ... and if you go with the CD expansion, you get awesome stuff like the YS games, the 'Thunder' games (Gate, Lords). Oh, and BONK! :P

[@lordjs9726]

Hi, Pam. Nice review as always. Little too chaotic game for me. My eyes don't do well with all that stuff going on across the screen.

[@Dongled]

Is it just me or does the frame rate look a little stuttery here? I just recently got a TG16 and I've heard this is one to own.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+Dongled That's probably got more to deal with trying to handle the varying framerates of my on camera footage (whose framerate sucks) and the game footage, rather than the game itself.

[@Dongled]

+Cannot be Tamed Hmm..nono, I mean the gameplay footage. Your OC footage looked fine. What do you record gameplay footage with?

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+Dongled I use a Hauppauge HD PVR Rocket. My editing software (Movie Studio Platinum) won't read the mp4s it creates and I have to convert them to something else though, which screws things up I think.

[@Dongled]

Not sure if you're using this, but I just started using handbrake for converting MAME files from FLV to MP4, works great.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+Dongled I've never used MAME. I use Handbrake for other things, I usually use Format Factory for my video files.

[@StartToContinue]

Nice review Pam! I don't think I'd last 2 seconds in this one...so much stuff flying around on the screen!

[@juliovindell264]

Review Truxton for sega genesis

[@Stavekoff]

Got this game cuz it's called GunHed i japan, and i love that movie

[@lailanitaganap2402]

There is a secret weapon on level 3 and a God Mode? Blazing Lazers is a 10 when it first came out classic still today

[@shmupshmuppewpew5260]

Great review. Blazing Lazers is one of those games that easy to get into, but somewhat difficult to master. Really fun for both casual and expert fans of shooters. Gun Nac is my favorite shooter, too.. I've had the Famicom version for quite some time (it was actually affordable), and I finally bought the NES version recently. I didn't realize there were going to be differences, but I guess I should have known NoA would do a bit of scrubbing on it. American children just weren't ready for shooting down flying cigarettes and flaming Zippo lighters, I guess. Nevermind the nonstop assault of such themes from all other directions. Has anybody done a video on the differences between versions? I'm not sharp enough to have noticed all of them, I'm sure.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+ShmupShmupPewPew I haven't seen a video on the differences, but now I'll be looking for one.

[@lukaszorlowski88]

Another review that made me want to buy Turbo Grafx-16. What a shame it's so expensive and difficult to collect for. Especially for someone living in Europe, like me, Great video, though. Realy like your style :)

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+Łukasz Orłowski Thank you :)

[@lovemadeinjapan]

Forget about the ugly TG16, and get the white original. Way easier to get games for, and they look better too, as the TG16 games only have text on the cards. It is also really easy to plug in a ExtBUS to SCART cable in the back for great RGB+Stereo

[@michaeltwofeather7899]

what a good review

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thanks!

[@Fracassi1]

Wow, a lot of Compile games look very similar. I'm not putting down the game, but this video really reminds me of The Guardian Legend (my favorite NES shooter) at times.

[@GFiero87]

One of only 2 games Ive ever played AND beat on the TurboGrafx-16 - This was 1st, followed be R-type. Great game for the system, but as you said... 1 death really can = a game over depending where you're at in the game...

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+Ben Chapman I had some really frustrating points where I'd beat a level (level 4) in one go the very first time I saw it, but on later attempts one death there would just ruin me.

[@Lightblue2222]

Really fun game. Cool choice.

[@lurkerrekrul]

Blazing Lazers is quite similar to the later games in the Star Soldier series, at least on the Turbografx. Or rather, the later games are quite similar to Blazing Lazers, since BL came out in 1989 and Super Star Soldier didn't come out until 1990. It was followed by Final Soldier and Soldier Blade, also on the TG16. I know, most all vertical shoot'em ups are similar, but the graphics in the Soldier games look pretty similar, some of the enemy attack patterns are similar, even some of the weapon powerups are similar. If you just showed the games to someone without telling them any different, they'd probably think they were all part of the same series. Anyway, if you want to review more TG16 games, I recommend Devil's Crush, which is a fantasy themed pinball game set in a dungeon. It has creatures that wander around the table, mini-games, etc. Also, Military Madness. It's a strategy war game, which I know doesn't appeal to everyone, but it's very easy to get into and it's not as 'dry' as most war games. The battles are shown in little animated cutscenes. I would recommend Alien Crush (pinball), but the screen flips between the upper and lower portions of the table rather than scrolling and it can get pretty disorienting when the ball quickly bounces between the two. It's not a bad game, but Devil's Crush is better.

[@steveazusa]

lurkerrekrul soldier blade and star soldier are sequels to blazing Lazers

[@GaggleofDoozies]

I play this on my PSP.

[@NintendoHodge]

Great review and also Great Game.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+Nintendo Hodge Thank you!

[@SQGReviewShow]

Kanye may be an arrogant jerk, but Blazing Lasers looks pretty fun. If I ever get a TurboGrafx, I'll look into collecting it although thanks to Kanye, it'll probably spike up in price. Good review, Pam.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+The Side Quest Gamer Thank you!

[@obsoletegeek]

mmmm shooters!

[@LennyMorris]

Sweet vid. I'm a new fan.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+Leo The Video Game Guy Awesome, thank you :)

[@ProTobagganist]

got the game with a system tonight, great game, just wanted to see an honest review and this looked good. gonna check out some of the other games that came with it, i was told bonks revenge is a classic haven't tried it yetbut will put it in after a bit.

[@digitalworms]

Blazing lasers is blast! If you wanna get into shmups this is a great start! If you haven't tried soldier blade on pc engine you missed a great one! Pc engine/genesis are shmup powerhouses! And you mentioned gun nac that's another awesome shooter!

[@finalbossoftheinternet6360]

I got the PC Engine Core Grafx instead of the TurboGrafx-16, because so many great games on this platform were only sold in Japan. Here in America, simply hook it up with a Sega Genesis model 1 power supply and AV cable... and definitely get a copy of Gunhed! ;)

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I've got a PC Engine.

[@JKDVIPER]

Had one it’s dope

[@Durrpadil]

Ooh, speaking of shooters... I wish Einhander 2 was a thing ;n;

[@DarkMikaruX]

I played the heck out of some Einhander back in the day. Memories!

[@Durrpadil]

@@DarkMikaruX Check out RayStorm and R-Type Delta as well. I have them on a handheld that emulate PSOne games on and they are pure arcade gems!!

[@DarkMikaruX]

@@Durrpadil I remember both of those. Delta was my favorite Rtype of all time. Now that you reminded me.. I have no idea where it is now. I'm sure I owned it lol. I hate that shoot em ups like this arent made much anymore.

[@Durrpadil]

@@DarkMikaruX Einhander ][ !! ugh of only

[@skyelarpatrick1659]

Good choice lol. Easily my favorite game on the console.

[@Ziggomastor]

Did you know this game is actually a TG16 version of the old MSX/Famicom/NES game Zanac? That game was, IMHO, even more impressive, with 8 special weapons that could be powered up IN ADDITION to your normal laser, which could also be powered up, and a in-game system that made the game harder as you became more successful at beating down the enemy; it was released on the Super Nintendo as "Space Megaforce," but that game lacks the clear audio and the rapid pace of the NES classic, which barely had any of the slowdown common to games from the NES . . .

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I did not know that, because it's not true. Zanac and Blazing Lazers are made by the same people, but they're different games.

[@Ziggomastor]

Not really, different story, but in a shmup, the least important thing is the story, all you need to know is it's you against a big armada, the games are made in similar fashion . . .

[@Thegamingking89]

ok nice review

[@nicholasmoose6574]

I just got to level 9!! I repeat, I JUST GOT TO LEVEL 9!!! OK, yeah, I'll admit it, I used save states but STILL! This game is a bitch, even WITH using save states!!! Still, it is really cool! And a LOT of fun and I'm glad you told me about Miss Cannot!!!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Nice! I only managed to get to level 5 or 6, but that was on the original hardware without save states. I would have used them if that was an option.

[@nicholasmoose6574]

Much as I dig the vertical space shooter genre, they really are a bitch to beat and there just aren't enough hours in the day to play through all of them without the save states. Sounds like you are a lot better at these than I am though, cuz I doubt I would have gotten as far as you without cheating. I did beat it (with the save states) but the ending (apart from the amazing music) is frankly, kind of anticlimactic. I feel like the game developers should knock on your door and throw a party in your house after you beat it! Or maybe they, do, but only if you DON'T use the save states! (Incidentally, I wonder if KANYE beat it without save states!? Hmmm, maybe, he did! He is a self-proclaimed genius after all!) But now I'm newly discovering all these old Turbografx 16 space shooters that I've never been exposed to and I wouldn't have time to play them all if I did it the traditional way. Now onto Super Star Soldier!

[@HayabusaPaul]

best shmup ever

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Yeah, it's pretty great

[@RabiesTheBeagle]

If u was playing the atari and then u see this.........mind blown.

[@999heretic999]

Ah yes, turbografx. My only complaints about the system were lack of 3rd party developers. And the d pad being so damn low on the controller. Seems petty but yeah. Good review Pam, keep it up.

[@999heretic999]

Let me add. Kanye west sucks.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+ben decker My main complaint right now is that the controller cord is only 4 feet long.

[@999heretic999]

+Cannot be Tamed I guess the upside is you don't have to get up to turn it off, cause the system is an arms length away haha

[@CAPCOM784]

+Cannot be Tamed You can buy a original 6 foot controller extension cable for the tg16 on Ebay :)

[@hauntedhose]

Multi body

[@JTThomas82]

Not to sound gender bias but im totally stoked that a girl is playing this

[@portalplayer]

do more PS1 reviews please

[@Cannotbetamed1]

+portalplayer I plan to! I'm working on a better setup for recording PS1 and 2

[@richteritwan]

@Cannot be Tamed there's cheats where it can help you reach the end of the game! Google invincibility.

[@Tsujanryo]

If you ever do any SNES reviews, you'll eventually, sooner or later is find a title called "Space Megaforce" or "Super Aleste." It is made by the same creative team that made this game. It's a spittin' image too, but that's not a bad thing. That game is longer, has arguably better if similar weapons and better music. Great game.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I've played Space Megaforce.