U.N. Squadron (SNES) Playthrough - NintendoComplete

A playthrough of Capcom's 1991 shoot 'em up game for the Super Nintendo, U.N. Squadron.
Played through on the hard difficulty level with Shin.
U.N. Squadron is a port of an early Capcom CPS1 arcade game from 1989 (released just a couple of months before Final Fight's coin-op release on the same hardware) that was based on a manga named Area 88.
It's a horizontally-scrolling shoot 'em up that has a few cool features that you don't normally see in shooters from the late 80s: you can play the stages in whichever order you choose, you have the choice of three pilots with different abilities to make use of, and it had a life bar. These all work in the game's favor, making it feel pretty player-friendly in the amount of power it gives you over how to approach each stages. The game play changes a great deal based on the strategy you go with, and gives it a pretty long pair of legs for an arcade shooter.
The presentation is really done well here - the graphics are a pretty fair comparison for the original coin-op's, and everything is fast, smooth (with surprisingly few spots of slow down - probably because the two-player option was cut), and colorful, and the music (which is excellent, no matter which version you're playing) is arguably better than the arcade's because of the SNES's use of samples over FM.
The SNES version is a good adaptation with the original added features it gives, and it keeps the difficulty pretty stiff. Thankfully, the cart doesn't cost quarters, because this would mow through them mercilessly. I've never gotten through the hidden "gamer" difficulty level - I'm not good enough at it to attempt that - but the hard mode provides more than enough challenge to keep you at it for awhile.
I really like U.N. Squadron. It's a really fun, challenge, fresh take on the classic shooter, and the adaptation was handled pretty well - especially when you compare it Super R-Type and Gradius III, the other shmups released in the SNES launch window. Both of them, while great games, were utterly plagued by slowdown issues and inconsistent controls, while Capcom pretty neatly sidestepped that issue.
Totally worth playing if you haven't - it's one of first-wave classics for the SNES.
_
No cheats were used during the recording of this video.
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[@NintendoComplete]

UN Squadron was among the earliest of the "classic" games released in America for the SNES, and it's still just as fantastically playable today as it was back in 1991.

[@JohnnyOTGS]

There would be some Super NES players that would disagree with you, because it is also one of the most difficult games on the Super NES console. Personally, I never got past the Wolfpack Mission.

[@NintendoComplete]

I certainly wouldn't argue that it isn't hard, but I don't think this one's difficulty has anything on Super R-Type or Super Nova. Either way I really enjoyed it :)

[@luisjavierkanchi6872]

NintendoComplete p

[@Loader2K1]

@MrJohnnyOTGS: If it wasn't for the Game Genie, I would have never saw the end of this game myself.

[@paperandpavement]

try it on gamer difficulty! its a huge difference in difficulty from hard to gamer. i barely beat it yesterday and i was super juiced! the submarine level goes from fairly easy to one of the hardest levels if not the hardest. give it a try if you can!

[@darrelwilson]

This sound track is legendary

[@WatcherMovie008]

And to think the soundchip used in this game would later be used for the MMX series.

[@yussefabdala9833]

@@WatcherMovie008 REALLY ?!? No wonder both games touch my soul deep... puts me back infront of the TV. JUST ME AND THE SKY

[@bullsbulls9876]

inoubliable musique

[@cmartinez8643]

I second that

[@WelcomeToBigpatssportstalk]

frfr bro it was

[@derekforde7164]

The music has a cool 90's guitar vibe that takes me way back. I really enjoy playing these tracks on real instruments.

[@andyw5962]

It’s supposed to replicate the over the top 80’s movie sound tracks, like Top Gun etc. Not sure how you get 90’s out of that.

[@skillsharekirby2048]

That’s the megaman x soundfont you hear right there.

[@QuidamByMoonlight]

Yeah, that simulated bass when the boss battle starts is gold.

[@derekforde7164]

@@andyw5962 There's overlap between decades.

[@DesertRainReads]

Love the music that plays during the missions where you take on the stealth bomber and the Wolfpack squad. Fits perfectly in both cases. The music in this game was pretty damn solid and if you ask me, the stage design was better than that of the arcade version.

[@SJReid82]

Man, one of the first games I ever owned for SNES, and what an f'n gem. To this day I still occasionally hum the front-line base (first level) theme. Shin was always my favorite pilot, although Greg was the best to start with since he recovered so quickly from damage and could take a pounding.

[@Ohcanada28]

my favorite theme

[@therealbs2000]

I have always loved how the first boss shoots its load as soon as it gets on the screen in classic nintendo hard fashion

[@3to5andglassy]

My favorite shooter of all-time. The Stealth level blew me away back in 1992.

[@ro11ing_stone20]

it’s still my favorite level next to the submarine and ravine stages. that B2 was big as HELL 😶‍🌫️🫥🫣

[@LuigiLaitinen]

Mine too.

[@derek4986]

My friend introduced me to this game!

[@miguel76gimenez]

La música de intro del canal "la poción roja" !!!

[@bryany6565]

One of my favorites from SNES. Ordered it sight unseen from Funco land paper flyer cutting lawns! Mickey was my guy as F-14s were still flying the navy base by us! Good times!

[@ABigFingShark]

Really wish they’d release this on Switch

[@lukefrantz4985]

That's exactly how I ended up watching this video. Love this game.

[@calibomber209]

This and gradius v.

[@davidpacheco5352]

Been looking for this game on any console for ages! I used to play it on my computer using an emulator.

[@radspencer8187]

Unlikely i'm afraid. It is based on a licenced product. Nintendo will have to pay fees to re-release it.

[@LuigiLaitinen]

Yeah, me too!

[@jamesmoss3424]

The SNES version of UN Squadron is awesome. 😀👍🎮

[@MelGibbleson]

Found this game for $25 at a vintage video game store recently. Childhood memories.

[@cryptoburner1682]

When I saw the intro to this game for the first time I was blown away

[@jamesmorris911]

Facts! What really got me tho was the stealth bomber in mission 2...i was like oh shit...im in trouble!

[@Necronaut]

Iconic music at mission select.

[@saranobutt]

This game seriously looks so awesome I have no idea how I've never even heard of this.

[@AtomicThomas]

Such a fun game! You have to try it!

[@ro11ing_stone20]

it’s definitely worth the challenge lol

[@notundermywatch3163]

You have to be at least 35 to have played that back in the days when it came out.

[@ro11ing_stone20]

@@notundermywatch3163 lol i’m not 35 but we had it on my pops super nintendo. i was around 4 or 5 when i started to game haha. i’m only 30 but i’m sure it was out before i was born

[@timbrown1834]

@@notundermywatch3163 I'm 39 and I got snes in 1992 and I never heard of this. The box art and title gave no hint of the quality of the game. I discovered it recently for under 10 bucks and it's totally a hidden gem.

[@Kwease247]

The music = Legendary

[@timothywoods8503]

Wow this game was made from the anime Area 88

[@gochem3013]

👀

[@felipemartinez8339]

The game was developed and launched in Japan as Area 88. But it wasnt a good name to sale in the west.

[@tunkunrunk]

@Big White Duck have you watched it already ?

[@osakatales9228]

@Big White Duck Which arc are you on now?

[@evilblader7]

You're right... Area 88 have a manga as well

[@Peter_1986]

0:41 lol, gotta have that Mode 7 there.

[@davidsonstarsky5855]

I played this games 25 years ago, and I continue "singing" the soundtrack of "choose character" 🤭

[@biggtastee2401]

The B2 creepin up @ 05:48 right when the boss theme plays is just sa-weet!

[@jchristsu]

Was one of the first 3 games Santa gave me with my console 🎉

[@SmarteeeSteve]

I love flying vehicle games!

[@jamesmorris911]

They dont make them like this anymore...best summer i ever had...me and my crew staying up all night passing the controller around!

[@DailyMotionBetter]

Wow you too huh

[@sjoukjescholtanus133]

Fhvrrdwrxedsssesefwraddx AazazqaaaXxwaazzzwwsrfe Hhhnyhiuklyyyygv bvbvfv hun y Rgrfsdgvzf sfeer gegdgdgdtdgxgd xgb Hxxtsbdfsgsv !als!aoakakamsjsmamkddxcdv Ehsgsrsss Egdhsvsgsgxhshgzgdgcgcgx gedaan zoals,lzlzlzlzl!aan?alazlalalalzll!zlalalal?z???!zoalsಠ ͜ʖ ಠಠ_ʖಠಠωಠಠ︵ಠಠ∀ಠಠωಠಠ,_｣ಠಠ︵ಠಠ,_｣ಠಠ ͜ʖ ಠಠಗಠಠ◡ಠΣ(ಠ_ಠ)ಠಗಠΣ(ಠ_ಠ)ಠ,_｣ಠಠ‿ಠಠ◡ಠಠ◡ಠಠωಠಠ︵ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠಠ_ಠ

[@shirolee]

For reals!!!

[@Sammydx1]

The best times of our lives !!

[@Brandon-qy4rs]

@@sjoukjescholtanus133 You can say that again. I feel the same way.

[@creekandseminole]

Crazy how much better they made the console port from the original arcade version

[@Worms_Pro]

I remember as a kid I completed the whole game without any new planes because I was saving for the most expensive one. :)

[@calvinmessick9406]

I love getting the time of 1977 on the truck run. My birth year

[@ExoditeDragon]

I owned this cart on the SNES way back when. I didn't play too many shmup fighter games in those days, since jRPGs and side-scrollers like Metroid and Megaman captured my attention, but always enjoyed UN Squadron. Took me a while before I got good enough to tackle the canyon stage and Blackbird fight in the starting Crusader, but once I did, it was only ever that plane and the Efreet that I piloted on a playthrough. Though I will admit I often went with Greg instead of Shin because of the quicker recovery time from a hit, even if Shin powered up the cannon faster. XD

[@justinbladedemonsoul]

This was an arcade game to

[@diegomaximilianoblanchard3693]

Conocí este juego por error hace casi 30 años y hoy lo vuelvo a encontrar acá...esto es increíble..voy a llorar un rato y después me lo voy a descargar❤️💪

[@liliannakifflin6343]

At the weapon store. The look that Shin gives the owner. ' he's smiling, what's his problem?'

[@GriggsC123]

Now now I feel old. Use to play this game with my cousin back in the day.

[@fernandomorante5276]

El mejor juego de naves que pude haber jugado, junto con un soundtrack espectacular para cada área, lo mejor de lo mejor 🎮🕹️

[@mn.2157]

As a Japanese person, I strongly recommend reading the original manga, "Area 88."

[@superxnatrl1941]

WOW, i forgot about this game lol

[@firebirdude2]

Cluster is, far and away, the best powerup. Megacrush aside, for obvious reasons. I also like Phoenix, but cluster is the best.

[@jorgenavarro7193]

I was 8 years when I played this game

[@olofmorck7436]

Mission briefing theme is VERY similar to the Chocolate Rain song, I have never realised before.

[@grumblekin]

I loved the game as a kid then I read the manga when I went to Japan for the first time. It's really good! They did a good job in getting the characters' appearances correct.

[@Vednier]

And it same time its prevented them from re-releaseing this game ever again. Copyrights.

[@welme23]

WAIT, there was a manga! And here I was like: moar games please. I should also have been screaming. Anime please!

[@jonathanswiftortizsalazar4143]

Soy antes que los destruyan se el motivo ok son mis ADN ok washington necesitos que vengas a otras familia ok zonas ok jeferson paris ok ADN washington ok solo one full conmigo ok despue otras familia ok reservacion standar washington

[@unhappytoyman8767]

@@welme23 I believe the Manga was called Area 88.

[@Multani008]

@@unhappytoyman8767 yep you can even see it on the runaway in the opening cutscene as A88. Truly a great manga

[@jonathanberger4375]

Man I've just watched the entire vídeo and I must say, you're the man! This is one of the top20 hardest snes games of all! Congratulations for such high skills, I've never seen the ending, the level before the last was always my ending, that damn roof boss always took my lifes... I used to rent the game on weekends 23 years ago, never, bought was too expensive. If I owned, maybe could have finished.

[@NintendoComplete]

Thanks! It's wicked hard, but pretty satisfying 😌

[@johnryanjosey6368]

Speaking as someone who owned and was actually quite good, I couldn’t ever beat that level either

[@GilbertCarrizales]

As a kid who was a major fan of Top Gun and had dreams about becoming a fighter pilot, this was my first fighter pilot game my dad bought me. And to this day, it is my favorite. The music was a huge reason I fell in love with this game. Man the nostalgia is overwhelming.

[@MagicCarpetRideShareProject]

Yeah I was just commenting elsewhere this really was our Top Gun game growing up as the official one (on the NES anyway) wasn't very good. But this one will remain golden, if we sent it somehow playable into outer space, E.T. would be swingin' by to mash some buttons with us for sure ; ) 😂🎉🎉

[@MatthewTheWolf2029]

This game introduced me to Area 88.

[@FireBomberBassist]

I love these shootemup games. This and EDF on SNES 🔥

[@alexat420]

This is awesome. I've only beaten this once when i was a young teen back in the 90s. Now i can't even beat it on easy 😅

[@AllrightNOR]

Owned this game. Never finished it. Last boss was hard😂

[@BustedLeaf]

They don’t make sounds like this anymore.

[@cheezemonkeyeater]

"I'm never happy." -- Sponge

[@uzziel524]

Pilot abilities Shin: Fast primary weapon learner (The required powerups to powerup is shorter) Mickey: Able to hold more than the maximum amount of secondary weapons on his plane (Better sub-weapon storage for each plane) Greg: Has a distinct ability to control a damaged plane (the plane regenerates armor faster than usual)

[@stockandgamblinglife]

Snes was the best. So many classics

[@pilotop517]

I just bought this today, never heard of it, just asked for the better shooter they had for the snes, and daam this is one the best i have ever played

[@eniooliveira9196]

I've learned about the A-10 recently and yesterday I realized one of the planes in this game had been modeled after it. Didn't expect them to have used the real name. I can't tell if the F200 has a direct counterpart.

[@harrysmall-cox9579]

This game has only one rule: PICK GREG!

[@stantonbentley2534]

Ah I remember dropping my money into the arcade machines slot many a time! That battle with what looks like a stealth bomber is most memorable. Difficult to remember much past that, either my brain forgets, or I ran out of money! Good bit of fun, this game, though I didn't know it had a console release. You live and you learn!

[@adamduffy311]

This reminds me of that Anime Series Area 88 good Anime

[@extresam]

when i used to be like 5 years old in 2012 i played this game on my dads lap and ever since ive been searching for this masterpiece and finnaly i found it on the mameui as a 5 yr old back in the day, this is a good game

[@RonaldBrooks-sw1gv]

I beat this game on normal 25 yrs ago u beat it on hard wow i gotta try that now 😢

[@dmace81]

1:39 I always called the weapons salesman Gene Wilder. lol

[@LuigiLaitinen]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@normanharris5817]

I thought it was a lady as a kid

[@LuigiLaitinen]

@@normanharris5817 I kind of did too.

[@EisenHeim_]

I grew up playing this as a kid lol the nostalgia.

[@LuigiLaitinen]

So did I.

[@MayfieldArchival]

Very underrated SNES game. And I'm not using the term "underrated" loosely like some of these people do. Doesn't get talked about a lot, but it's really a good game. A must-play for sure

[@ahhdammit1109]

This takes me back!

[@jamesmcguire1953]

Why a remake was never made IDK. Capcom should really bring this one back!

[@LuigiLaitinen]

Oh gosh, yes!

[@elboynatural79]

Este juego sencillamente es una obra maestra.

[@riguellamy]

Bro tú sabes cómo sacar el escudo eléctrico ?, es como un campo de electricidad que sale alrededor del avión que no deja que le pegue nada.

[@alexander-nw8uq]

Si bro yo tambien quiero saber

[@elboynatural79]

@@alexander-nw8uq Yo también si alguno lo sabe que lo comparta, gracias

[@GareBearGamingGround]

Oh my god I have so much nostalgia with this game! And you played it so beautifully, as usual!

[@doloresperez9438]

La posion roja

[@normanharris5817]

Never been able to beat this except on Easy, still one of my favorite games. Legendary soundtrack. Who picks Shin though? I guess he is the “default” but you have nothing to gain from using him really compared to Greg or Mickey.

[@Bimshwel]

I reluctantly subscribed to "peacock" this month since there was talk of watching olympic ice skating in the house, and of course nobody did, but just last night I decided to check for anime and there was Area 88 right there at the front, and it occurred to me how I had seen this game around but never played it or seen it played. This looks a lot more interesting than I assumed it was. I like the Bionic Commando style map screen and having to choose what powers you can get. I am surprised that Shin wasn't given a more American sounding name considering the title change.

[@joshanderson3716]

Would have loved to see more of the other aircraft.

[@danvers213]

My childhood. Been waiting for this game to be re-released since Nintendo classic was on the wii. We have a switch and still no mention of this or Mystical ninja starring goemon (N64)😔😤

[@grichagricha4719]

It was one of my favorite shoot'em up!

[@ragincajunstud]

3:37 Love that victory tune.

[@LuigiLaitinen]

So do I.

[@SirCraigius]

Why has this not been added to the virtual console for the Switch?! I want to play this again!! I have such fond memories of it.

[@FallenGemini]

It is a licensed game based on the manga - and later ankme -entitled "Area 88;" Capcom must have not been able to get the license again to re-relesse this game.

[@caseydopp318]

I completely forgot about this game and it popped up randomly omg... I sucked at it but boy do I remember it..

[@dominik2538]

Oh yes I remember playing this one with my brother or sometimes alone I just couldn't get enough...they don't make them like this anymore that's for sure.. childhood memories 🙂✌️🛩️🎮

[@dimelo8826]

I can hear those mega man x sounds 😍

[@ccgdream5393]

Mad respect to you, great playthrough! I still play this game often

[@frankys1820]

Yes!!! Lol. This was one of my favorite games to play as a kid. I loved building up each fighter pilots’ weapons shots and the cool bombs and stuff. Awesome game!!! Bring it back

[@CraftyArts]

And there was never a sequel. . .

[@olivierpean6604]

remember these soundstracks! anyway, you forgot 2 stars :) one in the forest and one in the cave

[@a40kjourney]

Love it! Classic game, classic soundtrack, and the anime/manga it's based off of - Area 88 - is still worth a viewing.

[@Maurogabproductions]

this game its classical!

[@zeaferjones1404]

Similar to Star Fox 64 in how awesome the 2nd level is.

[@Sammydx1]

Looks some plane manufacturers liberties there lol

[@Ambaryerno]

It always annoyed me that the F-14 couldn't use the Phoenix missile...even though it's the only plane IRL that ever did.

[@QuidamByMoonlight]

Oh wow. Good catch!

[@Rave779]

Oh, the irony.

[@ladysnake8449]

I also know that my older brother owned gradius 3, and super R type, but he also owns this game. But after all these years I'm finally convinced that, this is the most underrated shooter of all time. PS, ALWAYS choose Greg!

[@EDay340]

I Nnever got past the 9th mission as a kid, and watching this person do it gives me anxiety as if I’m playing the game! Incredible to watch...

[@retiredsnowbunnyhunterx5106]

I beat it twice. Gone attempt for a 3rd

[@Prismpunk]

I’m so happy this is up! I used to play this all the time as a kid! The immense frustration that I went through. I broke so many snes controllers by throwing them at the wall when I couldn’t advance in this game hahaha

[@dr.markevers8331]

Nintendo thumb is real…found this cartridge in a local record store randomly in their case. Can’t put it down! I’m just glad my snes and tv that has the A/V connections still work. Thanks for the play through.

[@shirolee]

OMG, this brings back so many memories!!!!

[@Nackhael]

Ost is magic!

[@fabiopalma4429]

The only SNES game I owned I wasn't able to finish. Super hard. Frustrating last levels!

[@artgutierrez6568]

Extremely fun game but difficult as hell to master.

[@adamduffy311]

I would love to see this Brought Back to the PS4-5 a remastered version for the 2020’s ?.

[@thegman7523]

i wish this was on the switch's SNES online. I would play this all the time

[@LuigiLaitinen]

Yeah, me too!

[@inceptional]

One of the very best shmups of the 16-bit generation.

[@LuigiLaitinen]

Yep.

[@poeticjusticemacias9594]

Daaannng I remember trying to buy those planes!!!!

[@gabrielsmagicktome]

I will never play this game again lol!! This game is brutal as hell, it's not for beginners who wants to play Shmups. You definitely play better than me, that's for sure.

[@BigWired]

OK, so it wasn't until I saw Retro Crush releasing clips of Area 88 that I remembered this game. And now I want to see if my local classic video game store has it.

[@392driva]

I could cry watching this intro😂my whole reason for wanting to be a pilot in the first 50 seconds

[@rayterrence75]

This game was fun nd hard as hell at the arcade way back

[@E180TEKNO]

29:46 for me it's the boss most difficult !

[@kitsunevandal]

I put this vid on just to see this boss fight, I was not expecting such heartstopping play. Def hardest boss

[@scotthayes2652]

Just use the F8E for all levels apart from the last and keep repeating the bonus stages over and over to get the cash for the best plane.