Sparkster (SNES)

Sparkster is a 16-bit generation side scrolling platformer produced and released in 1994 by Konami for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, directed by Hideo Ueda (Axelay). It is different to the Mega Drive game, Sparkster: Rocket Knight Adventures 2, and has no storyline continuity with the other installments of Rocket Knight Adventures, thereby making it more of a spin-off instead.

Story
The game, unlike the two Rocket Knight Adventures titles for the Mega Drive/Genesis and the recent Rocket Knight game, is set in the world of Eginasem. The kingdom inhabited by opossums is under attack by the Lioness's army of yellow dog soldiers, which also kidnapped Princess Flora. Sparkster, the Rocket Knight, is out to battle this threat, rescue the princess and save his kingdom from certain destruction. His nemesis, the evil Rocket Knight named Axel Gear, is aiding the invading forces, making Sparkster's task even more dangerous. The game's goal is to battle through all of yellow dogs' warriors and robots, defeat Axel Gear and infiltrate the enemy's battleship, where the yellow dogs leader, Generalissimo Lioness, is planning to launch a warhead to destroy planet Eginasem.

Gameplay
The eponymous main character is an opossum knight who fights an army of yellow dogs and robots. He is armed with a sword that can fire energy bolts and a rocket pack that allows him to fly short distances. The gameplay remains mostly the same as in Genesis games. One major difference is that the game's final level depends on a difficulty player selected. On easy, the game culminates with battle against Axel Gear, but on normal, the story continues with Sparkster fighting the leader of yellow dogs on the next level. On hard difficulty, the game continues beyond that, with the true final stage.

Reception
Sparkster was awarded Best Sound Effects of 1994 by Electronic Gaming Monthly.

Trivia

 * Sparkster (SNES) has Stage Music related to the Mega Drive/Genesis game, Sparkster: Rocket Knight Adventures 2.
 * The game uses many themes and stylistic features from Mega Drive/Genesis games, like some robots design, the battleship design, and a concept of the antagonist being revealed to be a robot.