"Operation Delta Storm" is underway!! Rescue the hostages from the terrorist group "Bloody Scorpion"!!
"The terrorist group "Bloody Scorpion," which carries out its maneuvers secretly behind the scenes on the world stage, has kidnapped Doctor George, discoverer of the highly hypnotic and personality altering drug "α301," and his granddaughter Cecilia. The United States Government, which views this matter with the utmost serioiusness, has selected eight specialists who will carry out "Operation Delta Storm" to rescue the doctor and Cecilia."
— Back Page of the flyer.
The first game of Shock Troopers from SNK. A Multinational Team of eight commandos, each with different stats and special weapons, must fight against the evil forces of The Bloody Scorpion Group. Their leader, the fearsome... Leader, has kidnapped Cecilia, the granddaughter of a famous scientist, George, in order to force him to work for them. The player can choose only one of the commandos (and start with more health) or a team of three (and have more combat options) to switch between on the fly. The game has three level routes and you are given the chance to switch from one to another mid-way through the game.
"Shock Tropers" provides examples of:
- Bar Brawl: The claw-wielding ninja bosses are fought in a bar, which they blow up before attacking you.
- Bilingual Bonus: Spoken voices are entirely in Japanese, with no subtitles.
- Contractual Boss Immunity: Enforced. Whenever the Bloody Scorpion lieutenants get forcibly launched from the destruction of the armored vehicles they are in, they are completely invincible from all of your attacks. Its only during their mandated on-foot fight that they can be harmed, once they finished their entrance.
- Cool Bike: Player characters begin Stage 2 atop them and can be seen riding them in the credits.
- Delinquent Hair: One of the Bloody Scorpion lieutenants sport a pink mohawk, and wear a tank underneath their vests. He serves as a pilot for attack helicopters.
- Dual Boss: One Boss Fight consists of a pair of Ninja-like Elite Mooks with Wolverine Claws and rapid-fire guns.
- Duel Boss: Leader and his lieutenants use similar attacks to the players, albeit more powerful and unpredictable.
- Funny Background Event: A select number of mooks will be doing something funny and unrelated to attacking the player for a few seconds before they the player likely kills them. Such as the one mook that is taking a picture of another, or one that attempts to release his afro before fighting.
- Love Interest: Cecilia is Jackal's girlfriend (It's Personal for him). Playing as Jackal adds some extra cutscenes concerning their bond.
- Ms. Fanservice: Only in her ending, but Milky is seen sunbathing in a black bikini.
- Multinational Team: Each with a Special Weapon Of Choice.
- Jackal - USA - Frag Grenade
- Milky - France - Napalm Grenade
- Loki - Norway - Rifle Grenade
- Southern Cross - Australia - Exploding Boomerang
- Marie Bee - Russia - Stinger Launcher
- Rio - Brazil - Exploding Crossbow Bolts
- Maru - Japan - Gas Grenade
- Big Mama - Canada - Dumbfire Rocket Launcher
- Not-So-Well-Intentioned Extremist: The leader of the Bloody Scorpions talks about keeping the world out of the hands of those who are incompetent, but Cecilia does not believe any of this and even protests that forcing her grandpa to create the α301 drug will result in the world's destruction. Towards the end, it becomes more and more clear that the leader is nothing more than a selfish man pursuing his own gain.
- Recurring Boss: Each path has two Bloody Scorpion lieutenants (a green bandanna or a mohawk) who you fight several times, once per level.
- Shout-Out: In the mountain route your character goes up against a Harrier fighter jet on a cliff - identical to a scene in Mercs
- Team Mom: Big Mama refers to her teammates as "children" and tells them to stay behind her if you have her in the lead at the start of the railcar level.
- Traintop Battle: The Final Boss fight, against Leader is on a plane.
