An NES version of Rush'n Attack in 1987 and like most NES games that were based on a popular arcade game, it is more of a remixed version than a straight port. In addition to having an entirely different plot (where the objective is now to destroy a top-secret weapon), it also features new stages, enemies, and music, as well as a 2-Players simultaneous mode similar to Contra (which was released for the arcades around the same time).
An arcade sequel was released in 1989 titled M.I.A.: Missing In Action.
A sequel was developed by Vatra Games, titled Rush'n Attack: Ex-Patriot. It was released in early 2011.
Rush'n Attack features examples of:
- Anti-Grinding: A player attempting to grind for points will encounter more difficult enemies when waiting in a given area. Further grinding in the same place will have a bomber drop a guided bomb.
- Checkpoint: The arcade version uses check point respawns, while the NES version only uses them in 1-Player mode (the 2-Player mode uses instant respawns). Averted in the Famicom version, as well as in M.I.A. (both used instant respawns, regardless of the number of players).
- Close-Range Combatant: The player and most enemy mooks use melee attacks. Occasionally, one enemy may fire a bullet, but still prefers going into melee.
- Difficulty by Region: The Disk System version has limited continues, instant respawns, hidden underground shortcuts, and a maximum ammo capacity of nine rounds instead of just three. To make up for the increased difficulty, the NES version starts the player with more lives and weapon power-ups always give max ammo.
- Distressed Dude: The prisoners you have to rescue in the arcade version.
- Elites Are More Glamorous: The player character is a Green Beret (United States Army Special Forces).
- Excuse Plot:
- In the arcade: "Rescue the prisoners of war"
- In the NES version: "Your mission: destroy the enemy's secret weapon. Good luck!"
- Fire-Breathing Weapon: One of the pickups available in the arcade version is a flamethrower.
- Market-Based Title: The original game was titled Rush'n Attack in America and Green Beret in Japan. Oddly enough, the European market used Green Beret for the arcade version and Rush'n Attack for the NES version.
- Pun-Based Title: Rush'n Attack = Russian Attack
- Reformulated Game: The NES version, which features different stages (the arcade's four stages are stages 1, 3, 4, and 5 of the NES version, while stages 2 and 6 are new) and bosses (the NES stage 5 has a different boss than the arcade stage 4, and the final boss is entirely new), and more importantly a 2-player co-op mode (rather than just alternating play).
- One-Hit-Point Wonder: Not just the playable characters, but every enemy as well. Even the Autogyros in Stage 4 of the NES version can be made to explode with a single stab (though their arcade counterpart makes it more clear you're killing the pilot and letting the vehicle crash). The secret weapon (a missile) at the end of the NES version is the only exception.
- Palette Swap:
- In the NES version, the three main types of enemy troops (one runs right at you, one jumps at you, the third shoots at you) are only differentiated by color. Their specific design changes from stage to stage, but they're always the same sprite in different colors.
- To a lesser extent in the arcade version, which has a wider variety of enemy designs, but the running soldiers and the jumping soldiers are the same sprite recolored.
- Tactical Suicide Boss: You wouldn't be able to destroy the missile at the end of the NES version if the enemy didn't keep sending an endless wave of enemies at you, including the ones who drop rocket launchers, the only weapon that can deal any damage to the missile.
- Video Game Flamethrowers Suck: Averted really hard. The flamethrower is a One-Hit Kill weapon that instantly reduces any mook to ashes. Its larger projectile makes it even better than the rocket launcher.
