"Avoid all obstacles and seek out the enemy's headquarters!!"
— Back Page of the Shock Troopers 1997 flyer.
Shock Troopers is a Vertical Scrolling run 'n' gun Shoot 'Em Up game developed by Saurus and published by SNK for the Neo Geo arcade platform in 1997. A sequel, Shock Troopers: 2nd Squad, came out a year later. A third title was planned but never materialized. The gameplay is similar to games like Commando and Ikari Warriors, and both games feature two-player co-op.
Both games have become available to download on the Wii's Virtual Console, the PlayStation Store for the PS3, PSP and PS4, XBox One and the Nintendo Switch. The first game was also included in SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 for the Wii and PS2.
The duology consists of:
Both games provide examples of:
- Abnormal Ammo: A variety of color-coded enemy vehicles appear in 2nd Squad, some of which have weapons like chemical sprayers and net launchers. This also applies to some sub-weapons and power-ups, like the Boomerang.
- Color-Coded for Your Convenience: Mook uniform colors denote their combat abilities.
- Cool Guns: Every character in Shock Troopers has an M-16, as do Leon and Angel in 2nd Squad (Leon's has what appears to be an M203 Grenade Launcher) The first game's "Heavy" Power-Up is an M60 while the "3-Way" looks like a Barret Sniper Rifle. Lulu in 2nd Squad uses an MP5. Mooks in 2nd Squad favor MP5s and G-36es, Elite Mooks have Desert Eagles.
- Deadly Gas: Gas grenades used by Maru and blue-unformed mooks in Shock Troopers, chemical-sprayer trucks in 2nd Squad.
- Disney Villain Death: Leader is last seen plummeting from the plane you fought him on top of. It's kind of funny in contrast to the obviously bloody deaths of all his Mooks. The Final Boss of the second game also dies by falling off the missile to his death.
- Do Not Run with a Gun: Your character can shoot on the move, and should. Holding down the fire button allows you to continuously shoot in any of eight directions while moving about.
- Emergency Weapon: Much like in Metal Slug, attacking an enemy at point-blank will activate a nasty melee attack. Kills in this manner are usually worth more points. Most of the first game's characters use knives, others just punch. Leon also uses a knife. Angel uses tear gas, Toy uses a taser, and Lulu just pops them in the face with a large revolver.
- Fire-Breathing Weapon: The Flame Power-Up. Mooks that wouldn't otherwise die in one hit anyway are often left paralyzed as they dance about in flames.
- Fragile Speedster: With the exception of Big Mama, female characters are always faster, but can take fewer hits.
- Heal Thyself: Health pickups abound. These take many forms, such as obvious medkits, but also food like bananas and the occasional Rice Ball.
- Innocent Bystander: Often seen fleeing for their lives or cowering in fear. D.I.C. troops in 2nd Squad are seen gunning them
down in droves. - Kill It with Fire: The above mentioned flame guns, as well as napalm grenades employed by Milky in Shock Troopers and Angel in 2nd Squad.
- Macross Missile Massacre: Exhibited by airborne Bosses (helicopters and VTOL jets) as well as the Missile Launcher Power-Up.
- Money Spider: Enemies killed by melee attacks often drop point bonuses.
- Sliding Scale Of Linearity Versus Openness: Level 2. Shock Troopers has a choice of three routes with the option to switch routes mid-game. 2nd Squad has a simple level select at certain points.
- Spin to Deflect Stuff: The dodge button sends you into a roll or somersault, and gives you a precious second or two of invulnerability.
- Spread Shot: The aptly-named "3-Way" PowerUp in the first game. Lulu's basic attack in 2nd Squad also is this, while Angel has a "wide shot" which hits in a column, without gaps in the spread like Lulu. A few characters in the first game, namely Southern Cross, Maru and Big Mama, had smaller "wide shots." 2nd Squad also has the "Round Charger", which fires in all eight directions.
- World of Action Girls: Many, thanks to a surprisingly gender-equal cast.
- In the first game, we have Marie Bee, Big Mama and Milky.
- In 2nd Squad, there is Angel and Lulu.
