Cannon Spike is a high-octane run-'n-gun shooter developed by Psikyo and published by Capcom for the Sega Dreamcast. Originally released as Gunspike in Japan, the international title refers to a trademark attack performed by Cammy, one of the game's playable protagonists. This title stands out as a chaotic celebration of Capcom's roster, pitting an eclectic mix of heroes against waves of robotic foes in a series of intense, arena-based battles. The game runs on Sega's Naomi hardware, ensuring arcade-perfect performance on the console.
Cannon Spike: Gameplay Mechanics and Boss Focus
Cannon Spike diverges from traditional level progression by adopting a boss rush structure within arena environments. Players navigate nine stages filled with fodder enemies that serve to build health and gather power-ups. Once a threshold is met, the player faces a miniboss followed by a massive end-level boss. The gameplay loop is fast and fluid, utilizing analog controls where holding an attack button keeps the character stationary while firing in the facing direction.
Controls are deceptively simple yet deep. Players manage weak and heavy attacks alongside weak and heavy shots. Weak attacks enable combos, while weak shots offer rapid fire. The roster differences are stark. Charlie wields a heavy shot that pierces through multiple targets, while Mega Man possesses a Tornado bullet that acts almost like a cheat code due to its overwhelming power. The game also supports two-player co-op, allowing friends to join the chaos.
Story and Roster of Heroes
The plot centers on the Anti Robot Special Force, tasked with stopping terrorists who have unleashed a robot apocalypse following the collapse of the global economy. The lineup is a crossover spectacle featuring Arthur from Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Mega Man, Charlie, and Shiba from Three Wonders. B.B. Hood from Darkstalkers and the cyborg Simone complete the initial selection, with Cammy and others accessible via the character select screen.
The game is renowned for its heavy homages and mocking tone. Environments mimic Hong Kong streets from Shenmue and areas reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid. Bosses include giant vehicles, snowboarding robots, a Trio resembling Gundam mechs, and even Vega from Street Fighter II. The visual variety and challenging yet fair boss encounters make the campaign memorable, even if the narrative remains thin.
Platform Availability and Notable Features
- Platform: Cannon Spike is available exclusively on the Sega Dreamcast.
- Release Date: The game launched on November 14, 2000.
- Developer: Psikyo.
- Publisher: Capcom handled international publishing, bringing the Naomi arcade experience to home consoles.
- European Release: In Europe, the game was published by Bigben Interactive and was notably sold exclusively at retail in Game outlets.
- Metacritic Score: The title holds a score of 73.00.
- Gameplay Features: The title features sharp high-resolution graphics with no slowdown during chaotic screen action. Early levels randomly generate to provide variety, and the game offers a mix of old-school shooter mechanics reminiscent of Contra.
