BioMetal (video game)

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BioMetal
North American cover art
Developer(s)Athena
Publisher(s)
Composer(s)Yoshio Nagashima
Ali Lexa
John Rodriguez
Platform(s)Super NES
Release
  • EU: 1993
  • JP: March 19, 1993
  • NA: November 1993
Genre(s)Scrolling shooter
Mode(s)Single-player

BioMetal is a single-player horizontal scrolling shooter game released on June 1, 1993 for the Super NES (SNES).[1]

The game features six different weapons to combat the BioMetals, an extraterrestrial race determined to destroy the human race. The gameplay is very similar to that of the R-Type series, with the final boss even greatly resembling and behaving similarly to that series' iconic boss enemy Dobkeratops.

The European and North American versions of BioMetal feature a soundtrack entirely created of four remixed songs of techno group, 2 Unlimited from their 1991 album, Get Ready!. The Japanese version of the game features an entirely different soundtrack.

A sequel called BioMetal Gust was released for the Sega Saturn in 1997, included with the Dezaemon 2 pack.[2]

Plot

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Even in the first level of the game, the enemies come after the player in a fast and furious manner.

It is the year GC 232 (Galaxy Century Year 232). A huge war that had begun years and years before has divided the Milky Way and all of its natural resources have been exhausted. The Milky Way Galactic Council is forced to send a fleet of starships to a nearby planet by the name of UP457 in search of any resources that can replenish the ones lost during the battle. During this mission, the fleet is destroyed by a race of half-machine, half-animal aliens referred to as "BIOMETAL" by the Galactic Council.

One of the Council's supercomputers then calculates that the number of these "BIOMETALS" is increasing rapidly and will have the Milky Way completely taken over within 32 hours. The Halbard's crew, young pilot Kid Ray and biologist Anita (a reference to the names of the two lead singers of 2 Unlimited, who provided the music for the North American/European version of the game), along with their fleet, WASP, are assigned to eliminate the hostile threat on UP457.

Gameplay

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Weapon power-ups are gained by destroying pods and picking up the released power-ups, which cycle through the various weapon types as in Raiden. Some weapons cancel each other out. The player also has a shield in the form of four spinning orbs that circle around the ship when engaged. Charge power is drained when the shield is active. The shield can be used as protection against enemy fire.

Reception

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BioMetal received an average reception from critics.[18][19][20]

References

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  1. ^ "Biometal - (Super Nintendo, SNES) Reproduction Cartridge with Game Case and Manual: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Video Games - Amazon.ca". www.amazon.ca. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  2. ^ "1 Games Like BioMetal for SEGA Saturn". GamesLikee. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  3. ^ Weiss, Brett Alan (1998). "Biometal (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on 2014-11-14. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  4. ^ Weigand, Mike (October 1993). "Review Crew - Major Mike's Game Roundup: Bio Metal (Activision / Super NES)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 51. Sendai Publishing. p. 36.
  5. ^ Price, Adrian (June 1993). "Reviews (SNES): Bio Metal". GamesMaster. No. 6. Future Publishing. p. 73.
  6. ^ Clarke, Stuart (May 1994). "Review: Biometal (SNES)". Hyper. No. 6. nextmedia. pp. 46–47.
  7. ^ Bright, Rob; Lawrence, Eddy (June 1993). "Review - Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Bio Metal". Nintendo Magazine System. No. 9. United Kingdom: EMAP. pp. 34–35.
  8. ^ Brookes, Jason (June 1993). "Import Review: Bio Metal". Super Play. No. 8. Future Publishing. pp. 66–67.
  9. ^ Groves, Will (May 1994). "SNES Reviews: Biometal". Total!. No. 29. Future Publishing. p. 47.
  10. ^ Camron, Marc (November 1993). "Video Game Gallery: Bio-Metal (SNES)". Electronic Games. Vol. 2, no. 2. Decker Publications. p. 94.
  11. ^ "Super NES Review: Bio Metal". Nintendo Magazine System. No. 13. Australia: Trielle Corporation. April 1994. p. 25.
  12. ^ Lee, Alex (August 1993). "Import Review: Biometal". Super Action. No. 11. Europress. pp. 36–37.
  13. ^ Mallinson, Paul; Simmons, Alex (August 1993). "Super Review: Biometal". Super Control. No. 3. Maverick Magazines. pp. 76–77.
  14. ^ "ザ・テストプレイ: バイオメタル". The Super Famicom [ja] (in Japanese). Vol. 4, no. 5. SoftBank Creative. March 19, 1993. p. 21.
  15. ^ "A-Z of Games - Nintendo Games Index: Super NES". Super Gamer. No. 1. Paragon Publishing. April 1994. pp. 122–124.
  16. ^ Westley, Dave (October 1993). "Review (Official): Bio Metal". Super Pro. No. 11. Paragon Publishing. pp. 84–85.
  17. ^ Gore, Chris (January 1994). "SNES Reviews: BioMetal". VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine. No. 60. Larry Flynt Publications. p. 54.
  18. ^ "NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: バイオメタル (スーパーファミコンカートリッジ)". Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 223. ASCII Corporation. March 26, 1993. p. 38.
  19. ^ "Now Playing: Biometal (Super NES)". Nintendo Power. Vol. 55. Nintendo of America. December 1993. pp. 105, 107.
  20. ^ Post, Roger (2007). "Review Archive: BioMetal (Athena - SNES)". SHMUPS!. GameSpy. Archived from the original on 2007-12-19. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
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