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We first reported on the modern release of Biomechanical Toy, a 1995 arcade run ‘n’ gun from Gaelco and Zeus Software, in July this year. Now, we’ve had a chance to play the game for ourselves, on Switch, and are pleased to report that Biomechanical Toy is a great addition to retro arcade line-ups on modern systems. It’s out now on Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam, priced at $10, and published by QUByte Interactive.
Biomechanical Toy is a straight-up run ‘n’ gun arcade title that doesn’t waver from its core gameplay. You’ll shoot your gun, which has two upgrades to acquire as pickups, jump on platforms, and fight a boss at the end of every level. There isn’t exploration beyond the odd side section to collect some more points and gain extra lives. What it lacks in complexity and depth is easily made up for with its unique art style and unrelenting mission to keep you wrapped up in a frenzy of enemy onslaught.
Any skilled arcade gamer will have this one cracked fairly quickly. It is tough in that 90s sense, but not as difficult to finish as similar titles. Most of the time, standing still and blasting your gun around in all directions gets you out of most tight spots. Occasionally, Biomechanical Toy throws up a mini-boss, a tougher mid-level enemey that has a unique attack pattern to jump over or duck under. In today’s world, the overall gameplay is shallow, but only as much as other shooters from the time, such as Metal Slug, which was released a year after this one.
Biomechanical Toy is from an era where developers wanted you to keep chucking quarters into the machine, so there are plenty of cheap deaths, moments when you cannot possibly kill all the enemies, and bosses that simply have decided now is your time to die. There are checkpoints along the way that help in these instances, but for the most part you just need to keep practicing and learning the waves and enemy attacks.
The emulation to bring this arcade game to home consoles works well, and there are added cheats for those that want an easy ride as well as some extras to dig through that add value to the already budget price. Where Biomechanical Toy shines is through its graphics and distinctly 90s arcade soundtrack. The style may not be for everyone, but this screams 90s in so many ways that those with nostalgia for the time will appreciate the wacky, colorful levels.
For the price, it’s hard not to recommend this one to arcade shooter fans, especially as this is one that has been mostly forgotten and overshadowed by Metal Slug. Biomechanical Toy is a quick blast and a window into a classic era of arcade gaming that deserves to get its moment in the spotlight. The graphics, sounds, controls, and difficulty all fell just about right, and even if you don’t revisit it that often, this is a good alternative to the more popular 90s arcade shooters.
