Rocket Knight blasting off on 360, PS3, PCs

Konami's 16-bit opossum platforming hero Sparkster returns next year with a new downloadable action game.

In the mascot-mad early-'90s, Konami introduced Sparkster, a rocket-powered opossum who shot to acclaim in the 1993 Genesis game Rocket Knight Adventures. However, that success was largely forgotten after just a single sequel, the following year's Super Nintendo and Genesis action game Sparkster.

To infinity...and beyond!.

It turns out that Konami's opossum mascot has simply been playing dead for the past 15 years, as the publisher has confirmed Sparkster's return in downloadable form. Set for release next year on the Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and Steam, Rocket Knight will preserve the 2D gameplay of the original titles but will also introduce 3D graphics to the series.

Players will control Sparkster as he tries to take out an army of hostile wolves, mixing platforming levels with side-scrolling shoot-'em-up action on the way. Konami is also promising challenge levels, with players able to compare their best times through online leaderboards.

43 Comments

  • stziggy

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 8:46 pm PT

    This is my idea of savoring the classics.

    I'm still sad that Bionic Commando sucked so bad. Such great material to work with.

  • NukedUSN

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 7:13 pm PT

    Definitely one of the outstanding game series from the 16bit platforming era... it's a shame it didn't catch on. Here's hoping the fantastic level design remains intact in the new installment.

  • MichaelKelehan

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 6:41 pm PT

    "However, that success was largely forgotten after just a single sequel, the following year's Super Nintendo and Genesis action game Sparkster. "

    There were two sequels. Well, one and a spinoff. The SNES and Genesis games called Sparkster were different games. The Genesis one was subtitled "Rocket Knight Adventures 2," while the SNES one was an alternate universe situation.

  • soultaker2004

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 4:59 pm PT

    I remember playing this, I was looking for it a while back but couldn't remember the name...

  • 60fps

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 4:54 pm PT

    Sparkster wasn't a sequel. It was that name of the franchise on SNES. Genesis got two games: Rocket Knight 1&2. SNES got an alternate version just called Sparkster.

    I thought the snes version was superior. The colors gave the game an intense look overall. Hope they model this after Sparkster.

  • Maxout623

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 2:09 pm PT

    Rocket Knight Adventures and Sparkster, along with modern game design, should make this game rather amazing. Anyone else remember that fight where you fought a train?

  • Odnomiar

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 1:19 pm PT

    screw it!! I'm gonna dig out my MD and play the original later...

  • Scotty_M

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 1:14 pm PT

    @GodsPoison

    Did you not actually read the article?

  • Odnomiar

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 1:13 pm PT

    big fan of the originals WAAAAAYYYY back on Gen/MD. can't wait for this.

  • GodsPoison

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 12:43 pm PT

    Rocket knight.........wait was this on the sega genisis cause i think ive played this! god i hope its the game im thinking of, i loved that game!

  • Poison_Me_Rum

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 12:33 pm PT

    I... am... very... excited!

  • player_leo

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 7:12 am PT

    SWEET. It's like paying to relive my childhood.

  • Dualmask

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 5:58 am PT

    Provided it doesn't lose any charm in the transition from 2D to 3D, it sounds like a must buy. The original Genesis and SNES games were classics.

  • dennis8

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 2:57 am PT

    i remember playing this as a kid.. xur brings back memories

  • BigBacon87

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 12:59 am PT

    Ok you have my attention. Now, price tag?

  • Office_Ninja

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 11:35 pm PT

    Sweet! That's all I have to say.... Perhaps it's a brief glimmer of hope for another Castlevania SOTN or Contra SS style platformer.

  • Office_Ninja

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 11:35 pm PT

    Sweet! That's all I have to say.... Perhaps it's a brief glimmer of hope for another Castlevania SOTN or Contra SS style platformer.

  • RonnyRarko

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 8:54 pm PT

    i love the original, but bring back that style, it looks dumb in 3D, just make the first game downloadable!!!

  • rasterror

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 6:56 pm PT

    I loved this game. A definite download. Now I wish they would remake Cool Spot Boogerman.

  • cocomacoco

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 6:31 pm PT

    i dont remember or i dont know the series, but since many of you guys r excited, should check it out.

  • chibi-acer

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 6:01 pm PT

    Wow. When I saw the title I was like, "Rocket Knight...they can't mean THAT Rocket Knight, can they?" Cool. ^_^

  • RingCollector

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 5:25 pm PT

    about time this guy got a sequel

  • Aaron_Knuts1

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 4:59 pm PT

    Yah, Xbox 360!!!!

  • Diernes

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 4:51 pm PT

    Nice, funny enough I was thinking about this the other day.

    As a Kid RKA was my favourite platformer and thought it was really under rated compared to the likes of sonic and Mario

  • edubb85

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 4:50 pm PT

    I was a big fan of the original on the genesis. Loved Sparkster and his rival Axel, especially the part when they both duked it out on those giant pig bots.

  • Best1989

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 4:28 pm PT

    @Senor_Kami

    Ranger X is an awesome game! Wish someone could make a sequel or update to the game...

    RKA is a great game, love it... Can't wait to see this...

  • stncldrwg

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:57 pm PT

    This is the best news I've seen in a long time. RKA was the most underrated game of all-time IMO. Glad to see Sparkster fly again!

  • alkaline_DnB

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:45 pm PT

    i loved that series. cool news.

  • frazzle00

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:38 pm PT

    @Senor_Kami

    Yeah Ranger X (or Ex-Ranza if you had the Japanese version) is one of the greatest 16 bit side-scrolling shooters, and one of the best looking Mega Drive games ever released. Hopefully Sega and Gau either release the original on Xbox Live or create a HD update. Bare Knuckles 4 would be a dream come true for me, but I unfortunately don't see it happening .

  • blazingneo32089

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:32 pm PT

    OMG That classic brought back memories. I want this!

  • Warlord_Irochi

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:17 pm PT

    Now that made my day.

    Such wonderful afternoons playing Rocket Knight on my Genesis (Megadrive here).

    Excellent News!!

  • Zerobeam

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:16 pm PT

    Decent, I loved the SNES and Genesis versions, I may check this one out

  • Senor_Kami

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:14 pm PT

    There's a new 2D Sonic... XBLA, PSN and Live are flooded with retro games... Megaman 9 took it all the way back to the NES... old school style games like Shadow Complex are doing well... Earthworm Jim 2DHD is coming... and now there is a new Rocket Knight. What the hell, where is Streets of Rage 4? Or Ranger X (which i'm sure nobody has ever heard of and will never get a virtual console release, let alone a remake or sequel).

  • GameGenie83

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:03 pm PT

    I think a lot of people slept on Rocket Night Adventures in the Genesis era. I would've too if it wasn't for sega channel. Those were some of my favorite games. Damn, sometimes I just wish I could go back to the 90's.

  • BloodMist

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 2:54 pm PT

    Oh man, both of those games are a couple of the best platformers i've certainly ever played, will be awaiting this!!

  • SR71halo

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 2:47 pm PT

    Rocket Knight Adventures was one of the best games on the Genesis, I can't wait for this sequel. I've been waiting for this for a long time now.

  • brucies_bubbles

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 2:36 pm PT

    Rocket Knight was a good side scroller, but sparkster was just dull

  • jello_flouride

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 2:34 pm PT

    I didn't know there was a sequel either. I played Rocket Knight Adventures a lot back in the day. This is great news.

  • mrzero1982pt2

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 2:20 pm PT

    i am going to begin calling my xbox hard drive my sega genesis. i have so many sega games downloaded, or games that came out on the genesis that its not even funny!!!! i love it!

  • LivingDeadNinja

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 1:55 pm PT

    WOW! I played the Genesis original SO much...this news is very welcome, surprising and loaded with greatness!
    I didn't remember (or ever knew?) that he was called Sparkster and that there was a sequel...

  • EmptySki

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 1:52 pm PT

    Wow. I haven't played the first one in a long time. Great, but hard game. Glad they are remaking it.

  • pukemon

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 1:02 pm PT

    woohoo.

  • Asagea_888

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 1:00 pm PT

    I loved the Rocket Knight games! Glad to see it come full circle again.

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