Sunset Riders 2: Brand New Ride is a side-scrolling run-and-gun shooter video game developed by Mad Man Ninja Studios and released by Konami as a sequel to the the classic Sunst Riders released in 1991. The game takes place in the American Old West, where the player assumes the role of a bounty hunter, pursuing the rewards offered to various criminals.
Sunset Riders 2 was released for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Samsung Zeo, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows in August 2021, to a positive reception. An emulated version of the arcade original was released by Mad Man Ninja Studios for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch as part of the bundle, after purchasing the new installmentent.
Gameplay[]
Sunset Riders 2: Brand New Ride builds on the core mechanics of its predecessor while introducing modernized features that enhance the gameplay experience. The game retains its signature side-scrolling run-and-gun formula, with players navigating colorful, action-packed stages inspired by the American Old West. The blend of classic arcade-style simplicity and nuanced mechanics ensures that the game appeals to both nostalgic fans of the original and newcomers seeking a fast-paced, cooperative shooter.
The gameplay revolves around controlling a crew of bounty hunters as they traverse dynamic environments filled with enemies, hazards, and power-ups. The controls are straightforward yet responsive, consisting of an eight-way joystick for movement and aiming, and two buttons for shooting and jumping. Players can jump between different floors, slide to dodge attacks, and take advantage of environmental cover to strategize against enemy waves. The game encourages skillful maneuvering and precise aiming, rewarding players who can adapt to its challenging yet fair design.
The bounty hunters retain their distinct playstyles based on their signature weapons, from Steve's balanced revolvers to Cormano's powerful but slower shotgun. Each character’s weaponry offers unique advantages, such as greater range, faster firing rates, or wider attack spreads, allowing players to find the fighter that best suits their preferred approach. This diversity encourages experimentation and replayability.
The game features a total of 18 stages, divided into three types: ten on foot, five on horseback, and three on a moving train. Each stage type brings unique challenges:
- Traditional side-scrolling levels feature branching paths and vertical exploration, allowing players to navigate saloons, mines, and bustling towns.
- Horseback stages feature fast-paced sequences where players must shoot while riding, dodging obstacles such as falling boulders and stampeding cattle.
- Train stages feature high-stakes battles on moving trains, with collapsing platforms and tight spaces adding intensity to combat.
Players can now equip guns dropped by defeated enemies or purchase upgrades at the end of each stage. This adds a strategic element, as players must decide whether to prioritize firepower, reload speed, or other attributes. The classic power-ups from the original game return, including the gold sheriff's badge for fully automatic fire and the silver badge for dual-wielding. New items have been added, such as explosive ammo (temporarily enhances bullets to deal area damage), health boosters (rare items that restore the player’s health, essential for surviving tougher stages) and score multipliers (found in hidden areas, these encourage exploration and reward risk-taking).
The game supports up to four players, either locally or online, with drop-in/drop-out functionality. Cooperation is key, as players can assist each other by sharing power-ups or reviving downed teammates. The player who deals the most damage to stage bosses receives bonus rewards, promoting friendly competition.
Once the game is completed, it restarts with increased difficulty, introducing faster enemies, more environmental hazards, and tougher bosses. This encourages players to refine their skills and experiment with different characters and strategies. Hidden secrets and collectibles, such as wanted posters and rare weapons, add layers of replay value for completionists.
Characters[]
There are now eight playable bounty hunters in the game who are out to claim rewards offered for eliminating the most wanted outlaws in the West; the four originals and four new original characters, who are somehow connected to the Original Four.
- Steve Hartman: a bounty hunter who wields revolvers; His signature weapon is Greta, a Smith & Wesson Model 3 "Schofield" Revolver. He is the oldest of the gang but often refers to him self as "the best of the best".
- Billy Cool: a bounty hunter who wields a revolver; his signature weapon is Firebird, a blueish Colt New Model 1892 Army & Navy Revolver. He is the fastest of the playable characters. It is implied during the dialog that Billy defected the Army.
- Robert Wilson: known as Bob, he is a Southern American bounty hunter wielding a bolt action rifle; his signature weapon is Thunder, a Norwegian Model 1894 Krag-Jørgensen. He has married Sabrina, a former dancer in the Armadillo Town saloon, and now an adventurer like him.
- Cormano Wild: a Mexican bounty hunter who wears a poncho and a sombrero, and he wields a semi-auto shotgun. His signature weapon is Dulce-María, a Browning Auto-5 Shotgun. He has considered retirement after taking his brother El Greco down, an outlaw from the previous game. Cormano is the only character to carry a whip.
- Johnny Hartman: the long-forgotten son of Steve Hartman, he is the first boss of the game and becames a playable character afterwards. When facing him, the player use his bare hands after a brawl. His signature weapon is Bastard, a Smith and Wesson 1855 Volcanic Pistol.
- Chief Scalpem: a chief from the native American tribe, an expert in knife throwing and a former Richard Rose's henchmen. He is the brother-in-law of Billy Cool. His signature weapon is Eagle, a Homing Tomahawk. He carries multiple knives and a Colt 1851 Navy Revolver he got as a present from Billy.
- Sabrina Wilson: a former dancer, she nows lives the thrilling life as a bounty hunter with her husband Bob. Her signature weapon is Big Boy, a Carcano Model 91/38 Short Rifle.
- Henríquez Greco: the young-adult son of El Greco, adopted by Cormano. His signature weapon is Punición, a Remington Rolling Block Rifle.
Reception[]
Sunset Riders 2: Brand New Ride received generally positive reviews from both critics and players upon its release in August 2021. Critics praised the game for its nostalgic charm, refined mechanics, and successful modernization of the beloved 1991 arcade classic. While some critiques focused on certain design limitations, the overall reception celebrated the game's ability to blend old-school gameplay with contemporary enhancements.
Critics highlighted the game’s dedication to preserving the spirit of the original Sunset Riders while introducing modern features. Super Play awarded the game an 87%, with reviewer Dan Jevons calling it "a thrilling revival that captures the chaotic fun of its predecessor while offering just enough innovation to keep things fresh." PS Force praised the game’s stage variety and tight controls, giving it an 89% score and noting that "it expertly balances nostalgia with engaging gameplay mechanics."
The Nintendo Switch version was particularly well-received due to its portability, earning an 86% from Hobby Consolas, which described it as "a near-perfect pick-up-and-play experience." However, the Samsung Zeo version received slightly lower scores, with Mean Machines rating it at 84% due to minor performance issues, such as frame rate drops during intensive sequences.
Fans of the original Sunset Riders lauded the sequel for staying true to its roots while expanding the world and gameplay. The return of classic characters like Steve, Billy, Bob, and Cormano, alongside the introduction of new bounty hunters, was a highlight for many. Online forums and social media were filled with discussions about the game’s challenging boss fights, dynamic stages, and cooperative gameplay, with players reminiscing about the arcade feel of the original. Despite its successes, Sunset Riders 2 faced some criticism. Fans of the genre praised the game's difficulty, but some reviewers felt it might be too punishing for newcomers, particularly in the later stages. Additionally, the lack of mid-level checkpoints in harder difficulties was a point of contention.
Certain critics also noted that the game’s narrative and character development, while expanded from the original, were still relatively light. Zero Magazine, in their more reserved 3.5 out of 5 review, described it as "a visually charming but mechanically safe sequel that doesn’t push the genre forward."
The game performed well commercially, benefiting from its nostalgic appeal and inclusion of the original Sunset Riders arcade game as a bonus for players who purchased the sequel. The bundle encouraged fans of the series to revisit the classic while introducing new players to the franchise. By the end of 2021, the game had sold over 1.5 million copies across all platforms, making it one of Konami’s stronger releases that year.
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