Space Adventure Cobra: The Awakening

It's very cool to see Space Adventure Cobra repurposed in this format, and we daresay The Awakening's going to breed a fresh generation of franchise fans – especially as it includes tons of original footage from the TV show. While the in-game art style doesn't quite measure up to the anime and the gameplay has some rough edges to it, there's a surprisingly good rhythm to the action at times, and some clever use of the eponymous adventurer's arsenal.

This is a game that still remains worthy of your time if you enjoy 2D shooters and classic anime and manga. Its aesthetic is great, the animation segments are a delightful throwback, and the soundtrack is also strong.

Space Adventure Cobra: The Awakening has a lot going for it, a charming cartoon aesthetic, great storytelling, and solid gunplay. Unfortunately, these positives are often undermined by dull level design, inconsistent controls, and unpleasant difficulty spikes, resulting in a distinctly average overall experience.

Magic Pockets invites us to discover Buichi Terasawa's classic with an action platformer that, despite its flaws, manages to entertain and amuse in equal measure. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys action platformers and 80s humor. Cobra and Lady deserve a chance.

Space Adventure Cobra: The Awakening is a fun romp that should please fans of the classic anime or movie but newcomers should find it enjoyable too. It has some annoyances in the level design at times and the controls can be a bit cumbersome at times but none of it hurts the experience much and the presentation really helps carry the whole package.

The best aspects of The Awakening are the fact that it is, in fact, a genuine Cobra product. It looks like Cobra, smells like Cobra, tastes like Cobra, sounds like Cobra, but plays like a platformer that needed more time.

In conclusion, Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening is a title that is enjoyed above all for what it represents: the return of a legendary character from Japanese animation.

Space Adventure Cobra may not be a perfect game, but it delivers so much charm and nostalgia that its minor flaws almost fade into the background. If it manages to spark interest in these long-forgotten franchises, it has already achieved a major success.

Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening is a video game that does not seek to revive a forgotten brand or win over new fans. It presents itself as a sincere and carefully crafted tribute, dedicated to a character loved by a niche group of enthusiasts, packaged with respect and passion. It offers an experience based on evocative aesthetics, a charismatic protagonist, and a deliberately retro narrative, but it is not without its gameplay issues, due to a control system that is not always entirely convincing. However, thanks to its frenetic pace and well-crafted atmosphere, the title still manages to entertain and amuse. Those who approach Space Cobra Adventure - The Awakening should do so knowing that they will not find a revolutionary platformer or a “starting point” for the brand in our favorite industry, but simply a tribute to a space pirate with a cigar in his mouth, a swashbuckling heart, and a laser gun in place of his hand.

While The Awakening could be considered a nostalgic novelty due to the classic property, it's also a genuinely solid 2D adventure that respects its source material while delivering an engaging game loop. The difficulty ramps up nicely, levels reward mastery, and Cobra's personality shines through in both cutscenes and gameplay. While some repetitive bosses, technical hiccups, and underwhelming music keep it from absolute greatness, the overall package is strong enough to earn a recommendation. Cobra's return to gaming proves that his swagger, style, and Psychogun are timeless.