In the old days, Arcades were our turf, glowing like neon cathedrals, packed with cigarette smoke and the clatter of joysticks. You’d walk in, pockets heavy with quarters, and there they were: Contra, Metal Slug, Shock Troopers… cabinets lined up like soldiers, daring you to step up. It wasn’t just games; it was a way of life. You didn’t play; you lived it. Even when you got home, the cool kids had home versions of these arcade elite run-and-gun games.
One hit, you’re dead, no mercy. You had to move like you meant it, dodge like your life depended on it. Run-and-gun games in the ’80s and ’90s had rules. You didn’t button-mash; you learned patterns. You didn’t whine about dying; you got better. By the 2000s, the run-and-gun genre was a dying breed, mostly relegated to retro compilations. Even titans like Mega Man or Ryu Hayabusa have become obscure retro mascots or are recognized as fighting game characters.
The principles of a good run-and-gun game are almost forgotten. The only developers keeping it alive are indies, but even they don’t always get it right. What makes a good run-and-gun action game? Can Wild Dog deliver justice?
Wild Dogs
Developer: 2ndBoss
Publisher: QUByte Interactive
Platforms: Windows PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 (reviewed)
Release Date: April 20, 2023
Price: $9.99
In the tradition of Contra, aliens have invaded, and an all-out war against humanity ensues. Players assume the role of Major Frank “Pumpkinhead” Williams and his Labrador, Teddy. The world’s gone to hell as aliens tear through cities, jungles, and every place in between.
Like in Contra games, you aren’t here for the story. All the player needs to concern themselves with is surviving and getting to the end of each of the five stages while killing anything that moves.
Some stages will have switching between human precision and canine stealth. Shooting in eight directions adds flexibility, while vehicles, some motorcycles, helicopters, and mechs diversify movement and combat.
The game emphasizes varied mechanics, including explosives, power-ups, and environmental interactions, blended with modern quality-of-life features such as checkpoints. Enemies and bullets constantly come at the player from all sides, demanding that gamers stay on their toes.
One thing most Contra-heads will note is the 16:9 aspect ratio, which dramatically alters the field of view and impacts the gameplay. At 4:3, the field of view was limited, and the way enemies rush at the player-character was designed around the limitation. The enemies’ health would be adjusted so players could kill enemies quickly as they rush in, making for a fast and punchy experience.
With a wide 16:9 field of view, and with Wild Dogs‘ small sprites, there is a lot of space between Frank/Teddy and when the enemies spawn. To compensate for so much space, enemies are given an abnormal amount of HP for a run-and-gun game. Little basic unarmed foes take several shots with an automatic machine gun, making Frank feel weak.
Another side-effect of having so much wide space and buffed enemy health is that the gameplay becomes more repetitive and drawn out. Sometimes Frank can get caught in an almost endless cycle of bullet dodging while trying to take a second to line up shots to take down some threats blocking the way.
Thankfully, the stealth sections with the dog incorporate some light puzzle gameplay moments. The shoot-em-up vehicle sequences are respites from all the running, and inject bursts of empowerment, where Frank feels like playing as a boss character. It isn’t much, but Wild Dogs is a short game and tries to pack as much as it can.
Wild Dogs’ visuals stand out as it embraces pixel art with a default four-color palette, evoking Game Boy graphics, but allows palette swaps for customization. The retro aesthetic is charming at first, but it is visually limited compared to the likes of Blazing Chrome or Moonrider. The soundtrack, a standout, pumps up the action with chiptune-inspired tracks that match the chaotic energy.
Thematically, the limited color palette might be invoking the color blindness of Teddy, the dog. It’s an amusing gimmick, but it wears out its welcome fast. The level of detail and artistry impresses, but the lack of color wastes the talent. The utter drabness of the pallets becomes exhausting, and you’ll be craving to play anything else.
Wild Dogs is a fun and varied take on the Contra blueprint. Unique elements like Teddy’s stealth and vehicle sections diversify the gameplay; however, it comes at the cost of co-op. Wild Dogs is a great pick for indie fans or those wanting a brutal Contra-like fix, just be ready to go into it alone.
Wild Dogs was reviewed on PlayStation 5 using a code provided by QUByte Interactive. Additional information about Niche Gamer’s review/ethics policy is here. Wild Dogs is now available for Windows PC (via STEAM), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
