released: 1989(arcade), 1989(NES), 1999(arcade), 2000(playstation)
developer: Capcom
genre: side scroller
best fansite: Light Sword Strider Mainframe

From the sand stretched deserts of Egypt to flying fortresses in the sky, Strider has been a panoramic hyper assault of epic global proportions. It was 1989, the year when it all began, as Capcom would unveil one of the raddest arcade games of all time. In the midst of whipped plumbers and street punks, came a new brooding hero for the coming century. Meet Strider Hiryu, a badass cipher sword wielding A-Class warrior who has a thing for teddy bears and toppling dictators. With fluid controls, aerial maneuvers, and innovative ideas; Strider was a sweet overture of unbridled euphoria that redefined the side scroller genre. It was pure gaming bliss to go from raining slutty destruction upon a Russian infrastructure base(hey, this was the height of the Cold War afterall) and battling dinosaurs in the Amazon to taking on giant mecha gorillas and massive cannon ships. To this day, the sound and feel of the plasma ball chamber room level brings a smile to my face. The cinematic urgency of the game, backed by an orchestral tinged soundtrack really helped make this such a memorable classic.

The NES version was pretty epic too. In this one, a team monitors your global assault from inside the Blue Dragon, a flying fortress hq ship able to code crack worldwide data mainframes. From there they orchestrate your all out frenzied assault against the global threat known as ZAIN. Flash forward to 1999, and the mother of all sequels is released Strider 2 not only improved upon the established play mechanics, but reinvented the series with a mind blowing 2.5d revolving look and evolved control scheme. I also loved the anime look, which fit in well with the futuristic cyberpunk feel of the game. The Neo Hong Kong first level alone blew me away, as your battling a mechanized Chinese dragon atop the illuminated skyline. It would also introduce a bevy of new fighting abilities and weapons, as well as Strider Hien and other intriguing characters(If you beat the game twice, you could play as Strider Hien in a bonus waterfall level)

Aside from video games, we've seen a lot of cool Strider swag come down the third moon pipeline. Everything from manga comics and posters to action figures and even a proposed Lego set(Nothing would have been cooler than having a little Ballog ship playset) So what's Hiryu been up to as of late? Having been featured in both Marvel vs. Capcom games, as well as the unreleased Capcom All Stars, it seems only fitting he get a whole new adventure of his own. And while so far a sequel hasn't been announced, nothing would be sweeter than seeing a Strider 3 hit the consoles or Game Boy Advance. Let's just hope they keep it 2.5d. Though, with all the arcade classics being given the remake and sequel treatment as of late(NARC, Double Dragon, Contra, etc), it seems only fitting. I think a Strider anime would also be a must, given the cutscenes from Strider 2. Hopefully the Strider evolution will continue, as this is one of the best arcade series ever.

As a side note, the best Strider fansite on the net(Light Sword Strider Mainframe keeps an up to date news blog on any and all rumblings Strider news wise, as well as any news on a possible Strider sequel or Strider Hiryu cameos.