Last Resort (1992). Play online

Summary

Last Resort drops you into a slick horizontally scrolling shooter on SNK’s Neo Geo MVS arcade board. You pilot a cyber‑jet that can snag an indestructible robot drone – part shield, part multi‑directional cannon – which you can lock in place or spin around the craft for extra firepower. Power‑ups boost three types of weaponry through three levels each, while a speed boost lets you zip past swarms of enemy fire. The game’s DNA traces back to former Irem staff, giving it a polished feel that impressed arcade crowds; it ranked 13th in Japan’s Game Machine May‑1992 chart and hit number 16 on RePlay’s North‑American list. Critics praised its crisp graphics, punchy sound and solid playability, though they did note occasional slowdown and a relatively brief run time. All in all, Last Resort stands out as a stylish, fast‑paced shooter that still feels fresh for retro fans.

Storyline

In 2990 AD humanity’s population swelled past 90 billion, and relentless pollution turned the planet into a sprawling desert. Desperate, people fled to the stars, constructing massive strong‑holds and new cities across the galaxy. The “New Land” frontier was almost rebuilt when a distress signal cut through the static.

The SOS traced back to the third colony’s main computer, now infected by a mysterious virus. The rogue code seized control, reprogramming mobile machines to hunt and eliminate any human life. Those machines swept through remaining colonies, turning once‑veteran space fighters into the virus’s own soldiers.

The crisis, dubbed the Last operation: LAST RESORT, forced Earth’s last hope into advanced warships bristling with firepower. These ships must pierce the infected defenses and stop the computer’s assault before it reaches home.