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Game Info

Cover art of Cyborg Hunter
Platform
Sega Master System
Genres
Action
Player Perspective
Side view
Developers
Sega R&D 2
Publishers
Activision · Tec Toy · Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Release date
December 1, 1988

Summary

Cyborg Hunter is a Sega Master System action title that splits the screen into three distinct zones. The top pane shows a first‑person radar where red blips mark low‑level cyborgs and white ones flag their leaders, while a small map and status read‑out sit beside it. Below, a side‑scroll view follows the Paladin as he punches, shoots, and bombs his way through each floor.

The game starts you off with just your fists, but scattered pickups let you upgrade to a psycho punch, ray gun, light gun, and explosives. Using the psycho weapons drains a separate psycho‑power meter, forcing you to hunt for power‑ups or risk running dry. Shields and jet‑engines appear as occasional bonuses, letting you dodge laser beams or glide over hazards.

Each of the seven areas contains multiple levels accessed via elevators, and defeating a floor’s boss drops an ID card that unlocks new sections of the fortress. The equipment screen is toggled with the A or B button on a second controller, letting you swap gear on the fly.

Originally released in Japan as Chōon Senshi Borgman, the game was tied to an animated series of the same name. Designers Hirohiko Yoneda (later of Shenmue) and Yasushi Yamaguchi (credited on Sonic 2) shaped its look, while the soundtrack was crafted by Nav and Key.

Critics called the title unoriginal yet surprisingly addictive, awarding it a 76 % score from Computer and Video Games. Retrospective reviewers often compare its exploration‑heavy feel to the classic Metroid, noting that while the combat can feel easy, the challenge lies in mastering its layered level design.

Storyline

Set in the year 2242, Cyborg Hunter puts you in the boots of Paladin, the galaxy’s toughest bounty hunter. Vipron, an evil cyborg leader, is on the brink of seizing total control of the universe, and Paladin is dispatched to a massive cyborg fortress. The mission is to hunt down and eliminate the chief cyborg in each of the seven distinct areas of the stronghold. Paladin isn’t alone; Adina, a contact back at headquarters, guides the hunter with crucial instructions that must be followed to survive. Ignoring her advice means certain defeat as the cyborg menace spreads.

Edited by Maya Carter

Game Videos

Game Screenshots

  • Screenshot 1 of Cyborg Hunter
  • Screenshot 2 of Cyborg Hunter
  • Screenshot 3 of Cyborg Hunter
  • Screenshot 4 of Cyborg Hunter
  • Screenshot 5 of Cyborg Hunter
  • Screenshot 6 of Cyborg Hunter
  • Screenshot 7 of Cyborg Hunter
  • Screenshot 8 of Cyborg Hunter

Multiplayer

Game modes
Single