It’s great to see a classic game given a second chance at life. It’s even more exciting when it’s done so without any hesitation to what its tone was originally supposed to be.
When Konami released Assault Suits Valken Declassified on the SNES, it did so under an entirely different name – Cybernator – and a little bit of localization that left it partially censored. A great action game remained, and one that still draws a significant amount of money, but some players were left wondering what might have been had the localization been a little more faithful.
Thanks to the development wizards at M2 (and the publishers at Rainmaker Productions), we now know. Declassified has finally been given a faithful treatment after all these years, and although its slow speed makes it an acquired taste for some, there’s no doubt that it’s a classic that’s been deserving of its due. Now we get to enjoy it.

A Nice Little Throwback
While the game’s story is a bit barebones, it is faithful to the original material, and it’s a lot of fun. You’ll rage through a number of missions in your highly polished mech suit, blasting enemies to bits while tactfully moving around or flying through the air. The slow pace may not be for everyone (a zippy Contra soldier this ain’t), but the power he provides more than makes up for it.

The gameplay is great, featuring a lot of gunning action and platforming straight out of the 16-bit lexicon. That said, it can be challenging at times, as enemies can literally pop up out of nowhere and make a nightmare out of your day. But a lot of “hardcore” players will come to accept this, and embrace the experience as it was supposed to be originally intended. It feels like a nice bump up from Cybernator, especially where it’s translation is concerned. Plus the array of options that M2 has included with the game is a nice touch, though the core game still remains intact – just the way 16-bit players will want it.

Still a 16-Bit Gem, With Extras
Kudos to M2 for recognizing what makes a game like this work – keeping it simple, stupid.
Assault Suits Valken Declassified stays true to its 16-bit roots throughout, with a presentation kept lovingly loyal to the SNES classic. There are some nice touches throughout, however, though it would’ve been great to have a few CRT options to choose from. Ah, well, you’re going to love what’s on display here.
Not to mention the extras, which include a number of pieces of art, as well as an interview with designer Satoshi Nakai, and even a replay of one of the world’s best Cybernator players on full display, just in case you need a few tips.

The music, however, is something else. The SNES soundtrack remains well worth the listen, but the arranged soundtrack is awesome as well. There’s also a jukebox mode in case you want to just sit around and groove to the music. The explosions are nostalgic as well, reminding you of the good ol’ days of gaming.
The $25 price tag may seem a bit steep for some – especially considering that the Arcade Archives releases go for much less. But you’re getting a heck of a package for the money here, and it’s definitely cheaper than what the original Cybernator cartridge goes for. It’s got appreciative value.

The Cybernator Lives!
While more could’ve been added to make it a bit more robust, Assault Suits Valken Declassified doesn’t disappoint. It’s packed with options galore, along with thrilling action that mecha fans can absolutely embrace. It’s got a little bit of a steep price, but it’s more than worth it if you know what you’re getting into. It’s not a remaster, but a reworking to get it right where it needs to be. We’ll take it.

The Bottom Line:
This isn’t just a port of Cybernator for the affordable set, but a rebirth of a game that’s right back where it needs to be. Assault Suits Valken Declassified should be embraced and appreciated, especially by mech fans.