The Punisher

Released for the NES in 1990/1991, The Punisher is one of the more unusual Marvel games on Nintendo’s 8-bit console. Developed by Beam Software and published by LJN, it puts you behind the wheel of Frank Castle's violent war against organized crime. Unlike the later arcade beat ’em up from Capcom, this NES version is primarily a third-person rail shooter, making it quite different from what many fans might expect.

The game takes you through six missions, with Frank traveling through different locations while criminals attack from all directions. Instead of moving freely around the screen, you control Frank's position while also moving an aiming cursor around the environment. This creates an interesting balance between shooting enemies and avoiding incoming fire. Holding the fire button can lock Frank in place while you concentrate on aiming, which becomes useful when enemies start appearing rapidly.

Frank has access to several weapons and upgrades, including automatic weapons, grenades, and powerful special firepower. The stages also contain plenty of destructible objects, giving the environments a satisfying arcade-like feel. Players who achieve a perfect kill percentage can even earn an unlimited Super Gun upgrade for the following stage.

The story eventually brings Frank face-to-face with several of his enemies, including Jigsaw, Hitman, Colonel Kliegg, Sijo, and Assassin, before the final confrontation with the Kingpin.

The controls can take some getting used to, and the game is certainly not as polished as the best NES shooters. Still, its unusual perspective, destructive environments, comic-book atmosphere, and distinctive gameplay make The Punisher an interesting hidden gem for fans of Marvel and obscure NES action games.