Introduction
Released by Konami in 1985, Green Beret — known as Rush’n Attack in North America — is a side-scrolling action platformer that places players behind enemy lines on a rescue mission. With only a knife as the default weapon and relentless waves of Soviet-inspired enemies, Green Beret offered a brutally difficult yet rewarding arcade experience that stood out in the pre-Run ’n Gun era.
Development and History
- Developer: Konami
- Publisher: Konami
- Release Date: 1985
- Platform: Konami GX400 hardware
Konami developed Green Beret during a time of heightened Cold War tensions, and the game’s military theme reflected that geopolitical climate. The U.S. version was retitled Rush’n Attack — a pun on “Russian attack” — to emphasize its anti-Soviet tone.
The game uses Konami’s GX400 hardware and was one of the earliest Konami arcade titles to achieve major international success. Its simple controls and high challenge curve made it an arcade staple and a precursor to more advanced action-platform games like Contra.
Gameplay Video
Gameplay and Mechanics
Players assume the role of a special forces commando infiltrating enemy territory to rescue prisoners of war.
Key features:
- Default weapon: combat knife with extremely short range
- Temporary weapons: flamethrowers, grenades, and rocket launchers acquired from enemies
- Four main stages: missile base, harbor, bridge, and POW camp
- One-hit deaths and limited lives increase the difficulty
- Simple controls: joystick for movement, jump, and attack buttons
- Enemies include soldiers, dogs, paratroopers, and vehicles
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Green Beret became a modest hit and laid groundwork for Konami’s future action games.
- Renamed Rush’n Attack in the U.S. to enhance Cold War market appeal
- Widely ported to home platforms including NES, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and MSX
- Influenced Konami’s later titles like Contra and Jackal
- Known for its difficulty, minimalist style, and Cold War-inspired atmosphere
- Included in Konami arcade compilations and preserved via MAME
Fun Facts
- The NES version added new stages and bosses not present in the arcade version
- The pun “Rush’n Attack” was controversial, but increased its marketing impact
- The game’s knife-only combat was seen as a bold design choice in a gun-dominated genre
- One of the earliest Konami games to feature military themes
- Later referenced in Konami crossover games and retro anthologies
Conclusion
Green Beret is a tight, brutal action game that helped shape Konami’s path in the mid-1980s. With its Cold War theme, fast-paced design, and distinctive knife combat, it holds a special place in arcade history as a lean, challenging experience that still tests reflexes today.