This fall, for the first time in 12 years, Treasure and Sega will return to the glory that is Gunstar. The glory that is Gunstar Heroes, the action game from 1993 for the Sega Genesis, is about to get a revisit in what's looking to be one of the best Game Boy Advance games ever in Gunstar Super Heroes. This game packs so many great ideas, so much chaotic action, that it's amazing that it doesn't crash under its own pressure. Of course, it is Treasure we're talking about here, so it should be no surprise that they're pushing the hardware to its limits.

One of the first stages you'll notice is the return to the underground cavern, where you're riding on a fast-paced vehicle and shooting at countless enemies on end as you ride along at a high speed. This time around, however, they are much more frantic than before, shooting at you in every direction with mounted cannons and robotic sentries that want nothing more than to pound you. Treasure made an emphasis on boosting the difficulty heavily this time around, which may or may not be the ideal thing for the series. After all, hardcore gamers love a challenge, while casual fans may find the shift a bit too strugglesome.

Still, it has ambition where it's necessary. Take another stage, which actually rotates with the player of Red or Blue as they walk through it, kind of like a shifting maze. In the stage, the Gunstar soldier must find a number of particular objects and then the exit within a certain time frame, all while avoiding worms that come out of every direction, ready to snatch them.

The game also makes a nod to the old-school. Along with featuring a breathtaking 3-D shooting sequence to the tune of the old Sega classic After Burner, there's also a sequence very familiar to Thunder Blade's old top-down shooting stages, complete with bombing and blasting abiltiies. And, of course, there's plenty of takes on some old Gunstar myths, including the return of the mini soldiers and a few other familiar faces. (Remember the Bison clone?)

I admit it, Gunstar Super Heroes has me hooked just as the original game did so long ago. It's got ideas in its head so overflowing and amazing you won't be able to take your eyes off the screen. And the gameplay guarantees a hardcore challenge that will no doubt mesmerize and bring back great old memories in an entirely different fashion. Look for it this fall.