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Undercover Cops is a retro arcade-style beat 'em up fighting game made by Irem. It first came out in arcades in 1992. Later, it was brought to the Super Famicom by a company called Varie. There was supposed to be an American version, but it was canceled. However, it was still reviewed by Nintendo Power magazine back then.

A physical re-release of the game was made for the SNES in 2021 by a company called Retro-Bit.

It’s a damn shame when great games do not get released outside their home country, and Undercover Cops is a perfect example of that. It is an awesome arcade-style beat ‘em up, but sadly, it never officially came out outside of Japan. The U.S.A. did get a heavily downgraded version of the arcade game, and while a SNES version was planned for America, it was eventually canceled—so it only came out in Japan. Only in 2021 was it able to be released in America.

Japan only box cover art (Image source)

The Story

When the evil crime lord, Dr. Clayborn, and his gang took over the city, things looked hopeless. As a last resort, Police Commissioner Gordon called in three of New York’s toughest undercover cops:

Bubba, a former athlete,

Flame, a former beauty pageant queen, and

Claude, a retired professor.

Now it is payback time. In this city, you either stay on the right path—or face the consequences. And crime lord Dr. Clayborn is about to learn the law the hard way.

Box, manual and cartridge of the game. (Image source)

The Graphics and Sound

The graphics here are not as sharp as the arcade version, which is expected since the SNES is not as powerful as the arcade machines of the time. Still, they look really good in their own way. The game goes for a gritty, dystopian style, and both the stages and characters match that theme well. The city backgrounds look dark, damaged, and run-down, helping to create that crime city atmosphere. The enemies are not your typical street thugs either—many of them look mutated or even completely inhuman. The playable characters also have a rugged, tough look that fits right in with the rest of the world. Overall, the game's visuals do a great job of creating a harsh, futuristic/apocalyptic vibe.

The music is kind of strange in a good way. Like, it is not the kind of soundtrack you would listen to on its own, but it works perfectly during the game. It’s clearly made for the action, not to stand alone, and it does a great job of that. The soundtrack has a thriller vibe that matches the dark future/dystopian world of the game and keeps the energy high during fights. The boss themes especially stand out, adding a sense of tension and danger that fits the action moment perfectly.

The sound effects are also really well done. Attacks feel strong and with impact. Whether you are punching, throwing, or using weapons, the sounds make everything seem more brutal. The enemy death cries are kinda funny and memorable, and there is a surprising amount of voice actor work that adds even more character to the game. Overall, the sound design is excellent and adds a lot to the gameplay experience.

https://youtu.be/hG-DIhaK5BQ?si=qNevJ3_8qCCqwKoJ Gameplay video sample of Undercover Cops. Watch in 360p for near TV resolution of that time.

The Gameplay

You got 3 unique characters to choose from: Zan, a martial artist; Matt, a former football player; and Rosa, an ex-vigilante. Each one feels different, with their own fighting style and unique traits, making it fun to try them all out.

The fighting system in the game is surprisingly deep for its time. While not the most complex ever, it is still very solid. You can do dash, running attacks, jump attacks that change depending on your movement, and a cool grab/throw system where pressing directions lets you throw enemies differently or do a flurry of punches before tossing them. Each character also has a regular special attack, plus a special super move that hits all enemies on screen. The catch is that the super move takes some of your health, depending on how much damage it does.

Weapons in the game are fun and different too. Instead of the usual knives or bats, you get big pieces of concrete that deal big damage but break apart after a few hits. There are also throwing items like flaming sticks or metal barsfor variety.

The enemy variety is good. Bosses are a highlight too. Each one has their own unique look, cool attacks, and strategies to beat. One boss even has a move that can instantly kill you or itself if you are not careful. There are also a few stages with environmental hazards, which adds extra flavor to the gameplay.

On the downside, the biggest disappointment is the lack of a 2-player team-up mode. Co-op play is a staple in beat-'em ups, and not having it here is a drag. That alone knocks it down a bit. Also, a few enemies feel cheap or too strong, which can lead to some frustration. The game is challenging overall, but mostly in a fair good way.

Thanks to the three unique characters and fun gameplay, Undercover Cops has solid replay value. Playing as different characters changes the experience, and the action is exciting enough to bring you back to replay. But again, the lack of co-op really hurts this part. It could have been even better if you could play with a friend. Still, it is a blast to play and worth revisiting.

My Verdict

Undercover Cops is definitely worth checking out—it's easily one of the better beat 'em ups on the system. Just don’t expect to play with a friend, because sadly, there’s no two-player mode.

Play it on the nostalgic Super Nintendo/Super Famicom or play it on a mighty gaming emulator.

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