Cannon Dancer - Osman Review (PS5) | Push Square

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There’s a strong chance you’ve never played Cannon Dancer, or Osman as it’s perhaps better known to North American arcade goers. That’s the beauty of this current retro renaissance, though: we’re not only seeing the return of well-loved classics on contemporary consoles, but also obscure underground gems like this one from the Mitchell Corporation are becoming accessible for the first time. And even through a modern lens, this spiritual Strider successor holds up.

Designed by a superstar group of ex-Capcom staff, including key creative figure Kouichi Yotsui, this chunky side-scrolling beat-‘em-up first released in Japanese arcades all the way back in 1996, but never received a home console version – until now. Ratalaika Games has handled the conversion, and so those who’ve played ports like Gleylancer will be familiar with the features of its emulator wraparound, which includes various CRT filters, wallpapers, and other quality of life improvements.

You’ll get both the original Japanese release and its North American counterpart, and there are two methods of play, with one unlocking key convenience features such as rewind and save states. Unlike the rest of Ratalaika Games’ library, however, Trophies are disabled in this easier option, so you’ll need to play through Challenge Mode to earn the gongs. You do get to choose a total of two enhancements here, which include extra credits or double jumps.

The game itself is a rollercoaster ride of vivid colours and seemingly unending imagination. With a cyberpunk-style Arabian theme, you’ll play as a martial artist named Kirin, who punches his way through robotic armies and statue-esque deities. From the first explosive upper-cut through to the boss rush-esque ending, this romp