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City Hunter

City Hunter

SUNSOFT, Red Art Games · released Feb 25, 2026

Action

After 35 years, the only official game is now being revived.

71
VGC Score
·No trend datalow confidence
n/a
At launch
91%
Steam all-time
61%
Press
n/a
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)6120
All-time Steam reviews91%8512
Metacritic user ratings0
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)0
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (29)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 50
    trust 80Mar 16, 2026

    City Hunter remains a mediocre in 2026. Extra features make this the best way for hardcore fans to play, but this is an underwhelming experience. It's short in runtime and overpriced for the amount of content. This one is strictly for the fans.

    read full review ↗
  • 52
    trust 70Mar 9, 2026

    While it has a great classic arcade look and feel, the overall design of its missions and how they play out feels sloppy at best

    read full review ↗
  • 65
    trust 70Mar 6, 2026

    classic experience that offers a charming appeal for fans of this type of game and anime enthusiasts in general. However, it may not suit those seeking a deeper story, richer audio, or more varied content, as it brings no significant changes compared to the past.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 69Mar 15, 2026

    If you are a die-hard fan of the anime, this game is a lovingly preserved curio. Hearing Get Wild in 8-bit glory and seeing pixel-art cameos of Kaori and Umibozu will likely carry you through the frustration. However, if you are looking for a polished action platformer, City Hunter might feel more like a midlife crisis than mokkori magic. It is a product of its time. It's charming and authentic, but undeniably dated.

    read full review ↗
  • 58
    trust 68Apr 29, 2026

    City Hunter isn't a bad game, but it isn't a good one either. It is a product of its time, carefully polished and made accessible to a modern audience with respectful effort. The Revival Edition is undoubtedly the best and most accessible way to experience this classic, though that point is quickly put into perspective by the fact that the base game, even in its best form, was merely solid, average fare. Ultimately, you aren't getting a full-fledged title so much as a charming yet brief nostalgic snapshot of the golden era of anime fan service. Nothing more, but for longtime fans, that might just be enough.

    read full review ↗
  • 60
    trust 68Mar 24, 2026

    Quote not yet available

    read full review ↗
  • 50
    trust 68Mar 5, 2026

    City Hunter, as a port, is a competent remaster. It runs well and plays well. That’s not the issue here. That was never the issue here. City Hunter is just a bland game that, in 1990, was attempting to capitalize on a manga and anime that had already ended, while MAYBE trying to bridge the timeline until the 1993 Jackie Chan film came out.

    read full review ↗
  • 60
    trust 64Feb 27, 2026

    To truly enjoy this game, you need to be a fan of City Hunter. While it’s not a bad game, it does have its flaws and offers simplistic gameplay that feels outdated for its time. However, with some patience, you can still have fun with it and appreciate its visual flair that pays tribute to the material.

    read full review ↗
  • 65
    trust 63May 20, 2026

    The biggest sticking point may ultimately be the launch price of €24.99. That is a steep ask for what is, at its core, a fairly short and niche retro release. Even longtime fans may hesitate before pulling the trigger. As mentioned, Clouded Leopard deserves credit for the production values and the amount of bonus material included, but the core game is over before you know it. That makes the asking price difficult to fully justify.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 63Mar 3, 2026

    The game feels like you are experiencing a part of the show, and fans of the series will especially love it. While the game essentially has mazes for levels, it’s a great way to experience this style of game, making you do the investigating to solve the case and get to the next job.

    read full review ↗
  • 55
    trust 62Jun 13, 2026

    The new port of City Hunter fails to go beyond a simple re-release and remains bound by the limitations of its 1990 original. Its one-dimensional narrative, short levels, and overly simple gameplay, despite visual upgrades and stable performance, don't meet modern gaming standards. The added content, like a hard mode or bonus sections, adds little value, and the $25 price tag is hard to justify given the overall quality and content. It may appeal to nostalgic fans, but for players seeking a complete, modern experience in 2026, it's not a recommendable choice.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 62Mar 1, 2026

    City Hunter is an extremely welcome return, especially for Ryo Saeba fans and retrogaming enthusiasts in general, but it could have dared something more.

    read full review ↗

…and 17 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

No patch announcements found on Steam yet.