Play Stinger Online

Stinger came out for the NES in 1987 from Konami, a time when shooters were finding their footing on the console. It stood out not for being a standard military affair but for its strange, almost playful take on the genre, offering a two player co-op experience that felt different from the usual solo ventures.

You control a small, oddly shaped jet that fires boxing glove projectiles at an array of bizarre enemies, many of which seem obsessed with giant, floating food items. Your main goal is simply to survive, moving screen by screen through horizontally and vertically scrolling stages, destroying everything in your path. The core mechanics involve collecting bells that change your weapon's color and function, switching between forward shots, spreading patterns, and homing options. The two player mode lets your shots combine for more powerful lasers, adding a layer of cooperation. The pacing is relentless, and the difficulty ramps up quickly with dense enemy patterns. It feels chaotic and unpredictable, a straightforward but oddly charming scramble for survival.