System: Commodore Amiga
Release date: November 1993

Charge into the fray with Cannon Fodder on the Amiga, the November 1993 action-strategy shooter from Sensible Software that sends waves of plucky soldiers into bullet-riddled battlefields. This top-down romp mixes tactics with tongue-in-cheek humour—but does it still pack a punch in 2025? Let’s dive in and see if this war-torn classic is a timeless triumph or a spent cartridge.

Gameplay: Lead the Charge, Mourn the Fallen

Cannon Fodder tasks you with commanding squads of up to six troops through 72 missions across jungles, deserts, and urban hellscapes. The controls shine for indirect command—set paths, split teams, and unleash gunfire, grenades, or vehicle mayhem. Objectives vary from destroying bunkers to rescuing hostages, with each fallen soldier adding to a grim memorial tree. It’s a clever blend of strategy and chaos, where planning saves lives but luck rules the battlefield.

The barrage? Later missions ramp up to brutal difficulty, with one stray bullet dooming your squad. The randomness of enemy spawns can feel unfair, and micromanaging troops mid-firefight tests your patience. Still, the addictive loop of recruiting fresh faces and pushing on keeps you locked in like a well-aimed shot.

Graphics: Pixelated Warfare with Wit

Smooth-scrolling levels burst with detail—from swaying palm trees to exploding jeeps. Tiny soldier sprites scurry with personality, their ragdoll deaths hilariously over-the-top. Enemies and environments pop with vibrant colours and parallax effects, making every map a visual feast. The cartoonish style softens the violence while amplifying the satire, delivering a graphical grenade that still dazzles.

Sound: A Catchy Anthem Amid the Bangs

That infamous intro tune—“War! Never been so much fun!” twisted into a cheeky chiptune—hooks you from the start. In-game, punchy sound effects like gunfire cracks, grenade booms, and soldier yelps add immersive chaos. The looping battlefield music keeps the tempo high without overwhelming, though it might grate during marathon sessions. It’s audio that marches to its own beat, blending humour and horror perfectly.

Replayability: Endless Waves of Warfare

With branching mission paths, hidden objectives, and a permadeath system that builds your infamous tree of doom, Cannon Fodder demands replays to minimise casualties or chase perfect runs. Experimenting with tactics—like flanking or vehicle grabs—keeps strategies fresh, but the steep curve might frustrate newcomers. No multiplayer, but the sheer volume of levels and high-score chases make it ideal for bite-sized blasts or all-out campaigns.

The Retro Looney Verdict

Cannon Fodder on the Amiga is a blistering blend of strategy, action, and black comedy that skewers war while delivering thrills. Its slick controls, stunning visuals, and memorable sounds make it a standout, even if the punishing difficulty and random elements sting like shrapnel.