What? I'm with motdelbuort on this one, Turrican kicks my ass. I actually haven't spent much time with it, but it struck me as a very tough game. I never beat the first stage. I probably should read the instruction manual 
. I remember losing a lot of life in some areas... it was if I was on a suicide run...
Turrican is a total memory game. If you don't remember the location and actions of every single enemy in the game, you're gonna get your ass handed to you in short order. And the first level is a creampuff compared to the later levels (especially the 3-x levels, those are difficult). You have to remember where every enemy is, how the react to you and to the environment, and you have to know of environmental hazards as well. Also, correct usage of your alternate weapons is crucial...knowing when to use grenades, shockwaves, mines, and of course, the buzzsaw. It also helps to know where to use the laser and where to use the spreadshot. Finding 1UPs is vital (there's 1 at the very beginning of the first level, just walk left, avoiding the enemies that drop down the hill...when you get all the way to the left, simply jump up and one will fall from the sky...Super Turrican has the same thing at its first level except you dont have to jump for it, hehe). But anyways, a few tips for conquering Turrican (warning: spoilers ahead):
-Remember that while in buzzsaw mode, you can't be hurt...very useful for boss fights. It can take longer to fight the bosses this way but at least you won't be killed.
-You can shoot grenades (press select to select it, then press fire) at walls to damage everything on-screen. It causes even more damage by hitting something directly...again, good for bosses.
-The shockwave (press select twice and then press fire) is best used to clear out a whole screen of lesser enemies. You can also use it on bosses with large hit areas, but it's best used for this when they are moving in one of the directions the wave is going in (so it hits more times, causing more damage).
-Use mines (hold down and fire for two seconds) to clear the screen of anything that is stationary and shoots at you. It also works for many things that are walking on the ground but obviously is quite useless for flying things. You can even lay a mine while falling or while the "Entering level x-x" screen is showing (interesting game glitches).
-Use the laser whip (hold fire while standing) to clear out enemies you know are coming, as well as finding secret boxes (there's one near where you find the very first 1UP in the first level, quite useful for just starting out because you can usually power up your weapon to full with what it gives you).
For bosses, here's some hints on beating them:
1-2: The big hand boss is quite easy to beat. If you use the laser whip (provided it's long enough), you can face all the way to the right, activate the laser whip, and direct it towards the hand. It'll take awhile but this is a sure thing. Also, you can jump and toss grenades when it's away from you. The laser also does adequate damage.
1-3: The giant head boss is a bit trickier as there are no safe spots. I find it best to use the buzzsaw and a fully powered spread shot. Go back and forth, making sure to be right on him when he comes down so he gets a good pelting with shots. Also, when he comes down, you can hit him with a grenade if you time it right.
2-1: The fish mother is probably the toughest of them all, as her hit area is extremely small (it's her eye). The laser is useless here, and even the spread shot won't hit very much (and often not at all if it's not full power). Expect to lose a few lives here if you don't want to spend a half hour using the buzzsaw + shoot method you can use for the 1-3 boss. Grenades work great, as they can hit her anywhere, but the shockwave is virtually useless here. Also, when she starts to explode, put on your laser whip and direct it up towards her to avoid being nailed with the bouncing balls she explodes into...and make sure you get a good distance away as well.
2-3: The trash compacter boss is very easy. Have the laser for this one. When the fight begins, go back to the entrance to his room, crouch, and blast away. His weak spot is the ellipse behind the jaws. If he gets too close to you, use the buzzsaw and roll past him, toss some grenades at him. As with the fish boss, the shockwaves are pretty useless here.
3-1: The Monolith is the most annoying boss in the game. You will need to use the buzzsaw for this whole battle unless you want to die quickly because when he hits the walls, you'll take damage whether you're touching him or not, but in buzzsaw form, he can't hurt you. Go back and forth in buzzsaw form, and have the spread shot. Try to hit him with grenades while travelling
right (if you travel left and shoot one and it misses, it will fly offscreen...at least if it goes right, if it misses him directly it'll hit the wall and still cause at least
some damage).
3-3: The spawn-mother boss is the easiest boss in the game. Just use the buzzsaw and go back and forth with whatever shot you want, either laser or spreadshot. Toss grenades, and use shockwaves when she's moving away from you for maximum damage. You'll have no problem with her, which is nice considering how difficult it is to get to her...the 3-x levels are a nightmare.
4-2: The final boss "MORGUL" is almost the same as Monolith except there are no walls to launch grenades against. Again, use the buzzsaw and the spread shot. Shockwaves are good here as long as you hit him when he's moving away. Grenades will be hard to land but try it anyways. He is not difficult to beat, only slightly harder than Monolith.
