Burning Rangers

About

Burning Rangers is a 1998 Sega Saturn action game from Sonic Team that blends shooting and platforming. You play as one of two firefighters navigating burning buildings and hazardous environments to rescue civilians. Missions mix fast-paced combat with precise platforming, all guided by an in-game voice system. Each level throws new obstacles at you from collapsing structures to flaming debris, demanding quick reflexes and smart decisions. The game balances exploration with timed escapes, often forcing you to prioritize who to save. The story follows Shou or Tillis as they join a team of specialists to tackle emergencies. A late-game twist introduces Iria, a girl in suspended animation whose crashing spaceship threatens Earth. The game stands out for its tight controls and cooperative elements, letting you rely on AI teammates during missions. With its focus on non-combat heroics and Sega Saturn-era visuals, it’s a quirky entry in Sonic Team’s catalog. Despite its age, the mix of action and rescue missions holds up for retro platformer fans.

Storyline

Burning Rangers takes place on a futuristic Earth where the only threat to human life is from fires. A team of fire-fighters called Burning Rangers are dispatched to emergency incidents to fight fires and rescue people in danger. The player is given the choice of two playable characters, Shou Amabane and Tillis. The selected character is first taken through a tutorial stage where they are introduced to the other members of the team, Chris Parton, Reed Phoenix, Big Landman and the non-selected playable character, before being taken on missions. During the final mission, the Rangers are introduced to Iria Klein, a girl placed in suspended animation and sent into space after contracting an incurable disease. Iria informs the Rangers her ship is set to crash into Earth, causing complete devastation, so the Rangers devise a plan to stop the ship and rescue Iria. Shou and Tillis become fully fledged Rangers, and Iria is cured of her disease and settles into her new life on Earth as a member of the Burning Rangers.