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Zaxxon
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 Screenshot of Zaxxon (Arcade) |
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| Developer(s) | Ikegami Tsushinki |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Platform(s) | Arcade |
| Release date(s) | 1982 |
| Genre(s) | Shoot 'em up |
| Mode(s) | Up to 2 players, alternating turns |
| Input methods | 8-way joystick, 1 button |
| Cabinet | Upright and cocktail |
| Arcade system | Sega Zaxxon hardware |
| CPU | Z80 (@ 3.04125 MHz) |
| Sound | Samples |
| Display | Raster, 224 x 256 pixels (Vertical), 256 colors |
Zaxxon is a 1982 arcade game developed by Ikegami Tsushinki and released by Sega. The game gives the player the experience of flying a fighter craft through a fortress while shooting at enemy entities (missiles, enemy gunfire, etc.). The object of the game is to hit as many targets as possible without being shot down or running out of fuel, which can be replenished by shooting fuel drums.[1]
At the time of its release, Zaxxon was unique as it was the first game to employ axonometric projection, something of a three-quarter viewing perspective, which lent its name to the game (AXXON from AXONometric projection). The type of axonometric projection is isometric projection: this effect simulated three dimensions from a third-person viewpoint.
The world record on Zaxxon is 4,680,740 points scored by Vernon Kalanikaus of Lā'ie, Hawai'i, on March 15, 1982, according to the Twin Galaxies Intergalactic Scoreboard.[2]
A bootleg of the game was released in the arcades in 1982 called Jackson.[3]
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Ports
A popular game, Zaxxon was ported to almost all home computer and video game console systems between 1982 and 1985. Among them were DOS (as a booter), Apple II, Atari 400/800, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari XL, MSX, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, TI 99/4A (as Arcturus), Dragon 32, Amstrad CPC (as Zaxx), ColecoVision, Intellivision and TRS-80 Color Computer.[4]
The Atari 2600 and Intellivision ports were noticeably different because they used a three-dimensional perspective instead of the isometric graphics of the other versions. This is probably due to technical limitations of these consoles. The ColecoVision version, designed by Coleco staffer Lawrence Schick, was the first home version to use the isometric graphics.
The game was also released for Sega's own console, the SG-1000, in 1985.
A clone of the game was released on the TRS-80 Color Computer as Zaksund.
In 2006, Zaxxon games were included as bonus game on the Sega Genesis Collection for Sony's PlayStation 2 and PSP consoles. The original Zaxxon is the game included on the PS2, and Super Zaxxon is the one available on the PSP.
Legacy
Due to its success, Zaxxon spawned an arcade sequel, Super Zaxxon. It did not do as well as the original.
In 1987, Zaxxon 3-D was released for the Sega Master System. This console variation made use of its 3D glasses add-on for extra depth perception.
Zaxxon Motherbase 2000 was released for the Sega 32X in 1995. It is the only Zaxxon game to use full 3D graphics. The game bore the Zaxxon brand only in the United States, as the Japanese version was named Parasquad and the European version was named Motherbase.
- Zaxxon (1982)
- Super Zaxxon (1982)
- Zaxxon 3D (1987)
- Zaxxon Motherbase 2000 (1995)
Board game
In 1982, Milton Bradley made a Zaxxon board game.[5][6]
Tabletop and handheld games
In 1982 Sega released Zaxxon as a tabletop game and a handheld version as well.[7] Bandai[8] and Coleco[9] also released Zaxxon handheld games.
Remakes
The 2003 Retro Remakes competition produced clones for Linux and Windows.[10]
Similar games
- Future Spy was created by Sega in 1984. This game uses the same hardware as Zaxxon and has very similar game play but with a more realistic military theme.[11]
- Hostile All Terrain Encounter (H.A.T.E.) is a Zaxxon clone developed by Vortex Software for several 8bit and 16bit computers. Published by Gremlin Graphics.
- Viewpoint was released by Sammy in 1992 for the Neo-Geo system. This game features the same 3/4 view perspective and similar gameplay as Zaxxon.[12]
References
- ^ Zaxxon from the Killer List of Videogames (KLOV)
- ^ Zaxxon entry from TwinGalaxies.com
- ^ Jackson entry from CAESAR (Catalogue of Arcade Emulation Software - the Absolute Reference)
- ^ Zaxxon at MobyGames
- ^ Zaxxon from the Great Game Database (GGDb)
- ^ Zaxxon at BoardGameGeek
- ^ Handheld Zaxxon from the GGDb
- ^ Bandai Zaxxon from the GGDb
- ^ Coleco Zaxxon from the GGDb
- ^ Information on the Zaxxon Retro Remake
- ^ Future Spy from the KLOV
- ^ Viewpoint from the KLOV
External links
- Zaxxon at the Killer List of Videogames
- Zaxxon guide at StrategyWiki
- Zaxxon at World of Spectrum
