Zaxxon

Infobox VG
title= Zaxxon


caption= Screenshot of Zaxxon (Arcade)
developer= Ikegami Tsushinki
publisher= Sega
released= 1982
genre= Shoot 'em up
modes= Up to 2 players, alternating turns
platforms= Arcade Computers: TRS-80 Color Computer, TRS-80 Model I/III, Apple II, Atari 8-bit family, PC DOS (Booter), Commodore 64, MSX, ZX Spectrum, PC DOS, Amstrad CPC Consoles: ColecoVision, Atari 2600, Intellivision, Atari 5200, Sega SG-1000
input= 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. [ [http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=12757 "Zaxxon"] from the Killer List of Videogames (KLOV)]

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 "AXON"ometric 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. [ [http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&pi=2&gi=3612&vi=1088 "Zaxxon" entry] from TwinGalaxies.com]

A bootleg of the game was released in the arcades in 1982 called "Jackson". [ [http://caesar.logiqx.com/php/emulator_game.php?id=mame&game=zaxxonb "Jackson" entry] from CAESAR (Catalogue of Arcade Emulation Software - the Absolute Reference)]

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. [moby game|id=/zaxxon]

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. [ [http://www.ggdb.com/GameByName.aspx?c=Memorabilia&s=Boardgame&vid=5522 "Zaxxon"] from the Great Game Database (GGDb)] [bgg title|2482|Zaxxon]

Tabletop and handheld games

In 1982 Sega released "Zaxxon" as a tabletop game and a handheld version as well. [ [http://www.ggdb.com/GameByName.aspx?c=Handheld&s=Arcade&vid=5853 Handheld "Zaxxon"] from the GGDb] Bandai [ [http://www.ggdb.com/GameByName.aspx?c=Handheld&s=Arcade&vid=8015 Bandai "Zaxxon"] from the GGDb] and Coleco [ [http://www.ggdb.com/GameByName.aspx?c=Handheld&s=Arcade&vid=8016 Coleco "Zaxxon"] from the GGDb] also released "Zaxxon" handheld games.

Remakes

The 2003 Retro Remakes competition produced clones for Linux and Windows. [ [http://www.pankhurst.uklinux.net/zaxxon.html Information on the "Zaxxon" Retro Remake] ]

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. [ [http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7868 "Future Spy"] from the KLOV]

*"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". [ [http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10316 "Viewpoint"] from the KLOV]

References

External links

*KLOV game|id=12757
*StrategyWiki
*WoS game|id=0005846