Zaxxon
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| Zaxxon | |
| Missing image Zaxxon.png Zaxxon screenshot | |
| Developer: | Sega |
| Publisher: | Sega |
| Release date: | 1982 |
| Genre: | Retro/Shoot 'em up |
| Game modes: | Up to 2 players, alternating turns |
| Cabinet: | Standard and table |
| Controls: | Joystick; 1 button |
| Monitor | |
| Orientation: | Horizontal |
| Type: | Raster, standard resolution (Used: 256 x 224) |
| Notes | |
| First game with isometric graphics; Developed during the Golden Age of Arcade Games | |
Zaxxon is a 1982 arcade game by Sega. The game gives the player the experience of flying a space shuttle-like 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.
At the time of its release, Zaxxon was unique as it was the first game to employ isometric projection, something of a three-quarters viewing perspective. This effect simulated three dimensions (albeit from the viewpoint of a second person).
Ports
A popular game, Zaxxon was ported to almost all home computer and video game console systems between 1982 and 1984. Among them were DOS (as a Booter), Apple II, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Commodore 64, ColecoVision and Intellivision. The Atari 2600 and Intellivision ports were noticeable, because they used a first-person perspective instead of the isometric graphics of the other versions. This is probably due to technical limitations of these consoles.
| Missing image A2600_Zaxxon.png Screenshot Zaxxon on Atari 2600 | Missing image Coleco_Zaxxon.png Screenshot Zaxxon on Colecovision | Missing image Intv_Zaxxon.png Screenshot Zaxxon on Colecovision |
| Atari 2600 (1982) | Colecovision (1982) | Intellivision (1983) |
| Missing image A5200_Zaxxon.png Screenshot Zaxxon on Atari 5200 | Missing image C64_Zaxxon.png Screenshot Zaxxon on C64 |
| Atari 5200 (1984) | Commodore 64 (1984) |
Legacy
Due to its success, Zaxxon spawned two sequel games and one console variation. None did as well as the original:
- Zaxxon (1982)
- Super Zaxxon (1982)
- Future Spy (1984)
There was also a game called Motherbase 2000 released for the Sega 32X in 1995. It is similar to Zaxxon, but it is the first (and last) Zaxxon game to use full 3D graphics.
External links
- The KLOV entry on Zaxxon (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=Z&game_id=12757)
- The MobyGames entry on the home versions of Zaxxon (http://www.mobygames.com/game/sheet/gameId,411/)
- Zaxxon game movie (http://www.jmpc.com/Starcade/games/zaxxon3.htm)