Summary
- Release Year: 1988
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Android, Arcade, iOS, Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine
- Developers: MOBIRIX, Toaplan
- Publishers: Bitwave Games, Midway Games, MOBIRIX, Sega Enterprises, Ltd., Taito, Tec Toy
Truxton (1988): A Vertical Scrolling Shoot ‘Em Up Classic
Truxton is a vertically scrolling shoot ’em up arcade game developed by Toaplan and released in 1988. The game was ported to the Mega Drive (known as Genesis in North America) and the PC Engine (Japan-only) in 1989.
Gameplay
Truxton is a vertically scrolling shoot ’em up game in which the player controls a small spaceship through five large levels. The player’s ship can fire lasers in eight directions, and can also drop bombs. The game features a variety of enemy ships, as well as large bosses at the end of each level.
One of the unique features of Truxton is its “Extend” system. By collecting power-ups, the player can increase the firepower of their ship. However, if the player is hit by an enemy, they will lose all of their power-ups. This creates a risk/reward dynamic, as the player must decide whether to collect power-ups and risk losing them, or to play it safe and keep their current firepower.
Plot
Truxton is set in the year 2201. The evil alien race known as the Goferian Empire has invaded Earth and is threatening to destroy the planet. The player takes control of a starship pilot named Taito and must fight their way through the Goferian forces to save Earth.
Development
Truxton was developed by Toaplan, a Japanese video game developer founded in 1984. Toaplan was known for developing a number of classic arcade shoot ’em ups, including Tiger-Heli (1985), Twin Cobra (1987), and Zero Wing (1989).
Truxton was designed by Tatsuo Yamamoto, who had previously worked on Tiger-Heli and Twin Cobra. Yamamoto wanted to create a shoot ’em up that was both challenging and rewarding. He also wanted to create a game with a unique visual style.
To achieve this, Yamamoto used a variety of innovative techniques. For example, Truxton was one of the first shoot ’em ups to use parallax scrolling, which creates a sense of depth and realism. The game also features a number of large and detailed bosses, which were uncommon at the time.
Release
Truxton was released in arcades in Japan in 1988. The game was ported to the Mega Drive and PC Engine in 1989. The Mega Drive version was released in North America and Europe, while the PC Engine version was only released in Japan.
Truxton was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its challenging gameplay, beautiful graphics, and innovative features. Truxton has been ported to a number of other platforms over the years, including the PlayStation, Saturn, and Xbox 360.
Legacy
Truxton is considered to be one of the classic shoot ’em ups of the arcade era. The game is known for its challenging gameplay, beautiful graphics, and innovative features. Truxton has been ported to a number of other platforms over the years, and it continues to be enjoyed by fans of the genre.
Truxton II
In 1992, Toaplan released a sequel to Truxton called Truxton II. Truxton II is a vertically scrolling shoot ’em up that features similar gameplay to the original game. However, Truxton II also features a number of new features, such as new power-ups, new enemies, and new bosses.
Truxton II was released in arcades in Japan in 1992. The game was ported to the Mega Drive in 1993. The Mega Drive version was released in North America and Europe, but it was not as successful as the original game.
Truxton II is a solid shoot ’em up, but it is not as good as the original game. The game’s difficulty is a bit too high, and the new features are not enough to make up for the lack of innovation.
Overall
Truxton is a classic shoot ’em up that is still enjoyed by fans of the genre today. The game’s challenging gameplay, beautiful graphics, and innovative features make it a must-play for any fan of shoot ’em ups.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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