Summary

Release Year: 1989
Genres: Arcade, Shooter
Platforms: Arcade, Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Turbografx-16/PC Engine CD
Publishers: Bitwave Games, Sega Enterprises, Ltd., Toaplan, Williams Electronics

Zero Wing (1989): The Shmup with the Notorious English Translation

Zero Wing is a side-scrolling shoot ’em up arcade game developed by Toaplan and released in 1989. It is notable for its poorly translated English version for Sega Mega Drive (Genesis), which spawned the “All your base are belong to us” Internet meme.

Despite its infamous translation, Zero Wing is actually a solid shoot ’em up with some unique gameplay features. Players control a spaceship and must shoot down waves of enemy ships while dodging their fire. The game features a variety of power-ups that can enhance the player’s ship’s firepower, speed, and防御.

One of the most unique features of Zero Wing is the ability to ‘tractor’ enemy ships. This allows the player to capture enemy ships and use them as shields against enemy fire. The player can also use the captured ships to attack other enemy ships.

Zero Wing was released in arcades in 1989 and was ported to the Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) in 1991. The Mega Drive version of the game is the one that is most well-known due to its hilarious English translation.

The Mega Drive version of Zero Wing was translated by a company called Micronics. Micronics was known for its poor translations of Japanese video games, and Zero Wing is no exception. The translation is full of grammatical errors, mistranslations, and nonsensical phrases.

One of the most famous mistranslations in Zero Wing is the phrase “All your base are belong to us.” This phrase is spoken by the game’s final boss, and it has become one of the most iconic Internet memes.

Despite its poor translation, Zero Wing is still a fun and challenging shoot ’em up. The game’s unique gameplay features and catchy soundtrack make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.

Gameplay

Zero Wing is a side-scrolling shoot ’em up in which the player controls a spaceship and must shoot down waves of enemy ships. The game features a variety of power-ups that can enhance the player’s ship’s firepower, speed, and防御.

Zero Wing is a challenging game, but it is also fair. The player’s ship has a lot of firepower, and the power-ups can make it even more powerful. The enemy ships are also tough, but they can be defeated with careful shooting and use of the tractor beam.

Graphics and Sound

Zero Wing’s graphics are colorful and detailed. The backgrounds are varied and interesting, and the enemy ships are well-designed. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, with catchy tunes that will get stuck in your head.

Overall

Zero Wing is a solid shoot ’em up with some unique gameplay features. The game’s poor English translation is notorious, but it doesn’t detract from the fun factor. If you’re a fan of shoot ’em ups, then you should definitely check out Zero Wing.

The “All your base are belong to us” Meme

The “All your base are belong to us” meme is one of the most iconic Internet memes. It originated from the poorly translated English version of Zero Wing. The phrase is spoken by the game’s final boss, and it has become a popular catchphrase for expressing triumph or victory.

The meme has been used in a variety of contexts, including in popular culture. For example, the phrase was used in a Saturday Night Live sketch in 2011.

The “All your base are belong to us” meme is a reminder of the power of bad translations. It is also a reminder that even the most serious of games can be turned into a joke with a little bit of mistranslation.

Conclusion

Zero Wing is a classic shoot ’em up that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s unique gameplay features and catchy soundtrack make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre. And even if you’re not a fan of shoot ’em ups, you can still appreciate the game’s hilarious English translation.