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Formation Z[a] is a 1984 horizontally scrolling shooter developed and published by Jaleco. The arcade release was distributed by Williams and known as Aeroboto outside Japan. It was later ported to the MSX and to the Famicom (by Hect), the latter being included as part of Jaleco Collection Vol. 1 for the PlayStation.[2] More recently the Famicom version of the game was made downloadable via the Wii's Virtual Console download service in Japan.
| Formation Z | |
|---|---|
 Japanese arcade flyer | |
| Developer(s) | Jaleco |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Platform(s) | Arcade, Family Computer, MSX, PC-88, Sharp X1, FM-7, Windows, mobile phone, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Scrolling shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Plot
Taking place in the year 2701, a robot named Ixpel which can transform into an aero fighter is sent on a mission to stop an alien super weapon from reaching the Earth.
Gameplay
The player controls a robot with the capability to transform into a jet fighter. The robot may move forwards, backwards and jump but cannot fly, and the fighter may travel anywhere on screen but has limited fuel in which to do so. Fuel status is indicated at the bottom right of the screen presented as numbers from 100 (fuel full) to 0 (fuel empty). When run out of fuel, the jet will descend to Earth and if the player is fighting on the ground he can revert to robot to avoid crashing. But if jet is above an ocean, he will crash and lose a life. Also the fighter cannot revert to robot when it is flying too high an altitude. (on the center top of the screen will tell the player whether he can revert or not) A combination of the two must be used to avoid obstacles, as well as to destroy any on-screen enemies for extra points.
Because the jet consumes fuels to stay above air, its fuel needs to be constantly replenished. A white sphere emitting electricity on the bottom is represented as a fuel to refill, which is the only item type the game has and the only item the player will ever need. To transform from robot to jet, a jump button must be pushed while joystick lever is pulled up. To revert from jet to robot, a jump button must be pushed down while the joystick lever is down during low altitude flight. While transforming, the player is unable to shoot and thus is vulnerable to enemy attacks so the transformation must be done at the right situation and with caution.
The player also has two types of firepower: first is Pulse Laser, a standard beam shot that can be fired consecutively. The second is a larger and stronger cannon named Big-Bang which can be launched by charging up the main weapon. To shoot Big-Bang, shot button must be pushed down for about a second and a half. Big-Bang can be launched so long as shot button is kept being pushed down. Big-Bang can take out bigger enemies and is crucial against boss battles. Without Big-Bang, Bosses cannot be defeated. In robot mode, player can shoot front, diagonal up and down. As a jet the player can shoot front, diagonal up and down on the direction the jet moves.
The game has two main arcs: First the battle on Earth and the second the battle in outer space. The first portion of Earth consists of mountainous grassland, and the second portion of Earth consists of an Egyptian desert. Between the first and second portion connects an ocean in which the player must transform from robot to jet to cross. At the end of desert there is also an ocean where the first boss (named STV) awaits. After the boss is defeated using Big-Bang, the player then is catapulted into outer space to finish off the main force of the invaders. Outer space, unlike Earth, has only one long surface battle before the surface ends in a space in which the player must transform to avoid death and where the main alien superweapon awaits for a second boss battle. Both boss battles take place in the air so the player will be fighting bosses while in jet mode. Fortunately during boss battles, the player does not have to worry about fuels being run out.
After the alien superweapon is destroyed, the game delivers player a short congratulatory comment, and the game restarts from Earth with new enemies and some enemies' patterns changed. This game, just like most arcade games at the time, has no true ending and loops endlessly.
Release
The game was re-released on the Nintendo Switch in the Nintendo eShop by Hamster Corporation as part of their Arcade Archives series[3] and also on the PlayStation 4 on 19 March 2020 as part of the same series.[4]
Reception
According to the Japanese magazine Game Machine, Formation Z was only a moderate success in arcades.[5]
Notes
References
- ^ a b Akagi, Masumi (13 October 2006). ジャレコ （ジャパンレジャー） Jaleco; Williams Electronics; A (in Japanese) (1st ed.). Amusement News Agency. pp. 32, 140, 145. ISBN 978-4990251215.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ Kitamura, Takakazu (July 18, 2003). "PCCWジャパン、往年の名作が一度に遊べる PS「ジャレココレクション vol.1」を10月に発売". Game Watch (in Japanese). Impress Group. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
- ^ Lane, Gavin (2020-03-13). "Guide: Every Arcade Archives Game On Nintendo Switch, Plus Our Top Picks". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Arcade Archives | HAMSTER Corporation". www.hamster.co.jp. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- ^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 — テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 242. Amusement Press. August 15, 1984. p. 25.
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