Zaxxon 3-D
System: SMS
Release Date: March 1988
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Shoot ‘em Up
I didn’t come into this version of Zaxxon 3-D expecting very much. I didn’t walk away getting much from it, either. I’ll start right off saying maybe this was better with the actual 3D glasses, but I doubt it. The Vargan Military Empire has declared war on Earth and it’s up to you to save the world in your Zaxxon fighting ship. Shoot with that 2 button and don’t fail!
The problem with Zaxxon 3-D is you can move on the Y-plane and the Z-plane. If you aren’t on the same Z-plane as your enemy, your shot misses. This could have been fine, but you don’t get any real indication if the enemy is above or below your shot. Yellow crosshairs appear when it’s right in front of you, but they can disappear quickly, making them unhelpful in most situations.
As you kill enemies, they sometimes drop capsules. “S” speeds you up and stacks. “W” adds the next level of shot to your inventory, which you scroll through with the 1 button. “G” increases your fuel gauge capacity, fuel ticks down constantly and is drained more quickly with laser fire. “E” gives you an extra Zaxxon for when you get hit and explode.
The open space sequences at the beginning of each round is unsatisfying, as you will struggle to target enemies. When capsule appear, you may instinctively dodge them because you think they are bullets. You then move into the corridor portion of each round. Enemies appear on the bottom Z-level and can be destroyed for capsules. Fuel canisters will refuel you when you shoot them. Starting in Round 4, magnetic barriers will impede your path. There are safe spots just above the walls on either side. I didn’t know that until studying the manual more closely after I quit playing.
Graphics: 1.5
The graphics are alright. I would like to see how it looks in the original 3-D.
Sound: 1.5
The FM sound is alright, much better than the default.
Gameplay: 1.0
Not being able to get a good bead on the enemies is a big downfall. Other than that, it’s pretty simplistic.
Difficulty: 1.0
The difficulty comes from less than stellar game design. And the stupid magnetic barriers.
Fun Factor: 1.0
I didn’t have a whole lot of fun trying to figure out the Z-plane.
Overall Grade: 1.2
Zaxxon 3-D earns a D+. Certainly not something I would recommend to anyone but the most hard up shoot ‘em up fan.