Zillion II: The Tri Formation (SMS)

Zillion II: The Tri Formation Box Art

Zillion II: The Tri Formation

System: SMS

Release Date: July 1988

Developer: Sega

Publisher: Sega

Genre: Platformer/Shoot ’em Up

The original Zillion came in the top spot for Master System games in 1987. Here we are eight months later with the sequel, the Tri Formation. How does it compare to the original? Well, it’s different. Instead of a proto-Metroidvania, we have a straightforward platformer. Fresh off of destroying the labyrinth on Planet X, a distress signal leads your friends into a trap. That’s right, it’s up to you to infiltrate the Norsa Empire’s battle fortress, save Apple and Champ, and defeat Baron Ricks once and for all.

There are eight levels that alternate between two different game types. The odd levels put you on the Tri Formation, a super sweet three wheeled motorcycle. This bad boy shoots with Button 2 and jumps with Button 1. And you need to be able to do both at an instant’s notice, because there are a bunch of bad guys. You can collect Z icons which power up the Zillion gun. Once you collect three, you really become a force to be reckoned with. If you run low on energy, you can rarely come across L icons, which restore your life.

The even levels are more of a traditional platformer. You can move to the left or right and shoot your laser. There are no powerups in these levels, but there are plenty of bottomless pits to kill you. I had to talk myself into taking it slow and easy more than once to avoid cheap deaths. At the end of these levels is a boss. The level two boss is a bunch of enemies that appear randomly. I found if I just stayed in the starting spot and shot at them as they appeared, I took no damage. Other than that, you can learn patterns and minimize the damage you take.

The Tri Formation also has a special form it can take if you collect an A icon, it can transform into the Armorater. This is a bipedal mech that can fly through the air. This can help out by making you more maneuverable, but also creates a larger hitbox, which makes staying alive more difficult. You can also save Apple and Champ in levels 2 and 4 respectively. You can also swap to them each once per game if you have the second controller plugged in.

Graphics: 2.5

The sprites are better in this than the original, but the backgrounds are way too busy for my liking.

Sound: 2.0

I’ve already forgotten the music and sound effects.

Gameplay: 2.5

The gameplay is simple, but solid enough. It’s alright.

Difficulty: 2.5

Level 5 was pretty difficult for me at first, but once I got the timing down, they became easier. Level 7 was particularly busy.

Fun Factor: 2.5

I didn’t enjoy myself with this as much as the first game.

Overall Grade: 2.4

Zillion II: The Tri Formation earns a C+. It’s a different style of game from the original and not as good, but it’s an alright game. Just don’t expect the moon or anything.

Zillion II: The Tri Formation Video Review on YouTube