The graphics are classic CGA done right. The sound is simple and goes well with the game. As for the gameplay, this game is hard because of a weird bumblebee-like alien ship that crashes into you at the start. I tried and tried but couldn't get past the bumblebee. I doubt many people will be able to do the same thing. Also, the speed problems are enormous.
Despite MoSlo and other slowdown utilities, the game still goes too fast.
Reviewer: Dos-Games-Online In the early eighties, Ikegami Tsushinki developed the arcade shooter Zaxxon to be released by SEGA for SEGA. It features some hot shoot em up action and was therefore ported to a great many formats, both computer and console, including the Atari, Intellivision, the Commodore 64, and the Apple II. The game was primarily for a single player, but two players could take alternating turns and compete for the high score in the game. High scores have been recorded in several record books, and the game was popular enough for programmers to create Jackson in 1982, a bootleg version of Zaxxon. It has produced clones in Zaksund, and spawned many, many sequels.
In Zaxxon, the user plays the part of a pilot of a fighter craft and must fly it through a fortress filled with hostilities and obstacles. The overall goal of the game is to destroy the Zaxxon defense system. The pilot will have to dodge a lot of enemy fire, missiles, and enemy crafts as well. He will also have to shoot as many enemy targets as possible, blazing away on the trigger, without being shot down himself. This is the basic goal of the game. The user can also lose a life by crashing, or by running out of fuel, which will also cause a crash. This hateful mishap can be avoided by shooting fuel drums that the pilot will come across as he flies.
The coolest thing about Zaxxon in its day was the isometric view point, which simulated a three dimensional view and perspective. For such an early game, this was a novel idea, and people flocked to check it out, only to find that the graphics were cool, but the game was also very fun. There are three different stages of the game, the first one being Asteroid City. The gamer will have to fly through a barrage of enemy fire, because the city is very well defended by missiles and well-armed aircraft. In the second stage, the user will face all of the targets that he missed in the first level as a barrage of enemies swoop down upon him. In the third and final unique stage, the gamer will battle Zaxxon. Upon defeating Zaxxon, the game loops and the user will see the same levels again, only in an increased difficulty level.
Zaxxon is a classic, classic shooter that really was a forefather of this genre. It still offers great action and fun game play and will be enjoyed by all the trigger happy gamers out there who download it.
