Super Xevious

Super Xevious[lower-alpha 1] is a 1984 vertical-scrolling shooter arcade game developed and published by Namco in Japan. It is an updated version of Xevious (1983), created as a response to the overwhelming success of the original in Japan. Like the original game, the player controls a starship known as the "Solvalou", equipped with two weapons: an "air zapper" to defeat flying enemies, and a "blaster bomb" to destroy ground-based enemies. It runs on the Namco Galaga arcade board. New enemy types include metallic Galaxian flagships. Some of these revert the player's score to zero if destroyed. It has been ported to the Sharp X68000 and PlayStation,[2][3] alongside inclusion in several Namco collections.

Super Xevious
Developer(s)Namco
Publisher(s)Namco
SeriesXevious
Platform(s)Arcade, Sharp X68000
Release
Genre(s)Vertical-scrolling shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay
Arcade version
Main article: Gameplay of Xevious

Super Xevious is a vertical-scrolling shooter, and an updated version of Xevious.[4] Its gameplay is largely identical; the player assumes control of a starship, the Solvalou, in its mission to destroy a supercomputer named GAMP and its Xevious forces.[4] In each of these areas, the player must destroy constantly-moving waves of enemies and avoiding collision with them or their projectiles.[4] The Solvalou has two weapons at its disposal: a forward-moving shot that destroys flying enemies, and an air-to-surface bomb that destroys ground-stationed targets.[4][5] On occasion, the player will face off against a boss named the Andor Genesis, which can be defeated by destroying its center core or four blaster receptacles.[4][5] Some areas contain hidden towers known as "Sol Citadels", which are found by bombing specific parts of an area.[5] Yellow "Special Flags" from Rally-X can also be uncovered, which reward the player with an extra life.[4]

Super Xevious poses multiple additions and changes to the original.[6] The gameplay overall is harder than its predecessor in difficulty, featuring more aggressive enemies and faster-moving projectiles.[4][7] Several new enemy types were introduced, including fighter jets, tanks, helicopters, and silver-plated Galaxian flagships, which are found in specific areas of the game.[4][6][7] Some of these enemies reset the player's score to zero upon destruction; however, bonus points are awarded for flying over the tank.[5][6] The placement of the Sol Citadels and Special Flags have also been changed.[5]

Reception and legacy

Its inclusion in Xevious 3D/G+ drew mixed responses from critics. Graeme Nicholson, a writer for Play UK, believed that while Super was still fun to play and posed enough challenge, its differences from the original Xevious were few and far between and "[spoiled] the idea of the collection slightly."[8] A writer for the Spanish magazine PSX Magazine agreed, describing it as a "decaffinated" variation of its predecessor with little in the way of new content. However, they liked the slightly-refined visuals and overall increase in speed.[9]

Retrospectively in 1998, AllGame's Earl Green noted of Super's high level of difficulty and new enemy types, writing that its enhanced challenge and differences in gameplay made it a superior update to Xevious.[7] Retro Gamer writer Stuart Campbell showed appreciation towards its new additions to the game, namely the silver Galaxian bosses.[6]

Former Happy End and Yellow Magic Orchestra member Haruomi Hosono recorded an arranged dance/synthpop version of the game's theme tune, which was released in Japan by Alfa Records' Yen label as a 12" single on August 29, 1984. The single was also released in Europe by Pick Up Records that same year.

Notes
  1. Japanese: スーパーゼビウス Hepburn: Sūpā Zebiusu

References
  1. Akagi, Masumi (13 October 2006). アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) [Arcade TV Game List Domestic/Overseas (1971-2005)] (in Japanese) (First ed.). Japan: Amusement News Agency. p. 53. ISBN 978-4990251215. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  2. Massey, Tom (December 12, 2015). "Death from Above: The making of Slap Fight MD". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on March 20, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  3. Substance D (May 1997). "Xevious 3D/G - The Battle Enters A New Dimension". 5 (5). Metropolis Media. GameFan. pp. 42–43. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  4. Savorelli, Carlo (May 6, 2015). "Xevious". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  5. "Super Xevious - Videogame by Namco". Killer List of Videogames. International Arcade Museum. Archived from the original on July 19, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  6. Campbell, Stuart (February 1, 2007). "The Definitive Xevious" (34). Imagine Publishing. Retro Gamer. pp. 64–69. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  7. Green, Earl (1998). "Super Xevious - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  8. Nicholson, Graeme (August 1997). "Review - Xevious 3D/G+" (23). Paragon Publishing. Play UK. p. 62. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  9. "PrePlay - Xevious 3D/G+" (in Spanish) (9). PSX Magazine. September 1997. p. 51. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
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