Formation Z

Formation Z
Formation Z
	Japanese arcade flyer
Developer(s)	Jaleco
Publisher(s)	JP: Jaleco; NA: Williams;
Platform(s)	Arcade, Family Computer, MSX, PC-88, Sharp X1, FM-7, Windows, mobile phone, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Release	JP: July 1984; NA: February 1985;
Genre(s)	Scrolling shooter
Mode(s)	Single-player

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.

Gameplay[]

Arcade screenshot

Taking place in the year 2701, the player controls a robot which can transform into an aero fighter on a mission to stop an alien super weapon from reaching the Earth. The robot may move forwards, backwards and jump, and the aero fighter may travel anywhere on screen but has limited fuel in which to do so. A combination of the two must be used to avoid obstacles, as well as to destroy any on-screen enemies for extra points.

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[]

^ Japanese: フォーメーションZ, Hepburn: Fōmēshon Z

References[]

^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Akagi, Masumi (13 October 2006). ジャレコ（ジャパンレジャー） Jaleco; Williams Electronics; A. アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編 (1971-2005) (in Japanese) (1st ed.). Amusement News Agency. pp. 32, 140, 145. ISBN 978-4990251215.
^ 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.
^ "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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[2] Japanese: フォーメーションZ, Hepburn: Fōmēshon Z

[Akagi-1] Jump up to: ^a ^b Akagi, Masumi (13 October 2006). ジャレコ（ジャパンレジャー） Jaleco; Williams Electronics; A. アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編 (1971-2005) (in Japanese) (1st ed.). Amusement News Agency. pp. 32, 140, 145. ISBN 978-4990251215.

[3] 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.

[Aca-4] Lane, Gavin (2020-03-13). "Guide: Every Arcade Archives Game On Nintendo Switch, Plus Our Top Picks". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2020-03-28.

[hamster-5] "Arcade Archives | HAMSTER Corporation". www.hamster.co.jp. Retrieved 2020-03-28.

[6] "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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