Xexex

Last updated
Xexex
Xexex arcade flyer.jpg
Developer(s) Konami
Publisher(s) Konami
Director(s) Toshiaki Takatori
Programmer(s) Tatsuo Fujii
Tetsuya Wada
Artist(s) Chiyoko Hanano
Kuniaki Kakuwa
M. Machiguchi
Composer(s) Hidenori Maezawa
Motoaki Furukawa
Satoko Miyawaki
Ayako Nishigaki
Platform(s) Arcade
Release
Genre(s) Horizontally scrolling shooter
Mode(s) Single-player, co-op

Xexex, [lower-alpha 1] released as Orius in North America, is a 1991 side-scrolling shoot 'em up arcade game by Konami. It draws on Irem's R-Type and Konami's other shoot 'em up Gradius , while adding the tentacle mechanics of Irem's other shoot 'em up XMultiply . In the game, players take control of the Flintlock space fighter (which is armed with the mysterious alien life form "Flint") in a mission to rescue Princess Irene La Tias of Planet E-Square, who has been captured by the evil galactic warlord Klaus Pachelbel.

Contents

It did not see a home port until 2007, when it was included in the compilation Salamander Portable, released only in Japan for the PlayStation Portable. In 2021, the game was released for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in all regions as part of the Arcade Archives series, and includes all three regional variants of the game.

Gameplay

Arcade version screenshot ARC Xexex (Orius).png
Arcade version screenshot

The gameplay is similar to R-Type and X-Multiply. [3] [4] [5] The player's ship, the Flintlock, has a detachable orb attachment called the Flint, which behaves similar to R-Type's Force Device. Power-ups can be obtained to increase the Flint's tentacles, movement speed, change the main weapon, or even give the player an extra life or energy.

There are different gameplay mechanics between the original Japanese release and the overseas releases. The overseas versions introduce a variety of changes, with the most notable being the removal of all but one upgradable weapon, as well as the removal of a lives system, which is replaced with an energy bar. The enemy patterns are also changed slightly and the bosses have more health.

Plot

The game takes place in the far future, where mankind has recently developed technology allowing them to quickly travel to other planets. One day, Earth receives a telepathic distress call from Princess Irene La Tias (known as Elaine La Tias in international versions), whose home planet E-Square has been taken over by Lord Klaus Pachelbel and his bio-mechanical army. Humans soon also discover the mysterious alien life form "Flint", and quickly assemble a new space fighter, the Flintlock TMF01, that is capable of carrying the Flint with it. The Flintlock and Flint are then sent out to save Irene and her planet.

After each stage, the player is treated to a short cutscene, usually involving either Irene crying for help, or Klaus taunting the player.

Development and release

Xexex was developed by Konami. [6] [7]

Xexex was re-released for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch as part of their Arcade Archives series in 2021. [8]

Reception and legacy

In Japan, Game Machine listed Xexex on their November 15, 1991 issue as being the fifth most-popular arcade game at the time. [14] In the January 1992 issue of Japanese publication Micom BASIC Magazine, the game was ranked on the number ten spot in popularity. [15] At the 1992 Gamest Awards , Xexex was awarded Best Graphics (beating Virtua Racing ) and Best VGM (beating Metal Black ). Xexex was also nominated for Game of the Year (ranked 4th), Best Shooter (ranked 2nd), and Best Direction (ranked 6th), but lost to Street Fighter II: Champion Edition , Sonic Wings , and Art of Fighting , respectively. [13]

Xexex has been met with positive reception from critics since its initial launch. [5]

Konami released four Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game cards as a reference to Xexex: Flint, Flint Lock, Flint Attack (Flint Missile) and King of Destruction Xexex.

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: ゼクセクス, Hepburn: Zekusekusu, also known as Orius in North America [3]

Related Research Articles

<i>R-Type</i> 1987 video game

R-Type is a horizontally scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and released by Irem in 1987 and the first game in the R-Type series. The player controls a star ship, the R-9 "Arrowhead", in its efforts to destroy the Bydo, a powerful alien race bent on wiping out all of mankind. The R-9 can acquire a glowing orbicular device called a "Force", protecting it from enemy fire and providing additional firepower. The arcade version was distributed by Nintendo in North America; it is the last arcade title Nintendo distributed.

<i>Batsugun</i> 1993 video game

Batsugun is a 1993 vertically scrolling bullet hell arcade video game originally developed and published by Toaplan in Japan and Europe by Taito, as well as Korea by Unite Trading. The last shoot 'em up created by Toaplan, the title takes place on a distant Earth-like planet where a global takeover operative led by king Renoselva A. Gladebaran VII is set into motion, as players assume the role from one of the six fighter pilots conforming the Skull Hornets squadron taking control of submersible jets in a last-ditch effort to overthrow the invading military force from the planet. Its gameplay mainly consists of shooting mixed with role-playing game-esque elements using a main two-button configuration.

<i>Haunted Castle</i> (video game) 1987 video game

Haunted Castle is a 1987 action-platform game developed and released by Konami for arcades. It is the second arcade game in the Castlevania franchise, following Vs. Castlevania, an arcade port of the original 1986 NES video game released in North America. Unlike the previous arcade title in the franchise, Haunted Castle is not a direct port of an existing console game, but a newly-developed arcade game running on custom JAMMA-based board. The game has the player controlling Simon Belmont, who embarks on a journey to save his wife Selena from the clutches of Dracula.

<i>R-Type Leo</i> 1992 video game

R-Type Leo is a 1992 horizontal-scrolling shooter arcade game developed by Nanao and published by Irem. It is a spin-off of the R-Type series and the last R-Type entry to be released in arcades. In Leo, players take control of the titular space fighter to travel the man-made mechanical planet Eden and destroy its supercomputer core Major. The game was initially conceived as an original shoot 'em up by Nanao before being retooled into an R-Type project by Irem. The title was met with positive reception from reviewers. It has since been re-released as part of Dotemu's 2010 Irem Arcade Hits compilation.

<i>Gradius II</i> 1988 Video game

Gradius II is a side-scrolling shooter game developed and published by Konami. Originally released for the arcades in Japan in 1988, it is the sequel to original Gradius and was succeeded by Gradius III. Ports of Gradius II were released for the Family Computer, PC-Engine Super CD-ROM², and the X68000 in Japan. The original arcade version is also included in the Gradius Deluxe Pack compilation for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn and in Gradius Collection for the PlayStation Portable.

<i>Parodius</i> (1990 video game) 1990 video game

Parodius! From Myth to Laughter, released in Japan as Parodius Da! Shinwa kara Owarai e and outside Japan as Parodius, is a shoot 'em up arcade video game and the second title in the Parodius series produced by Konami. The European SNES, Sega Saturn and PlayStation versions are also known as Parodius: Non-Sense Fantasy. The gameplay is stylistically very similar to the Gradius series, but the graphics and music are intentionally absurd.

<i>Solvalou</i> 1991 video game

Solvalou is a 1991 first-person rail shooter arcade game developed and published in Japan by Namco. The sixth entry in the Xevious series, the player takes control of the Solvalou starship from a first-person perspective as it must destroy the Xevious forces before they take control of Earth. The Solvalou has two weapon types: an air zapper to destroy air-based enemies, and a blaster bomb to destroy ground-stationed enemies. It runs on the Namco System 21 arcade board.

<i>Puzzle Uo Poko</i> 1998 video game

Puzzle Uo Poko is an arcade puzzle game developed by Cave and distributed by Jaleco.

<i>Detana!! TwinBee</i> 1991 video game

Detana!! TwinBee, released in Europe and North America as Bells & Whistles, is a 1991 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and released by Konami. It is the fifth entry in the TwinBee series and the second to be released for arcades following the original TwinBee. Set several years after the events of TwinBee, players assume the role of Light and Pastel taking control of TwinBee and WinBee to defeat invading forces of the evil alien Iva and save planet Meru after receiving an SOS message sent by Princess Melora.

<i>Metal Black</i> (video game) 1991 video game

Metal Black is a 1991 scrolling shooter arcade video game originally developed and published by Taito. Set in the dystopian future of 2052, players assume the role of rogue pilot John Ford taking command of the CF-345 Black Fly space fighter craft to defeat the Nemesis alien race and save humanity.

<i>Gun Frontier</i> (video game) 1990 video game

Gun Frontier is a 1990 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and originally published by Taito in Japan. Set on the fictional planet of Gloria in the 22nd century, where an alien race of space pirates known as the Wild Lizards have invaded the location and enslaved its inhabitants for gold extraction, players assume the role of settlers who were part of the planet's colonization team taking control of revolver-shaped fighter aircraft in an attempt to overthrow the invaders and free their surviving civilization from slavery.

<i>Thrash Rally</i> 1991 video game

Thrash Rally is a top-down perspective rally racing video game developed by ADK and released by SNK Corporation for the Neo Geo system. It was released by SNK on December 20, 1991 and would be followed by an spiritual successor in 1996, Over Top.

<i>Gaiapolis</i> 1993 video game

Gaiapolis is a 1993 action role-playing beat 'em up arcade game developed and published by Konami. Taking place in a fantasy world, the game follows prince Gerard Himerce, joined by the half-human fairy Elaine Shee and the exiled dragon duke Galahad, seeking vengeance for destruction of his homeland against the Zar Harc empire led by the King of Darkness and prevent him from resurrecting an ancient demon. Through the journey, players explore and search for items to progress and power-ups, fighting enemies and bosses, and gaining experience points to increase their character's maximum health and level.

<i>Dogyuun</i> 1992 video game

Dogyuun is a 1992 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and published by Toaplan. Set on the colonized fictional planet of Dino in the future, where an alien race of metallic robots have invaded a police communication center and held its inhabitants as hostages, players assume the role of two fighter pilots taking control of the Sylfers bomber space fighter crafts in a revenge attempt to overthrow the invaders and free the surviving colonists after their comrade is killed by one of them during a reconnaissance assignment.

<i>Ghox</i> 1991 video game

Ghox is an action arcade video game developed by Toaplan and published by Taito in Japan and Europe in November 1991. It is notable for being one of the few titles by Toaplan that has not received any official port to home consoles as of date. Taking place in a fantasy world where the evil magician known as Jagula sealed the goddess Lucia in the netherworld, players assume the role of Axis and Bilious in an effort to defeat both Jagula and the unleashed evil spirits from the netherworld. As of 2019, the rights to the game are owned by Tatsujin, a company founded in 2017 by former Toaplan member Masahiro Yuge and now-affiliate of Japanese arcade manufacturer exA-Arcadia alongside many other IPs from the defunct studio.

<i>Pipi & Bibis</i> 1991 eroge arcade game by Toaplan

Pipi & Bibi's is a 1991 eroge action-platform arcade video game developed and published by Toaplan in Japan and in Europe by Nova Apparate GMBH & Co. It is notable for being one of the few titles by Toaplan that has not received any official port to home consoles as of date. In the game, players assume the role of Pipi and Bibi attempting to place time bombs in buildings filled with enemies who appear from behind closed doors and escape before the location collapses.

<i>FixEight</i> 1992 arcade video game

FixEight is a run and gun arcade video game developed and published by Toaplan in July 1992. The spiritual successor to 1990's Out Zone, it is notable for being one of the few titles by Toaplan that has not received any official port to home consoles as of date. Set in a future where an alien race known as the Gozzu from the fictional planet Fortuna invaded the universe, players are tasked by the Galactic Federation government with an extermination mission against the invaders by assuming the role of one of the eight mercenaries.

<i>Snow Bros. 2: With New Elves</i> 1994 video game

Snow Bros. 2: With New Elves is a 1994 platform arcade video game developed and published by Toaplan under their Hanafram label. One of the last games to be created by Toaplan, it is the sequel to Snow Bros., which was released earlier in 1990 on multiple platforms. In the game, players assume the role of one of the playable characters to rescue a kidnapped princess from captivity.

<i>Tobe! Polystars</i> 1997 video game

Tobe! Polystars is a scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and originally published by Konami in March 1997. It has not received any official port to home consoles after its arcade release. It is the first game that ran on the Konami M2 hardware, which was Konami's version of the Panasonic M2. Taking place on the fictional planet Polygon, where the secret Perfect Primitive Polygon association led by Material the Third have invaded its inhabitants, players assume the role of police officers Poly and Stan from the titular squad in order to restore peace on their home.

<i>Super Spacefortress Macross</i> (video game) 1992 video game

Super Spacefortress Macross is a 1992 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed NMK and published by Banpresto. Based upon the 1984 anime film Macross: Do You Remember Love?, it is the first arcade entry in the Macross franchise. In the game, the players control the VF-1 Valkyrie variable mecha fighters, piloted by Hikaru Ichijyo and Max Jenius, in a battle against the Zentradi alien race.

References

  1. ↑ "Super Soft Hot Information - Video Game (ビデオゲーム): ゼクセクス". Micom BASIC Magazine (in Japanese). No. 113. The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation. November 1991. p. 258.
  2. ↑ Akagi, Masumi (13 October 2006). コナミ（コナミ工業）Konami (in Japanese) (1st ed.). Amusement News Agency. p. 28. ISBN   978-4990251215.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  3. 1 2 Kalata, Kurt (11 September 2017). "Xexex". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on 2020-07-06. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  4. ↑ Xexex operator's manual (Arcade, EU)
  5. 1 2 C. Mylonas, Eric (April 2000). "The Graveyard - Xexex". GameFan . Vol. 8, no. 4. Shinno Media. pp. 94–95.
  6. ↑ Ishii, Zenji; KAL; Koken, Sato; Sakai, Hajime (28 February 1993). "コーナー: 開発者インタビュー - イレーネ (ゼクセクス)". Gamest (in Japanese). No. 87. Shinseisha. p. 83. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2018-01-17 at the Wayback Machine ).
  7. ↑ Gradius II Interview. Konami Official Books (in Japanese). Konami. 28 March 2006. pp. 58–63. ISBN   4-86155-111-0.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help) (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine ).
  8. ↑ McFerran, Damien (October 4, 2021). "Four More Classic Shmups Confirmed For Switch, Including Konami's Cult Hit, Xexex". Nintendo Life . Nlife Media. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  9. ↑ "Arcade Action - Xexex". Computer and Video Games . No. 123. EMAP. February 1992. p. 89.
  10. ↑ Ishii, Kenji; Y, Mēryoku; Ishii, Zenji; Yamakawa, Yuri; Umemura, Zuru (December 1991). "グッドなゲームはかく語れ!!AMショー持選版クロスレビユー!!: ゼクセクス". Gamest (in Japanese). No. 66. Shinseisha. p. 113.
  11. ↑ Wilson, David (February 1992). "Kill Zone - Xerex". Game Zone. Vol. 1, no. 4. Dennis Publishing. p. 74.
  12. ↑ Stokes, Doris (March 1992). "Dosh Eaters: Xexex (Konami)". Zero . No. 29. Dennis Publishing. p. 59.
  13. 1 2 ザ・ベストゲーム2 - アーケードビデオゲーム26年の歴史: ゲーメスト大賞11年史 (in Japanese). Vol. 5 (4th ed.). Shinseisha. 17 January 1998. pp. 14–15. ISBN   9784881994290.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  14. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 415. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 November 1991. p. 25.
  15. ↑ Yanma (January 1992). "Super Soft Hot Information - Video Game (ビデオゲーム) - Hot 20". Micom BASIC Magazine (in Japanese). No. 115. The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation. p. 241.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.