Power Rangers Zeo: Battle Racers (1996)

Power Rangers Zeo: Battle Racers is a racing game based on the second season of the popular television series, Power Rangers Zeo. The game was developed by Natsume and published by Bandai for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1996.

Players can choose to race as one of the six Zeo Rangers (Jason, Trini, Zack, Kimberly, Billy, and Tommy) or one of their enemies (King Mondo, Prince Sprocket, or Cog Soldier). Each character has their own unique attributes, such as speed, acceleration, and handling.

The game features 16 different race tracks, each with its own unique obstacles and challenges. Players must race against the clock or against opponents to complete each track. The game also features a variety of power-ups that can help players improve their performance, such as speed boosts, invincibility, and weapons.

In addition to the standard racing mode, the game also features a number of other game modes, such as Time Trial, VS CPU, and Battle Race. In Time Trial mode, players race against the clock to try to set the best possible time. In VS CPU mode, players race against a computer-controlled opponent. In Battle Race mode, players race against each other and use weapons to try to sabotage each other’s progress.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Power Rangers Zeo: Battle Racers is simple and straightforward. Players control their chosen character from a behind-the-back perspective and race around the track, trying to avoid obstacles and collect power-ups. Players can use their weapons to attack their opponents and slow them down. The first player to cross the finish line wins the race.

The game features a variety of different tracks, each with its own unique obstacles and challenges. Some tracks are wide and open, while others are narrow and winding. Some tracks are set in familiar locations from the Power Rangers TV show, such as the Command Center and the Moon Palace.

Players can choose to race as one of the six Zeo Rangers or one of their enemies. Each character has their own unique attributes, such as speed, acceleration, and handling. Some characters are better suited for certain tracks than others. For example, Jason is a good all-around character, while Tommy is faster but has less handling.

The game also features a variety of different power-ups that can help players improve their performance. These power-ups include speed boosts, invincibility, and weapons. Players can collect power-ups by driving over them on the track.

Overall

Power Rangers Zeo: Battle Racers is a fun and challenging racing game that is sure to please fans of the Power Rangers franchise. The game features a variety of tracks, characters, and game modes, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. The graphics and sound are also top-notch, making this one of the best-looking and sounding games on the SNES.

Summary

Release Year: 1982
Genres: Arcade, Shooter
Platforms: Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Arcade, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 7800, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, Family Computer, FM-7, Nintendo Entertainment System, PC-8800 Series, PC-9800 Series, Sharp X1, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, ZX Spectrum
Developers: Namco
Publishers: Atari, Atari Corporation, Bandai America, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Bandai Namco Games, Dempa Shimbunsha, Enix Corporation, Mindscape, Namco, Namco Bandai Games, U.S. Gold

Xevious (1982): The Space Shooter That Defined a Genre

Xevious is a classic arcade shoot ’em up game released by Namco in 1982. It was one of the first games to feature smooth scrolling graphics and multiple enemy types, and its distinctive gameplay and visuals have made it a beloved favorite among gamers for decades.

Gameplay

Xevious is a vertically scrolling shooter in which the player controls a Solvalou Fighter Plane. The objective of the game is to destroy the Xevious Mother Ship, which is located at the end of each stage. To do this, the player must navigate through waves of enemy ships, tanks, and other obstacles while avoiding their fire.

The player’s ship is equipped with a variety of weapons, including a forward-firing laser, bombs, and missiles. The player can also collect power-ups to increase their firepower and speed.

Enemies

Xevious features a wide variety of enemy types, each with its own unique attack patterns. Some of the most common enemies include:

Domogram Rovers: These are small, ground-based tanks that fire bullets at the player.
Toroid Patrol Fleets: These are flying saucers that fire lasers and bombs.
Zoshi Death Squads: These are fast-moving, kamikaze planes that explode on contact with the player’s ship.
Andor Genesis: These are large, powerful battleships that fire a variety of weapons.
Xevious Mother Ship: This is the final boss of the game. It is a massive, heavily armed spaceship that fires a variety of deadly weapons.

Graphics and Sound

Xevious was one of the first arcade games to feature smooth scrolling graphics. This gave the game a sense of speed and excitement that was unmatched by other games at the time. The game’s visuals are also notable for their vibrant colors and detailed sprites.

The sound in Xevious is equally impressive. The game’s soundtrack is composed of catchy, upbeat tunes that perfectly capture the game’s frantic pace. The sound effects are also excellent, with each weapon and enemy type having its own unique sound.

Legacy

Xevious was a huge success in arcades, and it has remained popular with gamers ever since. The game has been ported to numerous home consoles and computers, and it is still available to play on modern platforms.

Xevious has also been influential in the development of other shoot ’em up games. Its smooth scrolling graphics, multiple enemy types, and challenging gameplay have become staples of the genre.

Conclusion

Xevious is a classic arcade shoot ’em up game that defined a genre. Its smooth scrolling graphics, multiple enemy types, and challenging gameplay make it a must-play for fans of the genre. If you’ve never played Xevious before, I highly recommend checking it out. You won’t be disappointed.

Additional Information

Xevious was developed by Namco, which is now known as Bandai Namco Entertainment.
The game was designed by Masanobu Endoh, who also designed Galaga and Pac-Man.
Xevious was one of the first arcade games to use a microprocessor.
The game was ported to the Atari 2600 in 1983.
Xevious has been re-released on numerous platforms over the years, including the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Review Score

8.5/10

Publisher: Bandai America

Power Rangers Zeo: Battle Racers (1996)

Summary

Power Rangers Zeo: Battle Racers (1996)

Gameplay

Graphics and Sound

Overall

Review Score

Review Score

Xevious (1982)

Summary

Xevious (1982): The Space Shooter That Defined a Genre

Gameplay

Enemies

Graphics and Sound

Legacy

Conclusion

Additional Information

Review Score

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots