View source for Xenophobe (video game)

{{Short description|1987 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Xenophobe
| image = Xenophobe Coverart.png
| caption = Arcade flyer
| developer = [[Midway Games|Bally Midway]]{{efn|NES version developed by [[Sunsoft]]; Atari 7800 version developed by [[Blue Sky Software]]; Commodore 64 version developed by [[MicroProse|Microplay]]; Lynx version developed by [[Epyx]].}}
| publisher = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|Bally Midway}}|'''NES'''<br>[[Sunsoft]]<br>'''7800, 2600'''<br>[[Atari Corporation]]<br>'''Home computers'''<br>[[MicroProse|MicroStyle]]}}
| designer = [[Brian Colin]]<br>Howard Shere
| composer = Michael Bartlow<br>'''NES'''<br>Naohisa Morota
| platforms = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Arcade video game|Arcade]]}}|[[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Atari 7800]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Amiga]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari Lynx|Lynx]], [[Atari 2600]]}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|September 1987}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|NA|September 1987<ref>{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971–2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |page=125 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n125/mode/2up}}</ref>}} '''NES'''{{vgrelease|NA|December 1988<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |title=NES Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611225644/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |archive-date=June 11, 2014 }}</ref>}} '''7800'''{{vgrelease||September 1989<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/6b755cf7-58b4-4bfe-bdde-7ba0eccc7ae9 |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=8 |issue=7 |date=October 1989 |page=14}}</ref>}} '''ZX Spectrum'''{{vgrelease|UK|October 1989<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=September 1989 |title=Future-Shocks: Xenophobe |url=https://archive.org/details/Your_Sinclair_045/page/n97/mode/1up?view=theater |magazine=[[Your Sinclair]] |publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] |issue=45 |page=98}}</ref>}} '''Amiga, Atari ST, C64, CPC'''{{vgrelease|UK|1989}} '''Lynx'''{{vgrelease|JP|November 30, 1990<ref name="fam" />|NA|1990}} '''2600'''{{vgrelease||1990}}
}}
| genre = [[Action game|Action]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}

'''''Xenophobe''''' is a 1987 [[action game|action video game]] developed and published by [[Midway Games|Bally Midway]] for [[Arcade video game|arcades]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10503 |title=Xenophobe |publisher=The International Arcade Museum |access-date=4 October 2013}}</ref> The game sees up to three players attempting to clear an area of as many [[Extraterrestrials in fiction|aliens]] as possible under a time limit.<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Great Forgotten Arcade Games We Want Revived|url=http://whatculture.com/gaming/10-great-forgotten-arcade-games-we-want-revived?page=8|website=WhatCulture|author=Lee|date=May 8, 2013}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[File:XenophobeScreenshot.jpg|left|thumb|240x240px|Up to three players can simultaneously play across three screens. Each player is recognized by their respective color (visible by the interface at the bottom of their respective screens).]]
''Xenophobe'' is an action game.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}} The goal of each level is to defeat all the aliens before a countdown timer runs out. Some rooms routinely display the percentage of alien infection and time remaining until self-destruct when the level ends (but a nearby button can temporarily deactivate the count-down). Levels may contain more than one floor, and players use elevators to move between floors. Players can also pick up more powerful weapons to help in their eradication of the aliens.{{sfn|Atari|1989|pp=4—6}}

The hostile Xenos are encounted in a range of forms, beginning with Pods. If Pods hatch, they create a Critter which can attach itself to the player and drain health. If a Critter is not killed, it eventually matures into a Rollerbaby, which roll around to attack the player character. These in turn can grow into the Snotterpillar form, which attacks by leaping or spitting.{{sfn|Atari|1989|pp=7-8}}

In the arcade and Lynx versions, an extra enemy called the Festor can appear in doorways, which can hypnotize and trap players, as well as throw eggs. If the egg lands on a screen with a player, it grows into another Pod.{{sfn|Atari|1990|pp=16—17}}

As players go through the various maps, they encounter various items to be picked up. Some only award bonus points at the end of the level, while others are immediately useful to the players, by restoring health. There are three ways a player can conclude a mission. If the player runs out of time, they are evacuated and the station is overrun. Alternatively, the player can kill a number of Xenos, then self-destruct the space station, gaining bonus points for each enemy defeated. Finally, the player can successfully defeat all the alien invaders, and recover the space station safely, to earn a larger point and health bonus.{{sfn|Atari|1989|pp=4}}

In some ports of the game, a player can play as a Snotterpillar and try to stop other players clearing the space station.{{sfn|Atari|1990|pp=12-13}}

==Characters==
There are nine characters to choose from in ''Xenophobe'', three for each joystick. The leftmost controller (red) features Mr. M.Brace, Dr. Kwack, and Col. Poupon. The middle controller (yellow) features Mr. Fogg, Col F. Truth, and Dr. Udderbay. The right controller (blue) features Mr. Eeez, Dr. Zordirz, and Col. Schickn. Humans and aliens alike make up the playable characters—for instance, Dr. Kwack has a duck's head. Players are also color-coded; for instance, the left player's choices wear red shirts, middle player's yellow, right player's blue.

==Ports==
[[Atari Corporation]] published ''Xenophobe'' for the [[Atari 2600]], [[Atari 7800]], [[Atari ST]], and the [[Atari Lynx|Lynx]]. The 7800 port was by [[BlueSky Software]], and the Lynx version by [[Epyx]]. A port to [[Atari 8-bit computers]] was worked on, but not published.<ref>{{cite web |last=Reichert |first=Matt |title=Xenophobe |website=AtariProtos.com |url=http://www.atariprotos.com/8bit/software/xenophobe/xenophobe.htm |access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref>

[[Sunsoft]] ported ''Xenophobe'' to the NES. The [[Commodore 64]] port was done by [[Microplay Software|Microplay]]. The game was also released for the [[Amiga]], [[Amstrad CPC]], and [[ZX Spectrum]].

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| title = Lynx Reception
| GamePro = 18/25<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/f/f5/GamePro_US_016.pdf |title=Lynx ProView: ''Xenophobe'' |last=Aslan |first=Charlie T. |magazine=[[GamePro]] |date=November 1990 |pages=124–126}}</ref>
| CVG = 79/100<ref name=cvg/>
| Fam = 6/10, 7/10, 8/10, 7/10<ref name="fam">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Famitsu|Famicom Tsūshin]]|title=新作ゲームクロスレビュー Part 1|trans-title=New Game Cross Review Part 1|date=December 21, 1990|publisher=ASCII|last1=Famibo|first1=Tofuya|last2=Mizuno|first2=Bucho|last3=Morishita|first3=Mariko|author4=Taco X|p=23}}</ref>
| Raze = 94%<ref name=raze/>
| IGN = 8/10<ref name=ign/>
}}

===Atari Lynx===
In a capsule review of the Lynx version for ''[[STart (magazine)|STart]]'', [[Clayton Walnum]] commented, "The graphics in some rooms are more detailed than in others, and in general, aren't as impressive as those in ''[[ElectroCop]]'', a similar game. Also, the complicated controls take some getting used to."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Clayton |last=Walnum |author-link=Clayton Walnum|title=The Lynx Collection|magazine=[[STart (magazine)|STart]]|issue=39 |publisher=Antic Publishing |date=December 1990|page=73 |url=https://archive.org/stream/STart-Magazine-Issue-39}}</ref> Julian Rignall reviewed the game in the January 1991 issue of CVG Magazine. He went on to say "the graphics and sound are both excellent" with "the gameplay is challenging and addictive". "A fun game which offers plenty of entertainment," giving a final rating of 79 out of 100.<ref name=cvg>{{cite magazine |title=Latest Lynx Lowndown |page=137 |issue=110 |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-110/CVG_110_Jan_1991#page/n0/mode/2up |date=January 1991 |access-date=24 March 2018 |magazine=CVG Magazine |author=Julian Rignall}}</ref>

Les Ellis of ''Raze'' magazine also reviewed the game for the Atari Lynx calling it an addictive game with excellent graphics, giving a score of 94%.<ref name=raze>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/raze-magazine-04/Raze_04_Feb_1991#page/n27 |via=archive.org |publisher=Raze Magazine |author=Les Ellis|title=Xenophobe |page=28 |issue=4 |date=February 1991 |access-date=16 August 2018 }}</ref> Robert A. Jung review was published to ''IGN'', in it he wrote that ''Xenophobe'' was "arguably more fun than its arcade inspiration." Giving a final score of 8 out of 10.<ref name=ign>{{cite web |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/1999/07/07/xenophobe |title=Lynx Xenophobe is arguably more fun than its arcade inspiration.|publisher=IGN Entertainment |author=Robert A. Jung |date=6 July 1999 |access-date=16 August 2018 }}</ref>

==Legacy==
In 2004, ''Xenophobe'' was included in ''[[Midway Arcade Treasures 2]]'' for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], and [[GameCube]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Midway Arcade Treasures 2 lineup shuffled|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=3 Aug 2004 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/midwayarcadetreasuresii/news.html?sid=6104042|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121103010625/http://www.gamespot.com/news/midway-arcade-treasures-2-lineup-shuffled-6104042| archive-date= 3 Nov 2012|url-status= dead|accessdate=25 June 2023}}</ref> In 2005, it was included in ''[[Midway Arcade Treasures: Extended Play]]'' for the [[PlayStation Portable]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Dec 2005 |title=Midway Press Release: PR 2005-12-12 B |url=http://www.midway.com/rxpage/mpr_3786.html |access-date=25 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111053634/http://www.midway.com/rxpage/mpr_3786.html |archive-date=11 Nov 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2012, it was included in ''[[Midway Arcade Origins]]'' for the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/14/midway-arcade-origins-review |title=Midway Arcade Origins Review |publisher=IGN Entertainment |author=Samuel Claiborn |date=13 November 2012 |access-date=26 March 2018 }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/Xenophobe_1989_U_color/mode/2up |title=Xenophobe (1989) Atari 7800 Video Game Manual |publisher=[[Atari Corporation]] |year=1989 |ref={{SfnRef|Atari|1989}}}}
* {{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/Xenophobe_1990/page/n1/mode/2up |title=Xenophobe (1990) Atari Lynx Video Game Manual |publisher=[[Atari Corporation]] |year=1990 |ref={{SfnRef|Atari|1990}}}}

==External links==
*{{KLOV game|10503|name=Xenophobe}}
*{{WoS game|id=0005793|name=Xenophobe}}
*{{mobygames|/8255}}

[[Category:1987 video games]]
[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Amstrad CPC games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Atari 2600 games]]
[[Category:Atari 7800 games]]
[[Category:Atari Lynx games]]
[[Category:Atari ST games]]
[[Category:BlueSky Software games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Atari 8-bit computer games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:Epyx games]]
[[Category:MicroProse games]]
[[Category:Midway video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Run and gun games]]
[[Category:Science fiction video games]]
[[Category:Split-screen multiplayer games]]
[[Category:Sunsoft games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Barry Leitch]]
[[Category:ZX Spectrum games]]