View source for Zaxxon

{{Short description|1981 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Zaxxon
| image = Zaxxon flyer.jpg
| caption = North American arcade flyer
| developer = [[Sega]]<br />[[Ikegami Tsushinki]]<ref name="Akagi" />
| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP/EU|Sega|NA|[[Gremlin Industries|Sega/Gremlin]]}}
| series = ''Zaxxon''
| platforms = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Arcade video game|Arcade]]}}|[[ColecoVision]], [[Atari 2600]], [[Intellivision]], [[Apple II]], [[Atari 8-bit]], [[IBM PC]], [[TRS-80]], [[TRS-80 Color Computer]], [[Coleco Adam]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari 5200]], [[SG-1000]], [[MSX]], [[ZX Spectrum]]}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|December 26, 1981}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 26, 1981{{efn|Limited release on December 26, 1981.<ref name="US">{{cite web |title=Zaxxon (Registration Number PA0000135301) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |publisher=United States Copyright Office |access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref><ref name="GM182"/> Wide release in January 1982.<ref name=":0"/><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=13 October 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |page=77 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n77}}</ref>}}|NA|April 1982<ref name="Akagi">{{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=13 October 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |page=131 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n132}}</ref>|EU|July 1982<ref name="CVG10" />}} '''ColecoVision'''{{vgrelease|NA|September 1982<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/f6490686-9efa-4c88-b01e-ebe2b7078839 |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=1 |issue=6 |date=September 1982 |page=2}}</ref>|EU|1983}} '''2600'''{{vgrelease||April 1983<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/b5a61fa1-e7a2-4852-8fce-54657f9711bf |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=2 |issue=2 |date=May 1983 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''Intellivision'''{{vgrelease||August 1983<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/d106b023-bc44-4b0f-bd50-24264c8b010a |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=2 |issue=6 |date=September 1983 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''Apple II, IBM PC, TRS-80'''{{vgrelease||1983}} '''Atari 8-bit'''{{vgrelease|NA|1983|UK|1984}} '''Adam, C64'''{{vgrelease||February 1984<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/37fe5432-d267-4327-ac84-98af0982eaf0 |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=2 |issue=12 |date=March 1984 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''5200'''{{vgrelease||August 1984<ref>{{cite web |title=Atari 5200 game release dates |url=https://www.atariarchive.org/atari-5200-game-release-dates/ |website=Atari Archive}}</ref>}} '''SG-1000'''{{vgrelease|JP|February 1985<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Home Video Games - 専用ゲームカートリッジ|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=239|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=15 July 1985|pages=15–16|lang=ja|url=https://archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19850715p/page/n7/mode/2up}}</ref>}} '''MSX'''{{vgrelease|JP/EU|1985}} '''ZX Spectrum'''{{vgrelease|UK|1985}}
}}
| genre = [[Scrolling shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| arcade system = [[List of Sega arcade system boards|Sega Zaxxon]]
}}

{{Nihongo foot|'''''Zaxxon'''''|ザクソン|Zakuson|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1981 [[scrolling shooter]] [[video game]] developed by [[Sega]] with assistance from [[Ikegami Tsushinki]]<ref name=":0">{{Nihongo|It started from Pong|それは『ポン』から始まった : アーケードTVゲームの成り立ち|sore wa pon kara hajimatta: ākēdo terebi gēmu no naritachi}}, {{Nihongo|Masumi Akagi|赤木真澄|Akagi Masumi}}, {{Nihongo|Amusement Tsūshinsha|アミューズメント通信社|Amyūzumento Tsūshinsha}}, 2005, {{ISBN|4-9902512-0-2}}.</ref><ref name="Akagi" /> and published by Sega for Japanese and European [[arcade video game|arcades]];<ref name=":0" /> it was distributed by [[Gremlin Industries|Sega/Gremlin]] in North America. The player pilots a ship through two heavily defended space fortresses, and the outer space areas between them, to confront the Zaxxon robot at the end of the second fortress.

''Zaxxon'' was one of the first [[Isometric graphics in video games|games to employ axonometric projection]], which lent its name to the game. The type of [[axonometric projection]] is [[isometric projection]]: this effect simulates [[Dimensional analysis|three dimensions]] from a third-person viewpoint. It was also the first arcade game to be advertised on television,<ref>Mark J. P. Wolf (2008), [https://books.google.com/books?id=XiM0ntMybNwC ''The video game explosion: a history from PONG to Playstation and beyond''] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414172206/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=XiM0ntMybNwC |date=2018-04-14 }}), p. xviii, [[ABC-CLIO]], {{ISBN|0-313-33868-X}}.</ref> with a commercial produced by [[Paramount Pictures]] for $150,000.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harmetz|first=Aljean|title=Movie Themes Come To Video Games|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OwEzAAAAIBAJ&pg=5470,748067|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=[[Star-News]]|date=July 3, 1982}}</ref> The game was a critical and commercial success upon release, becoming one of the top five highest-grossing arcade games of 1982 in the United States.

Sega released a modified version as ''Super Zaxxon'' the same year and the ''Zaxxon''-like shooter ''Future Spy'' in 1984.

== Gameplay ==
[[File:ARC Zaxxon.png|thumb|left|220px|The Zaxxon robot at the end of the second fortress]]

The objective of the game is to hit as many targets as possible without being shot down or running out of fuel, which can be replenished by blowing up fuel tanks (300 points).<ref>[http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=12757 ''Zaxxon''] from the [[Killer List of Videogames]] (KLOV)</ref> There are two fortresses to fly through, with an outer space segment between them. At the end of the second fortress is a [[boss (video games)|boss]] in the form of the Zaxxon robot.

The player's ship casts a shadow to indicate its height.<ref name=Perron>Bernard Perron & Mark J. P. Wolf (2008), ''Video game theory reader two'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=oe0zNalKkTgC&pg=PA158 p. 158] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225100100/http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=oe0zNalKkTgC&pg=PA158 |date=2015-02-25 }}, [[Taylor & Francis]], {{ISBN|0-415-96282-X}}</ref> An [[altimeter]] is also displayed. In space, there is nothing for the ship to cast a shadow on.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Art of Video Games: From Pac-Man to Mass Effect|year=2012|publisher=Welcome Books|isbn=978-1-59962-110-4|pages=28–9|url=http://boingboing.net/2012/03/16/the-art-of-video-games-from-p.html/aovg_28_lr|author=Chris Melissinos|author2=Elizabeth Broun|access-date=17 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712151730/http://boingboing.net/2012/03/16/the-art-of-video-games-from-p.html/aovg_28_lr|archive-date=2012-07-12|url-status=live}}</ref> The walls at the entrance and exit of each fortress have openings, and the ship must be at the right altitude to pass through. Within each fortress are additional walls that the ship's shadow and altimeter aid in flying over successfully.

The game is controlled by a four-directional joystick. On arcade cabinets, this is an aircraft-type stick with a molded hand grip. Pushing forward makes the aircraft lower in altitude and pulling back makes it rise. The aircraft cannot move forward or backward; it flies at constant speed. As this sort of control and movement was not common in video games, the arcade cabinets have illustrations around the joystick to indicate the effect of each position on the aircraft.

== Ports ==
Between 1982 and 1985, ''Zaxxon'' was ported to the [[Apple II]], [[Atari 8-bit computers]], [[Atari 2600]], [[Atari 5200]], [[MSX]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Dragon 32]], [[ColecoVision]], [[Intellivision]], [[IBM PC compatible]]s, [[SG-1000]], [[TRS-80 Color Computer]], and [[TRS-80]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ATAEAAAAMBAJ&q=zaxxon&pg=PA37 |title=InfoWorld Jan. 1983 |access-date=2017-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014083456/https://books.google.de/books?id=ATAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA37&dq=zaxxon |archive-date=2017-10-14 |url-status=live |date=1983-01-31 }}</ref> The Atari 2600 and Intellivision ports use a third-person, behind-the-ship perspective instead of the isometric graphics of the other versions.

In 1984, a clone was released for the Acorn [[BBC Micro]] series under the title ''[[Fortress (1984 video game)|Fortress]]''.

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
|A2600 = true
|CV = true
|PC = true
|ZX = true
|CVG_A2600 = 35%<ref name="CVG">{{cite magazine |title=Complete Games Guide |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}</ref>
|CVG_CV = 55%<ref name="CVG" />
|CVG_PC = 39/40 ([[MSX]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-044/CVG_044_Jun_1985#page/n20/mode/1up |title=CVG Magazine Issue 044 |website=Archive.org |date=June 1985 |access-date=2016-03-11}}</ref>
|rev1 = ''Arcade Express''
|rev1_CV = 9/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitpress.com/library/newsletters/arcadeexpress/arcade_express_v1n8.pdf#page=6 |format=PDF |title=The HotSeat : Review of New Products |website=Digitpress.com |date=1982-11-21 |access-date=2016-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113800/http://www.digitpress.com/library/newsletters/arcadeexpress/arcade_express_v1n8.pdf#page=6#page=6 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|rev2 = ''Computer Games''
|rev3 = ''[[Electronic Fun with Computers & Games]]''
|rev3_CV = A<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Video Game Explosion! We rate every game in the world |magazine=[[Electronic Fun with Computers & Games]] |date=December 1982 |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=12–7 |url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Fun_with_Computer_Games_Vol_01_No_02_1982-12_Fun_Games_Publishing_US/page/n11/mode/2up}}</ref>
|rev4 = ''Home Computing Weekly''
|rev4_ZX = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Spectrum Software Reviews|magazine=Home Computing Weekly|date=6 March 1984|issue=52|url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=http://wos.meulie.net/pub/sinclair/magazines/HomeComputingWeekly/Issue052/Pages/HomeComputingWeekly05200008.jpg|access-date=11 February 2012|page=8}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''K-Power''
|rev5_PC = 8/10 ([[TRS-80]])<ref name="lentvorski198402" />
|rev6 = ''Video Games Player''
|rev6_CV = A<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Software Report Card |magazine=Video Games Player |date=September 1982 |volume=1 |issue=1 |publisher=Carnegie Publications |location=United States |pages=62–3 |url=https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_Player_Vol_1_No_1_1982-09_Carnegie_Publications_US/page/n61/mode/2up}}</ref>
|rev6_PC = Positive ({{nowrap|[[Atari 8-bit]]}})<ref name="VGP">{{cite magazine |last=Dimetrosky |first=Raymond |title=Video Game Buyer's Guide: One on One (Zaxxon vs. Zaxxon) |magazine=Video Games Player |date=November 1983 |volume=2 |issue=2 |page=55 |publisher=Carnegie Publications |location=United States |url=https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_Player_Vol_2_No_2_1983-11_Carnegie_Publications_US/page/n56}}</ref>
}}

=== Commercial ===
The arcade game was a major commercial success worldwide. In Japan, ''{{ill|Game Machine|ja|ゲームマシン|vertical-align=sup}}'' magazine listed it as the 18th [[1981 in video games|highest-grossing arcade game of 1981]],<ref name="GM182">{{cite magazine|title="Donkey Kong" No.1 Of '81 — ''Game Machine's Survey Of "The Year's Best Three AM Machines"'' —|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=182|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=15 February 1982|pages=4 & 30|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19820215p.pdf}}</ref> despite having only a limited release towards the end of the year;<ref name="US"/> it did not appear on the magazine's top 20 annual list for 1982.<ref>{{cite magazine|title="Pole Position" No. 1 Video Game: ''Game Machine''{{'}}s "The Year's Best Three AM Machines" Survey Results|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=207|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 March 1983|page=30|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19830301p.pdf#page=16}}</ref> The magazine later listed the game as the eighth top-grossing [[table arcade cabinet]] of May 1983.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 – テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=213|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 June 1983|page=29|lang=ja}}</ref>

The arcade game was a bigger commercial hit in North America, where it reached the top of the monthly US ''RePlay'' arcade charts in June 1982.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=RePlay: The Players' Choice |magazine=RePlay |date=June 1982}}</ref> The Amusement & Music Operators Association (AMOA) later listed it among the top six [[1982 in video games|highest-grossing arcade games of 1982]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=AMOA Announces Jukebox and Games Awards Winners |magazine=[[Cash Box]] |date=30 October 1982 |page=37 |url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox44unse_20/page/37 }}</ref>

The ColecoVision version was also commercially successful, being Coleco's best-selling non-bundled cartridge for the console up until 1983.<ref name="VGP" /> The home computer ports were commercially successful in North America and Europe. ''II Computing'' listed ''Zaxxon'' fourth on its list of top Apple II games as of late 1985, based on sales and market-share data.<ref name="ciraolo198510_11">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/II_Computing_Vol_1_No_1_Oct_Nov_85_Premiere#page/n51/mode/2up | title=Top Software / A List of Favorites | work=II Computing | date=Oct–Nov 1985 | access-date=28 January 2015 | author=Ciraolo, Michael | page=51}}</ref> On home computers in the United States, ''Zaxxon'' received a "Gold Award" from the [[Software Publishers Association]] (SPA) in December 1987 for software sales above 100,000 units.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Petska-Juliussen |first1=Karen |last2=Juliussen |first2=Egil |title=The Computer Industry Almanac 1990 |date=1990 |publisher=Brady |isbn=978-0-13-154122-1 |location=New York |page=3.13 |url=https://archive.org/details/computerindustry00kare/page/n267/mode/2up}}</ref> [[U.S. Gold]]'s home computer version of ''Zaxxon'' was ranked number two on the UK software sales chart in early 1985.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Gallup Chart |magazine=[[Computer Gamer]] |date=April 1985 |issue=1 |page=14 |publisher=[[Argus Press]] |location=United Kingdom |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gamer_Issue_01_1985-04_Argus_Press_GB/page/n41/mode/2up}}</ref>

=== Reviews ===
The arcade game was well received upon release. David Cohen, in his book ''Video Games'', praised the "incredible three-dimensional realism" in the graphics, which he considered the best in a video game to date, while describing the gameplay as "a mixture of driving and zap game."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cohen |first1=Daniel |title=Video Games |date=1982 |publisher=[[Pocket Books]] |location=New York |isbn=0-671-45872-8 |page=43 |url=https://archive.org/details/book_video_games/page/n49}}</ref> ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' praised the game for being "at the frontier of a third dimension in arcade games" and for its "realistic" altitude-based gameplay for the time.<ref name="CVG10">{{cite magazine |title=The 3D space fortress: Zaxxon |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=July 1982 |issue=10 (August 1982) |publisher=[[EMAP]] |location=UK |page=26 |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/167/456}}</ref>

''Video Games'' in 1983 called the [[ColecoVision]] version of ''Zaxxon'' a "coup for this new system".<ref name="wiswell198303">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/Video_Games_Volume_1_Number_06_1983-03_Pumpkin_Press_US#page/n67/mode/2up | title=New Games From Well-Known Names | work=Video Games | date=March 1983 | access-date=26 May 2014 | author=Wiswell, Phil | page=69}}</ref> ''Video'' magazine also praised the ColecoVision version in its "Arcade Alley" column, describing it as "one of the most thrilling games available", and noting in passing that the only "serious criticism" of the arcade original was "many players felt they needed flying lessons to have even a ghost of a chance of performing well".<ref>{{cite magazine|last1= Kunkel |first1= Bill |author-link1= Bill Kunkel (journalist)|last2= Katz |first2= Arnie|date= April 1983 |title= Arcade Alley: Zaxxon, Turbo, and Two for Apple II |magazine= Video|volume= 7|issue= 1|pages= 26, 28–29|issn= 0147-8907}}</ref>{{rp|26}} ''K-Power'' rated the  Color Computer version with 8 points out of 10. The magazine praised its "excellent three-dimensional graphics", and said "''Zaxxon'' is a game that can't be praised enough".<ref name="lentvorski198402">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/k-power-magazine-01/K-Power_Issue_01_1984_Feb#page/n59/mode/2up/search/zork | title=Zaxxon | work=K-Power | date=February 1984 | access-date=16 January 2015 | author=Lentvorski, Andrew Jr. | page=59}}</ref>

''[[Softline (magazine)|Softline]]'' in 1983 called the Atari 8-bit version "a superb three-dimensional computer game ... Not since ''[[Choplifter]]'' has a game looked so impressive". The magazine also liked the graphics of the Apple II and TRS-80 versions despite those computers' hardware limitations, and predicted that ''Zaxxon'' would be a "long-lived bestseller".<ref name="softline19830708">{{cite news | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1983&pub=6&id=12 | title=Zaxxon | work=Softline | date=July–August 1983 | access-date=28 July 2014 | author1=Bang, Derrick | author2=Shore, Howard A. | pages=22–23 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729083900/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1983&pub=6&id=12 | archive-date=2014-07-29 | url-status=live }}</ref> In 1984, the magazine's readers named the game the fifth most-popular Apple program, the worst Apple program, and third-worst Atari program of 1983.<ref name="stgame19840304">{{cite news | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1984&pub=6&id=16 | title=The Best and the Rest | work=St.Game | date=Mar–Apr 1984 | access-date=28 July 2014 | page=49 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729222422/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1984&pub=6&id=16 | archive-date=2014-07-29 | url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[InfoWorld]]'s Essential Guide to Atari Computers'' cited it as a good Atari arcade game, noting "its distinctive three-dimensional graphics".<ref name="mace1984">{{Cite book |last=Mace |first=Scott |url=https://archive.org/details/InfoWorlds_Essential_Guide_to_Atari/page/n83/mode/2up?view=theater |title=InfoWorld's Essential Guide to Atari Computers |date=1984 |publisher=Harper & Row |isbn=978-0-06-669006-3 |pages=74}}</ref>

=== Awards ===
At the 1982 [[Arkie Awards]], the arcade game received a Certificate of Merit as runner-up for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Coin-Op Game.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Coin-Op Game|magazine=[[Electronic Games]]|date=January 1983|volume=1|issue=11|page=35|url=https://archive.org/stream/electronic-games-magazine-1983-01/Electronic_Games_Issue_11_Vol_01_11_1983_Jan#page/n35/mode/2up/search/zaxxon|access-date=11 February 2012}}</ref> At the 1983 Arcade Awards, the console cartridge conversion received a Certificate of Merit as runner-up for [[List of Game of the Year awards|Videogame of the Year]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Videogame of the Year|magazine=[[Electronic Games]]|date=January 1984|volume=2|issue=23|page=67|url=https://archive.org/stream/electronic-games-magazine-1984-01/Electronic_Games_Issue_23_Vol_02_11_1984_Jan#page/n65/mode/2up|access-date=11 February 2012}}</ref> At the 1984 Arkie Awards, the [[dedicated console]] version was awarded [[List of Game of the Year awards|Stand-Alone Game of the Year]], while the [[home computer]] conversion received a Certificate of Merit as runner-up for Computer Game of the Year.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=1985 Arkie Awards|magazine=[[Electronic Games]]|date=January 1985|volume=3|issue=35|pages=28–9|url=https://archive.org/stream/electronic-games-magazine-1985-01/Electronic_Games_Issue_35_Vol_03_11_1985_Jan#page/n25/mode/2up|access-date=11 February 2012}}</ref> In January 1985, ''[[Electronic Games]]'' magazine included ''Zaxxon'' in its Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Hall of Fame Winners|magazine=[[Electronic Games]]|date=January 1985|volume=3|issue=35|pages=58–59 [58]|url=https://archive.org/stream/electronic-games-magazine-1985-01/Electronic_Games_Issue_35_Vol_03_11_1985_Jan#page/n57/mode/2up|access-date=11 February 2012}}</ref> In 1995, ''[[Flux (magazine)|Flux]]'' magazine ranked the arcade version 51st on its list of the "Top 100 Video Games".<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=April 1995 |title=Top 100 Video Games |url=https://archive.org/details/flux-issue-4/page/n29/mode/2up |magazine=Flux |publisher=Harris Publications |issue=4 |pages=30}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
=== Re-releases ===
''Zaxxon'' is a bonus game in the ''[[Sega Genesis Collection]]'' for the [[PlayStation 2]]. It is also an unlockable arcade game in ''[[Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection]]'' for the [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation 3]]. The arcade version was released on the [[Wii]] [[Virtual Console]] in Japan on December 15, 2009,<ref name="VC">{{Cite news |url=http://vc.nintendolife.com/news/2009/11/japanese_virtual_console_list_december_2009 |title=December 2009 releases in Japan |newspaper=Nintendo Life |date=27 November 2009 |access-date=2009-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091130181940/http://vc.nintendolife.com/news/2009/11/japanese_virtual_console_list_december_2009 |archive-date=2009-11-30 |url-status=live |last1=Life |first1=Nintendo }}</ref> the PAL region on March 5, 2010, and North America on April 12, 2010. In 2022, the original arcade version was included as part of the Sega Astro City Mini V, a vertically oriented variant of the Sega Astro City mini console.<ref>{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/12/segas-astro-city-mini-is-getting-a-tate-version-packed-with-shmup-goodness|title=Sega's Astro City Mini Is Getting A 'TATE' Version Packed With Shmup Goodness|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|publisher=Nlife Media|date=December 17, 2021|access-date=2021-12-17}}</ref>

=== Sequels ===
An arcade sequel, ''Super Zaxxon'', was released in November 1982.<ref name="Akagi" /> It has a different color scheme, the player's ship flies faster (making the game more difficult), the space segment is replaced with a tunnel, and the enemy at the end of the second fortress is a dragon. It did not do as well as the original. ''Super Zaxxon'' topped the US ''RePlay'' arcade chart for software conversion kits in July 1983.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=RePlay: The Players' Choice |magazine=RePlay |date=July 1983}}</ref> In 1984, Sega released ''Future Spy'' with a similar style.<ref>{{cite web |title=Future Spy |url=https://www.arcade-history.com/?n=future-spy&page=detail&id=890 |website=Arcade History}}</ref>

In 1987, ''[[Zaxxon 3-D]]'' was released for the [[Master System]]. This console variation makes use of the [[3-D glasses]] add-on. As with the Atari 2600 and Intellivision ports, it is forward-scrolling rather than isometric.

''[[Zaxxon's Motherbase 2000]]'' was released for the [[32X]] in 1995. It is the first ''Zaxxon'' game with [[polygonal modeling|polygonal graphics]]. The game bore the ''Zaxxon'' brand only in the United States. It was released as ''Parasquad'' in Japan and ''Motherbase'' in Europe. US gaming critics generally found it was not similar enough to ''Zaxxon'' to justify the use of the brand.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Zaxxon's Motherbase 2000|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=82|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=July 1995|page=46}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Zaxxon's Motherbase 2000|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=71|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=June 1995|page=36}}</ref>

''Zaxxon Escape'' was released on October 4, 2012, for iOS and Android devices. It was criticized for having little resemblance to the original.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://toucharcade.com/2012/10/08/zaxxon-escape-review/ |title='Zaxxon Escape' Review – Hardly A Resemblance (Review) |website=TouchArcade.com |date=2013-12-06 |access-date=2016-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312071522/http://toucharcade.com/2012/10/08/zaxxon-escape-review/ |archive-date=2016-03-12 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Popular culture ===
In 1982, [[Milton Bradley Company|Milton Bradley]] released a ''Zaxxon'' board game.<ref>[http://www.ggdb.com/GameByName.aspx?c=Memorabilia&s=Boardgame&vid=5522 ''Zaxxon''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019014228/http://www.ggdb.com/GameByName.aspx?c=Memorabilia&s=Boardgame&vid=5522 |date=2006-10-19 }} from the Great Game Database (GGDb)</ref><ref>{{bgg title|2482|Zaxxon}}</ref>
 
In 2012, ''Zaxxon'' was shown at "The Art of Video Games" exhibition at the [[Smithsonian]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Choney|first=Suzanne|title=80 video games head for Smithsonian art exhibit|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/80-video-games-head-smithsonian-art-exhibit-123419|publisher=NBC News|access-date=13 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313213214/http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/80-video-games-head-smithsonian-art-exhibit-123419|archive-date=2014-03-13|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{MobyGames | /411/zaxxon/}}
* {{WoS game|id=0005846}}

{{Sega Sammy franchises}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1981 video games]]
[[Category:Apple II games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Atari 2600 games]]
[[Category:Atari 5200 games]]
[[Category:Atari 8-bit computer games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Atari Jaguar games]]
[[Category:ColecoVision games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:Gremlin Industries games]]
[[Category:Intellivision games]]
[[Category:MSX games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer hotseat games]]
[[Category:Scrolling shooters]]
[[Category:Sega arcade games]]
[[Category:Sega video game franchises]]
[[Category:SG-1000 games]]
[[Category:TRS-80 Color Computer games]]
[[Category:U.S. Gold games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games with isometric graphics]]
[[Category:Video games with stereoscopic 3D graphics]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:ZX Spectrum games]]