Xenon (shoot um up )

[exxos]

If I was to select one game which perfectly describes my exciting entrance into the (then) new world of 16-Bit computing - it's gotta be Xenon!! Such an iconic release and, because I came from the colour-clash world of ZX Spectrum, this blew me away with its amazing mind-boggling visuals/audio.

Literally, one of the first floppy disks that I carefully slid inside my new Atari ST, but I didn't know what to expect as the drive made its infamous click..click..click. Moments later my jaw hit the floor when I first saw those incredible graphics along with the zesty chiptunes by Dave Whittaker.

I had truly left behind the 8-Bit world and entered into another realm which is a feeling I shall never forget. Well folks, today is a good day, because I have just taken delivery of the original which is extraordinarily well preserved and feels almost brand new. I'm impressed and overjoyed to finally re-own this masterpiece.

Xenon is every bit as good as I remember. The gameplay starts off so well balanced with many baddies to encounter over a short area. We then there get to battle against a weird ball-like Alien ship. This takes a lot longer to kill than you first realise. (Well, for me anyhow!). Don't forget to waggle that joystick and flip your 'tank' into an aircraft at any time.

Xenon is pure brilliance. A true, and timeless, Atari ST classic which I urgently suggest you load up right now!

- Both D-Bug and 8BitChip have converted this great arcade game to run off hard drive!
- Those needing a floppy disk can find Xenon on Timewarp #51 thanks to Stonish.


Article source ataricrypt

[sandord]

I think I can say Xenon is my all-time favourite game. Played it only two days ago
Still hear the 'Sector One' sample in my head from time to time over all these years.

[exxos]

I once got off level 1!

[sandord]

I think I remember once having a preliminary version of Xenon called Kelly-X (called after one of the bitmap brothers whose last name was Kelly) that had the graphics sit in PI1 files on disk.

This got me thinking.. What if somebody (ahem) would be doing a remake of this game, what should they change? Just more levels or enhanced graphics and keep everything else exactly the same? Any bugs to fix? I'd definitely leave out the flight toggle combo (quickly wiggle the joystick left/right a few times) because I keep activating it accidentally all the time.