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ザナック
Game Designed By Compile
Produced By All
Presented By Pony Inc.
Copyright ©1986 PONY INC.
Release: 1986-11-28 (¥2900)
DiskCard L29V5906(PNF-ZAN)
Shooter / Vertical
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Released in America (Cartridge) as
ZANAC
( NES-ZA-USA )
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Zanac [AI] is a vertical shooter by Compile and conversion of a game
originally released for the MSX in 1986. Humanity is under attack from an otherworldly
force - many millenniums ago, an alien race created a device called the "System" which
is now threatening Earth. As a last resort against the unknown force, the AFX-6502 Zanac
fighter is sent out to put a stop to the invasion. The weapon system is what makes the fighter
such an unstoppable war machine - the initial primary laser gun can be upgraded in all kinds
of ways. Although collecting yellow floating orbs (usually hidden inside blue bunkers) increases
its fire-power, eight secondary weapons types are available for the picking (indicated by flashing
number pods). They consist of All Range Weapon, Straight Crusher,
Field Shutter, Circular, Vibrator, Rewinder, Plasma Flash and
High Speed. The goal of the game is to destroy the main central base located at the
end of the game, but countless other bosses (all anchored to the ground) are scattered
around each level - they are all made out of
several core-units that need to be destroyed to proceed. But the essence of the game lies in its unique
automatic level of difficulty, hence the [AI] suffix next to the game's title. The strength
and amount of enemies on screen change in function of the player's skill level - the better the
player performs, the more difficult the game becomes.
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Zanac AI was originally released for the MSX in 1986. Zanac Ex for the
MSX 2 followed the same year and can be seen as an enhanced version of the original. It
featured a smoother vertical scrolling and full screen action (the original was marred by a choppy
scrolling and a large status bar that eat up 20% of the screen). Zanac Ex is overall a lot
closer to the Famicom version tested here. Although Aleste (and the Aleste
series, see Super Aleste) is considered to be a sequel to Zanac (and they do share a
lot in common), the only 'real' successor to the original game was Zanac X Zanac released for
the Playstation in 2001. The game was most certainly made to commemorate Zanac's 15th
year anniversary and included the first Zanac and a new and exclusive Zanac Neo.
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Teaser text from the American version:
The "system" was created by an organic intelligence body many
millenniums ago and began attacking the human race. The earth
was thrown into turmoil with only one hope for salvation. Fighter
model AFX-6502 ZANAC was perfected by the 256th Riot Fleet
to ward off the enemy system. It's your job, as ZANAC, to save
the human race. Using eight special weapons and secret power
forces buried along the way. guide ZANAC through twelve screens
of enemy creatures to victory.
Exclusive Power Play Feature
ZANAC's ALC (Automatic Level of Difficulty Control Function)
controlled by AI (Artificial Intelligence)
is an exclusive feature which change the strength and quality
of the enemy according to the pattern of the attack and
player's skill level. The enemy's location also varies
game by game. This feature is unique to ZANAC. So playing
ZANAC, the fastest, most advanced space game, is like
playing a new game every time.
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Game Staff (Copied from the end credits) :
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CONGRATULATIONS !
YOU ARE THE MESSIAH OF EARTH.
STAFF
Game Design
Jemini
Janus
Moo
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Program
Jemini
Music
Miyamoto
Graphics
Janus
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Test Play
Mnc Nui
Wao Isee
Yoriki
PRODUSED BY All
CREATED BY COMPILE
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G
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Japanese Guidebook
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Click on picture to enlarge |
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Continue (Japanese version):
On the title screen, hold Select and press Start.
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LK
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Add your Pov here !
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P
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Zanac [AI] is a terrific shooter! Although Compile is definitively
better known for its Puyo Puyo puzzle series, it earned itself a reputable name
among shooter fans for also creating some of finest and fastest straight shooters
ever made. Levels in Zanac are somewhat varied despite some obvious repetitive
environments and backgrounds. But the great appeal of the game lies is its incredible
pace, with hundreds of enemy ships trying to atomize you in countless formations and
attack patterns. Some stages, such as the first one, are also literally huge and feature
multiple bosses. The gameplay and control system are perfect, and the fact that the
game cleverly reacts to your overall performance also adds a huge replay value to the mix. All in all,
Zanac is an intense and exhausting shooter, thanks to its incredible length and
cleverly designed (and unique) difficulty level. A brilliant and challenging game.
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