Difference between revisions of "Zero Wing"

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(summary rewrite, gameplay rewrite, created+migrated to powerups section, created+migrated to legacy section, added references, added day/month of republishing)
 
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{{otherPage|desc=the 2020 re-release by [[Retro-bit]]|page=Zero Wing Collector's Edition}}
 
{{Bob
 
{{Bob
 
| bobscreen=Zero Wing Title.png
 
| bobscreen=Zero Wing Title.png
−
| publisher={{company|[[Toaplan]]|region=JP}}, {{company|[[Sega]]}}, {{company|[[Retro-Bit]]}}
+
| publisher={{company|[[Toaplan]]|system=MD|region=JP}} {{company|[[Sega]]|system=MD|region=EU}} {{company|[[Tatsujin (company)|Tatsujin]]|system=SWITCHONLINE}}
−
| developer=[[Toaplan]]
+
| developer={{company|[[Toaplan]]|system=MD}}
−
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
+
| distributor={{company|[[Hent Gruppen]]|region=SE rental|system=MD}}
−
| sounddriver=[[Cube]]
+
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Nintendo Switch Online]]
 +
| sounddriver=[[Cube]]{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Mega_Drive/Genesis_Sound_Engine_List}}
 
| peripherals=
 
| peripherals=
 
| players=1
 
| players=1
 
| genre=Shooting{{fileref|Zerowing md jp cover.jpg}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}
 
| genre=Shooting{{fileref|Zerowing md jp cover.jpg}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}
−
| originalsystem=Toaplan System 1{{ref|https://www.system16.com/hardware.php?id=966&page=1#19118}}
+
| originalsystem=Toaplan System 1{{ref|1=https://www.system16.com/hardware.php?id=966&page=1#19118}}
 
| releases={{releasesMD
 
| releases={{releasesMD
 
| md_code_jp=T-40023
 
| md_code_jp=T-40023
Line 15: Line 17:
 
| md_date_eu=1992-07{{magref|sfuk|7|72}}
 
| md_date_eu=1992-07{{magref|sfuk|7|72}}
 
| md_code_eu=1138-50
 
| md_code_eu=1138-50
−
| md_date_uk=1992-07{{magref|sfuk|7|72}}
+
| md_date_uk=1992-05{{magref|segapro|8|9}}{{magref|ctw|386|19}}<!--1992-07{{magref|sfuk|7|72}}-->
 
| md_code_uk=1138-50
 
| md_code_uk=1138-50
 
| md_rrp_uk=39.99{{magref|sfuk|7|72}}<!--34.99{{magref|megatech|5|32}}-->
 
| md_rrp_uk=39.99{{magref|sfuk|7|72}}<!--34.99{{magref|megatech|5|32}}-->
 
| md_date_au=199x
 
| md_date_au=199x
 
| md_date_se_r=199x
 
| md_date_se_r=199x
−
| am_date_us_Retro-Bit=2020-10-18{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210531211206/https://store.strictlylimitedgames.com/products/toaplan-shooters-collectors-edition-genesis-mega-drive-preorder}}
+
}}
−
| am_rrp_us_Retro-Bit=44.99{{fileref|TSCE Toaplan Press Release.pdf|page=2}}
+
{{releasesSwitch
−
| am_date_eu_Retro-Bit=2020-10-18{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210531211206/https://store.strictlylimitedgames.com/products/toaplan-shooters-collectors-edition-genesis-mega-drive-preorder}}
+
| switchonline_date_jp=2022-07-01{{ref|https://archive.ph/0Wway|https://topics.nintendo.co.jp/article/1bbb22fd-9a6b-4d8b-8554-c55c3874e49b}}
−
| am_rrp_eu_Retro-Bit=39.99{{fileref|TSCE Toaplan Press Release.pdf|page=2}}
+
| switchonline_rrp_jp=sub
 +
| switchonline_date_us=2022-06-30{{ref|https://archive.ph/QjTjN|https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1542677284750082054}}
 +
| switchonline_rrp_us=sub
 +
| switchonline_date_eu=2022-07-01{{ref|https://archive.ph/ttbcr|https://twitter.com/NintendoEurope/status/1542794497016401920}}
 +
| switchonline_rrp_eu=sub
 +
| switchonline_date_uk=2022-07-01{{ref|https://archive.ph/KufUZ|https://twitter.com/NintendoUK/status/1542794495275810816}}
 +
| switchonline_rrp_uk=sub
 +
| switchonline_date_au=2022-07-01{{ref|https://archive.ph/NIXhB|https://twitter.com/NintendoAUNZ/status/1542704549215051777}}
 +
| switchonline_rrp_au=sub
 
}}
 
}}
 
| otherformats={{NonSega|Arcade|CDROM2}}
 
| otherformats={{NonSega|Arcade|CDROM2}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (ゼロウイング) is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] horizontal shoot-'em-up game developed by [[Toaplan]]. Published in Japan by [[Toaplan]] in May 1991, it was later published in Europe by [[Sega]] in July 1992, and was republished worldwide by [[Retro-Bit]] in October 2020. The game is an arcade of the developer's 1989 arcade game [[wikipedia:Zero Wing|Zero Wing]], and one of few [[Mega Drive]] ports developed by [[Toaplan]] themselves.
+
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (ゼロウイング) is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] horizontal shoot-'em-up game developed by [[Toaplan]]. A port of the developer's titular 1989 arcade game ''[[wikipedia:Zero Wing|Zero Wing]]'', it was first published in Japan by Toaplan themselves in May 1991, and was brought to Europe by [[Sega]] in July 1992.
 +
 
 +
''Zero Wing'' is notable for being one of few [[Mega Drive]] ports developed by [[Toaplan]] themselves, and for the infamously poor English translation of its opening cutscene, which spawned one of the earliest internet [[wikipedia:meme|memes]], [[Wikipedia:All your base are belong to us|"All your base are belong to us"]].
 +
 
 +
==Story==
 +
{{ScreenThumb|ZeroWing MD EU AllYourBase.png|width=200|Introduction}}
 +
Set in 2101, the game follows the signing of a peace treaty between the United Nations and the alien cyborg CATS (キャッツ). However, CATS breaks the covenant and takes control of the Japanese space colonies. The protagonist Trent leads a ZIG space craft, which had managed to escape from the mothership destroyed by CATS, with the aim to defeat enemy forces, avenge the mothership and its crew and liberate the Earth.
  
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
−
{{A}} and {{C}} fire the player's weapon. While the game has an autofire option, a higher firing rate can be achieved by manually tapping the button. {{B}} fires a suction beam that will pull certain enemies towards the player ship for use as a shield, and can which be later launched forward to destroy other enemies.  
+
The game is a science fiction-themed side-scrolling shooter where players assume the role of Trent taking control of the ZIG space fighter craft through eight increasingly difficult stages, each with a boss at the end that must be fought before progressing any further. The stage design has a particular emphasis on navigating narrow passageways. The ZIG is moved in any direction with the D-Pad. It fires its weapon with {{A}} or {{C}}. Rapid-fire is enabled by default, though a higher firing rate can be achieved by manually tapping the button or using a rapid-fire controller. There are three types of weapons in the game, which are switched by collecting colored items. Collecting the same item successively upgrades the weapon strength; collecting a different weapon maintains the current weapon strength.
  
−
Like other Toaplan games, Zero Wing defaults to the Easy difficulty setting.
+
The ZIG is equipped with a tractor beam ({{rolloverText|プリソナービーム|Prisoner Beam}}), which can be deployed with {{B}}. The beam grabs most enemies and holds them as a shield against enemy fire. Enemies can be used to ram other enemies or thrown at other enemies by pressing {{B}} again. Larger enemies weigh down the ZIG and make it more difficult to maneuver. The ZIG can also find bombs that attach to it in a similar manner but which explode after being thrown. Additionally, the ZIG can acquire two options, small drones that mirror its weapon, to assist it. Options are invulnerable and can also be used to ram enemies.
  
−
===Power-ups===
+
The ZIG is destroyed when it collides with an enemy or surface or absorbs enemy fire. It respawns at a predetermined checkpoint with the base weapon and without any options or speed increases. The game ends if the player runs out of lives but can be continued if there are credits remaining. The player is awarded extra lives at certain point thresholds. The game has three selectable difficulty levels (Easy, Normal, and Hard) and defaults to the Easy difficulty setting.
−
Some enemies will drop power-ups when destroyed; the first power-up dropped per life will always be [https://shmups.wiki/library/Help:Glossary#Option options] to further assist the player ship.
 
  
−
*Red: Spread shot
+
As with previous titles from [[Toaplan]], the game loops back to the first stage after completing the last stage, with the difficulty increasing. There are 35 different endings for each time the game is successively completed.
−
*Blue: Laser shot
 
−
*Green: Homing shot
 
−
*Orb: Bomb (fired with {{B}})
 
−
*Speed Up: Increases ship speed
 
  
−
===Levels===
+
===Weapons===
−
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=200|
+
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title={{sprite | Zero Wing, Items.png | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}} Vulcan Shot (バルカンショット)
 +
| screenshot=Zero Wing, Weapons, Red.png
 +
| desc=Initially equipped. Starts as a standard horizontal shot but grows into a conical spreadshot as it is leveled up.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title={{sprite | Zero Wing, Items.png | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=0}} Laser (レーザー)
 +
| screenshot=Zero Wing, Weapons, Blue.png
 +
| desc=A fast-firing, penetrating laser that increases in size and power as it is leveled up.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title={{sprite | Zero Wing, Items.png | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=0}} Homing Missile (ホーミングミサイル)
 +
| screenshot=Zero Wing, Weapons, Green.png
 +
| desc=Homing missiles that increase in size and power as they are leveled up.
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Items===
 +
Items can be collected by flying over them or by grabbing them with the ZIG's tractor beam.
 +
 
 +
Weapons and speed upgrades award 5,000 bonus points if already at max level. There is also a chance of earning an extra life or even a "10UP" when collecting an item at max level.
 +
{{InfoTable|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Transporter (UNITトランスボーター機)
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Zero Wing, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=64 | crop_height=32 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=16}}
 +
| desc=Destroy to release an item.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Vulcan Shot
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Zero Wing, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Equips the Vulcan Shot weapon or levels up the weapon strength if already equipped, up to 3 levels. Also equips two options if not already equipped.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Laser
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Zero Wing, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Equips the Laser weapon or levels up the weapon strength if already equipped, up to 3 levels.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Homing Missile
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Zero Wing, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Equips the Homing Missile weapon or levels up the weapon strength if already equipped, up to 3 levels.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Super Bomber (スーバーボンバー)
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Zero Wing, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=48 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=A bomb module that attaches to the front of the ZIG. It can be thrown with {{B}}, whereupon it explodes in a large radius. Like captured enemies, it can be used as a shield or to ram enemies, though it detonates when it hits anything.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Speed Unit (スピードユニット)
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Zero Wing, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=64 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Increases the movement speed of the ZIG, up to four times.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Special
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Zero Wing, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=32 | crop_x=64 | crop_y=16}}
 +
| desc=Appears instead of a bomb item if the player is already holding a bomb while at maximum weapon level. This item upgrades the ZIG's weapon to an otherwise unattainable fourth level.
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Stages===
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320|
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Natols
 
| title=Natols
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=Zero Wing, Stage 1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Zero Wing, Stage 1 Subboss.png
 +
| screenshot3=Zero Wing, Stage 1 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Legrous
 
| title=Legrous
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=Zero Wing, Stage 2.png
 +
| screenshot2=Zero Wing, Stage 2 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Pleades
 
| title=Pleades
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=Zero Wing, Stage 3.png
 +
| screenshot2=Zero Wing, Stage 3 Subboss.png
 +
| screenshot3=Zero Wing, Stage 3 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Aquese
 
| title=Aquese
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=Zero Wing, Stage 4.png
 +
| screenshot2=Zero Wing, Stage 4 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Submarine Tunnel
 
| title=Submarine Tunnel
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=Zero Wing, Stage 5.png
 +
| screenshot2=Zero Wing, Stage 5 Subboss.png
 +
| screenshot3=Zero Wing, Stage 5 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
−
| title=Barracade Zone
+
| title=Barricade Zone
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=Zero Wing, Stage 6.png
 +
| screenshot2=Zero Wing, Stage 6 Subboss.png
 +
| screenshot3=Zero Wing, Stage 6 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Bellon
 
| title=Bellon
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=Zero Wing, Stage 7.png
 +
| screenshot2=Zero Wing, Stage 7 Subboss.png
 +
| screenshot3=Zero Wing, Stage 7 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Gerbarra
 
| title=Gerbarra
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=Zero Wing, Stage 8.png
 +
| screenshot2=Zero Wing, Stage 8 Subboss.png
 +
| screenshot3=Zero Wing, Stage 8 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Endings==
+
==History==
−
The Japanese version of Zero Wing features 32 hidden endings.{{ref|https://legendsoflocalization.com/zero-wing-had-32-weird-secret-endings-in-japan/}} The first three endings can be acquired by beating each of the respective three difficulty settings. The remainder must be seen by beating the game again; upon every successful completion, the game will advance to the next ending. By reaching the final ending, the code for Zero Wing's debug menu is revealed.{{ref|https://legendsoflocalization.com/zero-wing-had-32-weird-secret-endings-in-japan/#ending-35}}
+
===Legacy===
 +
{{ScreenThumb|Zero Wing, Animated Introduction.png|width=200|Full introduction}}
 +
The infamously poor translation of ''Zero Wing'''s English releases has seen the game become the star of community parody. A line in the game's introduction, [[Wikipedia:All your base are belong to us|"All your base are belong to us"]], was heavily featured in a fan music video for the song ''Invasion of the Gabber Robots'' by [[wikipedia:The Laziest Men on Mars |The Laziest Men on Mars]] (itself a cover of the game's song "Open Your Eyes") This video, compressed and heavily shared in the early days of the web, gave rise to one of the very first modern internet [[wikipedia:Meme|memes]].
  
−
While many of the endings consist of out-of-character discussion between the villain CATS and the actual player, the will eventually devolve into what appears to be a developer rambling about his favorite foods, singing lyrics from folk songs, and making bad puns.
+
The meme was addressed by [[Toaplan]]'s [[Tatsuya Uemura]] (the game's programmer and composer) and [[Masahiro Yuge]] (composer) in interviews during the 2010s. He stated the poor English translation in the Mega Drive version was handled by a member of Toaplan in charge of export and overseas business.{{ref|https://archive.org/details/Shooting_Gameside_Vol.4/page/n41/mode/2up}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20191023230947/https://pixelatedaudio.com/out-zone/}}
  
−
==Legacy==
+
The game was re-released worldwide as ''[[Zero Wing Collector's Edition]]'' by [[Retro-Bit]] as part of ''[[Toaplan Shooters Collector's Edition]]'' in October 2020.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210515182735/https://retro-bit.com/toaplan-shooters/}}
−
The infamously poor translation of Zero Wing's English releases has seen the game become the star of community parody. A line in the game's introduction, [[Wikipedia:All your base are belong to us|All your base are belong to us]], was heavily featured in a fan music video for the song ''Invasion of the Gabber Robots'' by [[wikipedia:The Laziest Men on Mars |The Laziest Men on Mars]] (the song itself being a cover of Zero Wing's ''Open Your Eyes''.) This video, compressed and heavily shared in the early days of the internet, gave rise to one of the first modern memes.
 
  
 
==Production credits==
 
==Production credits==
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:'''© [[Toaplan]] 1991.'''
 
:'''© [[Toaplan]] 1991.'''
 
| source=In-game credits
 
| source=In-game credits
 +
| pdf=Zero Wing MD credits.pdf
 
| console=MD
 
| console=MD
 
}}
 
}}
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}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
 
−
===''Collector's Edition'' ([[Retro-Bit]])===
 
−
<gallery>
 
−
TSCE Zero Wing Copy & Specs (NA).pdf
 
−
TSCE Toaplan shooters zerowing artcard.png
 
−
TSCE Toaplan shooters zerowing cart case 1 .png
 
−
TSCE Toaplan shooters zerowing cart case 2.png
 
−
TSCE Toaplan shooters zerowing cartridge.png
 
−
TSCE Toaplan shooters zerowing coa.png
 
−
TSCE Toaplan shooters zerowing manual.png
 
−
TSCE Toaplan Shooters zerowing Q&A card 3D.png
 
−
TSCE Toaplan shooters zerowing slipcase.png
 
−
TSCE Toaplan shooters zerowing stickers.png
 
−
TSCE TOAPLAN SHOOTERS ZEROWING COLLAGE01.png
 
−
TSCE TOAPLAN SHOOTERS ZEROWING COLLAGE02.png
 
−
TSCE TOAPLAN SHOOTERS ZEROWING COLLAGE03.png
 
−
</gallery>
 
  
 
==Physical scans==
 
==Physical scans==
Line 158: Line 237:
 
| cover=Zero Wing MD EU Box.jpg
 
| cover=Zero Wing MD EU Box.jpg
 
| cart=ZeroWing MD EU Cart.jpg
 
| cart=ZeroWing MD EU Cart.jpg
 +
| manual=Zero Wing MD EU Manual.jpg
 
| item1=ZeroWing MD EU pcb.jpg
 
| item1=ZeroWing MD EU pcb.jpg
 
| item1name=PCB
 
| item1name=PCB
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
−
| region=SE (rental)
+
| region=SE Rental (Hent orange)
−
| cover=
+
| front=Zero Wing MD SE Rental Box.jpg
 +
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| back=Zero Wing MD SE Rental Box Back.jpg
 
| cart=
 
| cart=
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| region=AU
 
| region=AU
−
| cover=
 
−
| cart=
 
−
}}{{Scanbox
 
−
| console=Mega Drive
 
−
| region=([[Retro-Bit]])
 
 
| cover=
 
| cover=
 
| cart=
 
| cart=
Line 178: Line 255:
  
 
==Technical information==
 
==Technical information==
−
===ROM dump status===
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
−
{{romtable|
 
−
{{rom|MD|sha1=98335b97c5e21f7f8c5436427621836660b91075|md5=5f4f2fb8c7b8c50efbc6eed57ce3dae3|crc32=89b744a3|size=1MB|date=1990-08|source=Cartridge (EU)|comments=|icon=|quality=good}}
 
−
{{rom|MD|sha1=fad499e21ac55a3b8513110dc1f6e3f6cdeca8dd|md5=9647d8ec9183f3ec9f944d5ea49a99a9|crc32=7e203d2b|size=1MB|date=1990-08|source=Cartridge (JP)|comments=|icon=|quality=good}}
 
−
}}
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 +
{{NECRetro|italics=yes}}
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
−
{{NECRetro|italics=yes}}
 
  
 
{{ZeroWingOmni}}
 
{{ZeroWingOmni}}
 +
[[Category:Articles needing images]]

Latest revision as of 00:16, 27 October 2024

For the 2020 re-release by Retro-bit, see Zero Wing Collector's Edition.

n/a

Zero Wing Title.png

Zero Wing
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Nintendo Switch Online
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Toaplan (JP)
Sega Mega Drive
Sega (EU)
Nintendo Switch Online
Tatsujin
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Mega Drive
Hent Gruppen (SE rental)
Original system(s): Toaplan System 1[1]
Sound driver: Cube[2]
Genre: Shooting[3][4]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥8,000 (8,240)8,000e[5] T-40023
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		1138-50
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£39.9939.99[6] 1138-50
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Nintendo Switch Online
JP ▼ 		SUBsub
Nintendo Switch Online
US ▼ 		SUBsub
Nintendo Switch Online
EU ▼ 		SUBsub
Nintendo Switch Online
UK ▼ 		SUBsub
Nintendo Switch Online
AU ▼ 		SUBsub
Non-Sega versions

Zero Wing (ゼロウイング) is a Sega Mega Drive horizontal shoot-'em-up game developed by Toaplan. A port of the developer's titular 1989 arcade game Zero Wing, it was first published in Japan by Toaplan themselves in May 1991, and was brought to Europe by Sega in July 1992.

Zero Wing is notable for being one of few Mega Drive ports developed by Toaplan themselves, and for the infamously poor English translation of its opening cutscene, which spawned one of the earliest internet memes, "All your base are belong to us".

Story

ZeroWing MD EU AllYourBase.png

Introduction

Set in 2101, the game follows the signing of a peace treaty between the United Nations and the alien cyborg CATS (キャッツ). However, CATS breaks the covenant and takes control of the Japanese space colonies. The protagonist Trent leads a ZIG space craft, which had managed to escape from the mothership destroyed by CATS, with the aim to defeat enemy forces, avenge the mothership and its crew and liberate the Earth.

Gameplay

The game is a science fiction-themed side-scrolling shooter where players assume the role of Trent taking control of the ZIG space fighter craft through eight increasingly difficult stages, each with a boss at the end that must be fought before progressing any further. The stage design has a particular emphasis on navigating narrow passageways. The ZIG is moved in any direction with the D-Pad. It fires its weapon with A or C. Rapid-fire is enabled by default, though a higher firing rate can be achieved by manually tapping the button or using a rapid-fire controller. There are three types of weapons in the game, which are switched by collecting colored items. Collecting the same item successively upgrades the weapon strength; collecting a different weapon maintains the current weapon strength.

The ZIG is equipped with a tractor beam (プリソナービーム), which can be deployed with B. The beam grabs most enemies and holds them as a shield against enemy fire. Enemies can be used to ram other enemies or thrown at other enemies by pressing B again. Larger enemies weigh down the ZIG and make it more difficult to maneuver. The ZIG can also find bombs that attach to it in a similar manner but which explode after being thrown. Additionally, the ZIG can acquire two options, small drones that mirror its weapon, to assist it. Options are invulnerable and can also be used to ram enemies.

The ZIG is destroyed when it collides with an enemy or surface or absorbs enemy fire. It respawns at a predetermined checkpoint with the base weapon and without any options or speed increases. The game ends if the player runs out of lives but can be continued if there are credits remaining. The player is awarded extra lives at certain point thresholds. The game has three selectable difficulty levels (Easy, Normal, and Hard) and defaults to the Easy difficulty setting.

As with previous titles from Toaplan, the game loops back to the first stage after completing the last stage, with the difficulty increasing. There are 35 different endings for each time the game is successively completed.

Weapons

Zero Wing, Weapons, Red.png

Zero Wing, Items.png
Vulcan Shot (バルカンショット)
Initially equipped. Starts as a standard horizontal shot but grows into a conical spreadshot as it is leveled up.

Zero Wing, Weapons, Blue.png

Zero Wing, Items.png
Laser (レーザー)
A fast-firing, penetrating laser that increases in size and power as it is leveled up.

Zero Wing, Weapons, Green.png

Zero Wing, Items.png
Homing Missile (ホーミングミサイル)
Homing missiles that increase in size and power as they are leveled up.

Items

Items can be collected by flying over them or by grabbing them with the ZIG's tractor beam.

Weapons and speed upgrades award 5,000 bonus points if already at max level. There is also a chance of earning an extra life or even a "10UP" when collecting an item at max level.

Zero Wing, Items.png
 Transporter (UNITトランスボーター機)
Destroy to release an item.
Zero Wing, Items.png
 Vulcan Shot
Equips the Vulcan Shot weapon or levels up the weapon strength if already equipped, up to 3 levels. Also equips two options if not already equipped.
Zero Wing, Items.png
 Laser
Equips the Laser weapon or levels up the weapon strength if already equipped, up to 3 levels.
Zero Wing, Items.png
 Homing Missile
Equips the Homing Missile weapon or levels up the weapon strength if already equipped, up to 3 levels.
Zero Wing, Items.png
 Super Bomber (スーバーボンバー)
A bomb module that attaches to the front of the ZIG. It can be thrown with B, whereupon it explodes in a large radius. Like captured enemies, it can be used as a shield or to ram enemies, though it detonates when it hits anything.
Zero Wing, Items.png
 Speed Unit (スピードユニット)
Increases the movement speed of the ZIG, up to four times.
Zero Wing, Items.png
 Special
Appears instead of a bomb item if the player is already holding a bomb while at maximum weapon level. This item upgrades the ZIG's weapon to an otherwise unattainable fourth level.

Stages

Zero Wing, Stage 1.png

Zero Wing, Stage 1 Subboss.png

Zero Wing, Stage 1 Boss.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 1.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 1 Subboss.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 1 Boss.png

Natols

Zero Wing, Stage 2.png

Zero Wing, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 2.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 2 Boss.png

Legrous

Zero Wing, Stage 3.png

Zero Wing, Stage 3 Subboss.png

Zero Wing, Stage 3 Boss.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 3.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 3 Subboss.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 3 Boss.png

Pleades

Zero Wing, Stage 4.png

Zero Wing, Stage 4 Boss.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 4.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 4 Boss.png

Aquese

Zero Wing, Stage 5.png

Zero Wing, Stage 5 Subboss.png

Zero Wing, Stage 5 Boss.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 5.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 5 Subboss.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 5 Boss.png

Submarine Tunnel

Zero Wing, Stage 6.png

Zero Wing, Stage 6 Subboss.png

Zero Wing, Stage 6 Boss.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 6.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 6 Subboss.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 6 Boss.png

Barricade Zone

Zero Wing, Stage 7.png

Zero Wing, Stage 7 Subboss.png

Zero Wing, Stage 7 Boss.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 7.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 7 Subboss.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 7 Boss.png

Bellon

Zero Wing, Stage 8.png

Zero Wing, Stage 8 Subboss.png

Zero Wing, Stage 8 Boss.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 8.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 8 Subboss.png

  • Zero Wing, Stage 8 Boss.png

Gerbarra

History

Legacy

Zero Wing, Animated Introduction.png

Full introduction

The infamously poor translation of Zero Wing's English releases has seen the game become the star of community parody. A line in the game's introduction, "All your base are belong to us", was heavily featured in a fan music video for the song Invasion of the Gabber Robots by The Laziest Men on Mars (itself a cover of the game's song "Open Your Eyes") This video, compressed and heavily shared in the early days of the web, gave rise to one of the very first modern internet memes.

The meme was addressed by Toaplan's Tatsuya Uemura (the game's programmer and composer) and Masahiro Yuge (composer) in interviews during the 2010s. He stated the poor English translation in the Mega Drive version was handled by a member of Toaplan in charge of export and overseas business.[14][15]

The game was re-released worldwide as Zero Wing Collector's Edition by Retro-Bit as part of Toaplan Shooters Collector's Edition in October 2020.[16]

Production credits

Zero Wing Original Staff
  • 68k Side: T.Ota, H.Furukawa
  • Z80 Side: T.Uemura
  • Graphics: S.Nakaoka, N.Ogiwara, M.Hayashi, S.Nito
  • Music: T.Uemura, M.Yuge, T.Tomizawa
© Toaplan 1991.
Source:
In-game credits
Zero Wing MD credits.pdf
[17]


Magazine articles

Main article: Zero Wing/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-03: "March 1991" (1991-02-08)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-05: "May 1991" (1991-04-08)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-06: "June 1991" (1991-05-08)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-07: "July 1991" (1991-06-08)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
80
[21]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
72
[22]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
80
[23]
Console XS (UK) NTSC-J
77
[24]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
93
[25]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 7 (RU)
40
[26]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
87
[27]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
70
[28]
Games-X (UK)
92
[29]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[30]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
86
[31]
Joypad (FR) PAL
90
[32]
Joystick (FR)
86
[33]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
72
[34]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
66
[35]
Mega (UK) PAL
70
[36]
Mega Force (FR)
80
[37]
MegaTech (UK)
82
[38]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
82
[39]
Mean Machines (UK)
91
[40]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[41]
Player One (FR)
79
[42]
Play Time (DE)
68
[43]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-J
100
[44]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
88
[45]
Sega Pro (UK)
78
[46]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
77
[47]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
86
[6]
Sega Opisaniy i sekretov (RU)
66
[48]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
75
[49]
Super Gaming (US)
67
[50]
Supersonic (FR)
85
[51]
Tilt (FR)
80
[52]
Video Games (DE)
67
[53]
Sega Mega Drive
 78
Based on
34 reviews

Zero Wing

Mega Drive, JP
Zerowing md jp cover.jpg
Cover
ZeroWing MD JP CartTop.jpg
Zerowing md jp cart.jpg
Cart
Zerowing md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
Zero Wing MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
ZeroWing MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Zero Wing MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
ZeroWing MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, SE Rental (Hent orange)
Zero Wing MD SE Rental Box Back.jpgNospine.pngZero Wing MD SE Rental Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU

Technical information

Main article: Zero Wing/Technical information.

References

Necretro-round.svg
NEC Retro has more information related to Zero Wing
  1. ↑ https://www.system16.com/hardware.php?id=966&page=1#19118
  2. ↑ http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Mega_Drive/Genesis_Sound_Engine_List
  3. ↑ File:Zerowing md jp cover.jpg
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  5. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1991" (JP; 1991-04-08), page 16
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 72
  7. ↑ Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 9
  8. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-05-11), page 19
  9. ↑ https://topics.nintendo.co.jp/article/1bbb22fd-9a6b-4d8b-8554-c55c3874e49b (archive.today)
  10. ↑ @NintendoAmerica on Twitter (archive.today)
  11. ↑ @NintendoEurope on Twitter (archive.today)
  12. ↑ @NintendoUK on Twitter (archive.today)
  13. ↑ @NintendoAUNZ on Twitter (archive.today)
  14. ↑ https://archive.org/details/Shooting_Gameside_Vol.4/page/n41/mode/2up
  15. ↑ https://pixelatedaudio.com/out-zone/ (Wayback Machine: 2019-10-23 23:09)
  16. ↑ https://retro-bit.com/toaplan-shooters/ (Wayback Machine: 2021-05-15 18:27)
  17. ↑ File:Zero Wing MD credits.pdf
  18. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "March 1991" (JP; 1991-02-08), page 99
  19. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "May 1991" (JP; 1991-04-08), page 42
  20. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "August 1991" (JP; 1991-07-08), page 16
  21. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 349
  22. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "November 1991" (DE; 1991-10-11), page 139
  23. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1991" (JP; 1991-04-08), page 27
  24. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 137
  25. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "August 1991" (UK; 1991-07-15), page 60
  26. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 7, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 291
  27. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 118
  28. ↑ Famitsu, "1991-xx-xx" (JP; 1991-06-14), page 19
  29. ↑ Games-X, "21st-26th June 1991" (UK; 1991-06-21), page 36
  30. ↑ Hippon Super, "May 1991" (JP; 1991-04-04), page 42
  31. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Agosto 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 48
  32. ↑ Joypad, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-05-1x), page 158
  33. ↑ Joystick, "Juillet/Août 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 182
  34. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 95
  35. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "August 1991" (JP; 1991-07-08), page 123
  36. ↑ Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 21
  37. ↑ Mega Force, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-05-05), page 76
  38. ↑ MegaTech, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-20), page 32
  39. ↑ MegaTech, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 93
  40. ↑ Mean Machines, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-29), page 74
  41. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 143
  42. ↑ Player One, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-05-10), page 70
  43. ↑ Play Time, "(8/9)/92" (DE; 1992-07-08), page 94
  44. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 55
  45. ↑ Sega Power, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-02), page 34
  46. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 41
  47. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
  48. ↑ Sega Opisaniy i sekretov, "14000 Opisaniy i sekretov" (RU; 2003-03-11), page 236
  49. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  50. ↑ Super Gaming, "Fall 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 8
  51. ↑ Supersonic, "Mai/Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 6
  52. ↑ Tilt, "Septembre 1991" (FR; 1991-09-xx), page 53
  53. ↑ Video Games, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-24), page 46


Zero Wing

Zero Wing Title.png

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