Truxton

From Sega Retro

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

n/a

  • NSTC-U/PAL
  • NTSC-J

Truxton MDTitleScreen.png

Tatsujin MD TitleScreen.png

Truxton
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Original system(s): Arcade boards
Genre: Shooting[1][2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥6,0006,000 G-4020
Sega Mega Drive
US
$42.9942.99[4]
Sega Mega Drive
EU
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£34.9934.99[6][7]
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Mega Drive
KR
GM4001JG
Non-Sega versions

Truxton, known in Japan as Tatsujin (達人, lit. "Mastery"), is a Sega Mega Drive vertical shoot-'em-up developed by Toaplan and published by Sega. A port of the developer's titular 1988 arcade game Truxton, it was first released in Japan in December 1989.[2]

Story

Taking place somewhere in space, an armada of Gidans led by the evil Dogurava is invading the fictional planet Borogo aboard five gargantuan asteroids. After surviving an attack on an orbiting Borogo cargo barge, a pilot named Tatsuo enters into one remaining ship called Super Fighter and challenges the Gidans in a desperate attempt to quell the alien invasion and divert their asteroid fortresses in the process.

Gameplay

Truxton, Bomb.png

Bomb

The game is a science fiction-themed vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up. The player assumes the role of Tatsuo, taking control of the Super Fighter ship through increasingly difficult stages.

The Super Fighter moves in any direction using the D-Pad. Its movement speed can be upgraded by collecting Speed Booster power-ups. The playable area is slightly wider than the visible area, so the screen pans when the ship is moved to the left or right edge. The Super Fighter is equipped with a main gun, which is fired with A or C. Either button can be held for continuous fire, but C fires much more rapidly. There are three types of weapons that can be equipped by acquiring items. Weapons have unlimited ammunition and travel the full length of the screen. The ship's weapon power is upgraded by collecting Power Booster power-ups: the first upgrade is reached by collecting 5 boosters, and the second upgrade is reached by collecting 10 boosters. Any Power Boosters collected once at maximum level are stored.

The Super Fighter also holds a cache of bombs, which are launched with B. Bombs obliterate all small enemies on screen and evaporate enemy bullets. They also significantly damage bosses. Bombs are limited but can be found as items.

Getting hit by enemy fire destroys the Super Fighter and costs a life, with the player restarting at the last reached checkpoint. When the Super Fighter is destroyed, it reverts to baseline movement speed and restarts with three bombs. It loses 5 Power Boosters when at the second weapon power level and 10 Power Boosters when at the third weapon power level, so losing a life also costs weapon power unless the player has an excess of Power Boosters in reserve. The player gains an extra life at 70,000 and 270,000 points and then every 200,000 points after that. The game ends if the player runs out of lives, but it can be continued as long as there are credits remaining.

As is common with Toaplan's shoot-'em-ups, the game loops back to the first stage after completing the last stage, with the difficulty increasing. There are five different endings for each time the game is successively completed.

Truxton contains a notable damage-related bug: pausing the game with  START  during the Destroyer Bomb's explosion causes the damage done by the attack to increase with every pause. By rapidly pausing and unpausing, players are able to defeat enemies and bosses quite easily.

Weapons

Truxton, Weapons, Red.png

Power Shot
The default weapon of the Super Fighter. Fires a spray of bullets forwards. It is a 3-way spreadshot even at base level. The first upgrade increases the number of bullet streams to 5, and the second upgrade adds a circular shield that surrounds the Super Fighter when firing (not present in the arcade version).

Truxton, Weapons, Green.png

Truxton Beam (タツジンビーム)
Shoots a stream of energy blasts forwards. It is the strongest weapon in the game but covers the least area. The first upgrade increases the number of streams to 3, and the second upgrade increases the number of streams to 5.

Truxton, Weapons, Blue.png

Thunder Laser
Fires a continuous beam of lightning that locks on to enemy targets. The first upgrade increases the number of beams to 3, and the second upgrade increases the number of beams to 5.

Items

Truxton, Items.png
Zun-スン
Destroy to release an item.
Truxton, Items.png
Power Shot
Equips the Power Shot weapon (or awards 5,000 points if already equipped).
Truxton, Items.png
Truxton Beam (タツジンビーム)
Equips the Truxton Beam weapon (or awards 5,000 points if already equipped).
Truxton, Items.png
Thunder Laser
Equips the Thunder Laser weapon (or awards 5,000 points if already equipped).
Truxton, Items.png
Power Booster
Adds a "P" to the sidebar. The Super Fighter's weapon power increases after collecting 5 and 10 Power Boosters. Any Power Boosters collected once at maximum level are kept in reserve. Losing a life also loses 5 Power Boosters at the second weapon power level and 10 Power Boosters at the third weapon power level.
Truxton, Items.png
Speed Booster
Increases the speed of the Super Fighter, up to 4 times (or awards 5,000 points if already at maximum speed).
Truxton, Items.png
Destroyer Bomb (タツジンボム)
Adds another bomb to the Super Fighter's arsenal.
Truxton, Items.png
1-Up
Gives the player an extra life.
Truxton, Items.png
2-Up
Gives the player two extra lives.

Stages

The game consists of battles over eight asteroids, split between five stages, each with its own boss.

Truxton, Stage 1-1.png

Truxton, Stage 1-2.png

Truxton, Stage 1-3.png

Truxton, Stage 1-4.png

  • Truxton, Stage 1-1.png

  • Truxton, Stage 1-2.png

  • Truxton, Stage 1-3.png

  • Truxton, Stage 1-4.png

Blue, Yellow, and Red Asteroids
Boss:
J-Tank

Truxton, Stage 2-1.png

Truxton, Stage 2-2.png

Truxton, Stage 2-3.png

Truxton, Stage 2-4.png

  • Truxton, Stage 2-1.png

  • Truxton, Stage 2-2.png

  • Truxton, Stage 2-3.png

  • Truxton, Stage 2-4.png

Orchid and Purple Asteroids
Boss:
Badron

Truxton, Stage 3-1.png

Truxton, Stage 3-2.png

Truxton, Stage 3-3.png

Truxton, Stage 3-4.png

  • Truxton, Stage 3-1.png

  • Truxton, Stage 3-2.png

  • Truxton, Stage 3-3.png

  • Truxton, Stage 3-4.png

Poison Asteroid
Boss:
Dosvam

Truxton, Stage 4-1.png

Truxton, Stage 4-2.png

Truxton, Stage 4-3.png

Truxton, Stage 4-4.png

  • Truxton, Stage 4-1.png

  • Truxton, Stage 4-2.png

  • Truxton, Stage 4-3.png

  • Truxton, Stage 4-4.png

Galaxy Pool Asteroid
Boss:
Gurus

Truxton, Stage 5-1.png

Truxton, Stage 5-2.png

Truxton, Stage 5-3.png

Truxton, Stage 5-4.png

  • Truxton, Stage 5-1.png

  • Truxton, Stage 5-2.png

  • Truxton, Stage 5-3.png

  • Truxton, Stage 5-4.png

Magman Asteroid
Boss:
Dogurava

History

Legacy

A sequel, Truxton II, was released to arcades in 1992, but it was only ported to the FM Towns and not to any home consoles.

In October 2020, the game was re-released worldwide by Retro-Bit as Truxton Collector's Edition as part of Toaplan Shooters Collector's Edition.[8][9]

In October 2022, the game was included in all versions of the Mega Drive Mini 2. This version adds the option to play the game with the "Standard BGM" or the "Arcade BGM." Standard BGM is the same as the original cartridge. It was designed for 50 Hz and thus plays too quickly (compared to the arcade music) when played at 60 Hz. Arcade BGM corrects the music to play at the same speed as the original arcade game.

In September 2008, retro gaming YouTuber Mark Bussler of Classic Game Room posted a positive video review of Truxton to his channel.[10] The review quickly took off in popularity, and viewers were particularly entertained by Mark's pronunciation of the name Truxton; both Classic Game Room and Mark's style of speaking would later develop a strong association with the game. This association has been humorously embraced by Mark himself, and is frequently celebrated and parodied by the larger gaming community.[11]

Versions

This port is unusual in that it appears to be written for PAL specs: the overall speed of the game, music and sound effects, and so forth, greatly resemble the arcade version when played at 50 Hz.

Despite the small ROM size and plenty of screen-filling enemies, almost all graphics in this game are stored in an uncompressed state.

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English (US) Truxton Truxton
Japanese 達人 Tatsujin

Production credits

  • Staff: T. Ohta, M. Yuge, K. Iwabuchi, S. Nakaoka, N. Sawada, Y. Tataka
  • Cast: Tatsuo, Lilin, Jtank, Badron, Gulus, Dosvam, Dogurava
© Toaplan 1988
© Sega 1989
Source:
In-game credits
Truxton MD credits.pdf
[12]


Digital manuals

Magazine articles

Main article: Truxton/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in GamePro (US) #10: "May 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
CG GR 3 Mega Drive advert.jpg
Print advert in Computer Games (GR) #3: "Ioúnios 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
CG GR 3 Mega Drive advert.jpg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in ACE (UK) #37: "October 1990" (1990-09-xx)
also published in:
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Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1989-11: "November 1989" (1989-XX-XX)
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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)
30
[14]
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[15]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
58
[16]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
80
[17]
Computer Entertainer (US)
67
[18]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
92
[19]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
82
[20]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
82
[21]
Console XS (UK) PAL
84
[22]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
94
[23]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
63
[24]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
82
[25]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
68
[26]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
94
[27]
Joystick (FR)
77
[28]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
78
[29]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
67
[30]
Mega Action (UK)
88
[31]
MegaTech (UK)
82
[32]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
80
[33]
Mean Machines (UK)
82
[34]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
82
[35]
Megazone (AU)
87
[36]
Power Play (DE)
77
[37]
Raze (UK) PAL
85
[6]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
88
[38]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[39]
Sega Pro (UK)
88
[40]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
46
[41]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
84
[41]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
66
[42]
Tilt (FR)
70
[43]
Top Secret (PL)
100
[44]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
72
[45]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
50
[46]
Zero (UK)
87
[47]
Sega Mega Drive
76
Based on
36 reviews

Truxton

Mega Drive, JP
Truxton MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
Truxton MD JP CartTop.jpg
Truxton MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Truxton md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
Truxton MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Truxton md us cart.jpg
Cart
Truxton md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
Truxton MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
Truxton MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Truxton MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Truxton MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, SE (rental)
Truxton MD SE rental cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU
Truxton MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU (alt)
Truxton MD AU alt cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
Truxton MD BR cover.jpg
Cover
Truxton MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Truxton md br manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, BR (Cardboard)
Truxton MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
Truxton MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Truxton md br manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, KR
Truxton MD KR cover.jpg
Cover
Tatsujin MD KR cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

Main article: Truxton/Technical information.

References

Necretro-round.svg
NEC Retro has more information related to Tatsujin
  1. File:Truxton MD JP Box.jpg
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-20 09:51)
  3. Computer Entertainer, "January 1990" (US; 1990-01-20), page 23
  4. GamePro, "April 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 52
  5. 5.0 5.1 Mean Machines, "October 1990" (UK; 1990-09-xx), page 93
  6. 6.0 6.1 Raze, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-11-29), page 57
  7. ACE, "October 1990" (UK; 1990-09-xx), page 51
  8. https://retro-bit.com/toaplan-shooters/ (Wayback Machine: 2021-05-15 18:27)
  9. File:TSCE Toaplan Press Release.pdf
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLUEH7M_xbc
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIhH-_BXPr8
  12. File:Truxton MD credits.pdf
  13. Computer & Video Games, "October 1990" (UK; 1990-09-16), page 122
  14. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 304
  15. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 251
  16. Aktueller Software Markt, "Februar 1990" (DE; 1990-xx-xx), page 92
  17. Beep! MegaDrive, "February 1990" (JP; 1990-01-08), page 69
  18. Computer Entertainer, "January 1990" (US; 1990-01-20), page 18
  19. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume Two" (UK; 1990-04-xx), page 23
  20. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 39
  21. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 51
  22. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 135
  23. Computer & Video Games, "March 1990" (UK; 1990-02-16), page 97
  24. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 20
  25. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 110
  26. Famitsu, "1990-01-05,19" (JP; 19xx-xx-xx), page 17
  27. Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1991" (ES; 1991-xx-xx), page 85
  28. Joystick, "Octobre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 91
  29. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 95
  30. Mega Drive Fan, "August 1990" (JP; 1990-07-07), page 73
  31. Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
  32. MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 81
  33. Micromanía (segunda época), "Noviembre 1990" (ES; 1990-1x-xx), page 60
  34. Mean Machines, "October 1990" (UK; 1990-09-xx), page 92
  35. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 142
  36. Megazone, "June/July 1991" (AU; 1991-0x-xx), page 24
  37. Power Play, "3/90" (DE; 1990-02-19), page 104
  38. S: The Sega Magazine, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-04), page 8
  39. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 55
  40. Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 30
  41. 41.0 41.1 Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
  42. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  43. Tilt, "Septembre 1990" (FR; 1990-0x-xx), page 88
  44. Top Secret, "Marzec 1995" (PL; 1995-xx-xx), page 57
  45. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 206
  46. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "February 1990" (US; 1990-0x-xx), page 87
  47. Zero, "May 1990" (UK; 1990-0x-xx), page 87


Truxton

Truxton MDTitleScreen.png

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Books: Sega Mega Drive Attack Manual Book Tatsujin & Golden Axe (1990)

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