Super Spacefortress Macross (video game)

Super Spacefortress Macross is a science fiction-themed vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up game that is part of the Macross series. The plot is based on the 1984 anime film Macross: Do You Remember Love?, the VF-1 Valkyrie fighters can transform into one of three different modes (Fighter, GERWALK and Battroid) by collecting the corresponding power-up icons, and the attack patterns range from spread shots to a straight laser. Each mode can be powered-up three times by obtaining "P" icons and picking up additional mode icons ("F", "G" or "B") unlock alternative "paths", providing more firepower and modified attack configurations for the Valkyrie respectively. The Valkyrie can also transform into a fourth mode (Armored Battroid), via a rare item drop that grants an extra armor and attacks using grenades with missiles. After taking an enemy hit, the armor is expelled and any power-up items collected while armored become bonus points. The Valkyrie fighters are equipped with a number of bombs at the start as well, which obliterates enemies and bullets caught within its blast radius. In some occasions, players can pick up a Valkyrie-shaped 1UP icon, which grants an extra life. Firing on determined locations is also crucial for reaching high-scores, as certain setpieces in each stages hosts a bonus point items within their scenery, as well as destroying enemies on certain spots. The title employs a respawn system where their ship immediately starts at the location they died at. Getting hit by enemy fire or colliding against solid stage obstacles will result in losing a life, as well as a penalty of decreasing the Valkyrie's firepower to its original state, and the game is over once all lives are lost unless the players insert more credits into the arcade machine to continue playing. == Development and release ==

Super Spacefortress Macross was developed by NMK, a defunct Japanese game developer known for shooters such as P-47: The Phantom Fighter, Saint Dragon, Task Force Harrier and Zed Blade. It is based upon Macross: Do You Remember Love?, a 1984 anime film based around Shoji Kawamori's popular Macross mecha anime series. Eisaku "Wisaku" Origami, Kenji "Ikezu Kenzi" Yokoyama and Hiromi "Kate" Seki, as well as three members under the pseudonyms "NA", "Nao" and "Mingmei" were responsible for the pixel art. The game was later released in North America on October of the same year by Fabtek. The title was also released in Australia by Leisure & Allied Industries. It became the first arcade entry in the Macross franchise, and the only Macross title that had an official international release. The game remained exclusive to arcades and never received a conversion to home consoles. == Reception and legacy ==

Super Spacefortress Macross was moderately popular in arcades; In Japan, Game Machine listed it on their October 15, 1992 issue as being the seventh most-popular arcade game during the month. The Japanese publication Micom BASIC Magazine also ranked it at the number six spot in popularity on their December 1992 issue. Super Spacefortress Macross garnered mixed reception from critics prior to and since its launch. Computer and Video Games Julian Rignall described the game as "the most yawnsome, bog-standard vertically scrolling shoot 'em up I've played since the last one", criticizing its "dull" action, bland visuals, predictable end bosses and weapon system. Sinclair Users John Cook stated that the title's fast-paced action made it worth playing, but noted that it offered nothing original. Retro Gamers Stuart Hunt commended its visual style for being intricately detailed and the variety found within the levels, but also criticized this aspect for being "drab", while noting that more hardcore players would find "little" in terms of challenge. Hunt ultimately deemed it to be "a competent shooter but one that feels a bit flat against the genre's best titles." Following the release of Super Spacefortress Macross, Banpresto would publish two more Macross arcade games: Chō Jikū Yōsai Macross II (1993), a horizontal-scrolling shooter based on the 1992 OVA Super Dimensional Fortress Macross II: Lovers Again developed by NMK, and Macross Plus (1996), another vertical-scrolling shooter based on the OVA and anime film of the same name developed by MOSS. == Notes ==