Originally a groundbreaking arcade hit from Namco, Xevious – The Avenger was brought to the NES by Bandai in 1988. This vertical-scrolling shoot ’em up puts you in the cockpit of the Solvalou fighter craft to repel an alien invasion. It introduced a defining mechanic to the genre: managing two separate planes of combat simultaneously, forcing players to balance aerial dogfights with bombing ground-based artillery.
How to play
Your goal is to survive endless enemy waves and destroy the massive Andor Genesis motherships. You are equipped with a Zapper for airborne targets and a Blaster for bombing ground installations. Use the Arrow Keys to steer your ship, Z and X to fire your lasers and drop bombs, and Enter to pause the action.
Tips
- Keep an eye on the red crosshair ahead of your shipโit shows exactly where your ground bombs will land.
- Watch for hidden Sol towers. Bombing seemingly empty spaces can cause them to rise from the ground, awarding massive bonus points.
- The enemy’s projectile spheres travel quickly; keep moving in sweeping motions rather than sitting in one spot to avoid being cornered.
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