Let's Compare ( Zaxxon )

[@Dan-ww8to]

I’m 60 years old and this just brought me right back. Thank you

[@GamingHistorySource]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Just turned 50 myself. :D

[@darthsidious1485]

Why would you have a seperate category for Wii Virtual console - since it IS the arcade version? Same thing for the PS2 which is the ARCADE version being emulated

[@johnnyxsi]

HAHA, I remember being late for school showing my friends the colecovision port of Zaxxon. I got into so much troubhle

[@patsfan4life]

johnnyxsi that’s totally justifiable

[@eternalhalloween1]

I'm tempted to say I like the 2X Spectrum. Yea. It's different from the arcade. But the black background makes it easier to see where you are and you can see your enemies faster.

[@manuelbrown8733]

Shame this doesn't have the TRS-80 versio,which looked bettan the Atari 800/C-64 versions.

[@bakersmangos2402]

I played a lot of the c64 version back when I was a kid. Loved this game.

[@infinitecanadian]

I remember playing it on my Atari 800XL. Quite a memorable game.

[@mwcool87]

Now that was a great computer!

[@SlightlyDeath]

Surprisingly I really like the 5200 port.Never thought this machine could be capable of such decent gfx and scrolling...

[@TurboPikachu]

Slanted altitude bar for Atari 5200 = freaking legit for the early 80's

[@peterlamont647]

To match the keyboard, of course :D

[@gillygilbs2187]

Holy crap, that seriously bright me back to the 80's. My parents used to bowl on Friday nights and they would give me countless dollars/quarters and zaxxon was always in the alleys arcade. What did it was the "wuwuwuwuwuwuwuwu" sound of the electric fence... Memories....

[@MrBriza5731]

need a coco 3 version plus coco 1,2 version in the comparison

[@YayAkiba]

There was no TI-99/4A version.

[@lkb3rd]

I used to walk a half a mile to an ice cream shop that had this game, just to play it.

[@patsfan4life]

Len Baird totally worth it

[@Fastbikkel]

I loved the C64 version back in the day and when i see it now, i can imagine i loved it again!

[@statinskill]

That's why you should be keeping up with the Commodore, because the Commodore is keeping up with you!

[@jojos08]

I had the CPC version and used to be one my favourite games :-) still remember playing it! Thanks for this video.

[@nateword]

the 2600 version should have just been River Raid 2

[@Z64sports]

How does a river get into space?

[@tron3entertainment]

I anxiously awaited the TI-99/4A port and it never showed up. Some rumors say it exists (at least in part) somewhere.

[@WyreWizard]

Back in the 90s, a game similar to Zaxxon was made. It was called Viewpoint.

[@reinerbergkamen7852]

for ps1

[@shaggydog9789]

@@reinerbergkamen7852 Viewpoint was originally a Neo Geo game from 1992, was even on the Genesis before the PS1 version came out a few years later.

[@chanolongo]

Does Zaxxon from Colecovision or other platforms really support 3D information? I mean is it a simulation of axonometric with just overlapping layers or does it work with real (X,Y,Z) axes? Sorry about my english

[@homeelectricco]

a couple of these that look really good are like shooting galleries ...... nothing is shooting back while going through the city

[@TonimanGalvez]

Thanks for the video, awesome work. The Amiga version of Zaxxon is an Unoficial port, the game was made by fans, like the C64 version.

[@wingnut4427]

@r4tftube I didn't know there was another version. I intend on remaking this video in the future. I'll make note of it. :) Thanks for the tip. BTW.. If You have a direct download link for the rom I would be appreciative :D

[@rdkarlov]

The Amiga version isn't at all that bad. It's a direct port from the Commodore 64. The original disk came with two versions: one with the same Commodore graphics, the other with enhanced graphics. Still, the same 8-bit game.

[@221b]

Too bad you didn't show the CoCo port. I had that one as a kid and it was one of my favourite games, and one of the best contemporary Zaxxon ports available. The scrolling was perfectly smooth and the zoom-level was basically the same as the arcade's (unlike the extremely zoomed-in C64 port.) It was missing some graphical detail from the arcade version but everything important was carried over extremely well.

[@jasongarnes]

Colecovision for the win

[@ratclowncar]

there's two versions for MSX, both ports from other consoles (the SG-1000 and the Colecovision versions) and you can barely tell which one you're getting from the box art i'm sure it was very confusing for people that weren't paying attention

[@1983parrothead]

Before Sonic the Hedgehog, Fantasy Zone and Alex Kidd, most people knew Sega for creating Zaxxon.

[@neophytealpha]

The one I had for Commodore 64 sounded better than the feed you shared. Close to arcade is how mine sounded. Nothing like the audio you shared.

[@wildsmiley]

I'm disappointed that the Apple II version isn't in this video. That's a really great port, probably my favorite version outside of the Colecovision one.

[@lurkerrekrul]

Two things: The C64 actually had two versions of Zaxxon, the disk one (shown here) by Synapse and a cartridge one by Sega. The Cartridge had more faithful graphics, but the disk version played better. Also, the "Amiga" version is an unofficial port of the C64 version with the option of different graphics. Besides leaving out the explosion when you die, the levels after passing Zaxxon are completely different and look like they were designed by Beavis and Butthead. Toasters, giant toilets, etc.

[@Luxatos]

I recall playing the DOS version a lot. It was almost exactly like the arcade version. Thinking back, I can't recall any differences although I imagine there probably were some.

[@MetalSonicodraco7342]

DOS port is actually one of the best in my opinion

[@jrmb242]

"the atari 8-bit version could have been much better, the hardware is capable of so much more :(" Like was the case for 90% of A8 games. Using A8 hardware with all DLI/PMG to its fullest was difficult and with C64 dominating the market no one bothered anymore.

[@wingnut4427]

Unauthorized adaptations of the game were published for the TI 99/4A (as Arcturus) that's the only reason I mentioned it. :)

[@bernhardwall6876]

I had the 2600 port, and it wasn't great. The computer had trouble registering hits, so you could blow up unexpectedly. The 2-player game had a major glitch. If you lose a life during the part of a level after the space battle, you literally couldn't play anymore, as the score display took away the time you needed to get past an electric barrier.

[@IMDRanged]

I have the Atari 800 version by Datasoft. I am impressed by the Atari 5200 version that follows it. The 5200 wasn't popular in my State. Certainly a system seller. Too bad the 5200 controller was a broken prone.

[@cartoonfan29]

I know this is pointless to ask but does anyone know what version of zaxxon that apeared in the friday the 13th the final chapter movie just wondering

[@ReBITMAGAZINE]

The Colecovision and Sega 100 version are also on MSX1, because has idem hardware.

[@volvoguy804]

Does anyone know what system Corey Feldman's character is playing this on, in the Friday 13th movie?

[@GamingHistorySource]

TRS CoCo.

[@GamingHistorySource]

www.nightfallcrew.com/23/11/2011/tandy-radio-shack-trs-80-coco-extended-basic-version/

[@Lightblue2222]

Genesis32X version is my fav. You don't have to navigate up and down but you do get a jump mechanic

[@MetalSonicodraco7342]

Mate I need you to recreate this and made a complete lets compare with the less posible miss ;)

[@wingnut4427]

Not too sure. I don't think it does because it doesn't seem to support the scrolling needed to make it smooth.

[@MattMcIrvin]

I have a friend who argues that the rear-perspective view in the 2600/Intellivision versions makes it a better game. (I don't have much opinion on this myself since Zaxxon was never my thing...)

[@FrameRater]

I look at them as two different experiences... essentially different games, with clear inspiration from one another. I feel like if they weren't weighed down by the original perspective, they would have been better received.

[@scottbreon9448]

There were actually two official C64 ports of Zaxxon (one by SynSwoft/Synapse and the other was by US Gold)

[@lurkerrekrul]

@gjc82071 - I know. It's a shame that most people only know about the cartridge version of Congo Bongo. Are you sure that Sega made both versions? I know they both have a Sega copyright on them, but I always assumed that they were written by different developers, like the other games with two versions. Bionic Commando is another game with two different versions.

[@equid0x]

Not sure what was up with this video. The 800 version should have perfectly smooth scrolling. You can find other videos of the 800 version on youtube and the scrolling is perfect.

[@KisseroBahiense]

MSX version is at 8:21, not at 11:06.

[@Halbared]

Never played this, but I did play Captain Skyhawk which looks similar. Rare were the kings of the iso game on the Nes.

[@wingnut4427]

You are correct but the 800 was often sold for about 350 to 400 bones at the time. Most parents wouldn't be willing to shell out that kind of money for a game console at that time. I believe at that time when the 5200 came out it was selling for $250.00. The Atari 5200 was composed mostly of the same components found in the 800. Pretty much the same thing. But You are indeed correct.

[@SimmeringPotpourri]

You state that the Atari Computer version and the 5200 version are the same in every way but they aren't. For one, they don't have the same title screen. In open space, the 5200 planes just fly in one direction and they also don't offer upward-firing rockets.

[@saigokun]

Thanks for posting this. It was a great clip. For some reason the MSX got two version of the game. A direct port from the Collecovision, and a reprogrammed version (1985) shown in your clip. The reprogrammed version is superior in my opinion.

[@mariomen2009]

why didn't the atari800 just straight up replace the 2600? this I don't understand

[@gjc82071]

@lurkerrekrul Same with Donkey Kong & Congo Bongo. There were/are 2 versions of each for the C64. Odd thing is that for Congo Bongo, BOTH versions were made by Sega. ! in 1983, the other in 1985. THe 1985 version has all 4 boards.

[@stephenlozano2816]

We have come a long way in video game graphics

[@rdkarlov]

Yes. The Intellivision and Atari 2600 had very low RAM so that's not a surprise. I think if they were titled differently people would swear by them as one of the greatest games in those platforms, but since they went for "Zaxxon" the reactions were very different. I tend to disagree, they are very great games except that they are *not Zaxxon*, they're something else. Still fun.

[@thomascampr]

Zaxxon is and always be awesome. Way ahead of its time. No copy compares to the original. Just like pacman and donky Kong. Original is always the best .

[@wingnut4427]

@thatguywhogames1 Yes it does ! :D I wish I had every quarter that I plunked into that machine now. lol

[@wingnut4427]

I have all the samples. It was in the right place. But there was a problem with Mame at that time. I have since reloaded the emulator & haven't tested the New install with Zaxxon as of yet.

[@chanolongo]

I´m looking closely and it seems to me that the spaceship does hace this vertical axis data included, because the game is rendering its shadow, but when it flies over objects and architecture there´s no shadow, so maybe all the environment is fake axonometric except floor-to-spaceship height...I think Knight Lore or Alien from Spectrum do have real XYZ info, not Zaxxon, but I´m just not sure

[@33ordie]

The ST version is not shown.

[@joshuapalomares3217]

Forgot the coleco mini table top V.

[@loudenvier]

The first version shown runs on the Intellivision, which had roughly 1KB of RAM (yes KB) and 2KB of ROM for Graphics and 4KB of executive RAM. It would be very hard for you or anyone else send an email with less than this amoung of memory in payload, can you imagine fitting a whole game inside? Still the ports could have been a lot better (at least on the Intellivision) as some classic, great games show...

[@mcorleonep]

I had the Colecovision one back in the day and it was da bomb! I was always curious to play the 2600 version. In this video, the Intellivision version looks no better than the 2600. :-/

[@TheUncleshady]

I had both. The colecovision version was amazing and the atari version also wasn't bad for the system it was on, but basically nothing beat the Coleco version.

[@gjc82071]

@cosine303 Same here (C64 version). Although, I am biased towards the C64. It's 1 of my all time favorite systems. Also, isometric graphics/3D were not easy back then. BTW, are you into retro gaming at all? Emulators and ROMs, etc? I am a huge retro gamer and have nearly every emulated classic/vintage system and all the ROMs/games for them. Certain emulators offer free online game play. MAME, Atari, C64, etc. If your interested, let me know. Maybe we could get a game going sometime.

[@wingnut4427]

I believe at the time I had not altered The settings in camtasia to 30 fps. I believe it was recording 15 fps. The game ran smoothly on My PC. Didn't look jerky to me but then again. I'm not a perfectionist. These videos are just a hobby after all.

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

That ZX spectrum port is so SLOOOOOWWWW.

[@bjbell52]

I'm not sure. I can see them being the exact (or reasonable so) copies for the 5200, the Atari xe, xl, 400, 800 and probably the 1200 (what ever number is was) because they all had the same graphics chip and sound chip but the ST had a 68000 processor that would take and entire port to make it work. With it's superior graphics, I hope it didn't look just like the others.

[@gio048]

Hi fantastic review of all the versions of ZAXXON.Can you tell me where I can get a copy for PC? See ZAXXON was a big part of the 80s for me, and I would love to get a version of the arcade, that's the one I played.So if you can tell me where I can get a copy of the arcade version for PC that would be great.Thanks Gio.

[@wingnut4427]

If You want the genuine arcade version. Mame is the way. OR you can try this one. www.classic-retro-games.com/Zaxxon_70.html

[@scooterahlers6719]

wingnut4427 Or you can download the ARCADE version if you have a Wii (virtual console arcade).

[@DaveMire]

Gio048 an arcade perfect version was included in the Playstation2, "Sega Genesis collection". (but it has to be unlocked first)

[@mjp29]

Does this game have an end?

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

MSX and Sega SG1000 look virtually identical. Same hardware?

[@silviomogno6752]

More or less

[@Koexistence13]

Colecovision was great! Should of shown the Adam super game version. Mastersystem was fun with the 3d glasses and fm sound but my favorite is the coleco port

[@33ordie]

ST version same as Atari 8-bit, guess I didn't know that

[@twcoursolle]

MIND=BLOWN

[@hdufort]

There was a late port of Zaxxon to the TRS-80 Coco3 (with 16 colors and smooth scrolling). It was programmed by Steve Bjork and named "Z'89", and had an "arcade feel". www.lcurtisboyle.com/nitros9/z89.html

[@thaMANSTA]

Zaxxon was my favorite game on our TRS-80! It should be here, it was one of the best ports.

[@TheOnlyToblin]

No DOS port? O_o Apparently the DOS port must've been rare because no one I know who is into retro games have ever heard of the DOS port, but I'm 100% sure I played it on our IBM 5150 when I was about 6-7 years old.

[@jaysmack7445]

Had the C64 version.

[@wingnut4427]

because it was billed as a personal computer and the 2600 was just a console.

[@danaralston6688]

SG-1000 music reminded me of Choplifter. Amiga version, it looks like the fuel tanks say "FU" on them...LOL

[@jamesmcashan]

information controllers tried to make Sega 3D disappear from history, because it worked well, and it revealed that in 1982 there was already an LCD stereo 3D lens system, not colored, for public use and industry. they still hide 3D. in the 1970s, theaters were showing 3d color movies with paper polarized 3D eyeglasses, not color anaglyph. they hid that also. -james mcashan for the US Senate

[@BearCubster]

Enjoyed watching. Apart from the arcade version being the best, the Commodore64 and Commodore Amiga was the better versions. Both almost identical. Bloody good video and a good idea!

[@Fortuna1]

zaxxon arcade use samples (downloable), sound is good

[@rdkarlov]

Looks an unreleased and unfinished titled for the CPC. Not sure.

[@KenMasters.]

What Sega should've done is take about 15 of their arcade classics such as: *Astro Blaster, Borderline, Congo Bongo, Deep Scan, Eliminator, Future Spy, Head-On, Pengo, Space Fury, Super Locomotive, Super Zaxxon, Tac/Scan, Turbo, Zaxxon and Zektor.* And make it into a 15-in-1 cartridge/disc titled *Sega Coin-Op Collection Vol. 1* that's ported to their Master System, Genesis/MegaDrive, Game Gear, Sega CD, 32X, Sega Saturn, Dreamcast and Game Boy Advance instead.

[@MetalSonicodraco7342]

The AMIGA, ATARI (ALL), MATTEL INTELLIVISION, COMMODORE 64 & COLECOVISION VERSION'S Are ''The Great translation of The Arcade Version (Q=10)'' The SEGA-SG 1000 & MSX VERSION'S Are ''Great (Q=9)'' The ZX SPECTRUM VERSION Are ''The Hurt Ears, if you dot not ear more, play this version (Q=0)'' The SEGA MASTER SYSTEM VERSION Are ''Another Style of the game (Q=9) The AMSTRAD CPC are good but a little simple (Q=8)

[@retrosuperguy3362]

Great game, a true classic 😊

[@STEJTHEGREATEST]

Amazingly enough, the arcade version reminded me of Sigma 7 on the Amstrad!!!!!!!

[@petrahansen7067]

The 2600 &Intellevision ports aren't even the same game! Imagine the 80's TV commercials for these. "Hey Kids! If you LOVE the awesome 2D action of Zaxxon, you'll FLIP for the horrible, unrecognizable blocky pixel 1D version of THIS game we'll PRETEND is sort of like Zaxxon. Even though it isn't even REMOTELY the same game!" The excitement of saving quarters &still being able to play a certain game must have made kids just insane w/delusion back then. But it was a GOOD kind of delusion.

[@MetalSonicodraco7342]

+PETRA HANSEN Coleco almost do this class intentionally

[@odysseyovideogamedaphilips]

+PETRA HANSEN See Space Raid Intellivision game

[@dnjj1845]

they did this with nintendo games too. They'd have pictures of the arcade versions on the box of the game

[@alisterbaker-lowe]

If it was more of an isometric game then it wouldn't be as bad.

[@10p6]

Your statement about the Atari versions is incorrect. Their are minor differences in the 8 bit versions. Also the ST version is much improved over the 8 bit versions.

[@MetalSonicodraco7342]

+10p6 still are kinda similar the 8B versions...ST versions is unaceptable to say that

[@MetalSonicodraco7342]

Les Dixon Why are you stalking every of my comments!?

[@lesdixon7487]

+MetalSonicodraco7342 you started it mate..I'm bored with it now anyway. .your a very rude and obnoxious man.

[@MetalSonicodraco7342]

Les Dixon Yep everything you say I am...but...why fucking stalk me!? you look so stupid doing that!

[@lesdixon7487]

MetalSonicodraco7342 your paranoid bud..anyway I've just booked a flight to Spain..ha ha

[@TrockeyTrockey]

Atari XL/XE version I had played it is not the same as shown on your presentation.

[@benandres9627]

Both the atari 2600 and intellivision ports kept what was the most revolutionary aspect of zaxxon intact which was being able to change altitude. They do not deserve the hate I see them getting.

[@marcelocunha4379]

Awesome!

[@JasonPaul576]

I remember the C64 version being very good at the time. Both Atari versions were pretty bad. The 2600 version screamed "Why did they even bother?" and the 5200 version goes way too fast. Then again, Coleco had the rights to Zaxxon, and you're asking them to make a game on their competitors' systems good, which they often didn't do. See also: Donkey Kong and especially Donkey Kong Jr.

[@silviomogno6752]

Too fast is not a flaw... Atari 8 bit has the most fluid scrolling among all versions. Compare it with slow cpc, msx, and Sega version

[@stringanime]

Love the Atari 2600 version. WOW the Atari 5200 is nuts fast! I realize the SEGA SG-1000 had Zaxxon, but a SEGA Master System version would have been cool. Strange that the original Zaxxon didn't make it onto SEGA master system, instead they had to go 3D, I still somewhat enjoyed it as a kid, but I was disappointed.. A 3 compilation disc would have been awesome on SMS having Close to perfect versions of Zaxxon and Congo Bongo, and maybe toss in Pengo for good measure.

[@Cp-71]

Say whatever you want, but I like the ZX Spectrum port.

[@dallase1]

Wow, even the powerful for it's time Amiga could not do this game Justice.

[@DracIsBack]

Also possible it’s just a shitty port on the Amiga vs a technical problem ...

[@aFewBitsShort]

Shoddy console to computer ports have always been a thing it seems.

[@peterlamont647]

"What?!?! recode the entire game for 68000 processor in 1 month?? Okay...but the results may not be what you expected." Every game programmer.

[@meanmachine3453]

The ZX Spectrum version hurts my ears.

[@lurkerrekrul]

The Colecovision version had nice graphics, but whoever programmed that beeping whine into the audio should have lost their job!

[@cant1rac]

because it was a computer designed to go against the apple. ironicaly steve jobs approached nolan bushnel with the design for the apple, but said atari wasn't intrested in a computer & gave him the names off some people who would be able to help him. the atari 800 released in 1979 has better ablities than the c64, higher resolution, more colors, as good a sound chip a 1.7mhz mos cpu rather than 1mhz in the c64. it wasn't the comercial succes it should have been, to see game development

[@NormanLy101]

I had it for the Atari 2600. I was disappointed because graphics are poor and the angle of the point of view was not the same as the arcade's. I had a lot of fun with it anyway!!! Coleco's version was far superior and faithful to the arcade. Thanks for the video!!!

[@1983parrothead]

Before Sonic the Hedgehog, Sega was known for Zaxxon.

[@erikaoliveira8030]

Assustador este let’s compare eu vejo let’s compares mas esse foi o mais diferente da história dos let’s compares