Xexex is this week’s Arcade Archives game on Switch

Hamster has announced that the latest classic arcade game headed to the Switch eShop via the Arcade Archives label is side-scrolling shoot-’em-up Xexex. Here’s a description of the retro title, courtesy of the International Arcade Museum:

Xexex is a side-scrolling shoot-’em-up originally made by Konami for arcades in 1991. It features both single player and joint multiplayer modes.

Side scrolling space shooter. Blast your way through the marauding alien fleet to meet the boss man. The excellent backdrops, techno-music score, and meaty sound effects make it impressive. Despite this, the game play is OK too.

Game Introduction

A combination of technological and biological attacks, caused by an opposing force, has placed the planet E-Square in jeopardy. The Princess Elaine is now their prisoner, and it is now up to your ship, the MF-01 Flintlock with its special biological Flint, to stop the invasion and then undo the damage to Planet E-Square.

The backgrounds are very distinctive in this game. The 3-D burning fires of space on the first stage is amazing and the rendered rotating planet on the second stage is pretty cool too.

Game Play

You play with only one ship, but the Flintlock is heavily armored and capable of withstanding significant damage before exploding. The energy gague shows how much more damage can be absorbed, but power-ups can be collected along the way to recharge the shields.

The Flint you normally carry with you is indestructible and provides one of your most versatile weapons. Control of the Flint is very similar to that of the Pods of the R-Type series. Pressing the second button once shoots the Flint forward. Once released, it will reach out with its arm(s) and attempt to attack the enemy. It has no guns of its own, so you need to shoot it near an enemy to be effective. Pressing the button again will recall the Flint. United with the Flint, you can charge shots that are released as powerful energy extensions of the Flint’s arm(s).

Power-ups found along the way can improve your guns, shields, missiles, or Flint (giving it additional arms up to a maximum of three).

Many times, you will encounter purple biomasses. While some of them float on their own, others are attached to ships or obstacles. Attack the biomasses to destroy the ship or obstacle.

Arcade Archives Xexex is scheduled to launch digitally Thursday on December 23, and will cost $7.99 / €6.99 / £6.29 on the Switch eShop.

Source: Hamster PR