- February 14, 2023
- Toaplan
Zero Wing
Platforms
About
"Zero Wing" is a classic side-scrolling shoot 'em up game where players control a space ship fighting against enemy forces. The game is known for its memorable and often mistranslated phrases, such as "All your base are belong to us." Players must navigate through various levels, battling enemy ships and bosses, while upgrading their ship with power-ups. The game features a memorable soundtrack and challenging gameplay that will test the player's reflexes and strategy.











- Zero Wing is a solid classic shmup with engaging gameplay and quality of life improvements like rewind and autofire options, making it more accessible to players.
- The graphics and sound design are top-notch for the era, providing a visually appealing experience that holds up well.
- The game is well-suited for portable play on devices like the Steam Deck, making it a great option for gaming on the go.
- The port lacks the iconic intro cutscene and features a less favorable soundtrack compared to the Mega Drive version, which disappointed many fans.
- The user interface and default settings are poorly designed, making it difficult for players to navigate and customize their experience.
- Some emulation issues persist, including sound problems and input lag during intense gameplay, which detracts from the overall experience.
- music30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
Overall, the music in this game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing a strong preference for the superior soundtracks of the Mega Drive/Genesis versions over the arcade version. While some appreciate the game's music and sound design for its era, others criticize the arcade soundtrack as lacking depth and quality, with requests for options to switch between soundtracks or include additional versions. Additionally, there are reports of music stuttering in later stages, which detracts from the overall experience.
“The graphics, music, and sound design are all top notch for the era it came out.”
“Amazing game, music, and graphics.”
“If they add an option to choose which soundtrack or even just add the other versions of the game, I think that would go a long way and make a truly comprehensive edition of Zero Wing.”
“The arcade version also has frankly the worst soundtrack, with none of the hard-hitting bass of the Genesis version or the epic orchestration of the CD version.”
“Edit: The game's music seems to stutter on later stages; hopefully this gets fixed, but this should not happen.”
“If they add an option to choose which soundtrack or even just add the other versions of the game, I think that would go a long way and make a truly comprehensive edition of Zero Wing, though I understand that likely takes additional licensing and may be too costly to be practical.”