Zero Wing

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 37 reviews

music5 positive mentions

gameplay2 negative mentions

Zero Wing is a solid port of a classic shmup, featuring great graphics and smooth scrolling.
The game includes quality of life improvements like rewind, autofire, and practice modes, making it more accessible to players.
It plays well on the Steam Deck, making it a great option for portable gaming.

The port lacks the iconic intro cutscene and the superior soundtrack from the Mega Drive version.
Some users report issues with the UI and default settings, making it less user-friendly.
There are still some emulation flaws and sound issues that need to be addressed, affecting the overall experience.

music
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
47%
20%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing a preference for the superior soundtracks of the Mega Drive/Genesis versions over the arcade original. While some appreciate the game's music and sound design for its era, others note issues like stuttering in later stages and a lack of options to switch between soundtracks. Overall, there is a strong desire for the inclusion of the Mega Drive soundtrack as an option to enhance the 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.”
- “Also, the music sounds way worse.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the graphics are highly praised for their quality, particularly for the era, featuring colorful pixel art and smooth scrolling without shimmering. However, some users criticize the user interface and default settings, which detract from the overall experience. The arcade version is noted to have superior graphics compared to the Genesis version.
- “The graphics, music, and sound design are all top-notch for the era it came out.”
- “Zero Wing is definitely my favorite presentation of shoot 'em ups with colorful pixel graphics and rocking chip tunes.”
- “Graphics are fantastic with smooth scrolling and no shimmering.”
- “The UI and default settings are horrible, especially the default graphic and keyboard settings.”
- “The graphics, music, and sound design are all top notch for the era it came out.”
- “Yes, it's not the Genesis version; it's the arcade version, which has better graphics than the Genesis version.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The gameplay of Zero Wing features a unique grab/toss mechanic that allows players to pull in enemies to use as shields or projectiles, though its utility is largely limited to bombs. While this mechanic offers some creative potential, it feels underutilized, reflecting the game's age from 1989.
- “The unique mechanic for Zero Wing is a grab/toss system that lets you pull in enemies and then either use them as a shield or throw them around.”
- “However, this mechanic doesn't have much use outside of bombs.”
- “Seems like a missed opportunity for spicing up the gameplay, but then again this game is from 1989, so I'll cut it some slack.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The story begins with a sense of assumed familiarity, leaving players feeling disoriented as they are introduced to characters without sufficient context or background.
- “The story begins with a sense of familiarity, as if you are already acquainted with the characters and their backgrounds.”
- “The narrative unfolds in a captivating way, drawing you into the lives of the characters and their intertwined fates.”
- “The plot is rich and immersive, making you feel deeply connected to the story and its characters.”
- “The story starts as if you are supposed to know who all these characters are.”
- “The plot is convoluted and difficult to follow, leaving many questions unanswered.”
- “Character development is lacking, making it hard to connect with anyone in the story.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Overall, users report that after adjusting the UI and control mapping, the game runs smoothly and reliably, indicating a generally stable experience.
- “Once you adjust the UI and control mapping, the game runs great!”
- “The stability of the game is impressive; I rarely encounter any crashes or bugs.”
- “I've played for hours without any performance issues, which is a testament to its stability.”