Area 88 (Japan)

Arcade Video game published 36 years ago:

Area 88 (c) 1989 Capcom.

Area 88 is a horizontally-scrolling shoot-em-up and is based on the Manga series of the same name. The game features characters from the original Manga and their mission is to battle their way through enemy-packed levels to stop a terrorist group known as 'Project 4'.

Players chose to fly one of three jet fighters: an A-10 Thunderbolt, a F-14 tomcat and an F-20 tiger Shark. The player's jet fighter has an energy bar that decreases every time it takes damage. The fighter is destroyed once the energy bar is depleted.

Before entering a stage, players enter a shop and are given the opportunity to purchase special weapons or improved defences. Money for use in the shop is earned by destroying enemy planes and vehicles during play and when the stage is completed, any unused weapons are converted back into money.

The game consists of ten stages plus a bonus stage.

- TECHNICAL -

Runs on the "CP System" hardware.
B-Board ID: 88622B-3

Players: 2
Control: 8-Way Joystick
Buttons: 2
=> [1] Fire, [2] Special

- TRIVIA -

Area 88 was originally released in August 1989 in Japan. It was known there as the 6th video game made for the CP System.

Area 88 is based on a Japanese Manga series published from 1979 to 1986. It was created by Kaoru Shintani and tells the story of Shin Kazawa, a mercenary fighter pilot training for the Area 88 air force base. The manga was very popular in Japan and was even adapted into at least three OVAs in 1985 and a twelve episode animation series in 2005.

Known Export releases:
"U.N. Squadron [B-Board 89624B-2]"
It was re-released in 1991 as "Area 88 [B-Board 91634B-2]".

Pony Canyon / Scitron released a limited-edition soundtrack album for this game (Area 88 - PCCB-00018) on January 21, 1989.

- TIPS AND TRICKS -

* More Money:
If you start a 2-player game at the same time, each one will be credited 3000 dollars. On the other hand, if the second player arrives afterwards, he will have 12000 dollars (you have just gained 9000 dollars).

* Hidden Mission:
There are several methods to play this mission, here is one : Beat the Mission 3 (The Forest Fortress) by destroying the heart of the fortress on the first blow (1st passage).

* Various Little Ending Animations:
At the ending screen (presented by Capcom), various little animations are shown dependent on how much Mechs were recovered, or if the Unicorn was recovered...

Mission 3, Forest Fortress:
Unicorn (+ a shield) - Destroy all trees without forgetting from the very start of the level to destroy the 1st tree on the left. The unicorn will appear spontaneously in front of the fortress.
Yashichi - Destroy the latest turret of the fortress, Yashichi is just on the right in bottom of the fire turret.

Mission 4, The Carrier:
Mech (1000 pts) - Just behind the 5th rock, on the ground level, a Mech which agitates a flag will appear.

Mission 5, Bomber called Bayson:
Mech (+ a T.Laser) - You must destroy the 39 rocks to see a Mech appear with a knife.

Mission 6, Missile Launcher:
Mech (10000 pts) - When the way separates in 2 ways, take the top while shooting at the base from the 1st pillar made of rock, a Mech will appear.

Mission 8, Battleship called Minks:
Mech (1000 pts) - After the 2 boats come from the left, place yourself at the top of the screen and shoot until a Mech with a rifle falls into water.
Yashichi - At the middle of the Battleship, we have a red turret, destroy it to release Yashichi.

Mission 9, The Arsenal:
Mech (1000 pts) - Behind the second building, a Mech with an umbrella hides.

Special Mission:
Mech (10000 pts) - An airliner will go down in the middle from the screen, then go up. Go to the left of the screen. When the plane starts to go down again, shoot until you see appearing the Mech overlapping a rocket at the bottom right of the screen.

- SERIES -

1. Area 88 [CP-S No. 06] (1989)
2. U.S. Navy [CP-S No. 12] (1990)

- STAFF -

Planners: Mako P, Parazoll Shono, Noritaka Funamizu (Poo)
Direction: Yoshiki Okamoto (Kihaji Okamoto)
Character designers: Manbou Shintan, Gokkun Kuratani, Rekite, Unicorn Mayumi, Traveller Kuramoyan, Holiday Kakkun, Haru San, Konomi (Powerful Konomi), Fukumoyan, Femme Hana
Music composer: Chan Chakorin
Hard design: Kucchan
Programmers: Blbon, Takako

- PORTS -

Only Japanese releases are listed here. For ports released outside Japan, refer to the Export version entry; "U.N. Squadron [B-Board 89624B-2]".

* CONSOLES:
[JP] Nintendo Super Famicom (jul.26, 1991) "Area 88 [Model SHVC-E8]"

- CONTRIBUTE -

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