alcon is a 1986 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed by Toaplan and published by Taito. Set on the colonized fictional planet of Theron in the future, where an alien race led by Gaudy have invaded the human-controlled location, players assume the role of an Allied League of Cosmic Nations (ALCON) fighter pilot taking control of the SW475 space fighter craft in a effort to counterattack the invaders. Initially launched for the arcades, the game was later ported to other microcomputer and console platforms by various third-party developers, with each one featuring several changes or additions compared to the original release.
Slap Fight proved to be popular with arcade players despite a low number of arcade boards manufactured in Japan, however it was met with mixed reception from video game magazines across western regions, specifically the home conversions. Although it never received a direct sequel, the game’s ideas and weapon system were later inherited by both Truxton and Grind Stormer, with the latter being regarded as its spiritual successor. The rights to the title are owned by Tatsujin, a Japanese company formed by Masahiro Yuge.
Gameplay
Slap Fight is a science fiction-themed vertically scrolling shoot ’em up game reminiscent of B-Wings, where players assume the role of an Allied League of Cosmic Nations (ALCON) fighter pilot taking control of the SW475 space fighter craft in a counterattack effort to defeat an invading alien race led by Gaudy on planet Theron as the main objective.[2][3][4] Besides some stationary helicopters with blades spinning, there are no flying enemies in the entire game. As far as vertical scrolling shooters go, the title initially appears to be very standard, as players control their craft over a constantly scrolling background and the scenery never stops moving until a boss at the end that must be fought before progressing any further is reached. Players have only two weapons at their disposal: the standard and side shots that travel a max distance of half the screen’s height and length.[3][4]
Reception
| hideReception | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Review scores | |||||||||
| Publication | Scores | ||||||||
| CPC | C64 | Thomson | ZXS | ST | SMD | ||||
| ACE | — | — | — | — | 568/1000[21] | — | |||
| ASM | — | 10/12[22] | — | — | — | — | |||
| Amstar | 12/20[23] | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| Amstrad Action | 76%[24] 69%[15] | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| Arcades | — | — | — | — | 15/20[25] | — | |||
| Atari ST User | — | — | — | — | 5/10[26] | — | |||
| Beep! Mega Drive | — | — | — | — | — | 29/40[27] | |||
| Commodore Force | — | 60%[16] 76%[28] | — | — | — | — | |||
| CU | — | 5/10[29] | — | — | — | — | |||
| CVG | — | 10/10[30] 81%[17] | — | 60%[17] | 4/10[31] | — | |||
| Crash | — | — | — | 72%[32] 41%[33] | — | — | |||
| Famitsu | — | — | — | — | — | 26/40[34] | |||
| The Games Machine | — | — | — | — | 75%[35] | — | |||
| Happy Computer | — | 80/100[36] | — | — | — | — | |||
| Mean Machines Sega | — | — | — | — | — | 76/100[37] | |||
| MegaTech | — | — | — | — | — | 83%[38] | |||
| PlayStation Magazine (JP) | — | — | — | — | — | 19.8/30[39] | |||
| Power Play | — | — | — | — | 70%[40] | — | |||
| Sinclair User | — | — | — | 7/10[41] 89%[42] | — | — | |||
| ST Action | — | — | — | — | 61%[43] | — | |||
| Super Game | — | — | — | — | — | 90/100[44] | |||
| Tilt | — | 15/20[45] 15/20[46] | 13/20[47] | — | 14/20[47] | — | |||
| Your Sinclair | — | — | — | 9/10[48] 82°/100°[49] | — | — | |||
| Zzap!64 | — | 80%[50] 60%[51] | — | — | — | — | |||
alcon Marquee
