1942 (Revision A)
1942 (Revision A) - Shooter Classic
1942 is a 1984 vertically scrolling shooter from Capcom, designed by Yoshiki Okamoto. It was the company's first arcade game to use a WWII Pacific theater setting and kicked off the long-running 194X series. This Revision A build is an updated version of the original arcade release, fixing bugs or adjusting balance.
You pilot a single plane - a P-38 Lightning - through enemy territory, scrolling upward automatically. Enemy planes swoop in from all angles, and you must shoot them down while avoiding their bullets and collisions. A signature move is the roll, a quick barrel roll that lets you dodge incoming fire. Power-ups like the 'Super Options' (wingmen) and machine gun upgrades appear when you shoot down red planes. The stage ends with a boss encounter, typically a large bomber.
Compared to later shooters like 1943, this one is simpler and slower-paced, but still a solid test of reflexes. It's worth trying as a piece of gaming history - an early arcade hit from Capcom before they became famous for Street Fighter and Mega Man. The screen-filling enemy patterns and limited continues preserve the old-school quarter-munching challenge.
How to Play 1942 (Revision A) Online
Instead of jumping, you'll rely on your plane's movement. Experiment with the other buttons to discover secondary actions like bombing or rolling.
Start the game by pressing Enter (Start) and, if the title screen allows, press V (Select) to choose options. Once credits are inserted, you'll begin scrolling upward. Your main objective is to survive each stage by shooting down enemy planes and dodging their fire. Use the arrow keys to move your craft, and press S to fire your primary weapon. Collect power-ups by shooting red enemy planes - they drop floating icons that upgrade your firepower or give you temporary companions.
The game is divided into 32 stages, but you only have a limited number of lives and continues. The difficulty ramps up as enemy formations become denser and boss fights appear. Don't forget to use your roll maneuver (often mapped to X) to evade tight bullet patterns. If you run out of credits, you'll have to insert more to continue.
1942 (Revision A) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: Joystick / Movement
- X: Button 1
- S: Button 2
- Z: Button 3
- A: Button 4
- Q: Button 5
- E: Button 6
- Enter: Start / 1P
- V: Coin / Insert
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