1944 - the loop master (000620 USA Phoenix Edition) [Bootleg]

This is a bootleg version of 1944: The Loop Master, a vertically scrolling shooter that originally hit arcades in 2000. The base game was developed by Raizing and published by Capcom on the CP System II hardware, part of the long-running 194X series that started back in 1984. This particular release carries a "USA Phoenix Edition" label and is marked as a bootleg, meaning it's an unauthorized hack of the original ROM with unknown modifications. If you've played any of the earlier games like 19XX: The War Against Destiny, you'll recognize the familiar World War II setting and the same intense aerial combat.

The player takes control of either a P-38 Lightning or a Mitsubishi A6M Zero, two super ace pilots fighting against an entire army in 1944. Gameplay is classic vertical scrolling shooter, but with a unique twist: a looping mechanic that lets you pull off a 360-degree turn to attack enemies from behind or dodge incoming fire. You collect power-ups to upgrade your weapons and shot types, and the game throws waves of enemy planes, tanks, and battleships at you across multiple stages. The core loop is straightforward: survive, destroy, and build a score by chaining kills and using the loop move effectively.

As a bootleg, this version is not official and likely differs from the original arcade release in minor ways - maybe altered difficulty, different graphics, or hacked-in continues. For retro shooter fans who have already exhausted the original 1944 or want to see what a hacked cart plays like, this is a curiosity worth trying. It's not a polished title, but it offers the same frantic bullet-dodging action that made the 194X series a staple of arcade shooters. If you're just looking for the authentic Raizing and Capcom experience, the original 1944: The Loop Master is the better starting point.