Ajax
Ajax - Shooter Classic
A-Jax (sometimes spelled Ajax) is a vertical scrolling shooter that Konami released for arcades in 1987. At the time it was only available in Japanese arcades, though European home computer ports later appeared under the name Typhoon. This is the original arcade version, a straightforward but polished example of the genre.
In A-Jax the player pilots a helicopter through a series of vertically scrolling stages, shooting at enemy aircraft and ground targets. The game mixes standard aerial combat with brief top-down sections where you attack naval vessels. Power-ups like speed boosts and spread shots appear along the way, and the difficulty ramps up steadily through the five stages.
A-Jax is a solid but not revolutionary entry in Konami's shooter lineup. It doesn't have the fame of Gradius or Twin Bee, but its clean visuals and satisfying arcade action make it worth a quick playthrough. For fans of 80s arcade shooters, it's a neat historical piece that shows what Konami was doing outside its biggest franchises.
How to Play Ajax Online
Getting Started
When you start A-Jax, the title screen shows the game name in Japanese but the gameplay is purely action based - just press Start to begin. The core loop is straightforward: your helicopter scrolls upward automatically, and you must shoot down enemy planes, helicopters, and ground turrets while dodging their fire. Your main weapon fires forward, and you can strafe left and right to avoid attacks.
Power-ups are collected by destroying specific enemies - look for icons that grant spread shots, speed increases, or bombs. The game has five stages, each ending with a boss encounter. Keep in mind that you have a limited number of lives and continues, so mastering enemy patterns is key. The controls map to the standard arcade layout: X fires, S uses a bomb if you have one, and the D-pad moves your helicopter.
Ajax 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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