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Elevator Action EX (Japan)
What is Elevator Action EX (Japan)?
Elevator Action EX hit the Game Boy Color in 2000, and it's an update to the older Game Boy version of the arcade classic. This one came out only in Japan, published by Altron. It's an arcade-style action game where you sneak through a building full of spies, riding elevators and taking out enemies. The Game Boy Color got a lot of these sorts of pick-up-and-play ports, and this one aimed to polish the original handheld experience with color and a few new twists.
You pick one of three characters before starting: Mike is the all-around balanced agent, Guy moves slower but can take more hits, and Sarah is quicker but weaker. The core gameplay is the same as the old Elevator Action games - you run through floors of an office building, grab secret documents if they appear, and shoot or punch enemy agents while riding elevators up and down. Each floor has doors that lead to rooms, and you have to survive until you reach the exit on the bottom floor. It's simple, fast, and relies on timing your elevator moves to avoid getting cornered.
For fans of the series, Elevator Action EX is a nice little upgrade that adds character choice without messing with the formula. It's not a deep game, but it fits the Game Boy Color library well as a quick arcade fix. Compared to other Japan-exclusive color upgrades, this one feels like a genuine improvement rather than a cash-in. If you like classic arcade action that doesn't waste your time, it's worth checking out on emulators or original hardware.
You pick one of three characters before starting: Mike is the all-around balanced agent, Guy moves slower but can take more hits, and Sarah is quicker but weaker. The core gameplay is the same as the old Elevator Action games - you run through floors of an office building, grab secret documents if they appear, and shoot or punch enemy agents while riding elevators up and down. Each floor has doors that lead to rooms, and you have to survive until you reach the exit on the bottom floor. It's simple, fast, and relies on timing your elevator moves to avoid getting cornered.
For fans of the series, Elevator Action EX is a nice little upgrade that adds character choice without messing with the formula. It's not a deep game, but it fits the Game Boy Color library well as a quick arcade fix. Compared to other Japan-exclusive color upgrades, this one feels like a genuine improvement rather than a cash-in. If you like classic arcade action that doesn't waste your time, it's worth checking out on emulators or original hardware.
How to Play Elevator Action EX (Japan) Online
When you start the game, you'll see a title screen in Japanese. Press Start (Enter) to advance, then you'll get a character select screen. Use the D-Pad to highlight one of the three agents - Mike, Guy, or Sarah - and press X to confirm. After that, the game begins on the top floor of a building. Your goal is to work your way down to the bottom floor without getting killed. Enemies appear in hallways and inside rooms. You can shoot them with the B button (S key) while facing them, or punch them at close range. Jumping (A button, X key) lets you avoid some attacks, but watch your positioning near elevator shafts.
The core loop is simple: move left or right to find elevators, ride them to lower floors, and clear rooms of enemies. Some rooms have red doors; entering them might reveal a document that gives bonus points or a briefcase that temporarily boosts your weapon. The game is in Japanese, but the menus are minimal - just press Start to skip any text. If you get stuck, remember that you can ride elevators that go up as well as down, but your goal is always to descend. The game ends when you lose all your health.
Elevator Action EX (Japan) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button (jump / confirm)
- S: B button (run / attack / cancel)
- Enter: Start / Pause
- V: Select
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed Elevator Action EX?
Elevator Action EX was published by Altron in 2000 for the Game Boy Color. It is an updated port of the original Elevator Action Game Boy game, but the specific developer is not widely documented outside of the publisher credit.
What makes Elevator Action EX stand out among Game Boy Color titles of its era?
Being a Japan-exclusive color update of a classic arcade franchise, it added character choice with three distinct stats - Mike for balanced play, Guy for durability, Sarah for speed. That kind of optional variety was uncommon for simple arcade conversions on the platform.
Is Elevator Action EX considered easy to pick up or challenging?
It is fairly easy to pick up since the controls are straightforward and the mission is always the same: get to the bottom floor. However, the challenge comes from enemy placement and elevator timing, especially on later floors where more agents appear.
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