Zipang (Japan)
About Zipang (Japan)
Zipang is a vertical scrolling shooter released for the PC Engine (the Japanese equivalent of the TurboGrafx-16) in 1992. Developed and published by NMK, it arrived during the golden age of shoot-em-ups on the platform. The game is presented in a traditional arcade style, with fast-paced action and colorful sprite work that was typical of the era.
You control a fighter ship through a series of scrolling levels, destroying waves of enemy aircraft and ground targets. The core gameplay revolves around collecting colored orbs that cycle through different weapon types, allowing you to switch between spread shots, lasers, and homing missiles on the fly. Dodging dense bullet patterns while managing your weapon selection is key to survival, and each stage ends with a boss encounter that tests your reflexes.
Zipang isn't as well-known as other PC Engine shooters like R-Type or Gradius, but it offers a solid challenge with a unique weapon-switching mechanic. If you enjoy 16-bit shmups and want something that feels like a hidden gem, this title is worth checking out. It's a straightforward, no-frills shooter that rewards practice and pattern recognition.
How to Play Zipang (Japan) Online
To begin playing, press Enter to start the game. The title screen and menus are in Japanese, but the options are straightforward: the first item usually starts a new game. Choose your difficulty if prompted - Normal is recommended for newcomers. Once in-game, your ship auto-fires by holding down the attack button (S or X depending on configuration).
The main loop involves dodging enemy fire while shooting down everything in sight. Collect the colored orbs that appear from destroyed enemies to change your weapon type - each color corresponds to a different shot pattern. Pay attention to the weapon indicator at the bottom of the screen. Getting hit costs you a life and your current power-up level, so prioritize survival over aggressive scoring.
There is no continue feature, so practice the early levels to learn enemy patterns. The game scrolls vertically, and stages are short but intense. Use the D-Pad to weave through bullet streams and reposition your ship to hit weak points on bosses. If you get overwhelmed, remember that you can switch weapons quickly by cycling through orbs - sometimes a spread shot helps in tight corridors.
Zipang (Japan) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
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