Master of Weapon (Japan)
What is Master of Weapon (Japan)?
Master of Weapon is a horizontal shooter that originally hit arcades courtesy of Taito back in 1989. The SEGA Genesis received a port exclusively in Japan in 1991, also handled by Taito. It puts you in control of a heavily armed hover vehicle called the 'Master of Weapon' and tasks you with blasting through waves of enemies across various stages.
The gameplay is straightforward but satisfying. You pilot your vehicle over a scrolling landscape, moving in four directions while firing at ground and air targets. Defeating enemies leaves behind power-up capsules that upgrade your weapon's firepower or provide temporary shields. Each stage ends with a boss encounter that tests your reflexes and weapon management. The core loop comes down to memorizing enemy patterns, collecting the right upgrades, and surviving the onslaught.
For retro shooter fans, Master of Weapon is a solid but unremarkable entry in the Genesis library. It doesn't revolutionize the genre, but it offers competent arcade action with decent visuals and a respectable challenge. Its Japan-only status means it's less known than other Genesis shooters, but it's worth a look if you enjoy titles like Forgotten Worlds or Hellfire. Just be aware that menus and in-game text are in Japanese, so some trial and error might be needed.
How to Play Master of Weapon (Japan) Online
When the game boots up, you'll see a title screen with Japanese text. Press Start (Enter key) to proceed to the main menu. The options are minimal: start game and possibly a sound test or difficulty setting. Choose the first option to begin. Use the arrow keys to move your hover vehicle and the S key to fire your weapon. The game is entirely in Japanese, but you don't need to read much to play.
Your goal is to survive each stage by destroying enemy waves and collecting power-up orbs. These orbs appear after defeating certain enemies and can upgrade your main gun, add spread shots, or grant a temporary shield. Focus on grabbing weapons that match your playstyle. If you get hit, you lose your current weapon level, so try to avoid damage while learning enemy patterns.
Each stage ends with a boss that requires you to dodge its attacks while firing at weak points. You'll restart at the beginning of the current stage if you lose all your lives. The game presents a fair challenge typical of early '90s arcade ports. Take your time, watch the patterns, and don't be too aggressive.
Master of Weapon (Japan) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button
- S: B button
- Z: C button
- A: X button (6-button pad)
- Q: Y button (6-button pad)
- E: Z button (6-button pad)
- Enter: Start / Mode
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