Atomic Robo-kid (Japan, Type-2, set 1) - MAME machine

Arcade Video game published 36 years ago:

Atomic Robo-Kid © 1988 UPL.

In the 21st century, a blast of cosmic radiation bombarded Terra-12, a deep-space outpost of Earth, hideously mutating all transplanted life. A fleet of savage beings followed the radiation wave and invaded the planet, and began the systematic destruction of all remaining sentient life. Years of battling the alien 'governors' have gone by, and now only one hope survives to avenge the desperate Terran colonists.

The player controls the Atomic Robo-Kid through six stages of increasing difficulty, facing an alien "governor" boss, which are so large as to be considered levels themselves, followed by a "duel" level against other Robo-Kid sized robots. Many levels branch into others, giving the player the choice over which zone to enter next, increasing replayability.

Robo-Kid can collect four different weapons. Whichever weapon is selected is lost when Robo-kid loses a life. In addition to his default gun, Robo-Kid is able collect powerups for a shield that activates on enemy contact, rapid fire, and speed powerups. The player can also encounter a friendly dinosaur-looking robot that sells weapons and shields to Robo-kid using extra lives as currency.

TECHNICAL
Game ID: UPL-88013

Main CPU: Zilog Z80 (@ 6 Mhz)
Sound CPU: Zilog Z80 (@ 5 Mhz)
Sound Chips: (2x) Yamaha YM2203 (@ 1.5 Mhz)

Players: 2
Control: 8-way joystick
Buttons: 2

TRIVIA
Atomic Robo-Kid was released in November 1988.

Act-3 main melody was taken from Gary Moore's Thunder Rising.

Omega Fighter, Atomic Robo-Kid / UPL [Pony Canyon / Scitron - PCCB-00038 - Aug 21, 1990]

Reviews:
[FR] November 1992 - Consoles+ No. 14: 91/100

UPDATES
In the export (non-Japanese) versions, the highscore table contains only 3 letters. The original Japanese version can contains an entire name.

TIPS AND TRICKS

• Choose Start Level:

1) After inserting a coin, press p1 attack button while pressing 1p start.
2) Enter the code (codes appear after Act5 at the beginning of the level).

• Hidden message:

During the attract mode, you can get the programmer's name and address:
At Time 99, press 1P Start.
now hold 2P Start and input: ABABABABA.
At Time 90, press B.

STAFF
Game designer: Tsutomu Fuzisawa
Chief programmer: Toshio Arai
Character designers: Tsutomu Fuzisawa, Tokuhisa Tazima
Background designers: Noriko Nihei, Akemi Tsunoda
Effects: Kohji Abe
Compose & Music: Mecano Associates

PORTS

• CONSOLES:

[JP] NEC PC-Engine (1989) "Atomic Robo-Kid Special [Model UP01001]"
[JP] Sega Mega Drive (dec.1990) "Atomic Robo-Kid [Model T-24013]"
[US] Sega Genesis (dec.1990) "Atomic Robo-Kid [Model T-24016]"
[JP] Sony PlayStation 4 [PSN] (sept.29, 2016) "Arcade Archives - Atomic Robo-Kid [Model CUSA-05977]"

• COMPUTERS:

[US] Commodore C64 (1989) "Atomic Robo-Kid"
Atari ST (1990)
Commodore Amiga (1990)
[JP] Sharp X68000 (dec.20, 1990) "Atomic Robo-Kid"

CONTRIBUTE
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