Side Arms - Hyper Dyne (Japan, 861128) - MAME machine

Arcade Video game published 38 years ago:

Hyper Dyne SIDE ARMS © 1986 Capcom.

An evil alien race called the 'Bozon' are trying to wipe out Mankind, and Lieutenant Henry and Sergent Sanders are given the responsibility of saving the Human Race. They each climb into a Mobilsuit - a jet-powered, heavily armoured combat suit - and set out on their mission.

Side Arms is a horizontally - and occasionally vertically - scrolling shoot-em-up for one or two players. Each player has two fire buttons, one for shooting ahead and one for shooting behind; crucial for a game in which enemies attack from all directions. Shooting certain enemies will reveal power-ups - displayed as 'POW' icons - and shooting the icons will either change their type, or reveal a special weapon.

Finally, Side Arms features a unique power-up. These power-ups are hidden in the level and can be collected by shooting at their location with any weapon. By collecting a circle icon that flashed between the Greek 'Beta' and ok, both players can join together to become a single, highly powerful combat unit capable of firing in eight different directions. When a two-player unit is joined, BOTH players' controllers can control the unit's movement, which can cause the unit to not move if players decide to go in different directions to each other. The player who picks up this power-up will control the main weapon from his current list only and the other player will be able to fire the secondary eight-direction weapon. The eight-direction weapon can be fired by single presses or automatically by holding either fire button.

In a two-player game, this form will break apart after one hit to the unit, returning to both players individual units. In a one-player game it will break apart after two hits, causing the second unit to be destroyed.

Appearance of the super unit and the eight-directional weapon is dependant on which player gets the power-up. First-player unit is a primarily orange unit that fires red triangle projectiles one way. Second-player unit is a blue unit that fires blue boomerangs that fly out and return causing a slower rate of fire.

The 8 available power-ups are:

• Speed-up (POW symbol)
• Speed-down (Reverse POW symbol, shows just before reaching Auto I or II)
• Bit - (3 level power-up)
• Spread Gun - (3 level power-up)
• Mega Bazooka Launcher (2 level power-up)
• 3-Way Shot (2 level power-up)
• Auto I (Chain gun)
• Auto II (3-Way Auto)

Players are able to carry all of the game's available weapons simultaneously and can switch between each one to suit the situation. All weapons can also be powered-up by collecting a similar option.

TECHNICAL
Main CPU: Zilog Z80 (@ 4 Mhz)
Sound CPU: Zilog Z80 (@ 4 Mhz)
Sound Chips: (2x) Yamaha YM2203 (@ 4 Mhz)

Players: 2
Control: 8-way joystick
Buttons: 3

TRIVIA
Hyper Dyne Side Arms was released in November 1986.

Alfa Records released a limited-edition soundtrack album for this game (Capcom Game Music Vol.2 - 28XA-203) on March 25, 1988.

The player one character appears as a bonus item in some Capcom games including: "19XX - The War Against Destiny", "Super Buster Bros.", "U.N. Squadron" and "Black Tiger".

UPDATES
The Original Japanese release has an extra screen at the attract mode with the word 'Zettai!! Gattai!!'.

TIPS AND TRICKS

• During the attract sequences, when the players are joined, you can even move the character around without having to add any credits.

SERIES

• Section Z (1985)
• Side Arms - Hyper Dyne (1986)

STAFF
Game Designers: Noritaka Funamizu (Poo), Yoshiki Okamoto (Kihaji Okamoto)
Object Designers: Dekachin, Kawamoyan
Scroll Designers: Toride No Yas, Miki Chan
Supplement: Uhe Uhe, Kurichan
Sound Designer: Tadanomi Surozoo
Music Composer: Ayako Mori
Hardware: Panchi Kubozoo (Punch Kubozoo)
Software: Mr.

PORTS

• CONSOLES:

[JP] NEC PC-Engine (jul.14, 1989) "Side Arms - Hyper Dyne [Model H54G-1004]"
NEC PC-Engine CD-ROM² [JP] (dec.15, 1989) "Hyper Dyne Side Arms Special [Model HACD9002]"
Sony PlayStation 3 [PSN] [JP] (feb.19, 2013) "Capcom Arcade Cabinet [Model NPJB-00210]"
Microsoft XBOX 360 [XBLA] [JP] (feb.20, 2013) "Capcom Arcade Cabinet"

CONTRIBUTE
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