RetroGameDepot Blog - Keeping the world upto date with Retro Gaming

Unfortunately for Retro Gamers, the term ‘Retro’ usually means ‘In the past’. We all live with the fact that our favourite console from decades ago will never been seen in the same light again, nor will there be any new releases for it. It’s the sad truth we face each day as the pixels populate our CRT Televisions.

However out there in the Retro Gaming scene today are small groups of dedicated gamers who refuse to let their favourite consoles die. These groups are doing what everyone thought would never happen.

As you were trading in your Sega Megadrive collection to the local game shop, ready to move on to the Sega Saturn, would you have believed the shop keeper if he said…
“I wouldn’t sell that if I were you, mate. In 15 years time there will be new games for that console.”
That is what these groups are doing. They are breathing new life into long dead consoles, with new software.

There are lots of these groups coding away homebrew software onto home computers. The Tape based computers have hundreds of developers releasing new homebrew games, but what about the Console gaming homebrew scene?

Super Fighter Team has been around for a good while now. They are most commonly known for bringing out the first physical Sega Megadrive cartridge release since the mid nineties, Beggar Prince. Shortly after that, they also brought us Legend of Wukong, another Sega Megadrive RPG.
As great as these releases were, you could argue that they are nothing new, which would be a correct statement. After all, the two releases in question here were actually released on Cartridge back in the day, only in China via a mysterious company called C&E (see Magic Bubble). So where is the homebrew?

Super Fighter Team bought the rights to C&E’s back catalogue and began translating these games for release. As amazing as they are (and they get a big thumbs up from the ‘depot) and how we look forward to many more, a lot of Retro Gamers were still craving something new and original. Well today, we are going to look into that!

Bring out Zaku!

Zaku is the latest game to be published by Super Fighter Team. Developed by the guys at PenguiNet over a long period of six years, it is the most recent release for the long dead console/handheld, the Atari Lynx. This is a title recommended for any Shmup fan, Lynx fan or Retro Gamer looking for new homebrew.

Upon boot up, you are greeted with a traditional gameplay intro, the fate of the world is in Zaku’s hands and it’s up to you to take control.  After sorting out your options, you’re welcomed with a Gunstar Heroes style level select, allowing you to decide how the story goes. Once selected, you’re right into the action.

On the first playthrough, I headed straight to the Thunder Zone. Within seconds of playing, I realised that this game is one that will keep me coming back for more. The enemies have fairly decent defences that require you to power the shots into them repeatedly, as they’re not very forgiving. Parrots were homing into me as Robotic Penguin heads slowly floated into my path providing a real challenge.
After being hit by one of these nasties, I noticed that this Shmup is one of the few that offers a health bar, something I really approve of. As hardcore as some of the Shmup players are, not all of us are able to ‘1-life’ the whole game flawlessly.

Further into the level you really begin to see the effort that PenguiNet has put into this game. Blocking the path ahead are some floating Spike Balls, being carried by a bunch of balloons. Shoot the balloons to make the ball fall, or shoot the ball to send the balloons flying. It’s the extra touches like this that really add more depth to these games.

Zaku has two modes of shooting, a continuous rapid fire and a charge shot. If the charge is held for long enough, Zaku is surrounded by a protective bubble he can force into the enemies for a quick kill. This was something I worked out at just the right time.

At this point PenguiNet once again prove that they have taken their influences from other places to create a wonderful game. In large letters, in a similar style to Ikaruga, the Taito shooters and many more, the word ‘Warning’ covers the screen with a quick description/dialogue from the boss you are about to fight. But by far, the main influence for this game is quite obviously Parodius, as a… uhm… toaster flies into the gameplay ready to ‘toast’ me (literally).

(All pictures from the official Zaku Website)

I’m going to leave the quick mini review/summary here for now as it’s still a fairly new game to me and I’m yet to discover other parts of the game. The only downside I can comment on is that the size of Zaku can sometimes get in the way a bit, whether that’s down to my lack of skill, only time will tell.

Zaku through the collector’s eyes

Super Fighter Team also needs to be given some praise in this review too. Not just for their publishing/distribution, but for the effort they have gone to recreate what appears to be as close to an Official Atari Lynx release as possible. I think the photos below will do the talking for this point. Good job SFT!

(Fits right into any Atari Lynx collection)

Zaku round up

Zaku is a game you should all be considering to buy, not only because of how good it is, but because we need to support these groups. Six years development is a long time; these guys/gals have done all of this in their spare time, to give our consoles a bit more lifespan. If we don’t support them, we don’t get any more new releases. It’s as simple as that.

So before you go waste your money on Call of Duty MW2 (Special Rip-Off edition) or Fifa 10 (No Gameplay Glamour Edition), consider getting Zaku instead and give your Lynx a good dust down. It’s well worth it!

Further Links

PenguiNet – http://www.penguinet.net/
Super Fighter Team – http://www.superfighter.com/
Official Zaku Website – http://www.zaku-lynx.com/index.html

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Tags: Atari Lynx, Homebrew, PenguiNet, Super Fighter Team, Zaku