Where to get it

1986 · Port · Taito · Arcade · Shoot 'em up

Scramble Formation

Port

Scramble into the skies of Tokio! Master the formation change!

Released: 1 April 1986
Platforms: MSX Nintendo Switch PlayStation 4 Zilog Z80
Genres: Arcade Shoot 'em up Shooter
Developers: Taito
Publishers: Taito
Perspective: Bird view / Isometric
Themes: Action
Country: Japan
Age ratings: GRAC ALL PEGI 3 ESRB E
Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish (Spain)

About

Scramble Formation is a 1986 vertically scrolling shooter video game developed and published by Taito for arcades. It was released in Japan in April 1986 and in North America by Romstar as Tokio in May 1986.

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

In the game, the player controls a red propeller-driven airplane, flying over the city of Tokyo. They are able to shoot and capture other red, smaller planes, which then will follow the player in formation. The player can choose between 3 formations: the first is able to shoot both air-to-air and air-to-ground projectiles, the second only air-to-air (but on a larger area), the third only air-to-ground (but on a larger area as well). During gameplay, the player should react accordingly to the threats and quickly decide which one of the 3 formation types is more adequate at one given moment.

The game is divided in areas, depicting key places in Tokyo, such as Shinjuku, Akasaka, and Ginza. There are no clearly defined "levels", but at some points the player is faced by a giant mothership, which can be shot down by hitting its engines.