The MSX port of Salamander ( 沙羅曼蛇, Saramanda) is significantly different from the original and any other ports. Several issues later the entire game was re-profiled. The first two levels of Life Force were profiled in the second issue of Nintendo Power, issued in 1988. The NES version makes use of the Konami Code, which increases the number of lives from three to 30. The European version is titled Life Force: Salamander on its cover and was released on November 22, 1989. The North America version was later re-released for the Virtual Console on Februfor the Wii, on Janufor the Nintendo 3DS and Augfor the Wii U. The NES version is practically identical to its Famicom equivalent, other than not having the multiple endings, having two option power ups instead of three, and being titled Life Force. The same year, North America received a port as well for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Most of the background graphics and enemy sprites from Salamander are used in favor of those used in Life Force, though the Gradius-style power bar is used in place of the original instant pick-up system. Instead of being a direct port of Salamander, elements were taken from the original Salamander and the Japanese Life Force re-release, and some elements, such as levels and bosses, were removed to make way for new content. Salamander was ported to the Family Computer in Japan in 1987. Though missing two of the six stages, the simultaneous two player mode and gameplay being much easier than its arcade counterpart, the Commodore port is generally considered to be one of the best arcade conversions on this system.įamily Computer/Nintendo Entertainment System The Spectrum and Amstrad versions were generally criticized, but the Commodore 64 version was highly praised by the critics of the day, particularly Zzap!64. Ocean Software on their Imagine label, released licensed versions of Salamander for computer systems by Spectrum, Commodore and Amstrad in 1988. Versions Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum Some music tracks have been completely changed for this release and the power-up gauge is arranged differently for both players. The power-up system was also modified, with the Japanese Life Force using the same power-up gauge as the original Gradius. All of the backgrounds and mechanical enemies are completely redrawn and given organic appearances. Konami later released an enhanced version of Salamander in Japan in 1987 bearing the American title of Life Force which further fleshes out the organic motif. Narration is added to the beginning of each stage, detailing the area of the alien's body which the player is currently inhabiting such as "Enter stomach muscle zone" or "Bio-mechanical brain attack". The power-ups are also given different names, with the "Speed-Up" becoming "Hyper Speed", the "Missile" becoming the "Destruct Missile", the "Ripple Laser" becoming the "Pulse Laser" and "Force Field" becoming the "Shield". Stages that feature starfield backgrounds were changed to the web background from Stage 1 to maintain consistency with the organic setting of the plot. The Japanese and European versions are nearly identical, but the American version changes the game's plot by adding an opening text that establishes the game to be set inside a giant alien life-form which is infected by a strain of bacteria. The arcade version of the game was released under its original title in Japan and Europe, and as Life Force in North America. Upon the ship's destruction, the options float in space for a brief time before disappearing the new ship can grab and retain them. The only power-up that can survive the ship's destruction is the options (called "multiples" in the English release), they followed the exact flight path of the player's ship and fired when they did, but were otherwise invulnerable. The ripple and laser, however, are mutually exclusive. For example, an option fires a second (or third) salvo of missiles or ripple/plutonic lasers if these power-ups have been attained. However, the Japanese version of Life Force keeps the selection bar. The player gains power-ups by picking up capsules left behind by certain enemies, as opposed to the selection bar used in other Gradius games. The number of continues can be changed through DIP switches. There are no continues in single player mode, and two in the two-player mode. Players are allowed to continue from where they leave upon death instead of being returned to a predefined checkpoint as per Gradius tradition. The game features six stages which alter between horizontal and vertical scrolling. The first player controls Vic Viper and the second player takes the reins of debuting spacecraft Lord British, which is sometimes referred to as "Road British" due to the ambiguity of Japanese-to-English romanization. 3.10 Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection.3.2 Family Computer/Nintendo Entertainment System.3.1 Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum.
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