My Played Video Games Review: Choujikuu Yousai Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie for the Super Famicom

Chō Jikū Yōsai Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie is a shoot 'em up video game created for the Super Famicom (Super Nintendo in Japan) gaming console in 1993. The game was developed by Winky Soft and published by Zamuse (both Japanese video game companies). The game was based on the popular 1982 space opera anime TV series Super Dimension Fortress Macross.

I was a big fan of that anime and I was glad that I got to play this one during the mid-1990s.

The Story

Choujikuu Yousai Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie is inspired by the widely acclaimed anime franchise called Macross/Robotech, which has a massive following among fans during the early to mid-1980s.

The Graphics and Sound

The visuals are nearly impressive. The backgrounds are all aesthetically pleasing, and the enemies are prominent and colorful. The game boasts some of the best graphics for a shooter game on this system. The color palette is well-chosen, and there are no noticeable visual flaws, except for those things that are intentionally designed to be unappealing.

The game's music is fantastic, but the sound effects can be dull. Specifically, the weapon sounds can become bothersome after an extended period of play. Apart from that, it has a top-notch soundtrack that adds excitement to the game.

The Gameplay

The gameplay in this shooter is straightforward, as is the case with many other shooters. However, it sets itself apart by allowing players to transform their fighter into three different modes: Fighter Mode (jet), Gerwalk Mode (half jet, half humanoid robot), and Battroid (humanoid mech with machine guns and missiles). Although this feature didn't have much significance for me, it added to the game's overall coolness factor.

The replayability of the game is low, as I found it difficult and uninteresting. I didn't manage to finish the game, and it doesn't seem like there are any unlockable features or 2-player mode. Most shooters offer some form of replayability, but unfortunately, this one falls short in that aspect.

The game is incredibly challenging, especially for someone who does not play side-scrolling shooters very often. If you die, you have to start the whole level over again, and it takes away a continue. There are no bonus extra lives to be earned, making the game even more challenging. Overall, it's a game that's designed to be very tough, which may not be suitable for everyone.

My Verdict

Choujikuu Yousai Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie doesn't have any particularly remarkable features, except for the fact that it has the Macross license. It seems like the developers didn't put in much effort when creating the game. If you're a fan of the anime, you might want to get this game despite any negative reviews, which is likely what the developers were counting on.

Play it on the venerable Super Famicom or play it on a jolly good emulator.

Let's keep on gaming in the free world!