Axelay

Overview

Axelay is a side- and vertically-scrolling shoot 'em up from Konami created specifically for the Super Nintendo to take advantage of its Mode 7 capabilities. Many of the stages employ this tech, displaying a wraparound effect as the player flies over the horizon of planets. The game was released in 1992 (1993 for Europe) and was released on the Wii's Virtual Console in 2007.

Plot

Axelay takes place in the fictional Illis System, under attack by alien invaders known as the Armada of Annihilation, who seek domination over all the planets in the system. The game begins on the planet Corliss, an Earth analog. The player must take their ship, the D117B Axelay Fighter and free the planets of Illis, eventually working their way to the Fortress of the Armada of Annihilation to stop the invasion.

Trivia

• If the game is completed twice on the hardest difficulty, a message appears and promises a sequel to Axelay. However, an Axelay 2 was never released and no plans for a sequel have yet to materialize.