Wikipedia

Slap Fight

This article is about the arcade game. For the form of striking a person, see Slap.

Slap Fight[a] is a 1986 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed by Toaplan and published by Taito. Set on the colonized fictional planet of Theron in the future, where an alien race led by Gaudy have invaded the human-controlled location, players assume the role of an Allied League of Cosmic Nations (ALCON) fighter pilot taking control of the SW475 space fighter craft in an effort to counterattack the invaders. Initially launched for the arcades, the game was later ported to other microcomputer and console platforms by various third-party developers, with each one featuring several changes or additions compared to the original release.

Slap Fight
Arcade flyer
Developer(s)Toaplan
Publisher(s)Taito
Composer(s)Masahiro Yuge
Platform(s)Amstrad CPC, Arcade, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Mega Drive, Thomson MO5, Thomson TO8, ZX Spectrum
Release
Genre(s)Scrolling shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Slap Fight proved to be popular with arcade players despite a low number of arcade boards manufactured in Japan, however it was met with mixed reception from video game magazines across western regions, specifically the home conversions. Although it never received a direct sequel, the game's ideas and weapon system were later inherited by both Truxton and Grind Stormer, with the latter being regarded as its spiritual successor. The rights to the title are owned by Tatsujin, a Japanese company formed by Masahiro Yuge.

Gameplay edit

 
Arcade version screenshot

Slap Fight is a science fiction-themed vertically scrolling shoot 'em up game reminiscent of B-Wings, where players assume the role of an Allied League of Cosmic Nations (ALCON) fighter pilot taking control of the SW475 space fighter craft in a counterattack effort to defeat an invading alien race led by Gaudy on planet Theron as the main objective.[2][3][4] Besides some stationary helicopters with blades spinning, there are no flying enemies in the entire game. As far as vertical scrolling shooters go, the title initially appears to be very standard, as players control their craft over a constantly scrolling background and the scenery never stops moving until a boss at the end that must be fought before progressing any further is reached. Players have only two weapons at their disposal: the standard and side shots that travel a max distance of half the screen's height and length.[3][4]

The game's weapon power-up system takes inspiration from Gradius;[2][3][4] certain enemies spawn a star-shaped item upon destruction to be collected, activating an upgrade menu at the bottom of the screen that moves a lit cursor through the list of weapon power-ups described below.[2][3][4] However, activating any weapon power-up increases the ship's hitbox, making it a bigger target for enemy fire and difficult to keep successive lives in the heat of battle.[3] If any power-up is lit but the player's ship is destroyed before a power-up could be selected, the star item is "carried over" and the speed power-up is lit on the next life. A number of hidden bonus secrets to be found are hosted, which is also crucial for reaching high-scores to obtain extra lives, as firing on determined locations and certain setpieces within the scenery in some stages reveals a bonus secret.

Major weapons affect the enemies and terrain differently. For example, certain enemy towers can only be destroyed with laser or homing missile shots; other enemies are destroyed much faster with specific weapons to match. If bomb or homing missile shots are equipped, certain bonus targets will appear or parts of the landscape may be destroyed to reveal bonuses. If laser is active, certain plants in the landscape can be shot repeatedly to grow and earn extra points until they scroll off-screen.[4] It has been reported that a bug in the game enabled the player to obtain all power-ups, simply by allowing themselves to be killed by the first enemy appearing upon starting the game without touching the controls. If this occurred, the next time the player's ship appears, it has all the power-ups equipped.[5]

The game employs a checkpoint system in which a downed single player will start off at the beginning of the checkpoint they managed to reach before dying.[3] Getting hit by enemy fire will result in losing a live, as well as a penalty of decreasing the ship's firepower to its original state and once all lives are lost, the game is over unless the player inserts more credits into the arcade machine to continue playing. After completing the last stage, the game begins again with the second loop increasing in difficulty and enemies fire denser bullet patterns. The title does not support continues with extra credits and is believed to loop endlessly.

Plot edit

The plot of Slap Fight varies between each region and version.[2][3][4][6] The game takes place in the year 2059 on another galaxy, mankind has colonized an alien planet called Theon after evacuating a previously colonized planet Orac. Five years ago, the colony on Orac was attacked by alien invaders and the war was so intense, the colonists were forced to leave. However, Theon is now under attack by the same alien fleet, but the humans are ready. The player assumes the role of an Allied League of Cosmic Nations (ALCON) fighter pilot in the SW475 space fighter craft to stop the invaders from taking over Theon.

Development edit

Arcade version edit

 
Most of the artwork were hand-drawn sketches created by the development team before being transposed to pixel art graphics.

Slap Fight's development team had a concept for a game that featured secrets, while its main appeal was to keep players investing in long play sessions that revolved around hidden items and the weapon power-up system, as then-Toaplan composer Masahiro Yuge stated that the team's idea for the game was to add as many secrets as they could such as an alien that resembled one from Space Invaders, which they included as an homage to Taito, with Yuge citing his affinity for titles with hidden secrets and characters.[7][8][9][10] Slap Fight was also one of the earliest projects Toaplan made using game design documents, though Yuge claimed that these were added after development as postscripts, since the team "needed some written records".[11]

Yuge stated that the weapon change mechanism was intended to be a strategic element in Slap Fight, as the player's ship is rendered invincible.[9] The weapon power-up system was implemented early during the creation process, since the development team wanted to make "that kind of game", while each of the weapons' functionality and roles were decided to be good for certain sections in the title.[9] All of the secrets were planned from the beginning of development and the team kept adding to the idea during the creation process such as secrets that required certain weapons.[9] Another secret, the ship's satellite "option", was an idea suggested by Osamu "Lee" Ōta as a way to give the second player on an cocktail cabinet a purpose.[9]

Mega Drive version edit

The ports we did in-house at Toaplan I oversaw completely, but with the ones we licensed out, it was pretty much "do what you like."

Former Toaplan composer Tatsuya Uemura gave Slap Fight MD its raison d'être when responding about the conversion's soundtrack by Yuzo Koshiro.[12]

The Sega Mega Drive conversion titled Slap Fight MD was developed by M.N.M Software, a Japanese game development company founded by former Dempa Micomsoft member Mikito Ichikawa.[13] Ichikawa met then-Toaplan composer Tatsuya Uemura at the home of late Bubble Bobble designer Fukio Mitsuji, exchanging business cards before Ichikawa found the offices of Toaplan two weeks later.[13] Being a fan of Twin Cobra, Ichikawa wanted to make a console port but Uemura told him the game was already being converted by another team. Uemura then asked if Ichikawa could port Slap Fight instead, which surprised Ichikawa, as the arcade original displayed Taito's logo. He accepted the offer since he was a big fan of the arcade version.[13]

Slap Fight MD, which was created under subcontract from Toaplan, was developed concurrently over the course of one year alongside four other projects at M.N.M Software, including Streets of Rage 2 and an unreleased Mega Drive conversion of Dash Yarō, affecting both development of the port and Ichikawa's health greatly due to increasing overtime to the point of working at home on his PC while his health condition deteriorated, prompting him with including version information in the project during development as a result.[13][14] Uemura served as producer, while programmer Jun Shimizu did the coding process entirely by himself and also served as level designer.[13] Streets of Rage composer Yuzo Koshiro was recruited by Ichikawa to score the music due to his experience with M.N.M, while voicework was done by a friend of Koshiro serving at a US military base.[13] Ichikawa arranged the original arcade music and claimed that M.N.M originally did not have plans to arrange the arcade's music, however Uemura requested it and after positive feedback from him, led Ichikawa to committing to the task.[13] Toaplan also provided reference materials used during development of the arcade original to the team at M.N.M.[13] The cover art was drawn by Parsley Promotion.[13]

The special mode in Slap Fight MD was developed by M.N.M due to the fact that their conversion would have not featured as much content if they had followed Toaplan's basic contract of just porting the straight arcade version of Slap Fight to the Mega Drive.[13] Ichikawa stated that the special mode was conceived as the "ultimate version" and featured a wider range of strategic play, as the team felt the original arcade release did not offer as many gameplay strategies and depth.[13] Both Toaplan and M.N.M wanted the port to be catered towards casual and hardcore players.[13]

Release edit

 
The "Slap Fight MD" mode of the Mega Drive version

Slap Fight was first released in arcades across Japan in July 1986 and later in North America on September of the same year, as well as in Europe by Taito.[1][citation needed] Known commercial ports of the game released across European and North American markets include: Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Thomson MO5, Thomson TO8 and ZX Spectrum. Almost all microcomputer versions of the game would later be re-released as budget titles by The Hit Squad.[15][16][17]

A Sega Mega Drive conversion titled Slap Fight MD was published in Japan by Tengen on 11 June 1993 and South Korea by Samsung on the same year.[13][citation needed] Tengen produced an estimated run of 5000 copies for the Mega Drive port.[13] "Slap Fight MD" itself is a new special game mode with new levels, graphics, weapons and music, plus a new "bomb" feature at the cost of wing power-ups and new music composed and arranged by Yuzo Koshiro, which is presented on the title screen.[3] The original game was also included, but with changes such as configuration for the shield's timer and a in-game announcer.[3] It was later included on the Japanese version of the Sega Genesis Mini in 2019.[18]

In Taito Nostalgia 2 for the Let's! TV Play Classic plug and play game series by Bandai, the original Japanese version and a new version titled Slap Fight Tiger were included.[3][19] In this version, players control the titular attack helicopter from Tiger-Heli instead of the SW475, while the laser is changed to fire a three-way spread shot and new enemies such as the aliens from Space Invaders are introduced.[3][19] Slap Fight is planned to be included as part of the Toaplan Arcade 1 compilation for Evercade.[20]

Reception edit

Reception
Review scores
Publication Scores
CPC C64 Thomson ZXS ST SMD
ACE — — — — 568/1000[21] —
ASM — 10/12[22] — — — —
Amstar 12/20[23] — — — — —
Amstrad Action 76%[24]
69%[15]		 — — — — —
Arcades — — — — 15/20[25] —
Atari ST User — — — — 5/10[26] —
Beep! Mega Drive — — — — — 29/40[27]
Commodore Force — 60%[16]
76%[28]		 — — — —
CU — 5/10[29] — — — —
CVG — 10/10[30]
81%[17]		 — 60%[17] 4/10[31] —
Crash — — — 72%[32]
41%[33]		 — —
Famitsu — — — — — 26/40[34]
The Games Machine — — — — 75%[35] —
Happy Computer — 80/100[36] — — — —
Mean Machines Sega — — — — — 76/100[37]
MegaTech — — — — — 83%[38]
PlayStation Magazine (JP) — — — — — 19.8/30[39]
Power Play — — — — 70%[40] —
Sinclair User — — — 7/10[41]
89%[42]		 — —
ST Action — — — — 61%[43] —
Super Game — — — — — 90/100[44]
Tilt — 15/20[45]
15/20[46]		 13/20[47] — 14/20[47] —
Your Sinclair — — — 9/10[48]
82°/100°[49]		 — —
Zzap!64 — 80%[50]
60%[51]		 — — — —

According to Tatsuya Uemura, not many arcade boards were produced for Slap Fight in Japan but proved to be popular among players.[8] Japanese magazine Game Machine listed it on their 1 September 1986 issue as being the seventh most-successful table arcade unit of the month, outperforming titles such as Ikari Warriors and Gradius.[52] Den of Geek noted its weapon system and multiple ways to kill enemies.[53]

Legacy edit

According to Masahiro Yuge, some of the ideas implemented in Slap Fight would later go on to influence development of Truxton.[9] A spiritual successor, Grind Stormer (1993), uses a weapon power-up system reminiscent of Slap Fight.[54][55][56] In more recent years, the rights to the game and many other IPs from Toaplan are now owned by Tatsujin, a company named after Truxton's Japanese title that was founded in 2017 by Yuge, who are affiliated with arcade manufacturer exA-Arcadia.[57][58][59][60][61]

Notes edit

  1. ^ Japanese: スラップファイト, Hepburn: Surappu Faito, also known as Alcon in North America

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Akagi, Masumi (13 October 2006). タイトー (Taito); 東亜プラン (Toa Plan); Taito America; A (in Japanese) (1st ed.). Amusement News Agency. pp. 43, 50, 137, 145. ISBN 978-4990251215. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  2. ^ a b c d Slap Fight MD manual (Sega Mega Drive, JP)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Kalata, Kurt (3 July 2011). "Slap Fight / ALCON". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "SLAP FIGHT" (in Japanese). Shooting Star. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  5. ^ smac (16 March 2005). "Best Trick, Cheat Or Bug In An Arcade Game.. (Page 2)". rllmukforum.com. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  6. ^ Alcon arcade flyer (Taito, US)
  7. ^ Abeto, Kobatsu (September 1989). "東亜プランインタビュー". PSG (in Japanese). Vol. 10. F.S.G Club. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2017-05-31 at the Wayback Machine).
  8. ^ a b "東亜プラン". Gamest (in Japanese). No. 49. Shinseisha. September 1990. pp. 68–69. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2019-11-07 at the Wayback Machine).
  9. ^ a b c d e f "東亜プラン シューティングクロニクル 特設ページ". SweepRecord (in Japanese). SuperSweep. 27 October 2011. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2019-10-02 at the Wayback Machine).
  10. ^ Kiyoshi, Tane; hally (VORC); Yūsaku, Yamamoto (3 February 2012). "東亜プラン特集 - 元・東亜プラン 開発者インタビュー: 弓削雅稔". Shooting Gameside (in Japanese). Vol. 4. Micro Magazine. pp. 41–48. ISBN 978-4896373844. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2019-09-06 at the Wayback Machine).
  11. ^ "東亜プラン シューティングクロニクル". SweepRecord (in Japanese). SuperSweep. 14 November 2011. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2020. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2018-07-11 at the Wayback Machine).
  12. ^ Kiyoshi, Tane; hally (VORC); Yūsaku, Yamamoto (3 February 2012). "東亜プラン特集 - 元・東亜プラン 開発者インタビュー: 上村建也". Shooting Gameside (in Japanese). Vol. 4. Micro Magazine. pp. 33–40. ISBN 978-4896373844. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2019-09-06 at the Wayback Machine).
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Massey, Tom (5 May 2015). "Death from Above: The making of Slap Fight MD - Mikito Ichikawa takes us behind the doors of a forgotten classic". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
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  16. ^ a b Hayward, Chris (March 1993). "Round-Up!: Shoot To Thrill - Slap Fight (Imagitec/Hit Squad)". Commodore Force. No. 3. Europress Impact. p. 21.
  17. ^ a b c "Budget - Slap Fight (Spectrum/C64)". Computer and Video Games. No. 104. EMAP. July 1990. pp. 66–67.
  18. ^ Cabrera, David (29 September 2019). "The Japanese Sega Genesis Mini: How American players are missing out - The Genesis Mini is a great machine, but the import includes magic". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
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  20. ^ McFerran, Damien (31 May 2022). "Evercade Is Getting An "EXP" Upgrade, Complete With Irem And Toaplan Collections". Nintendo Life. Nlife Media. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  21. ^ "Screen Test Update: Atari ST - Slap Fight". ACE. No. 8. Future Publishing. May 1988. p. 68. Archived from the original on 13 June 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  22. ^ Kus, Philipp (October 1987). "Action Games - Coin-Op in Perfektion!". Aktueller Software Markt (in German). No. 15. Tronic Verlag. p. 45.
  23. ^ "Arcade - Slap Fight". Amstar (in French). No. 24. Soracom Editions. August–September 1988. p. 27.
  24. ^ Wade, Bob (September 1987). "Action Test - Slap Fight". Amstrad Action. No. 24. Future Publishing. p. 48.
  25. ^ "Slap Fight (Testé sur Atari ST)". Arcades (in French). No. 8. Faurez-Mellet. May 1988. p. 34.
  26. ^ Lester, David; Richards, Andy (June 1988). "Software: Slap Fight - Slap but not tickle". Atari ST User. No. 28. Europress. p. 51. Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  27. ^ "BEメガドッグレース (Be Mega Dog Race) – スラップファイト". Beep! Mega Drive (in Japanese). No. 46. SoftBank Creative. July 1993. p. 18.
  28. ^ Guttery, Miles (August 1993). "Round-Up!: Slots Of Fun! Part Two - Slap Fight (The Hit Squad)". Commodore Force. No. 8. Europress Impact. p. 20.
  29. ^ Lacey, Eugene (July 1987). "Screen Scene - Slap Fight". Commodore User. No. 46. EMAP. p. 65.
  30. ^ Boughton, Paul (August 1987). "CVG Reviews - Slap Fight (CBM 64)". Computer and Video Games. No. 70. EMAP. p. 18. Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  31. ^ Paddon, Lee (May 1988). "CVG Reviews - Slap Fight (ST)". Computer and Video Games. No. 79. EMAP. p. 69. Archived from the original on 8 October 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  32. ^ Eddy, Richard; Sumner, Paul; Dunn, Mike (August 1987). "Reviews - Slap Fight". Crash. No. 43. Newsfield Publications. p. 20.
  33. ^ Roberts, Nick (September 1990). "Reviews - Slap Fight (The Hit Squad)". Crash. No. 80. Newsfield Publications. p. 47.
  34. ^ "NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: スラップファイト". Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 235. ASCII. 18 June 1993. p. 38.
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  37. ^ Paul; Gus (September 1993). "Megadrive Review - Slap Fight MD". Mean Machines Sega. No. 11. EMAP. pp. 92–94.
  38. ^ "Review – Slap Fight MD". MegaTech. No. 20. Maverick Magazines. August 1993. pp. 68–70.
  39. ^ 超絶 大技林 '98年春版: メガドライブ - スラップファイトMD (Special) (in Japanese). Vol. 42. Tokuma Shoten Intermedia. 15 April 1998. p. 853. ASIN B00J16900U. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
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  41. ^ Taylor, Graham (August 1987). "Arcade Review - Slap Fight". Sinclair User. No. 65. EMAP. pp. 78–79.
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  46. ^ "Dossier: 41 <<spaces invaders>> au Tiltoscope - Slap Fight". Tilt (in French). No. 49. Editions Mondiales S.A. December 1987. pp. 92–93.
  47. ^ a b Huyghues-Lacour, Alain (June 1988). "Tubes: Slapfight - Les envahisseurs (Disquette Imagine pour Atari ST) / Version Thomson". Tilt (in French). No. 55. Editions Mondiales S.A. pp. 52–53.
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  51. ^ "Zzap! Budget: Cor Blimey! The Budget Bit! - Slapfight". Zzap!64. No. 62. Newsfield Publications. June 1990. p. 46.
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External links edit

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