User:Namcokid47/Super Spacefortress Macross

Super Spacefortress Macross (超時空要塞マクロス) is a 1992 vertical-scrolling shooter arcade game developed by NMK and published by Banpresto.

Gameplay
Super Spacefortress Macross is a horizontal-scrolling shooter video game. Its plot is based on the Macross anime series, where a race of aliens have invaded the Solar System and instigated a war against humanity. After reverse-engineering the aliens' technology, the military organization UN Spacy designs a powerful starship named the VF-1 Valkyrie, capable of transforming into a powerful gun-wielding mech, to destroy the aliens before they wipe out the human race.

The player controls the Valkyrie through a series of scrolling stages, each progressing in difficulty level. In these, the Valkyrie must destroy waves of constantly-moving enemies while avoiding a collision with them and their projectiles. Power-ups are dropped by certain enemies throughout each level, which range from homing missiles to a spread shot. The Valkyrie will slowly transform into mech form with each power-up collected. These power-ups unlock alternative "paths" when picked up, where collecting similarily-colored capsules will provide the Valkyrie with a modified, more destructive variation of the base weapon. Levels conclude in a boss fight against a battleship, which usually take on the form of spycraft or robotic soldiers.

Reception
Super Spacefortress Macross was a moderate success in arcades; Game Machine listed it as being Japan's seventh most popular arcade game during October 1992. Sinclair User reviewer John Cook said the game offered nothing in the way of originality, but its fast-paced action made it worth playing. A writer for the virtual magazine Digitiser said that while it lacked it originality, it was still fun enough to make it worthwhile. Though they thought the gameplay was decent, the writer was critical of its graphics, saying it has a "leathery look" when compared to games like Thunder Force IV. Jazza Rignall of Computer & Video Games was more negative towards the game, describing it as being "the most yawnsome, bog-standard vertically scrolling shoot 'em up I've played since the last one", criticizing its lack of originality and predictability.