Scramble Formation

Scramble Formation
Arcade flyer
Developer(s)	Taito
Publisher(s)	JP: Taito NA: Romstar
Platform(s)	Arcade, MSX2
Release	Arcade JP: April 23, 1986[1] NA: 1986 MSX2 JP: August 28, 1987
Genre(s)	Scrolling shooter
Arcade system	Taito Bubble Bobble

Scramble Formation (スクランブル・フォーメーション, Sukuranburu Fōmēshon) is a vertically scrolling shooter released by Taito in Japanese arcades in 1986.[2] It was published by Romstar in North America as Tokio.

Gameplay

In the game, the player controls a red propeller-driven airplane, flying over the city of Tokyo.[3] They are able to shoot and capture other red, smaller planes, which then will follow the player in formation. The player can choose between 3 formations: the first is able to shoot both air-to-air and air-to-ground projectiles, the second only air-to-air (but on a larger area), the third only air-to-ground (but on a larger area as well). During gameplay, the player should react accordingly to the threats and quickly decide which one of the 3 formation types is more adequate at one given moment.

The game is divided in areas, depicting key places in Tokyo, such as Shinjuku, Akasaka, and Ginza. There are no clearly defined "levels", but at some points the player is faced by a giant mothership, which can be shot down by hitting its engines.

Ports

A port was released for the MSX2 home computer in 1987.[4]

Reception

In Japan, Game Machine listed Tokio on their May 15, 1986 issue as being the most-successful table arcade unit of the month.[5]

References

1. "Overseas Readers Column: Taito Has Licensed Some Americans Via Taito America" (PDF). Game Machine. No. 286. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 July 1986. p. 26.
2. "Tokio - Videogame by Taito".
3. "Coinop.org /// Tokio / Scramble Formation (1986) (スクランブルフォーメーション)". www.coinop.org.
4. "Scramble Formation - MSX 2 - Games Database".
5. "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)" (PDF). Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 284. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 May 1986. p. 21.