Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
It’s a tank game that has clear Space Invaders mechanics, but Strategy X can stand on its own as a genuine classic.
I love it when I find a classic arcade game I’ve never seen before that also looks superb, and Strategy X seems to fit the bill. In fact now I’m really wish it had been around when I was a kid.
Although launched in 1981, as far as I can recall, this Konami arcade title never made it to my local arcades. I don’t recall it from the mid-1980s, and I’ve no memory of it being around in the 1990s. So it’s a safe bet it never made it this far.
If it had, I think I would have spent a few 10p pieces on this one. And I’m very close to picking up this new edition, released as part of the record-breaking Arcade Archives series.
Here’s the synopsis:
“STRATEGY X” is a tank-based shooting game released by KONAMI in 1981.
Move the direction of artillery fire left and right to defeat enemies and replenish fuel while progressing through the stages.
Aim to destroy the “IMMORTALIAN” waiting at the deepest part.
Strategy X trailer
You can see the similarities with games like Galaxian and Space Invaders, although Strategy X also has a feel of Commando, albeit 4 years before that classic came out.
But I think Strategy X could be a classic in its own right, forgotten by a world distracted by Pac-man and Star Wars.
Have a look at this!
It looks great, doesn’t it? As an Arcade Archives release, this two-player title also enjoys custom difficulty level, display filters, save states, and access to an international leaderboard.
Out this week on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, you can learn more and grab the download links on the Arcade Archives’ Strategy X website.
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
