Xenon 2: Megablast (Game Boy)

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Description

Xenon 2: Megablast is a vertically scrolling space shooter, in which you have to pass several levels, filled with waves of enemies, that all end with a level boss creature. Each group of enemies you destroy grants you a cash reward and every once in a while you enter Colin's Bargain Basement, where you can use this cash to purchase upgrades for your ship like better weapons, speed & health upgrades, etc. Some upgrades can also be picked up during the levels.

The first part of the game has an organic feel to it, while the second part of the game features mechanical enemies. As there are some maze-like sections with dead-ends in the game, your spaceship scrolls backwards when you keep pressing the down key.

Screenshots

Promo Images

Alternate Titles

• "Xenon II" -- Game Boy in-game copyright title
• "Xenon 2" -- Sega Master System media and in-game title / Game Boy title

Part of the Following Groups

• Genre: Scrolling shoot 'em up
• Xenon series

User Reviews

There are no reviews for the Game Boy release of this game. You can use the links below to write your own review or read reviews for the other platforms of this game.

Critic Reviews

ASM (Aktueller Software Markt)	Dec, 1992	10 out of 12	83
Play Time	Feb, 1993	75 out of 100	75
N-Force	Dec, 1992	69 out of 100	69
Video Games	May, 1993	62 out of 100	62
Power Play	May, 1993	49 out of 100	49

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Trivia

DOS version

The DOS version of the game starts up with the in-game music turned off as default. The PC speaker version of the song, coupled with the sound effects of the game, would drive anyone to madness. The sound effects masked the Bomb the Bass tune playing in the background. The other versions of the game have music turned on as default.

Ending

SPOILER WARNING! Don’t read this item if you want to play through the game by yourself.

Xenon 2: Megablast is infamous for having one of the most disappointing ending sequences of all time. No artwork, no animation, no storyline, not even a congratulation -- after a strenuous battle with hundreds of enemies, you’re “rewarded” with the already well-known shop screen and a sarcastic comment. After that, a white dot. Then the main menu.

Music

The theme tune is Megablast by Bomb the Bass. This was released in the UK ca. 1988 on the album Into the Dragon. It is a reworking of the theme from the John Carpenter movie Assault on Precinct 13.

The Amiga soundtrack is regarded as a much better soundtrack than the Atari ST version, thanks to its sampled nature instead of the weaker synth sound of the ST version. An obscure detail is the fact that Tim Simeon from Bomb the Bass used an Atari ST in the studio to produce the Megablast track.

More details can be found at Discogs.com or at kompaktkiste.de.

Awards

• Power Play
  • Issue 01/1990 - Best Action Game in 1989
  • Issue 01/1990 - Best Graphics in 1989
• ST Format
  • Issue 01/1990 - Included in the list 50 Games of the Year
  • May 1990 (Issue #10) - Included in the list "ST Format's 30 Kick-Ass Classics"
  • Issue 01/1991 - Best shoot-'em-up in 1990
• Zzap!
  • January 1990 (Issue 57) – 'The Best Games of the 80's Decade' (Stuart Wynne)

Information also contributed by -Chris, ElectricMonk, Johnny "ThunderPeel2001" Walker and Macintrash

Related Web Sites

• Abandonia (for DOS, Windows: downloadable releases; additional material)
• Atarimania (for Atari ST: database; downloadable releases; artwork; additional material)
• DJ Oldgames (for different platforms: downloadable releases; additional material )
• Hall of Light (for Amiga: database; manuals; artwork; screenshots; additional material)
• Lemon Amiga (for Amiga: game reviews; music; manuals; additional material)
• My Abandonware (for PC and Amiga: downloadable releases; online versions; additional material)
• Wikipedia (combined platform entry)
• www.gods-country.de (The Bitmap Brothers tribute page for this game)
• Xenon 2: Megablast (Bitmap Brothers' site for Xenon 2: Megablast.)