Xevious is a franchise of shoot 'em up video games published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, formerly Namco. Xevious, the first title in the franchise, was released for arcades in January 1983 in Japan and a month later in North America by Atari, Inc. It was created by Masanobu Endō, who also designed The Tower of Druaga. The game has received many sequels, spin-offs, and re-imaginings, the most recent being Xevious Resurrection in 2009. Xevious games have been ported to many platforms and compiled into several Namco compilations. The franchise contains twelve games—seven mainline entries and five spin-offs—soundtrack albums, pachinko machines, and an animated feature film produced by Groove Corporation.
Gameplay in the series consists of controlling a spaceship named the Solvalou throughout a series of levels, shooting at enemies and avoiding their projectiles. The Solvalou has two weapons, an air zapper that destroys air-based enemies and a blaster bomb that destroys ground-based enemies. Later games introduce mechanics such as additional playable ships, power-ups, protective shields, and two-player co-operative play. Critics have labeled Xevious as one of the most important games of its kind. It is one of the first vertically scrolling shooters and among the first video games to implement bosses, pre-rendered visuals, and a cohesive world and storyline. Xevious inspired games such as Gradius, TwinBee, Zanac, and RayForce. (Translation by Shmuplations. ) It has had an influence on game designers such as Satoshi Tajiri and musicians like Haruomi Hosono. A variety of objects and characters also appear in Shadow Labyrinth, a reimagining of the Pac-Man franchise.
Video games
Other media Title Release date Media type Fardraut 1991 Novel Notes: A three-part Xevious novel that describes the setting and world of the original game. Written by Masanobu Endo and published by Futabasha. Republished in 2005. Xevious August 10, 2002 Feature film Notes: A 75-minute gaiden (side-story) film based on the franchise. Produced by animation studio Groove Corporation under license from Namco. Premiered at Theater Ikebukuro and later a summer road show. Home media releases were cancelled when Groove went out of business, making it a lost film. CR Xevious WZCR Xevious XCR Xevious Y May 6, 2003 Pachinko Notes: Pachinko machines produced by Takao. Features animated cutscenes on an LCD screen. DOORS Xevious April 5, 2009 Game show Notes: A segment from the Japanese game show DOORS. Contestants had to use foot sensors to destroy waves of Xevious enemies. Memorial Game Collection Series - Solvalou April 2013 Model kit Notes: A plastic model kit of the Solvalou starship. Produced by Japanese company Wave
Soundtracks Title Release date Length Label Video Game Music April 23, 1984 30:13 LDK Studio Notes: An album of Namco chiptune remixes, focusing primarily on Xevious. Composed by Haruomi Hosono of the band Yellow Magic Orchestra. Credited as the first video game soundtrack album and an early example of chiptune music. Super Xevious Aug 29, 1984 15:44 Alfa Records Notes: An album with music from Xevious, Gaplus, and The Tower of Druaga. Composed by Haruomi Hosono. Re-released on October 1, 2001. Xevious 3D/G+ Techno Maniax October 1997 76:46 Pony Canyon Notes: Part of Pony Canyon's DigiGroove soundtrack series. Features original tracks and remixes from Xevious 3D/G+. Namco Sounds - Xevious September 2, 2009 Namco Sounds Notes: Digital soundtrack available on iTunes that features music and sound effects from Xevious. One of the first albums released under the Namco Sounds label. Xevious 30th Anniversary Tribute January 29, 2013 Namco Sounds Notes: Released in commemoration of the franchise's 30th anniversary. Features remixes of Xevious music tracks and original compositions.
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