This game – called simply “X” – was a Japan-only release, in 1992, on the original black and white Game Boy, but its conception and development would later have a profound effect on Nintendo‘s confidence in producing 3D-based games.

X was created by British developer Argonaut Software (specifically, by Dylan Cuthbert, who was later infamously ‘poached’ by Nintendo from Argonaut), and was a demonstration of their ability to produce 3D-based games on home video game systems. This impressed Nintendo, who then tasked Argonaut with creating a new 3D game on their Super Nintendo console, which eventually became the classic Star Fox. And the rest is history… Sort of.

X is a surprising game on the Game Boy, with smooth* vector-based polygons and first-person tank-like gameplay on a planet called Tetamus II.

*= There is some occasional slowdown when things get busy on-screen, but in general the game maintains a reasonable frame rate throughout.

A thorough training mode explains the basics of movement, combat, and even flying (which you can do by driving your tank fast up a ramp and into the air), before you begin actual missions. A series of tunnels connect different parts of the map, and you’re shown how to enter and navigate them, to use them as shortcuts.

The missions are varied; some have time limits, and each has a briefing beforehand, explaining what to do. Your “Space Tank” (called “VIXIV“) has an on-board laser as its default weapon, and this is usually enough to destroy most enemies. Some, however, require missiles to destroy. Heavy or specialist enemy tanks in particular. To use missiles you must first ‘lock on’, by aiming your reticule at a target, then pressing ‘B’. Pressing ‘B’ a second time will then launch a missile.

You have limited missiles, fuel, and shields, and these can either be topped-up by destroying enemies and collecting the items they drop, or by entering a radar base and re-stocking (although you can only do the latter once per level). You can also switch equipment inside a radar base, choosing between missiles, bombs, high explosive or “jetpac”.

Pressing Start brings up the “Paper Map” of the planet, which is split into eight different areas. A compass and radar on the ship’s panel helps you stay oriented, as does a small map, with your craft shown as a flashing dot.

An English fan translation of the Japanese ROM is available (which is the version I’m showing here), although some sections remain untranslated. An official translation into English I believe was completed, but the game was never released outside of Japan. Which is a shame, because this is a very good game. If you’ve never played X before, I recommend giving it a go.

More: X on Wikipedia
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