Red Alarm
Encyclopedia
is a game for the Virtual Boy
video game console. Released in August 1995 by T&E Soft, it was one of the four titles available at the console's introduction. The game takes place 70 years in the future (from the game's release), where a computer named KAOS threatens to take over the world and destroy mankind. The player's mission is to enter KAOS using a Tech-Wing Fighter plane and destroy it.
The game is set in a full 3D environment, using wire frame graphics similar to those used in games like Atari
's Battlezone and Star Wars arcade games, as well as Starglider
and X. The player has extensive control over the plane's movements, using all available buttons on the Virtual Boy's controller.
in console video games, the designers of the system implemented dual D-pads for control (for more information see the article on the Virtual Boy
). In Red Alarm, one D-pad controls the pitch and rotation of the ship, while the other controls forward, back and strafe movement (in bursts). The A and B buttons control speed on a throttle-like setup, where tapping A cycles forward through the speeds the ship can go, and tapping B cycles down to stop and fly backwards.
While there is no set time limit in a stage, players must complete it before their fuel runs out. Each level ends in a boss encounter (usually inside of an arena).
The player may watch a replay of a stage once completed, with the ability to rotate and zoom the camera's point of view.
.
Virtual Boy
The was a video game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was the first video game console that was supposed to be capable of displaying "true 3D graphics" out of the box. Whereas most video games use monocular cues to achieve the illusion of three dimensions on a two-dimensional...
video game console. Released in August 1995 by T&E Soft, it was one of the four titles available at the console's introduction. The game takes place 70 years in the future (from the game's release), where a computer named KAOS threatens to take over the world and destroy mankind. The player's mission is to enter KAOS using a Tech-Wing Fighter plane and destroy it.
The game is set in a full 3D environment, using wire frame graphics similar to those used in games like Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
's Battlezone and Star Wars arcade games, as well as Starglider
Starglider
Starglider is a 3D video game released in 1986 by Rainbird. It was developed by Argonaut Software, led by programmer Jez San. The game was inspired by Jez San's love of the 1983 Atari coin-op Star Wars, It was a fast-moving, first-person combat flight simulator, rendered with colourful wireframe...
and X. The player has extensive control over the plane's movements, using all available buttons on the Virtual Boy's controller.
Controls and gameplay
Because the Virtual Boy was released prior to the rise in popularity of the analog stickAnalog stick
An analog stick, sometimes called a control stick or thumbstick, is an input device for a controller that is used for two-dimensional input. An analog stick is a variation of a joystick, consisting of a protrusion from the controller; input is based on the position of this protrusion in relation...
in console video games, the designers of the system implemented dual D-pads for control (for more information see the article on the Virtual Boy
Virtual Boy
The was a video game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was the first video game console that was supposed to be capable of displaying "true 3D graphics" out of the box. Whereas most video games use monocular cues to achieve the illusion of three dimensions on a two-dimensional...
). In Red Alarm, one D-pad controls the pitch and rotation of the ship, while the other controls forward, back and strafe movement (in bursts). The A and B buttons control speed on a throttle-like setup, where tapping A cycles forward through the speeds the ship can go, and tapping B cycles down to stop and fly backwards.
While there is no set time limit in a stage, players must complete it before their fuel runs out. Each level ends in a boss encounter (usually inside of an arena).
The player may watch a replay of a stage once completed, with the ability to rotate and zoom the camera's point of view.
Reception
Red Alarm was awarded Best Virtual Boy Game of 1995 by Electronic Gaming MonthlyElectronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
.