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Argus [Model JF-07]

Nintendo Famicom cart. published 38 years ago by JALECO Co., Ltd.

Listed in MAME

Argus [Model JF-07] screenshot

Argus © 1986 Jaleco Company, Limited.

Argus is a vertical shooter and conversion of an arcade game originally released in 1986. The players takes control of a space-fighter equipped with a front laser gun and ground bombs. Although the game features power-ups, they follow an unusual and unique formula - tiles on the ground must be destroyed in order to upgrade the main weapon or trigger special events. However, three of these tiles must be destroyed to activate such power-ups - B creates a temporary barrier around the ship,P upgrades the primary weapon and L gives the player an extra bonus at the end of each stage. Another interesting twist to the game is the Uoru armor; a shadow sometimes appear on the ground and if the player aligns his own shadow with it, then the ship transforms into a powerful robot for a short amount of time. Each stage ends with the same boss battle; a large Mega Argus fortress with a slow flashing core at its center, and the only way to destroy this pernicious mothership is to bomb its core when it is fully exposed. After the boss is taken care of, the player must successfully land on a runway and be cautious not to crash the ship.

Argus features nine levels and includes a two-player alternating option.

TECHNICAL

GAME ID: JF-07

TRIVIA

Argus was released on April 17, 1986 in Japan. The game was never released outside Japan.

The developer said: "I finished it with a perfect balance, and give it to Jaleco. Then, the number of enemies and bullets were doubled." Jaleco's president answered: "If the game is not difficult, you will soon get bored.".

Goodies for Argus [Model JF-07]
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TIPS AND TRICKS

* Invincibility:
At the title screen, press and hold select on the second player controller and press start on the first player controller.

* The Uoru armor:
In some stages, a second flashing shadow sometimes appears on the ground. If you align your own shadow with it, the ship will turn into a powerful and invincible robot-ship for a short amount of time, sucking in enemy ships.

STAFF

Developer: Akihiro Yoshida

PORTS

CONSOLES:
japan Sony PlayStation (oct.23, 2003) "Jaleco Collection Vol.1 [Model SLPS-03562]"

SOURCES

Game's ROM.
Game's description by Laurent Kermel; http://www.videogameden.com