This is where it began for the 194X series and where it had almost just begun for Capcom. Released in 1984 and only their fourth release after
Vulgus, Sonson, and Pirate Ship Higemaru. With an almost self-flagellation approach to games design, the Japanese based Capcom essentially allow the player to pilot a western fighter plane to shoot the bejesus out of wave after wave of Japanese planes. I understand that when basing a game on the pacific dogfights of WWII you have to stay somewhat true to the history but to create a game which sees your own countrymen shot to shit strikes me as odd. Perhaps they wanted closure?
Heading over to Twin Galaxies, it’s no surprise to see at large amount of submissions for 1942 considering it’s popularity over the years. Capcom report a total of 1.2 million copies sold across all formats since it’s initial release. In total there are 64 MAME submissions with the lowest being 6,190 and the highest score being 12,413,510 by Simon Beck. I first encountered 1942 when my parents had it installed in their pub back in the day. The day being 1986. Aaaahh the memories. I was shit at it then. I wonder if my years of gaming has helped me improve any?
Probably not and I can’t remember my score from 23 years ago anyhow…