Exerion vs Star Jacker

Exerion is a 1983 vertical shoot 'em up from Jaleco that introduced parallax scrolling and inertia simulation to arcade shooters. Players pilot a craft through strange alien environments, choosing between a fast limited single shot or a slower unlimited double shot. The game supports both single‑player and multiplayer modes and was later licensed to Taito for U.S. distribution. Its legacy includes a sequel on MSX1 and a semi‑sequel, Exerizer, showcasing its lasting influence on early arcade shooters.

Star Jacker is an early vertical scrolling shooter where you control three fighters moving and shooting together. The lead ship fires forward while two trailing ships follow, allowing you to attack air enemies and drop bombs on ground targets, reminiscent of Namco's Xevious. When a fighter is destroyed the game pauses briefly to recenter the remaining ships, adding tension as you fight to keep at least one craft alive. With no continues and a single‑player focus, Star Jacker delivers a pure arcade challenge from 1983.

• Innovative parallax visual effects for its era
• Unique inertia-based ship handling
• Two distinct weapon styles add strategic depth
• Supports both solo and competitive multiplayer

• Unique three‑ship simultaneous control
• Combines air shooting and ground bombing
• Tension from pause‑and‑recenter mechanic
• Authentic 1983 arcade experience

• Limited color palette and low resolution by modern standards
• Steep difficulty may deter casual players
• No official console ports beyond arcade and PC re-releases

• No continue option makes it unforgiving
• Limited to single‑player only
• Simple graphics may feel dated