Exerion vs Truxton

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.

Truxton is a 1988 vertically scrolling shoot‑em‑up where you pilot a lone fighter against the Gidan armada and their massive asteroid fortresses. With eight‑way joystick control, a shot button and a bomb button, you blast through five planetary stages and face looping boss encounters that increase in difficulty. Originally an arcade hit from Toaplan, Tru Truxton has been ported to Mega Drive, PC Engine and modern platforms including Linux, Android, PC, iOS and Mac, preserving its retro charm while offering cross‑platform play and co‑operative modes.

• 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

• Authentic retro arcade feel
• Responsive eight‑way control scheme
• Co‑operative multiplayer adds replay value
• Available on all major platforms

• 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

• Limited modern visual upgrades
• Difficulty spikes can be steep for newcomers
• No online multiplayer support