History VideoGame / ElevatorAction

* ''Elevator Action Returns'' (1994) - Known as ''Elevator Action II'' in North America. Released in arcades, the sequel is much more [[ActionizedSequel action-oriented]] with a wide variety of weapons to use and enemies to fight. Two players can take the role of three D.E.F. agents, Kart Bradfield, Edie Burret and Jad the Taff, who are sent to investigate and stop the terrorist plans of the self-proclaimed revolutionary "Red Suit". The game was ported to the Sega Saturn, which includes the original game, and was included in the compilation ''Taito Legends 2'' for the UsefulNotes/Playstation2, UsefulNotes/XBox[[note]]EU only, though it has no region lockout allowing it to be played on any [=XBox=][[/note]] and Windows.

* ''Elevator Action Death Parade'' (2009) - Perhaps the OddballInTheSeries, ''Death Parade'' is an arcade LightGunGame in the same vein as ''VideoGame/VirtuaCop'' and ''VideoGame/TimeCrisis''. The game is unique in that the game has a widescreen ''vertical'' display and uses elevator doors and buttons on the cabinet; the former needs to be closed in certain situations and to avoid certain attacks (not to mention a convenient way to hide loading screens), and the latter is used to choose the difficulty of later stages and operate some machinery in-game. As CID agents Zack and Irina, players shoot their way past soldiers and mutated beasts to stop a military coup that threatens the world with bio-engineered weapons. As a series staple, objects can be shot to collect secret documents.

* XMeetsY: Using the elevator doors as cover while the game yells "Action!"? Shooting things in BulletTime before time runs out and getting hit, while the BigBad tries to uncover secrets behind genetic engineering? A first boss that chases you down a narrow corridor and others who need to be shot at their weak point? Looks like the game's taking some notes from ''VideoGame/TimeCrisis'', ''VideoGame/VirtuaCop 3'', and ''VideoGame/TheHouseOfTheDead 4''.

* {{Retraux}}: One of the downloadable characters for ''Deluxe'' is the original Otto, who has a pixelated 3D look, and comes with old sound effects and music.

Most of the games follow the formula of the first game: Players would make their way down a building using the many elevators and escalators scattered throughout the level, while avoiding enemies and various environmental hazards.
Red doors contain secret documents, all of which need to be collected before they can escape. Later games would introduce new characters, weapons and items, enemies and hazards, and different stage layouts.

''Elevator Action'' is a series of RunAndGun [[PlatformGame Platformer]] {{Action Game}}s produced by Creator/{{Taito}}. Players take the role of spies and special agents and are tasked with seizing secret documents while evading or fighting against numerous enemies as they make their escape. Considered an arcade classic with a cool spy aesthetic, the original game has spawned numerous ports and sequels.

Most of the games follow the formula of the first game: Players would make their way down a building using the many elevators and escalators scattered throughout the level and steal all of the secret documents hidden in red doors. Players could jump through empty elevator shafts to get across areas or ride the top of the elevator, but falling down a level would often cost a life and elevators could also [[SquashedFlat crush anyone unfortunate to be above or below them]]. Enemies would spawn from various doors and shoot at you, and you could avoid them, shoot them back, or even shoot out lights [[AnvilOnHead to fall on them]] and turn the room dark momentarily. After clearing all the red doors, players would make their way to the stage exit and escape.

Later games would include doors that provide weapons, items and score bonuses, as well as different means to take out your enemies or avoid them. Different enemy types would also be introduced over the course of the series, including attack dogs, zombies, enemies in flying vehicles and robots, and more hazards would be introduced such as conveyor belts, electric traps, mines and objects with no purpose than to stomp you flat. The stages would also deviate from a purely vertical format, offering horizontal stage layouts, and sometimes the players would be required to reach the roof instead. A wider variety of playable characters would be introduced in later games as well, allowing for local co-op and multiplayer.

* ''Elevator Action Death Parade'' (2009) - Perhaps the OddballInTheSeries, ''Death Parade'' is an arcade LightGunGame in the same vein as ''VideoGame/VirtuaCop'' and ''VideoGame/TimeCrisis''. The game is unique in that the game has a widescreen ''vertical'' display and uses elevator doors and buttons on the cabinet; the former needs to be closed in certain situations and to avoid certain attacks (not to mention a convenient way to hide loading screens), and the latter is used to choose the difficulty of later stages and operate some machinery in-game. As CID agents Zack and Irina, players shoot their way past soldiers and mutated beasts to stop a military coup who threaten the world with bio-engineered weapons. As a series staple, objects can be shot to collect secret documents.

* AnvilOnHead: In some games, the ceiling lights can be shot and used to knock out enemies standing under them.

Not to be confused with the trope ElevatorActionSequence, which this series oddly averts as the action takes place outside of the elevator.

''Elevator Action'' is a series of RunAndGun PuzzlePlatformer {{Action Game}}s produced by Creator/{{Taito}}. Players take the role of spies and special agents and are tasked with seizing secret documents while evading or fighting against numerous enemies as they make their escape. Considered an arcade classic with a cool spy aesthetic, the original game has spawned numerous ports and sequels.

Most of the games follow the formula of the first game: Players would make their way down a building using the many elevators and escalators scattered throughout the level, while stealing all of the secret documents hidden in red doors. Players could jump through empty elevator shafts to get across areas or ride the top of the elevator, but falling down a level would often cost a life, and elevators could also [[SquashedFlat crush anyone unfortunate to be above or below them]]. Enemies would spawn from various doors and shoot at you, and you could avoid them, shoot them back, or even shoot out lights to fall on them and turn the room dark momentarily. After entering all the red doors, players would make their way to the stage exit, which in the first game was the basement floor, and escape in a CoolCar.

* ''Elevator Action'' (1983) - Originally released in arcades, players take the role of Agent 17, codename "Otto", to navigate through a 30-story building to obtain secret documents while avoiding other spies and agents. It was ported to numerous consoles, including the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem NES]] (which was later released on the Wii's Virtual Console). The 1991 UsefulNotes/GameBoy port is unique in that is introduces new enemies, stages and obstacles, as well as the ability to acquire different weapons such as grenades and a machinegun, which would be utilized in the sequel.

* PuzzlePlatformer: Depends on the game, but some of the stage layouts will require you to use your noggin to access areas safely. Mostly evident in ''Deluxe''.

--> '''Edie Burret''': Bakamitai... [[note]]How foolish...[[/note]]

* StealthMission: The gold medals for some stages require the player to get through it undetected by enemies.

* ''Elevator Action EX'' (2000) - Developed by Altron Corporation and released for the UsefulNotes/GameBoy Color in Japan and Europe, the game is an UpdatedRelease of the Game Boy port of the original game but with color, a plot and three playable characters; Mike, Sarah and Guy. In North America, the game was released as a DolledUpInstallment in the form of ''WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory: Robot Rampage'', based on the popular Creator/CartoonNetwork series.

[[caption-width-right:320:The ups & downs of the spy game!]]

* ''Elevator Action EX'' (2000) - Developed by Altron Corporation and released for the UsefulNotes/GameBoy Color in Japan and Europe, the game is an updated version of the Game Boy port of the original game. Players choose one of three characters, Mike, Sarah and Guy to unmask a conspiracy. In North America, the game was released as a DolledUpInstallment in the form of ''WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory: Robot Rampage'', based on the popular Creator/CartoonNetwork series.
* ''Elevator Action Old & New'' (2002) - A Japanese only release for the Game Boy Advance, published by [=MediaKite=]. While "Old" is the NES port of the original game, "New" features a new single-player campaign with new characters, weapons and graphics, as well as obstacles and enemies. Going back to a LighterAndSofter art style, "New" has players take the role of three characters, Robin, Berry, and Fan, seizing secret documents while avoiding agents, policemen, robots and even zombies. Two players can play together or against each other.

* ''Elevator Action Deluxe'' (2011) - Published by Creator/SquareEnix, ''Deluxe'' is a remake of the first game released on the Playstation Network for the UsefulNotes/Playstation3, featuring 3D graphics [[TwoAndAHalfD but with 2D gameplay]]. With a stronger emphasis on the PuzzlePlatformer and strategic elements, the game introduces several new enemies, weapons and traps, with over 50 levels. The game also features 4-player local multiplayer in both versus and co-op for the main campaign. The game also has downloadable content in the form of extra stages and new characters.

* DamselInDistress: Later in the game, a woman is captured and kidnapped, requiring the heroes to save her in the next stage.

* TheDoorSlamsYou: A new mechanic in ''Deluxe'' allows players to attack enemies by opening the door when they're in front of it.

* ''Elevator Action Deluxe'' (2011) - Published by Creator/SquareEnix, ''Deluxe'' is a remake of the first game released on the Playstation Network for the UsefulNotes/Playstation3, featuring 3D graphics [[TwoPointFiveD but with 2D gameplay]]. With a stronger emphasis on the PuzzlePlatformer and strategic elements, the game introduces several new enemies, weapons and traps, with over 50 levels. The game also features 4-player local multiplayer in both versus and co-op for the main campaign. The game also has downloadable content in the form of extra stages and new characters.

* TwoPointFiveD: The game features 3D graphics but the gameplay is entirely in 2D.

* BombDisposal: You're only looking for secret documents in the first stage behind the red doors. In the other stages, you're defusing bombs placed behind the red doors. Fortunately, your characters take care of it themselves. Although one stage ends up blowing up anyway...
* {{Callback}}: The first stage is the only one designed like a stage from the original game, taking place in a completely vertical building, and ends with the characers escaping in a vehicle once they reach the basement. There are no escalators through.

* PaletteSwap: Various enemies have this traight. Red Suit is a red version of the other agent enemies, and has their moves.

* WalkingShirtlessScene: Some enemies don't wear shirts at all, and need to be shot more than once to go down.

Most of the games follow the formula of the first game: Entering from the top of a building, players would make their way down the building by using the many elevators and escalators scattered throughout the level, and are required to enter all of the red doors to obtain documents before they are able to clear the stage. Players could enter empty elevator shafts to jump across areas or ride the top of the elevator, but falling down a level would often cost a life, and elevators could also [[SquashedFlat crush anyone unfortunate to be above or below them]]. Enemies would spawn from various doors and fire at you, and you can either avoid them, shoot them back, shoot out lights to fall on them and turn the room dark momentarily. After entering all the red doors, players would make their way to the stage exit, which in the first game was the basement floor, and escape in a CoolCar.

Later games would include doors that provide weapons, items and score bonuses, as well as different means to take out your enemies or avoid them. Different enemy types would also be introduced over the course of the series, including attack dogs, zombies, enemies in flying vehicles and robots, and more hazards would be introduced such as conveyor belts, electric traps, mines and objects with no purpose than to stomp you flat. The stages would also stray away from a purely vertical format, offering horizontal stage layouts, and sometimes the players would be required to reach the roof instead. A wider variety of playable characters would be introduced in later games as well, allowing for local co-op and multiplayer.

The franchise consists of:

* ''Elevator Action Returns'' (1994) - Known as ''Elevator Action II'' in North America. Released on arcades, the sequel is much more [[ActionizedSequel action-oriented]] with a wide variety of weapons to use and enemies to fight. Two players can take the role of three D.E.F. agents, Kart Bradfield, Edie Burret and Jad the Taff, who are sent to investigate and stop the terrorist plans of the self-proclaimed revolutionary "Red Suit". The game was ported to the Sega Saturn, which includes the original game, and was included in the compilation ''Taito Legends 2'' for the UsefulNotes/Playstation2, UsefulNotes/XBox[[note]]EU only, though it has no region lockout allowing it to be played on any [=XBox=][[/note]] and Windows.

* ''Elevator Action Deluxe'' (2011) - Published by Creator/SquareEnix, ''Deluxe'' is a remake of the first game released on the Playstation Network for the UsefulNotes/Playstation3. With a stronger emphasis on the PuzzlePlatformer and strategic elements, the game introduces several new enemies, weapons and traps, with over 50 levels. The game also features 4-player local multiplayer in both versus and co-op for the main campaign. The game also has downloadable content in the form of extra stages and new characters.

* BaldOfAwesome: Guy, one of the playable characters in ''EX'', as well as your boss.

!!The ''Elevator Action'' series contains examples of:

* {{Retraux}}: One of the downloadable characters for ''Deluxe'' is the original Otto, who has a pixelated 3D look, and has old sound effects and music.

Later games would include doors that provide weapons, items and score bonuses, as well as different means to take out your enemies or avoid them. Different enemy types would also be introduced over the course of the series, including attack dogs, spider drones, zombies, enemies in flying vehicles and robots, and more hazards would be introduced such as conveyor belts, electric traps, mines and objects with no purpose than to stomp you flat. The stages would also stray away from a purely vertical format, offering horizontal stage layouts, and sometimes the players would be required to reach the roof instead. A wider variety of playable characters would be introduced in later games as well, allowing for local co-op and multiplayer.

** Blue doors can be entered but serve no purpose than a hiding spot in the original game, but offer weapons, points and items in later games.
** Elevators are lit in different colors depending on the game; light blue, pink or yellow.

* AmbiguousEnding: If you fail to defeat Red Suit and destroy the controls in the time limit, the doors open, the nuke is launched and things go boom. If you succeed, the doors don't open but the nuke still launches, and everything goes white. Cue the credits playing over Red Suit's blimp in flames, followed by the Name Entry screen congratulating you for your good work. The fate of our heroes is completely unclear.

--> '''Red Suit''': Crush the old order and build a new society!

* SurprisinglyGoodEnglish: The game is spoken almost entirely in English by what sounds like native speakers. The writing on the grammar on the other hand, including the names of the protagonists, need a little work.

* DamselInDistress: In ''EX'', a woman is captured and kidnapped, requiring the heroes to save her in the next stage.

* ''Elevator Action Old & New'' (2002) - A Japanese only release for the Game Boy Advance. While "Old" is the NES port of the original game, "New" features a new single-player campaign with new characters, weapons and graphics, as well as obstacles and enemies. Going back to a LighterAndSofter art style, "New" has players take the role of three characters, Robin, Berry, and Fan, seizing secret documents while avoiding agents and policemen.

* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: ''Elevator Action'' is an action game involving elevators.

** ''Returns'' has an invisible timer and you will lose a life if it runs out. The last segment of the game gives you three minutes to reach the end of the stage and defeat Red Suit before he launches a nuclear weapon.

* VideoGameLongRunners: Although there's usually a long gap between titles, it's been around since The80s.

* {{Callback}}: The first area of the game is a vertical building similar to the original game, and the various songs in the game are remixed versions of the original tune.

** FragileSpeedster: Berry has the best speed and jump but weakest power.

''Elevator Action'' is a series of RunAndGun PuzzlePlatformer {{Action Game}}s produced by Creator/{{Taito}}. Players take the role of spies and agents and are tasked with seizing secret documents and escaping while evading or fighting against numerous enemies. Considered an arcade classic with a cool spy aesthetic, the original game has spawned numerous ports and sequels.

* ''Elevator Action Old & New'' (2002) - A Japanese only release for the Game Boy Advance. While "Old" is the NES port of the original game, "New" features a new single-player campaign with new characters, weapons and graphics. Going back to a LighterAndSofter art style, "New" has players take the role of three characters, Robin, Berry, and Fan, seizing secret documents while avoiding agents and policemen.

* ActionGirl: Edie, Sarah and Berry.

* BaldOfAwesome: Guy, one of the playable characters in ''EX''.
* BigBad:
** Red Suit in ''Returns''.
** Colonel Sylvian Duras in ''Death Parade''.
* ColourCodedForYourConvenience:
** The doors. Red doors contain secret documents and codes, and all must be entered before clearing the stage. Blue doors can be entered but serve no purpose than a hiding spot in the original game, but offer weapons, points and items in later games. Some elevators are lit in light blue or pink in the original game and ''Deluxe''. Other doors cannot be entered and are used as enemy spawning points. Due to technical limitations, the Game Boy version has two types of "Red" doors, which carries over to ''EX''; an optional one with a question mark that offers health and weapons, and one with an explanation point which contain the documents you need to complete the stage.
** The characters for ''Return''; Blue for Kart, Pink for Edie (with some green), Green for Jad, and Red for Red Suit.
** ''EX'' characters: Red for Mike, Green for Guy, Red/Pink for Sarah.
** ''New'' characters: Red for Robin, Pink for Berry, and blue for Fan.
* DamselInDistress: In ''EX'', a woman is captured and kidnapped, requiring the heroes to save her in the next stage.

* ElevatorActionSequence: Oddly averted, as all of the action takes place outside the actual elevators. They're more used for navigation and protection against enemies.

* EndlessGame: The original game. After beating the final stage, you're taken back straight to the beginning to do it all over again until you lose.

* ExcusePlot: Some of the games have the simple plot of "steal secrets from the bad guys" with no real ending.

* FinalBoss:
** Red Suit in ''Returns''.
** D.D.Fox, TheDragon in ''EX''. A password is given after beating the game which allows him to be playable.
* InTheBack: At the end of ''EX'', [[spoiler: the BigBad attempts to shoot the player when their back is turned. It doesn't work]].

* OneHitPointWonder: In original game, Otto and the enemies can only take one hit. Later games add health points.

* VideoGameLongRunners: Although there's usually a long gap between titles, it's been around since the 80s.

* DarkerAndEdgier: Aside from the details in BloodierAndGorier above, Red Suit is trying to ignite a revolution with a nuclear missile, and if you run out of time at the end, he successfully launches it.

* EvilLaugh: Red Suit does this often.

* PaletteSwap: Red Suit is a red version of the other agent enemies, and has their moves.

[[folder: Elevator Action Deluxe]]
* TheDoorSlamsYou: A new mechanic in ''Deluxe'' allows players to attack enemies by opening the door when they're in front of it.
* DownloadableContent: ''Deluxe'' has this in the form of new characters and stages, with the former being free.
* ImplacableMan: One of the enemies is a large enemy that can't be shot down, is faster than you and will chase you down. Although he can be crushed, he'll always come back, leaving you no choice but to evade him and using your wits to keep him at bay.
* {{Retraux}}: One of the downloadable characters for ''Deluxe'' is the original Otto, who has a pixelated 3D look, and has old sound effects and music.
* VideoGameRemake: ''Deluxe'' is a remake of the original game and introduces several new mechanics.

* AttackItsWeakPoint: Many bosses and special enemies have their weak spots pointed out.

* XMeetsY: Using the elevator doors as cover while the game yells "Action!"? Shooting things in BulletTime before time runs out and getting hit, while the BigBad tries to uncover secrets behind genetic engineering? A first boss that chases you down a narrow corridor and others who need to be shot at their weak point? Looks like the game's trying to take the best of ''VideoGame/TimeCrisis'', ''VideoGame/VirtuaCop 3'', and ''VideoGame/TheHouseOfTheDead 4''.

* BloodierAndGorier: ''Returns'' has enemies that go up in flames if they touch fire or are struck with explosive weapons, spill blood when shot, and leave behind a large pool of blood if they're SquashedFlat by the elevators.

* NonStandardGameOver: Allowing time to run out in the final stage will end the game.

* ShoutOut: One of the planes in the 2nd stage has the word "VideoGame/{{Darius}}" written above the door.

''Elevator Action'' is a series of RunAndGun PuzzlePlatformer video games produced by Creator/{{Taito}}. Players take the role of spies and agents and are tasked with seizing secret documents and escaping while evading or fighting against numerous enemies. Considered an arcade classic with a cool spy aesthetic, the original game has spawned numerous ports and sequels.

''Elevator Action'' is a series of action puzzle/platform video games produced by Creator/{{Taito}}. Players take the role of spies and agents and are tasked with seizing secret documents and escaping while evading or fighting against numerous enemies. Considered an arcade classic with a cool spy aesthetic, the original game has spawned numerous ports and sequels.

* ''Elevator Action Returns'' (1994) - Known as ''Elevator Action II'' in North America. Released on arcades, the sequel is much more action-based with a wide variety of weapons to use and enemies to fight. Two players can take the role of three D.E.F. agents, Kart Bradfield, Edie Burret and Jad the Taff, who are sent to investigate and stop the terrorist plans of the self-proclaimed revolutionary "Red Suit". The game was ported to the Sega Saturn, which includes the original game, and was included in the compilation ''Taito Legends 2'' for the UsefulNotes/Playstation2, UsefulNotes/XBox[[note]]EU only, though it has no region lockout allowing it to be played on any [=XBox=][[/note]] and Windows.

* ''Elevator Action Deluxe'' (2011) - Published by Creator/SquareEnix, ''Deluxe'' is a remake of the first game released on the Playstation Network for the UsefulNotes/Playstation3. With a stronger emphasis on puzzle platforming and strategic elements, the game introduces several new enemies, weapons and traps, with over 50 levels. The game also features 4-player local multiplayer in both versus and co-op for the main campaign. The game also has downloadable content in the form of extra stages and new characters.

* ''Elevator Action Death Parade'' (2009) - Perhaps the OddballInTheSeries, ''Death Parade'' is an arcade light gun shooter in the same vein as ''VideoGame/VirtuaCop'' and ''VideoGame/TimeCrisis''. The game is unique in that the game has a widescreen ''vertical'' display and uses elevator doors and buttons on the cabinet; the former needs to be closed in certain situations and to avoid certain attacks (not to mention a convenient way to hide loading screens), and the latter is used to choose the difficulty of later stages and operate some machinery in-game. As CID agents Zack and Irina, players shoot their way past soldiers and mutated beasts to stop a military coup who threaten the world with bio-engineered weapons.

* ImplacableMan: Some stages in ''Deluxe'' revolve around a single large enemy that can't be shot down, is faster than you and will chase you down. Although he can be crushed, he'll always come back, leaving you no choice but to evade him and using your wits to keep him at bay.
* {{Retraux}}: One of the downloable characters for ''Deluxe'' is the original Otto, who has a pixelated 3D look, and has old sound effects and music.

--> '''Red Suit''': Crush the old order and build a new society! *EvilLaugh*

* ''Elevator Action'' (1983) - Originally released in arcades, players take the role of Agent 17, codename "Otto", to navigate through a 30-story building to obtain secret documents while avoiding other spies and agents. It was ported to numerous consoles, including the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem NES]] (which was later released on the Wii's Virtual Console). The UsefulNotes/GameBoy port is unique in that is introduces new enemies, stages and obstacles, as well as the ability to acquire different weapons such as grenades and a machinegun, which would be utilized in the sequel.

* ''Elevator Action Deluxe'' (2011) - Published by SquareEnix, ''Deluxe'' is a remake of the first game released on the Playstation Network for the UsefulNotes/Playstation3. With a stronger emphasis on puzzle platforming and strategic elements, the game introduces several new enemies, weapons and traps, with over 50 levels. The game also features 4-player local multiplayer in both versus and co-op for the main campaign. The game also has downloadable content in the form of extra stages and new characters.

''Elevator Action'' is a series of action puzzle/platform video games produced by Taito. Players take the role of spies and agents and are tasked with seizing secret documents and escaping while evading or fighting against numerous enemies. Considered an arcade classic with a cool spy aesthetic, the original game has spawned numerous ports and sequels.

''Elevator Action'' is a series of action puzzle/platform RunAndGun video games produced by Taito. Players take the role of spies and agents and are tasked with seizing secret documents and escaping while evading or fighting against numerous enemies. Considered an arcade classic with a cool spy aesthetic, the original game has spawned numerous ports and sequels.

!!The Elevator Action series contains examples of:

** ''Returns'' introduces a wide variety of new weapons and ways to take out your enemies, but they're also armed with jetpacks, flamethrowers, spiderbots, and flying armored vehicles. There are still plenty of elevators to use and navigate through, but you'll be more focused on taking out your enemies than evading them.