Line #8 VideoGame/Phalanx


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4	[[quoteright:275:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_1phalanx_sfc_a_2840.jpg]]
5	[[caption-width-right:275:Behold! The [[CoolShip ship]] from the robot's crotch!]]
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7	''Phalanx'' is a 1991 ShootEmUp developed by Creator/ZoomInc, and was originally released for the Japan-only Platform/SharpX68000. It was later ported to the Platform/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem; the English release of the SNES version is best known for its intentionally bizarre and idiosyncratic cover art featuring an old man playing a banjo (see CoversAlwaysLie).
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9	A sequel was in development for the Platform/PlayStation but Zoom decided to cancel it, ruling that releasing an horizontal 2D shmup on the system would've been commercial suicide. Zoom did not completely scrap their work on it however, making the levels that had been completed an hidden minigame under the title ''Tiny Phalanx'' in ''VideoGame/ZeroDivide''. In a nod to this, the Phalanx ship is featured in a controller check minigame for ''Zero Divide: The Final Conflict'' on the Platform/SegaSaturn. It received a Platform/GameBoyAdvance port with a different, more traditional cover. A Platform/WiiWare port released in Japan in 2009, though it never got released internationally.
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11	Has nothing to do with phalanxes as a battlefield tactic: for that, you want the trope AThicketOfSpears.
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13	!!This game provides examples of:
14	* ActionBomb: Some enemies in the game are like these, they explode into lots of bullets.
15	* AttackDrone: Some of the weapon power-ups give your ship these.
16	* AttackItsWeakPoint: Most, if not all of the bosses are like this.
17	* BattleshipRaid: One level has you roaming around giant spaceships finding the core.
18	* BonusLevel: Every stage has a BonusLevel. They're inconspicuous and [[GuideDangIt incredibly hard to find]], though.
19	* BulletHell: On "Funny" difficulty.
20	* ChargedAttack: The "E" PowerUp allows for this when shooting.
21	* ChestMonster: A hidden stage accessible from the second stage is filled with power-up icons...that suddenly grow spikes and start shooting at you. You can tell them apart from real powerups if you notice that your shots don't pass through them.
22	* CombatTentacles: Many enemies and bosses use this on you.
23	* CombiningMecha: When you use your "R" SmartBomb, the {{Attack Drone}}s will merge together into a robot which proceeds to [[RammingAlwaysWorks move into the enemy]] for massive damage.
24	* TheComputerIsACheatingBastard: Enemies are exempt to DeadlyWalls, and their shots can pass through walls and floor. As for you... no such luck.
25	* CoversAlwaysLie: This one is the king of that trope, trying to invoke a SpaceWestern feel with the American box art. The developers admitted many years later that they chose such a bizarre image in order to make the game stand out amongst the glut of similar space shmups on the market at the time.
26	* DualBoss: The MiniBoss of the AsteroidThicket stage is an asteroid that splits into two organic halves, which you have to defeat separately.
27	* EasyModeMockery: If you beat the game on easy, the game mocks you to try Normal Difficulty instead of giving you the ending.
28	* EnergyWeapon: The L weapon, which gives you {{Attack Drone}}s fires out piercing lasers. It can also fire behind the player character too!
29	* ExcusePlot: There's aliens. Shoot them.
30	* ExplosiveBreeder: In the third stage, you have to fight a SegmentedSerpent. When defeated, its ''brain'' comes out, and that brain sure knows how to multiply quickly...
31	* [[ThreateningShark Everything Is Even Worse With Sharks]]: One of the {{Mini Boss}}es in the second stage is a shark-like machine.
32	* FlunkyBoss: The second-to-last boss sends out mini {{Spider Tank}}s that fire at the player. It gets very annoying.
33	* HarderThanHard: "[[IdiosyncraticDifficultyLevels Funny]]" Difficulty.
34	* HighSpeedBattle: The cover art says "The Hyper-Speed Shoot-Out [[JustForFun/RecycledInSpace IN SPACE]]". Actually, that one ''does'' make sense in the seventh stage "Hyper Space", where you character is going through space really fast while shooting down multiple enemies.
35	* HomingProjectile: The "A" missile powerup, as well as the H weapon.
36	* IdiosyncraticDifficultyLevels: The hardest difficulty is called "Funny"
37	* MercyInvincibility: Present in this game, thankfully. You also get a few seconds when you use some of the {{Smart Bomb}}s
38	* OurDragonsAreDifferent: The boss of the "Advertize Zone" could be a dragon of sorts.
39	* OutrunTheFireball: Once you beat the FinalBoss.
40	* RammingAlwaysWorks: One of your {{Smart Bomb}}s will merge your {{Attack Drone}}s into a robot that tries to touch the enemy. It's one the the strongest attacks you have, capable of downing a boss!
41	* SegmentedSerpent: The MiniBoss of the third stage, and one of the organic enemies in the final stage.
42	* SmartBomb: Depending on what weapon you have equipped, your SmartBomb will be different. You then lose the equipped weapon too, so plan wisely!
43	** [[ChargedAttack E]]: You unleash a devastating blast that hits the whole screen (like a typical SmartBomb)
44	** [[HomingProjectile H]]: You create a temporary orange shield around yourself. While gaining invincibility. It's best you ram your opponents when having this.
45	** [[EnergyWeapon L]]: Your {{Attack Drone}}s attach to you and spin around, firing shots in every direction. Unfortunately, it's quite weak.
46	** [[SpreadShot R]]: Your {{Attack Drone}}s [[CombiningMecha combine together]] into a small mech, which then tries to [[RammingAlwaysWorks constantly touch the enemy for massive damage]].
47	* SpreadShot: The "R" weapon, when fully powered up.
48	* TakingYouWithMe: On "[[HarderThanHard Funny]]" Difficulty, most regular Mooks will explode into no less than 3-4 suicide bullets!
49	* AWinnerIsYou: Your reward for beating "[[HarderThanHard Funny]]" difficulty is... a password.
50	* WombLevel: The last level is implied to be this. It's not given an actual name, but it's entirely organic.

Context VideoGame / Phalanx