Zaxxon gets a bad rap!

TOK

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I got mine about a year or so ago and I'm the only one that plays it. I'll admit that I bought it based on fuzzy memories and know it doesn't get a lot of love here.

While looking for a small project to do on a game, I pulled the stick apart, cleaned it all out and gave it a couple drops of air tool oil... Making the stick feel good has literally transformed the game. It was occasionally sticking in the up/down direction making force fields and walls a real pain in the ass. I nearly doubled my previous high score (not great) while testing it, and have actually found myself looking forward to playing it rather than just having it on for ambiance.

Might even double its value by adding a $45 high score save kit. ;)
 
That it does, not many people it seems share the love we do for it. It was my first game and started this addiction. I love playing it, but need to recap the monitor and rebuild my stick also to make it even nicer. :)
 
I bought mine, sold it and bought it back again a year later when it came up for sale 'cos I missed it. I'm not going to make that mistake again. I think the reason it's so generally disliked is that controlling the ship using the altimeter and shadow isn't necessarily intuitive for everyone, so it gets frustrating.

I'm not a fan of Super-Zaxxon, though, I must admit.
 
I just ordered the Braze high score kit for it, which also adds some other functionality like proper Free Play and configuration of DIPS via software rather than on the board. I have a scoreboard in the room, but actually seeing the scores on the machines seems to incite interest.

I have only tried Super Zaxxon in emulation and it seems really fast compared to the original, like so fast its hard to control.
 
I have been thinking about getting that kit for my Zaxxon. I would love to hear about it and what you think once you get it and get it installed.

I just ordered the Braze high score kit for it, which also adds some other functionality like proper Free Play and configuration of DIPS via software rather than on the board. I have a scoreboard in the room, but actually seeing the scores on the machines seems to incite interest.

I have only tried Super Zaxxon in emulation and it seems really fast compared to the original, like so fast its hard to control.
 
I have the Braze kit in mine, it is very high-quality, nicely built, installs easily. The freeplay is nice, the high score save is very nice and I have mine set to do the sounds 12% of the time during the attract mode, so every 8 cycles or so the game reminds me to come and play it. Well worth the money in my opinion... I usually clear the scores off when I have people over to encourage them to play it and put their names up.
 
Thanks for your comments on the kit. I have been wondering how good it was and thinking I should buy one when i get around to working on my Zaxxon. I figured it was a good one but getting feedback from someone who has it helps alot. I appreciate you posting the comments.
Thanks
Ken

I have the Braze kit in mine, it is very high-quality, nicely built, installs easily. The freeplay is nice, the high score save is very nice and I have mine set to do the sounds 12% of the time during the attract mode, so every 8 cycles or so the game reminds me to come and play it. Well worth the money in my opinion... I usually clear the scores off when I have people over to encourage them to play it and put their names up.
 
Zaxxon Love

Like Ken, I too started my addiction with Zaxxon. I think it doesn't get love because the cabinet is not pretty and the lack of bezel art. The cab is so honking huge. And when they go down they go down hard. But I love the game. I'm not sure I'd want the cabinet again. Mine was falling apart. I still have a cp with a new overlay and Super Zaxxon joystick.
 
I didn't start my addiction with Zaxxon but had such great memories of it i had to find one. To me it's pretty iconic, not like Pacman or Space Invaders but in the same category as Dig Dug, BurgerTime, etc... It's a great game and I still enjoy it and I agree the Braze kit is awesome. I wish some one would recreat the side art for the game!
 
I have both Zaxxon and Super Zaxxon in my arcade and I don't see selling them anytime soon! I enjoy them both. I would rather have them than any of the "fighter" games but that's my personal preference.
 
I love the game but I hate moving it. I have it at my office now but I want it back at my house. I just don't want to move it. Haha.
 
I love the game but I hate moving it. I have it at my office now but I want it back at my house. I just don't want to move it. Haha.

Yea its a load. Its also one of my more beat up games, so I leave it sandwiched between two other games. I'm debating patching the front, but not sure if I can get that original woodgrain laminate for it.
 
I think the black is the way the cab should have shipped. It looks great!
One thing I'm considering in the Fall is cutting a cabinet based on cabaret measurements. I think its a much better looking cabinet than the full size and it appears to use the same control panel.

Originality is totally out the window at that point, but I don't see this ever being a rare/valuable game.
 
I think the black is the way the cab should have shipped. It looks great!
One thing I'm considering in the Fall is cutting a cabinet based on cabaret measurements. I think its a much better looking cabinet than the full size and it appears to use the same control panel.

Originality is totally out the window at that point, but I don't see this ever being a rare/valuable game.

That's outside my skill set but I like the idea. This thing is second in size only to my mismeasured MAME cabinet (which I made about 3 inches too tall, then put on wheels/casters). And like everyone else's - HEAVY.

On a side note and back to the original thread purpose, I like Zaxxon too - never did as a kid - hated it in fact - but that was when I had $5 max in quarters at any given arcade trip and could not afford the learning curve. I enjoy playing it now. I'll coin it up for 20-30 credits and stand there playing game after game until I run out, or get sick of the repetition.
 
On a side note and back to the original thread purpose, I like Zaxxon too - never did as a kid - hated it in fact - but that was when I had $5 max in quarters at any given arcade trip and could not afford the learning curve. I enjoy playing it now. I'll coin it up for 20-30 credits and stand there playing game after game until I run out, or get sick of the repetition.

Same here... This is true of Defender and Stargate as well. I love to play them now, even though I'm still not great at them. When 3 or 4 bucks had to last all day, I played Xevious and Moon Patrol. I can still do 40 minute games of Xevious no problem.
 
Wheres the pic of the zaxxon joystick loving lady of questionable intent?

bwaahahaa here it is:

attachment.php
 
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