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1942
1942
Dec 1984

 
 
1942 is a landmark game of sorts. It was Capcom's 4th release, and despite being very similar to their maiden effort Vulgus (1984) it ups the ante by making the gameplay even more hectic - not to mention mannered by some truly lip-biting wit. Hold on, what's this - Japan as the enemy?
That's right bub. And dammit, those conniving Japs have been pushing their luck for too long. First Russia, then Korea... But the clincher was Pearl Harbour. Shit - no-one gets away with taking on Uncle Sam in his own back yard. No-one. Time to open a clean-cut can of American kick-ass, and show them who's boss by allocating some ordnance.
You can see where they're coming from. But pushing this curious vibe aside, what we have here is a finely crafted, no-nonsense early 80s shooting game, straight out of the school of Xevious (1982). Through every level, hundreds of erratic enemy planes will swarm your P-38, in a desperate and increasingly frantic attempt to drill a hole in its hide or kamikaze it into oblivion. It's this relentless tension, rhythmed by a stressful (and somewhat irritating) drumbeat that make 1942 such nerve-racking experience.
Weapon upgrades and mini-wingmen 'POW' icons are scattered throughout every stage, while the second button triggers a useful loop-the-loop manoeuvre, that can be used more often than you think: three of them are re-stocked between each level.
1942 may be an undeniable classic, but it hasn't aged well. Today it comes across as unecessarily tense and lengthily: you'll be put to the test through 32 gruesome stages, sometimes for well over two hours.
Old school baby... Discipline, and skill, are required.

Rating:
 

 
 
 
 

 

Flyer
  

Instructions
  

Official Art
  

 
1942
1942
FAMICOM
DETAILS
Format Famicom
Released 11 Dec 1985
Publisher Capcom
Product ID CAP-19
Size (cm) 14 x 9.5 x 2
Weight (kg) 0.12
PRICE
STATUS
The Famicom 1942 was Capcom's very first home release!
A good game for its time - but it really hasn't aged well: the gameplay is stripped to its bare bones, and the sound fx are really annoying.

Cardboard packaging, 41Kb cartridge, 10-page monochrome booklet.

1942
1942
MSX2
DETAILS
Format MSX
Released 1986
Publisher ASCII
Product ID 2019002
Size (cm) ?
Weight (kg) ?
PRICE
STATUS
ASCII are at the helm of this rough rendition of the arcade favourite. The MSX should do better than this.
It's also near-impossible to find at a reasonable price these days.
One for the collectors!

Large PC-style box, 1Mbit cartridge, monochrome manual.

Capcom Generation Dai 1 Shū Gekkitsui Oh no Jidai
カプコンジェネレーション 第1集 撃墜王の時代
SEGA SATURN
DETAILS
Format Sega Saturn
Released 27 Aug 1998
Publisher Capcom
Product ID T-1232G
Size (cm) 14.2 x 12.4 x 1
Weight (kg) 0.10
PRICE
STATUS
The first Capcom Generation release contains perfect replicas of the first 3 games of the 194X series:
- 1942 (1984)
- 1943 (1987)
- 1943 Kai (1988)
Each game is beautifully compiled with individual option screens, art galleries, vertical / horizontal display modes, game tips, sound tests, and hidden extras.

CD case, Sega Saturn CD-Rom disc, colour booklet, spine card.

Capcom Generation Dai 1 Shū Gekkitsui Oh no Jidai
カプコンジェネレーション 第1集 撃墜王の時代
PLAYSTATION
DETAILS
Format PlayStation
Released 27 Aug 1998
Publisher Capcom
Product ID SLPS-01535
Size (cm) 14.2 x 12.4 x 1
Weight (kg) 0.10
PRICE
STATUS
The first Capcom Generation pack hits the PlayStation. Features the first 3 games of the 194X series:
- 1942 (1984)
- 1943 (1987)
- 1943 Kai (1988)
Includes menus, gameplay hints, art galleries, sound tests and unlockable extras for each title.

CD case, PlayStation CD-Rom disc, 24-page colour booklet, spine card.

Capcom Generation Dai 1 Shū Gekkitsui Oh no Jidai
カプコンジェネレーション 第1集 撃墜王の時代 [カプコレ]
PLAYSTATION
DETAILS
Format PlayStation
Released 22 Feb 2001
Publisher Capcom
Product ID SLPM-86748
Size (cm) 14.2 x 12.4 x 1
Weight (kg) 0.10
PRICE
STATUS
Cut-price 'Capcom Collection' re-issue of the first Capcom Generation pack:
- 1942 (1984)
- 1943 (1987)
- 1943 Kai (1988)
Content remains identical to the original release.

CD case, PlayStation CD-Rom, colour booklet, spine card.

Capcom Retro Game Collection Vol.1
カプコン レトロゲーム コレクション Vol.1
PLAYSTATION
DETAILS
Format PlayStation
Released 30 Mar 2005
Publisher Capcom
Product ID SLPM-87359
Size (cm) 21 x 15 x 1
Weight (kg) 0.18
PRICE
STATUS
The Capcom Generation series gets itself another lease of life in the form of the 'Capcom Retro Game Collection'.
- 1942 (1984)
- 1943 (1987)
- 1943 Kai (1988)
The game disc is presented inside a glossy hardback book, featuring extended instructions, art and hints.

A5 hardback book, PlayStation CD-Rom, colour manual.

Capcom Classics Collection
カプコン クラシックス コレクション
PLAYSTATION 2
DETAILS
Format PlayStation 2
Released 2 Mar 2006
Publisher Capcom
Product ID SLPM-66317
Size (cm) 19 x 13.5 x 1.4
Weight (kg) 0.18
PRICE
STATUS
Massive 22-game collection featuring all 16 titles of the Capcom Generation series, plus 6 bonus games:
- Section Z (1985)
- Ares no Tsubasa (1986)
- Tatakai no Banka (1986)
- Top Secret (1987)
- Lost Worlds (1988)
- Final Fight (1989)
A fantastic collection; the games are really well emulated. Only the amateurish menus and presentation let the package down a little.

Standard PS2 case, PlayStation 2 DVD-Rom, colour booklet.

Capcom Classics Collection
カプコン クラシックス コレクション
PSP
DETAILS
Format PSP
Released 7 Sep 2006
Publisher Capcom
Product ID ULJM-05104
Size (cm) 17.7 x 10.5 x 1.5
Weight (kg) 0.08
PRICE
STATUS
The 16-game Capcom Generation collection makes its way onto the PSP, with 3 bonus titles thrown in for good measure:
- The King of Dragons (1991)
- Knights of the Round (1992)
- Ultimate Ecology (1994)
19 games in total.

Standard PSP case, UMD disc, colour booklet.

Capcom Classics Collection [Best Price]
カプコン クラシックス コレクション [ベストプライス]
PSP
DETAILS
Format PSP
Released 13 Sep 2007
Publisher Capcom
Product ID ULJM-05280
Size (cm) 17.7 x 10.5 x 1.5
Weight (kg) 0.08
PRICE
STATUS
'Best Price' re-release of the PSP Capcom Classics Collection. Content remains the same: all 16 games from the Capcom Generation set, plus:
- The King of Dragons (1991)
- Knights of the Round (1992)
- Ultimate Ecology (1994)
19 games in total.

Standard PSP case, UMD disc, colour booklet.

Capcom Classics Collection [Best Price]
カプコン クラシックス コレクション [ベストプライス]
PLAYSTATION 2
DETAILS
Format PlayStation 2
Released 11 Oct 2007
Publisher Capcom
Product ID SLPM-66852
Size (cm) 19 x 13.5 x 1.4
Weight (kg) 0.18
PRICE
STATUS
The PS2 Capcom Classics Collection gets a 'Best Price' re-issue.
Content remains identical: all 16 titles of the Capcom Generation set, plus:
- Section Z (1985)
- Ares no Tsubasa (1986)
- Tatakai no Banka (1986)
- Top Secret (1987)
- Lost Worlds (1988)
- Final Fight (1989)
22 games in total.

Standard PS2 case, PlayStation 2 DVD-Rom, colour booklet.

 



'1942' and 'Capcom' are registered trademarks of Capcom, Co., Ltd.
'Famicom' and 'Nintendo' are registered trademarks of Nintendo Co., Ltd.
'Sega Saturn' and 'Sega' are registered trademarks of Sega Corporation
'PlayStation', 'PSP' and 'Sony' are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation
1942 TM & © 1984 Capcom All Rights Reserved
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