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1943 Midway Kaisen
1943 ミッドウェイ海戦
June 1987

 
 

Capcom struck gold with this superb upgrade of 1942 (1984). The game's pace, structure and gameplay are nigh-on perfect.
The assault is no longer limited to the air: during some levels your P-38 will suddenly dive down to sea level, and take on enemy battleships and aircraft carriers. The level count has been reduced from 1942's excessive 32 to a more humane 16, and the 3 lives setup has been replaced by a slowly decreasing energy tank. A screen-clearing smart bomb can be triggered in exchange for a small energy fee.
The power-up system has also had a severe makeover, mimicking that of Side Arms (1986): choose from a multitude of weaponry and energy boosts by strategically shooting POW icons until they change to the item you need.
This feature ends up as the core element of the gameplay: successfully selecting, leaving, then picking up the exact item you want while negotiating swarms of oncoming enemies is a lot trickier than it sounds.
Capcom took a great formula and made it nigh on perfect: the game is impeccably paced and riddled with tricks and secrets. The music is also worth a mention: 1943's main theme is one of the most memorable videogame anthems of its era.
The arcade version remains one of the best games that 1987 has to offer; a fierce and savage rush that went far in enhancing Capcom's already established reputation as one of the best game developers in town.

Rating:

 

 
 
 
 

 
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Flyer
  
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Instructions
  
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Official Art
  
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Famicom version
Subtitled 'The Battle of Valhalla', the Famicom version of 1943 is a fast and surprisingly well produced title, that despite losing the 2P mode adds quite a few interesting features over its arcade parent.
The game starts off with a curious upgrade menu that lets you customise the abilities of your P-38. These stats can be increased throughout the game by picking up hidden icons, and 'saved' thanks to a five-digit password system.
It's a mean challenge: it you don't find these upgrades the latter stages become near impossible to negotiate. The level count has also gone up to 24 - and the latter stages whip up an excellent shooting experience; one of the best the Famicom has to offer.
Also of note is a new 'blast laser', a chargeable sub-weapon that will later feature prominently in 1941 Counter Attack (1990).
Final password (Mission 23): T Y 2 N U
  


 
1943 The Battle of Valhalla
1943 ザ・バトル・オブ・バルハラ
FAMICOM
DETAILS
Format Famicom
Released 20 June 1988
Publisher Capcom
Product ID CAP-43
Size (cm) 14 x 9.5 x 2
Weight (kg) 0.11
PRICE
STATUS
The Famicom version of 1943 adds a number of interesting new features and manages to keep the hectic pace of the arcade.
An excellent Famicom shooting game.

Standard FC cardboard packaging, 1MBit cartridge, monochrome booklet.

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.

 



'1943' 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
1943 TM & © 1987 Capcom All Rights Reserved
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