Section Z (US)

In Capcom’s 1985 shooter, Section Z, two players take on the role of space rangers tasked with infiltrating an alien spacecraft and destroying its central intelligence, known as L-Brain. The game unfolds across 27 distinct sections, each labeled alphabetically from A to Z, presenting a unique challenge in both layout and enemy encounters. Players navigate through shifting perspectives – alternating between horizontal and vertical scrolling – while battling enemies and collecting power-ups that enhance their speed or firepower. Gameplay involves using an eight-way joystick for movement and two buttons: one for firing a rifle and another to adjust the direction of fire, allowing for shots both forward and backward. Destroying certain containers grants temporary bonuses, represented by letters, which can be lost upon taking damage. Each stage culminates in a boss battle, building towards the final showdown with L-Brain at Section Z. Section Z represents Capcom’s first entry into the “Jet-Pack Hero” style of shooter and features some quirks like minor graphical anomalies during scrolling due to its technical limitations. A soundtrack album was released shortly after the game's initial debut, capturing the audio experience for fans.