X Multiply (World, M81 hardware)

In X Multiply, released in 1989 by Irem, players pilot the X-002 microscopic fighter within the body of a colonist infected by an alien invasion force. Set on a colony planet in the year 2249, the game presents a unique scenario: defending against microscopic invaders who are systematically destroying the population from within. As the player navigates through increasingly challenging levels, they must destroy waves of alien organisms while maneuvering the X-002. The gameplay combines horizontal scrolling shooter action with a distinctive power-up system. Rather than traditional support pods, players utilize two flexible, invulnerable tentacles to assist in combat and provide strategic defensive options. These appendages can be positioned by carefully controlling the fighter’s movements, adding another layer of skill to the experience. A brief vertical-scrolling section punctuates one level, breaking up the familiar side-scrolling format. X Multiply accommodates two players simultaneously for cooperative gameplay, allowing friends to tackle the alien threat together. The game runs on Irem's M81 hardware and features a soundtrack originally released as a limited edition album shortly after the game’s debut.