Zaxxon (set 1, rev D)

Piloting an armed spaceship through heavily fortified enemy bases is the core challenge in Sega’s 1982 shooter, Zaxxon. Players navigate a unique isometric perspective, carefully managing fuel while destroying targets like fuel tanks and gun emplacements to progress through floating fortresses and waves of fighter planes. The game introduces three distinct phases: navigating fortress defenses where altitude management matters, battling enemy fighters in space, and ultimately confronting the giant robot known as Zaxxon himself by striking his homing missiles six times. A higher difficulty level begins after each successful playthrough. Available in both upright and cocktail cabinet configurations, Zaxxon was notable for its pioneering use of isometric projection, simulating a three-dimensional viewpoint on early arcade hardware.