The Video Game Project
A Closer Look At The Prototypes That Became Your Favourite Games!
Zaxxon Motherbase 2000
Zaxxon's Motherbase 2000, known simply as Motherbase in Europe and Parasquad in Japan, is a shmup (shoot 'em up) that was released on the Sega 32X in 1995. A sequel to 1982 arcade game Zaxxon, Motherbase sees Sega switch to using polygon graphics instead of isometric projection even though the game still uses an isometric perspective as seen in earlier games in the series (Zaxxon and Super Zaxxon), and depends on 2D graphics for backgrounds and scenery.
Sega's decision to remove the ability to change altitude, which was regarded as one of the origial Zaxxon games defining characteristics, wasn't greeted favourably by reviewers. Similiarly the new jump ability was generally seen as an unnecessary addition. In short, we are creatures of habit and while reviewers approved of Motherbase's 2D backgrounds, the polygon graphics were seen as unpolished and gameplay / controls lethargic.
Proto - Front
Proto - PCB
