Seirei Senshi Spriggan [Model NXCD1004]

精霊戦士スプリガン © 1991 Compile.
(Seirei Senshi Spriggan)

Spriggan is a vertical shooter by Compile and published by Naxat Soft. In a fantasy feudal Japan, mechanical demons and dark techno-sorcerers commanded by an evil lord are converging on the kingdom. From a large floating city, a group of loyal warriors prepare for the battle ahead. The player assumes the role of the country's last hope and flies a mechanical suit, complete with heavy weaponry and deflector shields. The weapon system is really unique and loosely based on elemental powers - four different colored orbs hidden inside balloons (red, blue, yellow and green) can be collected and combined in sets of three. Each combination activates a different weapon based on the orbs elemental association. For instance, a single red orb can activate a forward-fire weapon, and inserting a blue orb to the combination adds a rotating and protective attack formation. Orbs can also be sacrificed and used as bombs - this ability, more that wiping out all enemies on screen, allows the player to free up an elemental slot and switch to a different weapon system as well. A flashing orb is also available and adds a shield to the suit and acts as a smart-bomb. Finally, the game was part of Naxat Soft's Summer Carnival and therefore also features time and score attack modes.