W-ring - The Double Rings [Model NX90005]

W-ring - The Double Rings © 1990 Naxat Soft.

W-ring is a horizontal shooter by Naxat Soft. Once again, the player takes control of a small and heavily armed spaceship and decides to fry up an entire alien invasion. It all starts on Saturn and the game will take the player to the edge of our Solar System and throught Pluto's Star Gate. Stages are vast and the screen scrolls vertically to reveal more scenery as the ship moves around the screen. Controls are straight forward, one action button fires the main weapon and drop bombs, the second button, however, only changes the ship's speed. Special pods fly around every stage and release powerups when shot. Five weapons are available and include green Ring Beams, blue Laser, pink Multi-Way, Missiles and Gyro Shields. Each weapon can be upgraded several times, but take a single hit and it's back to the default, and weak, vulcan gun. Powering-up also automatically builds a special ring (hence the game's title) around the ship and protect it from enemy fire, making bullets literally bounce from it. It can also be moved at the front or behind the ship and offer a better protection for that matter. Other pods are hidden in each stage and give various extra powers to the ship, like increase its stock of bombs. The most intereresting, and rarest, are the Mystery (symbolized by an interrogation mark) and Extra icons which varies the main weapon's behavior. For instance, the multi-way pink laser will bounce off from walls or missiles will fire in straight lines. As expected with such title, a powerful guardian awaits for the player at the end of every stage and, interestingly, flashing targets reveal the opponent's weak points before each encounter.