Overview
Not all shooters need to be dark. Fantasy Zone sent the sentient spaceship Opa-Opa through candy-coloured worlds, destroying enemy bases and shopping for weapon upgrades. The bright palette and whimsical enemies created a shooter anyone could enjoy, establishing the “cute-em-up” aesthetic that would influence countless Japanese games.
Fast facts
- Developer: Sega.
- Protagonist: Opa-Opa (spaceship).
- Innovation: Shop system in shooters.
- Aesthetic: Pastel cute-em-up.
Gameplay mechanics
| Element | Function |
|---|
| Free scrolling | Move in any direction |
| Base destruction | Primary objective |
| Coins | Currency from enemies |
| Shop | Weapon purchases |
Shop system
| Category | Items |
|---|
| Engines | Speed upgrades |
| Weapons | Main gun types |
| Bombs | Special attacks |
| Temporary | Limited-use power-ups |
Weapon types
| Weapon | Effect |
|---|
| Twin Shot | Dual projectiles |
| Laser Beam | Penetrating fire |
| Wide Beam | Spread shot |
| 7-Way Shot | Multiple directions |
Visual style
| Element | Characteristic |
|---|
| Colours | Pastel palette |
| Enemies | Cute designs |
| Backgrounds | Candy landscapes |
| Tone | Whimsical |
Series entries
| Title | Year | Platform |
|---|
| Fantasy Zone | 1986 | Arcade |
| Fantasy Zone II | 1987 | Master System |
| Super Fantasy Zone | 1992 | Mega Drive |
Cute-em-up influence
| Game | Connection |
|---|
| Parodius | Konami’s cute shooter |
| Cotton | Witch-themed cute-em-up |
| Twinbee | Bell-collecting predecessor |
See also