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Xexex

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Xexex is a 2D side scrolling shoot'em up, similar to Gradius or R-type. The game also uses the "tentacle mechanics" from X Multiply. The player pilots a ship called the Flintlock and must save a blue haired princess named Irene. He flies to the right shooting at enemies in his way. The ship can g...

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Developer
Konami

Released on
1991

Size
1–2 Players

Version
Arcade

Requirements
Arcade

Downloads
Shooter

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

Cooperative
Yes

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Description

Xexex is a 2D side scrolling shoot’em up, similar to Gradius or R-type. The game also uses the “tentacle mechanics” from X Multiply. The player pilots a ship called the Flintlock and must save a blue haired princess named Irene. He flies to the right shooting at enemies in his way. The ship can grab an enemy and use it as a weapon. There is also a detachable orb called Flint available, which behaves similar to R-Type’s “Force Device” or Gradius’ “Option”.

This game is known in Europe and Japan as Xexex and Orius in North America.

Xexex

Overview & History

Released by Konami in 1991 for Japanese arcades, Xexex stands as a technical and artistic marvel of the golden age of horizontal scrolling shoot 'em ups. Powered by Konami's custom hardware, the game takes players on a surreal, bio-mechanical odyssey through the universe to rescue the captive Planet Irene from the villainous E.I. Empath. Unlike Konami's more militaristic Gradius series, Xexex plunges players into a vibrant, shifting dreamscape filled with grotesque organic machinery, floating skeletal leviathans, and mesmerizing cosmic vistas. Though it never received the widespread console ports of its contemporaries, keeping its legendary status largely confined to smoky 90s arcades and rare emulated releases, it remains an unforgettable high-water mark for sprite-based artistry and imaginative, grotesque creature design.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

At the core of Xexex's gameplay is the "Flint," a detached, versatile satellite module that acts as both your ultimate weapon and tactical shield. Unlike standard options, the Flint can be physically detached from your ship, the Flintlock, and hurled across the screen to latch onto enemies, dealing continuous damage while you fire independently. Players can cycle through a variety of devastating elemental weapons—such as homing lasers, wide-spread plasma bursts, and freezing beams—by collecting power-up crystals. The Flint can also be recalled to act as a protective rear barrier or charged up for a screen-clearing super attack. Survival demands mastering the delicate dance of positioning your ship while simultaneously aiming the independent Flint to exploit the blind spots of multi-tiered biological bosses.