Home /
Arcade

Seicross

Arcade

Arcade

Seicross, known in Japan as Sector Zone (セクターゾーン), is an arcade game developed and released in Japan and North America by Nichibutsu. Despite the original arcade being titled Sector Zone, Nichibutsu later ported it to the Famicom as Seicross (セクロス). During the game play of Seicross, the player...

Download

0/5 Votes: 0

Report

Developer
Nichibutsu

Released on
1984

Size
1 Player

Version
Arcade

Requirements
Arcade

Downloads
Shooter

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

Wikipedia
View article →

Report this app

Images

Description

Seicross, known in Japan as Sector Zone (セクターゾーン), is an arcade game developed and released in Japan and North America by Nichibutsu. Despite the original arcade being titled Sector Zone, Nichibutsu later ported it to the Famicom as Seicross (セクロス).

During the game play of Seicross, the player rides a gliding motorcycle-like vehicle, bumping other riders, collecting power modules and collecting blue people who are stranded. A second area removes the riders and adds rough terrain, while the final leg features a battle with one or more Dinosaur Tanks, which launch their heads when destroyed. The sequence repeats infinitely, getting progressively difficult and changing backgrounds.

Seicross

Overview & History

Released in 1984 by Nichibutsu, Seicross (originally known in Japan as Sector Zone) is a distinctive sci-fi fixed-scrolling shooter that stands out from contemporaries like Xevious or Gradius by introducing unique vertical-layer momentum. Set in a desolate, futuristic planetary wasteland, the storyline tasks a lone pilot maneuvering the advanced "Avenger" combat craft to overthrow a tyrannical mechanized alien empire before they complete their planetary annihilation cannon. Though initially released as an arcade cabinet utilizing a trackball and two buttons, the game later gained broader cult status through its 1986 Family Computer (Famicom) port by Bothtec. The arcade version's striking aesthetic relies on a pseudo-3D overhead perspective where enemies stream downward while the player navigates treacherous terrain filled with indestructible barricades, enemy turrets, and cascading debris that requires split-second vertical positioning.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Seicross separates itself through innovative momentum-based mechanics. The player controls a hover-ship that can dynamically speed up or slow down using a forward-and-back throttle mechanism, directly affecting the ship's altitude and shadow projection. The core gameplay loop requires balancing aggressive offense with survival; players must destroy incoming alien squadrons while constantly rescuing stranded, blinking humanoid astronauts scattered across the sector. Rescuing these survivors grants crucial bonus points and temporary weapon upgrades that transform the default single-shot laser into a devastating spread blast or piercing beam. Additionally, the Avenger features a crucial jump ability that allows the craft to clear low-lying obstacles, ground-based mines, and bottomless chasms. Hitting a wall or failing to clear a barrier costs a life immediately, making precise distance calculation and throttle management far more vital than mindless button-mashing.

Keyboard Controls

Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move / Adjust Speed (Up to accelerate, Down to decelerate, Left/Right to steer)
Action Keys: Attack (Fire laser) / Jump (Clear obstacles)
Enter: Start / Pause