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Section Z

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Section-Z was produced by Capcom in 1985. Alien Invaders approach the solar system from their interstellar battle platform, named Fortress Balangool. Under the command of the Master Control, named L-Brain, the Invaders defeat Earth's space forces. Only one hero, Captain Commando remains to defea...

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Developer
Capcom

Released on
1985

Size
1–2 Players

Version
Arcade

Requirements
Arcade

Downloads
Shooter

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Section-Z was produced by Capcom in 1985.

Alien Invaders approach the solar system from their interstellar battle platform, named Fortress Balangool. Under the command of the Master Control, named L-Brain, the Invaders defeat Earth’s space forces. Only one hero, Captain Commando remains to defeat the alien armada by entering Balangool and fighting through the various sections until reaching Section-Z.

Section-Z is a side-scrolling shooter where the player must travel through the maze that is Balangool. Typically this consists of traveling through a scrolling corridor and reaching the end where a new direction must be chosen. Captain Commando’s abilities are shooting directly left or directly right while moving around the screen. Power-ups can be collected by defeated enemies and include; improved lasers, a 3-way cannon and shield, these can be stored until needed. There are also SMS (Special Transmission Shell) power-ups, which require energy to use Energy units, are used to absorb enemy fire. Loss of all energy or running into an enemy or a wall causes death.

Certain sections of Balangool are blocked until a generator can be found and destroyed. There are four different boss creatures that must be defeated when encountered.

Section Z

Overview & History

Released by Capcom in 1985 as a coin-op arcade game before its legendary 1987 port to the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Section Z is a pioneering sci-fi side-scrolling shooter. The storyline thrusts players into the boots of Captain Commando (or a nameless cyborg commando in later lore), tasked with infiltrating the subterranean L-Sec underground base of the malicious Balzar empire. The mission: navigate the treacherous labyrinthine corridors of 'Section Z' and annihilate the alien leadership before they unleash ultimate devastation upon Earth. Unlike traditional horizontal shmup formulas, the game features non-linear maze exploration where players must blast through directional barriers and teleport through strategic warp zones.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Distinct from standard arcade shooters, Section Z equips the protagonist with a 360-degree rotational blaster and a jetpack, allowing freedom of movement in multiple directions. As players blast through biological-mechanical alien hordes, they collect orange energy capsules known as 'Power Balls'. These currency-like items can be spent at heavily guarded supply stations—the lettered doors labeled A through Z—to upgrade weaponry, such as acquiring the powerful 3-Way Gun, the devastating L-Laser, or life-saving defensive shields. The frantic pacing demands quick reflexes, precise dodging of alien projectile fire, and memorization of the complex maze layouts to reach the final organic supercomputer core.