Darwin 4078 –

• Publisher: Hudson Soft
• Developer: Data East Corp.
• Release year : 1987
• Support : MSX2
• Sound: PSG
• Type : Shoot
• Support : Mega Rom

Developed by Data East Corp. for arcades in 1986, Darwin 4078 was carried on MSX 1987 on Mega Rom by Hudson Soft. It's a Xevious shoot-up in which you have to fight mutant ships, EVOLs and recover capsules to evolve your own combat ship. About ten transformations are available for your ship and you will cross nearly 16 stages populated by enemies quite fierce. Darwin 4078 is quite difficult but he remains pretty nice to play. We quickly take the fold and surprise ourselves to pass levels with ease despite the projectiles that arrive in all directions. Two levels of fire are available to corser all. Front shots and bombs for enemies on the ground.

Graphically Darwin 4078 is not a very good adaptation. The sprites are simplified to the maximum and even if the enemies are numerous and different, the whole slows down the game quite well. A little bit like the dreadful Scramble Training of the TAITO. A little better anyway!

As for music...a miracle point, the PSG sound even minimalist has accustomed us to much better. The music is correct... no more!

A good little Shoot-em-up that has nothing revolutionary but has the merit of giving us good moments.

Happy to have it in my collection as much as the version I just recovered is in perfect condition!

For those who want to play it without taking too much lead, here is a code to get infinite lives. When you start a new game, do ESC then simultaneously press the keys M+T+K. The following message appears on screen « Special Mode ». You are not invincible but you get infinite lives. Good game.

Flyers of the arcade version released in 1986 in Japan.

1986 arcade version.

MSX version released in 1987.