Zaxxon
Zaxxon is a 1982 shoot 'em up developed by Sega, notable as one of the first arcade games to use an isometric axonometric perspective. Players pilot a fighter craft over a fortress base, strafing gun turrets, fuel tanks, and enemy planes while navigating walls and force fields rendered in convincing pseudo-3D. Shooting fuel tanks was essential, as the ship consumed fuel continuously and would crash if the gauge ran dry.
The diagonal viewpoint introduced a genuine sense of altitude, forcing players to judge their ship's height using an on-screen shadow and indicator to clear obstacles and hit targets. This depth gave Zaxxon a fresh dimension that set it apart from the flat shooters of the era and made it a technical showcase, culminating in a battle against the giant robot Zaxxon itself.
Zaxxon was heavily marketed, including one of the first television advertisements for a video game, and ported to home systems. Its influence on isometric games is lasting, and it remains playable through Sega retro collections and arcade emulation.
Where can you play Zaxxon today?
Device by device, which of the 4 alternatives below you can play on it.
- PC
- Sky Force Anniversary (€ 9,99), Sol Cresta (€ 17,99), Raiden V: Director's Cut (€ 28,99) and 1 more.
- Mac
- None of the alternatives to Zaxxon runs on Mac.
- Linux
- None of the alternatives to Zaxxon runs on Linux.
- iPhone
- None of the alternatives to Zaxxon runs on iPhone.
- iPad
- None of the alternatives to Zaxxon runs on iPad.
- Android phone
- None of the alternatives to Zaxxon runs on Android phone.
- Android tablet
- None of the alternatives to Zaxxon runs on Android tablet.
- PlayStation
- Sky Force Anniversary (€ 9,99), Sol Cresta (€ 17,99) and Raiden V: Director's Cut (€ 28,99). All 3 on PlayStation
- Xbox
- Sky Force Anniversary (€ 9,99) and Raiden V: Director's Cut (€ 28,99).
- Switch
- Sky Force Anniversary (€ 9,99), Sol Cresta (€ 17,99), Raiden V: Director's Cut (€ 28,99) and 1 more.
- Steam Deck
- Sky Force Anniversary (€ 9,99) and Sol Cresta (€ 17,99).
Games like Zaxxon
Modern alternatives to Zaxxon, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
Sky Force Anniversary
€ 9,99A polished modern shoot 'em up with an isometric feel and satisfying progression.
Sky Force Anniversary runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Sol Cresta
€ 17,99PlatinumGames' official sequel to Terra Cresta, an arcade shooter built on formation docking and precision.
Sol Cresta runs on PC, PlayStation, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Xbox. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Raiden V: Director's Cut
€ 28,99Big, readable scrolling shooting with layered backgrounds and score chaining.
Raiden V: Director's Cut runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Unsupported.
Sturmwind EX Indie
€ 19,99An indie shoot 'em up with layered 3D backgrounds recalling isometric arcade shooters.
Sturmwind EX runs on PC, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox. It is Steam Deck Unsupported.
Sign in or create an account to add an alternative or vote.
More shooter classics
Other classic games in the same category as Zaxxon.
