The original 1942 video game was a vertically scrolling shoot ’em up released by Capcom for arcade parlours back in 1984. Since then, it has undergone a goulash of remakes and appeared on early living-room consoles such as the Amstrad and the Commodore 64. Set over the Pacific during World War II, the game was notable for the fact that, despite being created by a Japanese company, the objective was to reach Tokyo and destroy the entire Japanese air fleet.
1942: Joint Strike is the latest reincarnation of the classic arcade game and has recently joined the Xbox Live Arcade line-up of downloadable remakes. Concept-wise, the game is almost identical, featuring a top-down view of your plane and swarms of enemies that bring bullet hell to your screen. However, the game has been slightly modernised in the story department, now using the familiar “alternative universe” setting. The main difference, though, lies in the presentation. Like many Xbox Live Arcade remakes, the graphics have received a major overhaul and now appear in glossy HD.
Many fans of the retro arcade era may wonder how the wide-screen format of modern TVs would suit a vertically scrolling shooter. Surprisingly, you barely notice the change in orientation. The levels and enemy patterns have been adjusted to make excellent use of the extra screen space on the left and right. In fact, the horizontal layout works especially well in Joint Strike’s two-player co-op mode, whether played side-by-side or over Xbox Live, as it allows each player to comfortably take one side of the screen.
Players can choose from three different fighter planes (“The Lightning,” “The Mosquito,” and “The Shinden”), each with its own unique capabilities and attacks. For example, the Mosquito has weaker armour but is extremely agile and responsive to control. The planes differ in health, speed, power, and weaponry, making it easy to find one that suits your playstyle. Strike Force encourages players to complete the game with all three planes, though the Mosquito often feels like the most effective choice. Alongside the standard upgradeable weapons, the game also features the powerful Strike Force attack, where two planes combine to form a devastating super-weapon capable of wiping out large groups of enemies. The visual effects are impressive, including one variation that creates a coiled lightning bolt between two players, frying anything it touches.
Unlike the original classic, players are no longer taken out by a single hit. Instead, a health meter allows you to absorb a limited amount of damage before losing a life. The iconic loop-the-loop manoeuvre is still present, letting players evade enemy fire by performing a quick aerial flip. As a result, the core gameplay will feel very familiar to fans of the original. Each level consists of continuous waves of enemies, culminating in a large boss battle. Joint Strike also introduces small gameplay variations, such as chase sequences and moments where players must collect objects while dodging enemy fire. The game features five levels in total, each with its own setting, ranging from erupting volcanoes to a war-torn London. While the backdrops look impressive, many players may barely notice them due to the sheer volume of bullets, missiles, and explosions filling the screen.
Although the gameplay is fairly limited and takes roughly 30 minutes to complete per plane, 1942: Joint Strike remains a satisfying experience. Frequent upgrades keep things engaging, and the game offers a solid selection of weapons and challenging enemies. Hardcore fans will likely attempt all four difficulty levels—this game is tough even on medium—across all three planes in pursuit of leaderboard rankings. More casual players, however, will likely enjoy it as a nostalgic throwback: a back-to-basics shooter enhanced with modern visuals.