Lightning Fighters

Released by Konami in 1987, *Typhoon* (known internationally as *A-Jax*) is a vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up set on a near-future Earth, where humanity fights to repel an invasion by the artificial intelligence of an alien civilization. Players pilot a prototype craft—humanity's final hope—utilizing plasma wave weaponry and unmanned auxiliary combat pods to overcome the enemy. The visual effects of special attacks, such as the "Dragon Laser" and "Lightning Sword," are particular highlights. Spanning nine stages with a two-loop structure, this challenging title stands as a shining example of Konami’s technical prowess during that era.

The year is 2020. Humanity faces a desperate crisis following an invasion by an alien civilization wielding advanced weapon-duplication technology. To break the stalemate, humanity deploys its trump card: a super-combat fighter equipped with a top-secret plasma wave weapon. However, the location of the artificial island "Topo Island," which houses the weapon factory, is discovered by the enemy, and an all-out assault on the island begins. With the fate of humanity hanging in the balance, the final stand begins, led by a fighter aircraft equipped with the unmanned auxiliary combat pod, "Trigon."