1987 had some great releases. Michael Jackson's Bad album, the first episode of the Simpsons, Mega Man and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are all solid examples of this to name a few. What isn't a solid example of this is Ajax, or Typhoon as it was called here in Europe. I wouldn't be surprised if you've never heard of it, I hadn't either. It came on Konami's Arcade Classics Collection I play from time to time as a break from larger things.

The game really sets the scene with a Fighter Jet dive bombing towards a battleship in the water as if it was fired from a spaceship in orbit shooting missiles and planes coming up at it to a rocking soundtrack. It's a little clunky aiming sure but visually and conceptually for 1987 it's absolutely nuts. The second level instantly puts you into an average looking vertical shoot 'em up with a helicopter and it's kind of uninspiring. It plays fine and is the standard collect power ups of the type to give you 3 way shot, missiles, bomb, laser and Vulcan Cannon. Nothing clever to see here.

Sometimes nothing clever is fine though, I was having at least passable fun playing through initially. The issue is I simply couldn't finish the game. Even with save states on easy the stage 6 boss gave me such an intense pasting with a crazy cat lady's worth of projectile black orbs coming at me as well as even faster boulders. I admit I'm not good at shoot 'em ups but I don't think I'm that bad that I can't beat a game on easy with save states. Clearly I was wrong.

It's ok as a piece of history to play through, I'm glad I got to try it but I have no interest in playing it again. If I wanted to play a shoot 'em up I know would kick my posterior I'd just choose Thunder Force IV.

+ Opening level sets a bar the rest of the game simply can't hit.
+ Great music.

- The main game is just kind of forgettable.
- Mission 6 boss is a child born out of wedlock.