Air Zonk
{{Short description|1992 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Air Zonk
|image = AirZonk.jpg
|caption = US cover art
|developer = Red Company, Naxat Soft
|publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|Hudson Soft}}{{vgrelease|NA|Turbo Technologies}}
|designer =
|composer = Daisuke Morishima
Hisashi Matsushita
|engine =
|released = {{vgrelease|NA|October 1992|JP|December 12, 1992}}
|genre = Scrolling shooter
|modes = Single-player
|platforms = TurboGrafx-16
}}
Air Zonk, known in Japan as {{nihongo|PC Denjin|PC原人シリーズ PC電人}}, is a horizontally scrolling shooter released for the TurboGrafx-16 in 1992. Air Zonk was an effort to update the company's image with a modern, punkish character named Zonk, who bears a deliberate resemblance to the TurboGrafx-16's caveman mascot, Bonk.
The game was developed by Red Company, the original creators of the Bonk series, and also known for their Gate of Thunder series. Air Zonk features King Drool, the antagonist of the Bonk series, along with many other enemies from that series. A sequel, Super Air Zonk: Rockabilly-Paradise, was released in 1993 for the TurboDuo and has been made available on the Wii's Virtual Console.
Gameplay
Air Zonk is a reimagining of the Bonk video game series as a scrolling shooter set in the future.{{cite web|last=Rodriguez|first=Steven|title=Virtual Console Mondays: July 9, 2007|website=Nintendo World Report|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/recommendations/13828/virtual-console-mondays-july-9-2007|date=July 10, 2009|access-date=June 16, 2020}} Artistically, the game is lighthearted, featuring humorous designs for the environment and characters.{{cite web|last=Shive|first=Chris|title=Pocket Power: Air Zonk|website=Hardcore Gamer|url=https://hardcoregamer.com/2020/02/23/pocket-power-air-zonk/368155/|date=February 23, 2020|access-date=June 16, 2020}} Throughout the five levels, the gameplay focuses on the effective use of shooting and bombing to complete each stage. At the start, the player may choose a companion character to team up with, such as an anthropomorphic gumball machine or a mummy with a drill attached to its head, in order to enhance Bonk's powers.{{cite web|last=Tatlock|first=Lee|title=Air Zonk|website=Retro Gamer|url=https://www.retrogamer.net/retro_games90/air-zonk/|date=July 6, 2009|access-date=June 16, 2020}} Players can limit the use of designated companion characters for each level or opt not to use them at all. Each companion character, or friend, can only be used once. Air Zonk adopts the distinct visual style sometimes referred to as a "cute 'em up." There are three difficulty settings: sweet, spicy, and bitter.
Zonk can charge his shots, allowing him to fire a more powerful attack. A longer charge causes Zonk to drop a bomb, which damages all enemies on the screen. Zonk can also acquire seven types of power-ups, each of which can be charged for a unique special attack. As with most scrolling shooters, whenever Zonk acquires a new power-up, he loses the current one. If Zonk is hit while holding a power-up, he loses it but does not die, except in the case of the Mini-Zonk power-up. The Mini-Zonk power-up differs from other power-ups in that it cannot be charged and can be found in both florets and random enemy drops (while other power-ups can only be found in florets).
Zonk begins each stage alone and without power-ups. He must collect eight smiley faces, the eighth of which will appear in giant form with sunglasses, in order to summon his friend. Initially, the friend acts as a Gradius-style support, following Zonk and shooting projectiles. If the player collects another eight smiley faces, Zonk and his friend will merge into a hybrid form, granting a new attack and 20 seconds of invulnerability. This new attack cannot be charged, and Zonk cannot drop bombs while in hybrid form. Once invincibility expires, if Zonk is hit, he will revert to his normal form, and his friend will leave. However, Zonk retains any power-up he had before transforming into hybrid form.
Release
Air Zonk was released on the Wii's Virtual Console in May 2007 in Japan, July in America, and on July 13 in Europe.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/software/03.html|title = Wii | Virtual Console バーチャルコンソール}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/VVnTG0iv33BXEEmN8960dGOCVhTFxCa_|title = Nintendo - Official Site - Video Game Consoles, Games - Nintendo - Official Site}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/TurboGrafx/Air-Zonk-276148.html|title = Air Zonk}} It was also released on the Wii U's Virtual Console in Japan on June 19, 2014, in America on July 27, 2017, and in Europe on August 3.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/20010000007708|title=PC電人 | Wii U | 任天堂}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/air-zonk-wii-u|title = Air Zonk for Wii U - Nintendo Game Details}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 76.25%{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/tg16/588888-air-zonk/index.html|title=Air Zonk for TurboGrafx-16|work=GameRankings|publisher=CBS Interactive|year=2013|access-date=2025-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110040849/http://www.gamerankings.com/tg16/588888-air-zonk/index.html|archive-date=2013-01-10|url-status=dead}}
| EuroG = 7/10{{cite web|last=Whitehead|first=Dan|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vcroundup130707|title=Virtual Console Roundup Review: Paper Mario and Zonk|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=July 14, 2007|access-date=2025-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213121058/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vcroundup130707|archive-date=2009-02-13|url-status=live}}
| Fam = 25/40{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/famitsu-0206/page/n39/mode/1up|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: PC原人シリーズ PC電人|magazine=Famitsu|issue=206|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=November 27, 1992|page=40|language=ja}} ([http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=4640 Transcription] by Famitsu.com. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140616121156/http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=4640|date=2014-06-16}}).
| GSpot = 7.5/10{{cite web|last=Provo|first=Frank|url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/airzonk/review.html|title=Air Zonk for Wii Review|work=GameSpot|publisher=CNET Networks|date=July 24, 2007|access-date=2025-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226035811/http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/airzonk/review.html|archive-date=2009-02-26|url-status=dead}}
| GPCE = 81/100{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/gekkan-pc-engine-issue-51-december-1992/Gekkan%20PC%20Engine%20-%20Issue%2051%20-%20December%201992/page/156/mode/1up|title=New Review Daisakusen! PC電人|magazine={{ill|Gekkan PC Engine|lt=Gekkan PC Engine|ja|月刊PCエンジン}}|volume=4|issue=12|publisher=Shogakukan|date=December 1992|page=156|language=ja}}
| IGN = 8/10{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Lucas M.|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/805/805674p1.html|title=Air Zonk (Virtual Console) Review|work=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment|date=July 17, 2007|access-date=2025-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070816200820/http://wii.ign.com/articles/805/805674p1.html|archive-date=2007-08-16|url-status=dead}}
| JP = 91%{{cite magazine|last1=Demoly|first1=Jean-Marc|last2=Prézeau|first2=Olivier|url=https://archive.org/details/joypad-016-janvier-1993/page/92/mode/2up|title=Nec: PC Kid 3|magazine={{ill|Joypad (magazine)|lt=Joypad|fr|Joypad (magazine)}}|issue=16|publisher=Hachette Disney Presse|date=January 1993|pages=92–93|language=fr}}
| JS = 91%{{cite magazine|last=Demoly|first=Jean-Marc|url=https://archive.org/details/joystick034/page/n239/mode/1up|title=Consoles News: PC Kid III|magazine=Joystick|issue=34|publisher=Sipress|date=January 1993|page=240|language=fr}}
| MPCE = 24/40{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/marukatsu-pc-engine-volume-48-december-1992/Marukatsu%20PC%20Engine%20-%20Volume%2050%20-%20December%201992/page/154/mode/1up|title=新作ソフトお毒味チャート: PC原人シリーズ PC電人|magazine={{ill|Marukatsu PC Engine|lt=Marukatsu PC Engine|ja|マル勝PCエンジン}}|volume=4|issue=12|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|date=December 1992|page=154|language=ja}}
| MF = 82/100{{cite magazine|last1=Weidner|first1=Martin|last2=Lurz|first2=Bastian|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AMegaFun_DE_1992-11.pdf&page=46|title=Spieletest: Air Zonk|magazine={{ill|Mega Fun|lt=Mega Fun|de|Mega Fun}}|issue=6|publisher=Computec|date=November–December 1992|page=46|language=de}}
| NLife = 8/10{{cite web|last=Calvert|first=Darren|url=http://vc.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/07/air_zonk_virtual_console|title=Air Zonk (Virtual Console / TG-16) Review|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Ltd|date=July 9, 2007|access-date=2025-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412110240/http://vc.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/07/air_zonk_virtual_console|archive-date=2009-04-12|url-status=dead}}
| VGS = 72%{{cite magazine|last=Knauf|first=Andreas|url=https://archive.org/details/video-games-de-1993-02/page/26/mode/2up|title=PC/Engine Warpzone|magazine={{ill|Video Games (German magazine)|lt=Video Games|de|Video Games}}|issue=15|publisher=Markt & Technik|date=February 1993|pages=26–28|language=de}}
| VGCE = 7/10{{cite magazine|last=Mandel|first=Josh|url=https://archive.org/details/video-games-computer-entertainment-november-1992/page/n51/mode/1up|title=Video-Game Reviews: Air Zonk|magazine=VideoGames & Computer Entertainment|issue=46|publisher=Larry Flynt Publications|date=November 1992|page=52}}
| rev1 = Go! Hand-Held Video Games
| rev1Score = 91/100{{cite magazine|last1=Anglin|first1=Paul|last2=Rand|first2=Paul|url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Go_Magazine_19/page/20/mode/2up|title=Review: Air Zonk|magazine=Go! Hand-Held Video Games|type=supplement|issue=19|publisher=EMAP|date=May 1993|pages=20–21}}
| rev2 = Play Time
| rev2Score = 85%{{cite magazine|last=Weckwerth|first=Rainer|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3APlayTime_DE_1993-02.pdf&page=117|title=Turbo Duo: Air Zonk|magazine={{ill|Play Time (magazine)|lt=Play Time|de|Play Time}}|issue=20|publisher=Computec|date=February 1993|page=117|language=de}}
| award1Pub = Electronic Gaming Monthly (1992)
| award1 = TurboGrafx-16 Game of the Year{{cite magazine|editor=Ed Semrad|year=1992|url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthlys-1993-video-game-buyers-guide/page/n15/mode/1up|title=EGM's Best and Worst of 1992|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly's 1993 Video Game Buyer's Guide|type=Buyers Guide|series=Video Game Buyer's Guide|publisher=Sendai Publishing|agency=Electronic Gaming Monthly|pages=13–24}}
}}
{{Expand section|date=March 2025}}
Air Zonk garnered generally favorable reception from critics,{{cite magazine|last1=Harris|first1=Steve|last2=Semrad|first2=Ed|last3=Alessi|first3=Martin|last4=Williams|first4=Ken|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_040/page/n29/mode/1up|title=Review Crew: Air Zonk|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=40|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=November 1992|page=30}}{{cite magazine|author=Otter Matic|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_040.pdf&page=132|title=TurboChip ProReview: Air Zonk|magazine=GamePro|issue=40|publisher=IDG|date=November 1992|pages=128–129}}{{cite magazine|last1=Halverson|first1=Dave|author-link1=Dave Halverson|author2=Brody|title=Viewpoint: Air Zonk; Turbo Review: Air Zonk|magazine=GameFan|volume=1|issue=2|publisher=DieHard Gamers Club|date=December 1992|pages=[https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_1_Issue_02/page/n8/mode/1up 9], [https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_1_Issue_02/page/n57/mode/2up 58–59]}} holding a rating of 76.25% based on four reviews according to review aggregator GameRankings. The game received a score of 23.74 out of 30 in a 1993 readers' poll conducted by PC Engine Fan, ranking among PC Engine titles at the number 55 spot.{{cite magazine|title=PC Engine All Catalog '93 10月号特別付録|magazine=PC Engine Fan|volume=6|issue=10|publisher=Tokuma Shoten|date=October 1, 1993|page=90|language=ja}} For their 1992 game awards, Electronic Gaming Monthly honored Air Zonk as their "Game of the Year" on the TurboGrafx-16.
{{-}}
Legacy
Air Zonk received a sequel in 1993 titled Super Air Zonk: Rockabilly-Paradise (also known as CD Denjin Rockabilly), which was released in the SuperCD format and requires the Super System Card to play on first-generation TurboGrafx-CD consoles. As its name suggests, the game features a CD audio soundtrack consisting of rockabilly music. The game includes all-new levels, assistants, and enemies.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://bonkzonk.com The Bonk Compendium] (covering all games and references to Bonk and Air Zonk)
- [http://www.pcengine.co.uk/HTML_Games/PC_Denjin.htm Detailed information for Air Zonk at the PC Engine Software Bible]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927202026/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3147303 Air Zonk featured in 1-up's "Stchick 'em up" article]
- [http://www.pcengine.co.uk/HTML_Games/CD_Denjin.htm Information on Super Air Zonk]
{{Bonk series}}
Category:Horizontally scrolling shooters
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Turbo Technologies games
Category:Video games developed in Japan