Hot Scramble is based on Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, the sequel anime series to the original Mobile Suit Gundam.

When the Gundam franchise was rising in popularity by the mid-1980's, Bandai commissioned Game Studio to develop a Gundam game for the Family Computer, the most popular video game console in Japan at the time. The game was designed by Game Studio founder Masanobu Endō, who had previously worked for Namco and created widely-successful games such as Xevious and The Tower of Druaga. Mobile Suit Z Gundam: Hot Scramble was developed by Game Studio and published by Bandai for the Family Computer. Similar to boss fights, at certain stages, Mobile Suits such as the Psyco Gundam, Psyco Gundam MkII, Pallas Athena, or Qubeley will appear and must be destroyed (one shot, unlike bosses which take multiple hits) for the player to proceed from either the ground phase to the space phase or, during the space phase, to the boss fight. After the 16th level is beaten, another series of levels loops endlessly, however if the 16th level is cleared, a game over will display credits with a looping sprite of Zeta pilot Fa Yuiry running, the rebuilt Haro bouncing at her side, as in the show's ending. Hot Scramble consists of 16 primary levels, with enemy MS appearing in order roughly corresponding to their appearance chronologically in Zeta Gundam television series. Three power ups in the game include a shield, which prevents some damage, a beam rifle, which allows penetrating shots on the platformer portion, and health. Following this is a standard platforming section which concludes the destruction of the ship, colony, or base's reactor. During these levels, player's gun is visible on screen, and can aim at and lock-on to enemies while shooting. The first two parts are forward scrolling, the first taking place on earth, the second in open space and ending with either a boss battle, ranging from a Musai to the Jupitris, Paptimus Scirocco's flagship, or simply a colony or asteroid (Gryps, Axis, etc.).

Confronting a small squadron of Hizacks while on space patrol.

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