Xenon

1988 · Shooter · Amiga / Atari ST

Overview

Xenon (1988) is the Bitmap Brothers' vertical shooter for the Amiga and Atari ST, switching between a ground tank and an aircraft.

Deep Dive

Xenon's pilot can transform his craft at will between a ground tank, which can fire in several directions, and a faster aircraft, each suited to different enemies. Power-ups upgrade the weapons, and each level ends with a guardian. Its crisp visuals and polish made it the Bitmap Brothers' breakthrough; its sequel, Xenon 2: Megablast, became even better known for its Bomb the Bass soundtrack.

Developer Story

Xenon was developed by the Bitmap Brothers in 1988. The Bitmap Brothers were a British studio known for their visual and musical polish — Its sequel, Xenon 2, featured Bomb the Bass's 'Megablast', and both games had graphics that pushed the Amiga. Xenon established the Bitmap Brothers' reputation for style and technical excellence.

Did You Know?

Bitmap Brothers games were known for their visual style as much as their gameplay — Xenon looked unlike any other game of 1988.
Its music was by David Whittaker; Bomb the Bass's 'Megablast' belonged to the sequel.
Xenon 2: Megablast used a version of Bomb the Bass's hit single 'Megablast (Hip Hop on Precinct 13)' — a rare licensed chart track in a 1989 game.
The Bitmap Brothers became one of Britain's most prestigious studios on the strength of Xenon's technical and aesthetic quality.

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