Juno First
| Juno First | |
|---|---|
 Arcade flyer | |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publishers | Arcade
Sony Atari 8-bit, C64, IBM PC Datasoft |
| Platforms | Arcade, MSX, Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit, IBM PC |
| Release | Arcade MSX Commodore 64
|
| Genre | Scrolling shooter |
| Modes | Single-player, multiplayer |
Juno First[a] is a 1983 vertically scrolling shooter video game developed and published by Konami for arcades. It was released in Japan in July 1983 and in North America by Mylstar Electronics in September 1983.[2] The game is a shooter with a slightly tilted perspective, similar to Nintendo's 1980 game Radar Scope.[3] The game was ported to the MSX, Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit computers, and IBM PC.
Gameplay
[edit]Juno First presents a set number of enemies per level, but they do not make a gallery formation like Galaga or Space Invaders. Instead, the player's ship can move forward and backward (in addition to left and right) to hunt enemies in an orientation that is vertical, but has some horizon-oriented tilt. This style of gameplay would be re-used in a later Konami shooter, Axelay.
The player destroys waves of enemies to finish levels. Starting formations vary from stage to stage. In addition, the player can pick up a humanoid, upon which the screen will have a red tint. While this happens, every enemy the player shoots will earn the player 200 more points than the previous enemy destroyed. The original score for shooting an enemy while in humanoid mode depends on the stage.
Ports
[edit]Juno First was first ported in the western market to the Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit computers, and IBM PC in 1984. All of these ports were handled by Datasoft. The Commodore and Atari ports were programmed by Greg Hiscott, while the IBM version was programmed by Scott Titus.[citation needed]
In Japan, Sony released a conversion of Juno First in 1983 for MSX computers. This version soon made its way to other MSX markets as well.[citation needed]
Juno First was included via Microsoft's Game Room service for the Xbox 360 and Windows on June 30, 2010. Hamster Corporation released the game as part of their Arcade Archives series for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 on March 13, 2025.[4][5]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 "Availability Update". Computer Entertainer. Vol. 3, no. 5. August 1984. p. 16. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
- ↑ Akagi, Masumi (October 13, 2006). アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) [Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005)] (in Japanese). Japan: Amusement News Agency. pp. 27, 119. ISBN 978-4990251215.
- ↑ Where Were They Then: The First Games of Nintendo, Konami, and More (Nintendo), 1UP
- ↑ ""Announcing the release date of "Arcade Archives Juno FIRST"" - Games Press". www.gamespress.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ↑ Yarwood, Jack (March 12, 2025). "Konami Shoot 'Em Up 'Juno First' Is Heading To Arcade Archives This Week". Time Extension. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
External links
[edit]
- Juno First at the Killer List of Videogames
- Juno First at Arcade History
- 1983 video games
- Arcade Archives games
- Arcade video games
- Atari 8-bit computer games
- Commodore 64 games
- Datasoft games
- Gottlieb video games
- Hamster Corporation games
- Konami arcade games
- Konami games
- MSX games
- Multiplayer and single-player video games
- Science fiction video games
- Vertically scrolling shooters
- Video games developed in Japan