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| “ | Arms installation is complete. Good luck! | „ |
| ~ Axelay |
The D-117B Axelay (アクスレイ in Japanese) is the titular protagonist of the 1992 SNES shoot 'em up Axelay. It is an upgradeable starfighter whose weapons are split into three different slots: Pod, Side, and Bay. It obtains new weapons as the storyline progresses. Success with the Axelay is closely linked to its choice of weapons with which to tackle the various stages of the game.
History[]
In the peaceful planetary system known as Illis, the tranquility is suddenly shattered when an alien empire known as the Armada of Annihilation launches a massive invasion against the system. One by one, the Armada conquers each planet in the system. The war between the Armada and Illis forces lasted five years, over the course three attempts made to repel the Armada and free occupied planets failed disastrously. The Armada then launches an all-out onslaught against the last remaining planet free of the Armada's grasp and the most important planet in the Illis System; an Earth-like planet named Corliss (or Mother in the Japanese version). The fall of Corliss would spell the end of Illis System so as a final attempt to counter the invasion, the largely incomplete D-117B Axelay starfighter is launched to stop the Armanda and free each of the planets from its tyrannical control.
The D-117B Axelay travels to five different planets in the Illis system: The Cloud-Covered Cumuluses, the Space Colony Tralieb, the heavily populated Urbanite, a watery cavern on an unnamed planet, and the Lava Planet located in area known as Sector 3. On each planet, the Axelay battles numerous forces sent by the Armada, including several of its commanders. After freeing the planets, the Axelay travels to the Armada's fortress. There, the small spacecraft confronts the Armanda's leader, Veinion and after a long, intense battle, the Axelay prevails. The craft then escapes the crumbling fortress, saving the entire solar system and restoring peace once more.
Crossover Appearance[]
Airforce Delta Strike[]
The D-117B Axelay makes a guest appearance in Konami's simulation game Airforce Delta Strike. In game, it ultizes the a modified version of the Needle Cracker (known in-game as the "Homing Laser"). Its stats are all-around, making it comparable to the Flintlock TMF01, though its defense and mobility is somewhat lower, its speed and thrust are better however. It's main advantage over the Flintlock is that it doesn't use internal weapon bays for launching missiles, making it a more practical choice for combat use.
Specifications[]
| Width | 11.35 m 23.05 m (wingspan included) |
| Length | 20.56 m |
| Height | 6.25 m |
| Crew | 1 |
| Weight | 11,688 kg 14,836 ~ 28,495 kg (load capacity) |
| Maximum Speed | 71 RARRT |
| Drive | ZARNAS X-001N x2 |
Weapons[]
The D-117B Axelay's weapons are split into three slots: Pod, Side, and Bay. It can have one weapon equip to each slot at a time, and can freely switch between the slots at anytime during battle. When the craft takes a hit from an enemy projectile, it will lose the current weapon it has equipped, once all of the weapons are lost, it can only use its default laser and missiles.
Pod[]
- Default Laser - fires a rapid-fire laser that can destroy smaller enemies easily, this will be the primary weapon fired then the Bay slot is active, or if the Axelay loses all of its weapon slots.
- Straight Laser - fires a stronger version of the default laser, that has a wider hitbox and deals more damage.
- Needle Cracker - fire numerous lasers that will track enemies across the level. They are accurate, but slow-moving.
- Wind Laser - fires four lasers from the back of the craft, which then make a 180 turn and travel forwards. These lasers can have there spread adjusted by the craft's movement between a concentrated shot or a wide spread.
Side[]
- Round Vulcan - fires two vulcan shots behind the craft, when the fire button is held down, these shots will gradually move towards the front of the craft, and when the fire button is released, they will travel to the back once more. Though difficult to use, it can be useful for eliminating multiple enemies in opposite directions.
- Morning Star - when the fire button is held, a ring of eight bullets will be created around the craft, which will then fire out in a large circle when released.
Bay[]
- Default Missile - fires a set of missiles that travel to the side (or down on vertical stages), before launching forward, dealing moderate damage. This will be the secondary weapon fired if the Pod or Side weapons are active, or if the Axelay loses all of its weapon slots.
- Macro Missile - fires a large batch of missiles that have a larger hitbox and deals more damage than their default counterpart.
- Explosion Bomb - fires a set of missiles that travel downward diagonally (or forwards on vertical stages). When the missiles come in contact with an enemy, they will explode, creating an explosion that deals additional splash damage.
- Cluster Bomb - deploys a large number of missiles that travels straight down (or backwards on vertical stages).