Xexex

About

Xexex is a 1991 arcade shooter from Konami that blends fast scrolling action with quirky sci-fi flair. You control the Flintlock ship, zipping through stages to rescue Irene, a blue-haired princess trapped on the planet E-Square. The game mixes the tight controls of classic shooters with a signature twist: enemies often feature tentacle-like limbs that stretch and snap at your ship. Between stages, brief animations show Irene being tortured while pleading for help, adding a bizarre narrative layer to the bullet-dodging chaos. The game’s split personality shines through. Japanese and overseas versions differ in enemy layouts and stage design, offering slight variations for replay value. The ending sees the Flintlock launching an orb into space, which transforms into a topless fairy, a surreal touch that stuck out even in 1991. With its mix of rapid-fire gameplay and oddball storytelling, Xexex feels like a forgotten relic that still holds up for fans of old-school arcade intensity.