In this video originally published in the Gaming Room‘s channel on April 25, 2025, we have the demos and a quick gameplay session of Xexex, a refined old-school shoot ’em up by Konami released in 1991 also known as Orius outside Japan. It offers a visual and audio taste of the original arcade version, highlighting the intense early-game action and its award-winning presentation.
Inspired by classics like R-Type, Gradius, and X Multiply, Xexex puts players in control of the Flintlock, a ship equipped with the intelligent orb Flint, which acts both as a shield and an offensive weapon. The game mixes strategic mechanics with a unique biomechanical art style and a memorable soundtrack — which won Best Music at the 1992 Gamest Awards.
Despite its quality, the game remained arcade-exclusive for many years, only receiving a port on the PSP (Japan-only) in 2007 as part of Salamander Portable, and later arriving on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in 2021. Today, it’s remembered as a cult classic and considered a spiritual predecessor to Axelay.
So, in short, in this video you’ll see:
- Demo (attract mode) and a short gameplay session
- Unique visuals and standout soundtrack
- Mechanics inspired by R-Type and Gradius
- A faithful snapshot of the original arcade experience
If you’re into retro games and hidden (or not-so-hidden) gems from the golden age of arcades, you know the drill — watch this short nostalgic trip to the past. Then, subscribe to the Gaming Room channel and share your thoughts in the comments.
Cheers!
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Details
- Length: 09:38
- Channel(s): Gaming Room
- Categories: Gameplays, Videos
- Views: 3