Viewpoint (video game)

Gameplay

Viewpoint is Sammy's only game for the Neo-Geo Multi Video System hardware. By default, Player 1 and Player 2 can only play one after another; in the Service Mode though, simultaneous gameplay can be enabled. Along with the ship's primary weapons, the player also has access to three bombs: one that can make a wave of fire that starts from behind the player's ship and scrolls "up" the screen, one that makes a powerful circular, nova-like blast, and one that shoots several mini-missiles capable of homing in on multiple targets. The game has six stages.

Development and release

Viewpoint was developed by Aicom, a small Japanese studio known for games such as The Legendary Axe and The Astyanax. It was published in November 1992 by Sammy Corporation, being their first foray into the market since the early 1980s. The game's isometric-scrolling gameplay was largely inspired by Sega's Zaxxon, with its overall aesthetic taking inspiration from games like Xevious and R-Type. Viewpoint ran on the Neo Geo MVS arcade system board, being Sammy's only game for the system. The game's 3D graphics were drawn entirely by hand, as opposed to using pre-rendering software or 3D hardware.

Viewpoint also saw release on a variety of home platforms, including the Sega Genesis and Sony PlayStation game consoles, as well as the Sharp X68000 and FM Towns computer platforms. This game also made its international debut outside North America for the Sega Genesis Mini 2 microconsole in October 2022. A port for the Sega Saturn was due in 1996; however, it was cancelled. At one point, an 8-bit version for the Game Boy Color was planned, but it was cancelled as well.

Reception

(Neo Geo) (Playstation) (Genesis) 7.625/10 (PlayStation)

In North America, RePlay reported Viewpoint to be the fifteenth most-popular arcade game in April 1993.

The Neo Geo version received critical acclaim. Viewpoint was awarded both Best Graphics and Best Music in a Video Game in Electronic Gaming Monthlys 1992 video game awards. On release, Famicom Tsūshin scored the Neo Geo version of the game a 30 out of 40. The Neo Geo arcade version received highly positive reviews from Computer and Video Games, which scored it 95%, and Sinclair User, which scored it 96%. GameFans two reviewers scored the Neo Geo console version 99.5% and 99%, stating that it is "the best game on the system so far." GamePro gave it a full score of 5 in all four categories (graphics, sound, control, and fun factor). They noted similarities to Zaxxon, but praised Viewpoints graphics, animated backgrounds, hip hop style funky dance music, and gameplay.

The later ports were much more divisive. Electronic Gaming Monthly five reviewers scored the Genesis version 8, 6, 7, 7, and 7 out of 10 (average 7 out of 10). Though they noted that it has some severe slowdown and music which fails to approximate the original version's, they rated it as an overall good conversion. Next Generation similarly said that though the graphics and music fail to effectively recreate those of the Neo Geo version, it is an exceptionally good port given that it is for a less powerful system and on a cartridge a fraction of the size of the Neo Geo one. Their main criticism was with the game itself, which they said gets dull fairly quickly due to the redundancy of the level designs.

The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly scored the PlayStation version 30.5 out of 40 (average 7.625 out of 10). They praised the PlayStation version's improved visuals over the Neo Geo version, but most felt that the new soundtrack was inappropriate. All four reviewers concurred that the game is "unbelievably hard", but were divided on whether this was a good or bad thing. Next Generation said that while the Neo Geo original is justifiably held in high esteem, the PlayStation conversion suffers from slow pacing, sluggish control, and most especially the excessively hard difficulty: "We have no idea what kind of sadist converted this, but unless you're also an equally extreme masochist, give it a wide berth." Maximum also held the PlayStation version to be inferior to the Neo Geo version, commenting that though the graphics were generally improved, some sections looked better on the Neo Geo, and the music and gameplay were much worse. However, they added: "Judging Viewpoint as a game on its own (as opposed to comparing it to the Neo Geo), it's not bad at all, offering plenty of blasting action and much entertainment."

Cancelled sequel

Viewpoint 2064 was announced for the Nintendo 64 in 1999, but Sammy Corporation had development issues, so it was cancelled. A prototype resurfaced in October 2015 on an online auction. An apparently final version of the game was discovered in 2025.

Notes

References

References

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2. (October 1992). "Oh! Neo Geo Vol. 2 - ビューポイント". [[SB Creative.
3. Yamanaka, Naoki. (January 1993). "アーケード・ゲーム・ギャラリー - ビューポイント". Dempa Shimbunsha.
4. (Spring 1996). "Neo•Geo CD: The Arcade In A Box - Viewpoint". [[International Data Group.
5. ''Viewpoint'' user's manual (Neo Geo AES, US)
6. Jam Master Jamie. (14 March 2019). "Viewpoint". Hardcore Gaming 101.
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8. (23 July 1999). "Game Boy Color's Viewpoint - The classic NeoGeo arcade shooter is on its way to Nintendo's color handheld". [[Ziff Davis]].
9. Biondich, Paul. (1998). "Viewpoint (Arcade) - Review". [[All Media Network]].
10. Biondich, Paul. "Viewpoint (Neo Geo) Review".
11. Sackenheim, Shawn. "Viewpoint (Playstation) Review".
12. Christopher Michael Baker. "Viewpoint (Genesis) Review".
13. Anglin, Paul. (February 1993). "Arcade Action! - Viewpoint". [[Future plc.
14. (December 1994). "Review Crew - Major Mike's Game Roundup - Viewpoint - American Sammy / Genesis". Sendai Publishing.
15. (January 1996). "Review Crew: PlayStation - Viewpoint". Sendai Publishing.
16. (28 April 1995). "NEO GEO GAMES CROSS REVIEW: ビューポイント". [[ASCII Corporation.
17. (December 1992). "Viewpoint - Viewpoint - Neo Geo". DieHard Gamers Club.
18. (27 November 1996). "Viewpoint - Shooters don't get much worse than this". [[Ziff Davis]].
19. (March 1995). "Finals - Genesis - Viewpoint". [[Imagine Media]].
20. Harrod, Gary. (April 1993). "Coin Ops - Viewpoint". [[Ascential.
21. (April 1993). "The Player's Choice - Top Games Now in Operation, Based on Earnings-Opinion Poll of Operators: Best Video Software". RePlay Publishing, Inc..
22. (Fall 1992). "Electronic Gaming Monthly's 1993 Video Game Buyer's Guide". Sendai Publishing.
23. Scary Larry. (February 1993). "Neo•Geo ProReview: Viewpoint". [[International Data Group.
24. (July 1994). "Feature: Der Japanische Wahsinn - Viewpoint". Cybermedia.
25. Zenji, Nishikawa. (March 1995). "The Softouch - Game Review - 『View Point』". [[SB Creative.
26. Air Hendrix. (February 1996). "PlayStation ProReview: Viewpoint". [[International Data Group.
27. (November 1995). "Viewpoint". [[Emap International Limited]].
28. (2015-10-01). "Unreleased Nintendo 64 Shmup 'Viewpoint 2064' Sells On eBay For $2,999".
29. Nightingale, Ed. (November 28, 2025). "After 25 years, this unreleased N64 shooter is finally playable thanks to game preservation efforts".