Xybots!

[fjl]

I finally found it! I remember when I was wee tyke, the store nearby had an Arcade game that was rigged for free play. I never got to try it because there was always some other kids there playing it. One day I decided that I was going to try it early in the morning before going to school. So I got up and walked to the store. It just opened and these two other kids also going to school went inside and started playing the game before me. Pissed that they got to it first, I decided to skip school and wait until they leave for school so I could finally try it. While waiting, I heard one of them mumble something about staying so they can play a bit longer. They skipped school too! I didn't want to skip school myself but only did it because I was already frustrated from never being able to play it.

I left. It was too late to go to school now. I couldn't go home, my dad was there and he'd be like, "Why aren't you in school!" I walked around the town for a while but returned every few hours and those guys where still there playing the game! I was really mad now. I though maybe once school finishes they'll have to leave for home cause there parents will be waiting for them. I returned and they where still there but now a crowd had gathered wtching them play. No way I'll get to play the game now. I was sore. The next day the store removed the game. 

After all that fiasco, I couldn't remember the name of the game so once I got MAME I decided to search for that game and finally get to try it. I tried many games but with over 5k games I couldn't locate it. But the other day my brother told me he was watching some retro gaming special on TV and he saw a game that looked similar to that game in the store. He wrote down the name and told me. I tried it on mame it was it! Xybots! I finally found the game, now i can finally play it with free credits as long as I want and no stinky kids hogging it! FINALLY!

By the way, anyone remember how you are supposed to turn in the game? Would it be done by rotating the joystick or pressing a button?

[clickhea]

lol

[Steve B.]

According to the flyer:

http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=flyer&db=videodb&id=1396&image=1

you rotated the joystick knob to change your field of view.

Looks like a fun game, I'll have to give it a try.

[u_rebelscum]

According to the flyer:

http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=flyer&db=videodb&id=1396&image=1

you rotated the joystick knob to change your field of view.

Looks like a fun game, I'll have to give it a try.

Yeah, but the stick was not a rotary stick.  You twisted it part way, a switch closed, the character turned, and you let the stick return to center.  I don't think I played it more than a few times in the arcades.

Buttons aren't too bad if you don't have the original stick, but I'd map the fire button (mame button 1) to a middle button and the turn left and turn right buttons (mame b2 & b3) to buttons on the respective sides of the fire button.

Glad you found your game. 
Do you know if the game removed because the kids played all day and skipped school, or did the kids stay because they knew the games was going to be removed?

[ahofle]

Why the hell was it on free play? 

[wp34]

I really enjoyed that game.  It was the first first person shooter I recall playing before Wolfenstein 3D.  I am anxious to get my cab built so I can play two-player Xybots with my kids.  It really stinks with a keyboard. 

[TPB]

Why the hell was it on free play? 

Sure got the kids in the store.

If they were a milkbar, I'll bet they sold plenty of milkshakes, hot chips, and hamburgers.   

[TPB]

BTW,

This game was also released on PC, I think about 1989 or 1990.

Although I never got a chance to play it.

I never realised it was also an arcade game.

Wow ... you find out something new every day.   

[Teebor]

I used to love this game, I think I had it on the Amiga.

Annoying thing was you had to push the fire button and then left or right on the joystick to turn iirc.

Arcade was better since you could turn the sticks to make it rotate 

[Minwah]

It was the first first person shooter I recall playing before Wolfenstein 3D.

It's a 3rd person perspective ;-)

[Neverending Project]

I hope it lives up to your expectations!  Twenty-some years is a long time to build up that "On-man-I-wish-I-knew-what-I-was-missing-out-on-all-these-years" feeling.

Here's to it not sucking... 

[Barry Barcrest]

I loved that game, it was around the time atari were making a lot of cool arcade games like indiana jones, road runner and 720. I use to like playing it as it was split screen 2 player you could have some good games. I had it for my atari ST and my atai lynx.

[telengard]

I have a XYbots joystick (hope to have it hooked up in the mame cab soon) and as mentioned to turn either left or right you give the knob a little turn and there are two switches at the bottom of the joystick that trigger.  Interesting joystick and great game esp w/ 2 players!

~telengard

[Minwah]

I have a XYbots joystick (hope to have it hooked up in the mame cab soon) and as mentioned to turn either left or right you give the knob a little turn and there are two switches at the bottom of the joystick that trigger.  Interesting joystick and great game esp w/ 2 players!

I'd quite like to come up with a DIY joystick that does this....not sure if I ever will mind you.  Anyone else done it?

[fjl]

Not sure why it was on free play. And actually I did get to play it once. The game was new and being an excited kid seeing a new arcade game at the store, I would press the buttons for fun when I didn't have quarters to play it. I pressed start and the game started. Tried it a few times but had to leave since I went to the store with my mom. Eventually other kids found out it was on free play as well.
 

This probably was about 20 years ago. The game is fun but kind of hard.

[RayB]

I have a XYbots joystick (hope to have it hooked up in the mame cab soon) and as mentioned to turn either left or right you give the knob a little turn and there are two switches at the bottom of the joystick that trigger.  Interesting joystick and great game esp w/ 2 players!

I'd quite like to come up with a DIY joystick that does this....not sure if I ever will mind you.  Anyone else done it?

Shouldn't be too hard. Most joystick shafts can freely turn. All you need is to restrict it and add two switches...

However, I find I can play the game pretty well using 2 buttons for left-right.