Exa Innova

Exa Innova

Console: MSX
TV Standard: Region Not Set
Release Date: 1984-07-01
Co-op: No
Exa Innova screenshot

I believe this is Compile's first vertically scrolling shooting game, and contains many elements they'd later incorporate into the Zanac / Aleste series. The title screen credits "Programmers-3" but I have seen re-releases crediting Compile. Plus, the sprite for the enemy that splits into two halves is exactly the same as the one in Zanac!

Game Player of Exa Innova on MSX
Controls - How to Play Exa Innova on MSX

Generally, you can review the controls (keyboard) setting during each game in the screen before it starts. Use the arrow keys and “Z”, “X”, “A”, “S”, “Q”, “E” buttons to play, or customize yourself with your gamepad or keyboard.

KeyboardControls
← → ↑ ↓Directions for LEFT, RIGHT, UP, DOWN
Enter ↵START
ShiftSELECT
ZA
XB
AX
SY
QL
ER