Zanac MSX Joins EGGCONSOLE Series on Nintendo Switch eShop

The iconic shoot 'em up Zanac for MSX is making its way to the Nintendo Switch eShop, expanding D4 Enterprise’s celebrated EGGCONSOLE series.

This initiative brings retro classics from Japanese home computers back to modern audiences, further enriching the Nintendo Switch’s vast digital library of legacy gaming.

Already live on the Japanese eShop, Zanac’s store pages are also now available for both UK and US regions, marking a significant milestone for fans of 1980s shoot 'em ups and historical game preservation. Originally developed by Compile and first released for the MSX in 1986, Zanac quickly became a genre-defining vertically scrolling shooter.

Its innovative gameplay and advanced features set a new standard for action-packed shooters.

Over the years, the game was ported to the Famicom Disk System and the NES, while an enhanced version titled Zanac EX was introduced on MSX2 in 1987.

The legacy of Zanac has continued to inspire subsequent remakes, including the 15th-anniversary PlayStation title Zanac x Zanac (2001) and a mobile adaptation that returned to the spotlight via G-Mode Archives on the Nintendo Switch eShop in 2021. The newly reissued MSX version stays true to its origins, allowing Switch players to experience one of Compile’s most influential shooters in its original form.

In an official description, D4 Enterprise highlights Zanac as a 1986 Japanese release distinguished by its intense vertical shooting action.

Players control the agile Zanac fighter, taking on a rogue automated system through a diverse arsenal of both standard and special weapons.

Special bullets, including omnidirectional, penetrating, defensive barriers, and boomerang types, add considerable depth and variety to the gameplay. Notably, Zanac’s "ALC (Automatic Level of Difficulty Control)" system adjusts the challenge according to the player's approach—escalating the difficulty for aggressive playstyles or certain in-game achievements.

This mechanic not only alters enemy patterns, with some adversaries appearing only at higher difficulty levels, but also ensures a uniquely challenging experience on each playthrough.

Such adaptive game design is part of what made Zanac a pioneering work in Compile’s storied shoot 'em up portfolio. Zanac MSX is available for £5.39 on the UK Nintendo Switch eShop and $6.49 in the US store, making this slice of retro gaming history accessible to a new generation of players.

For classic gaming fans and newcomers alike, the latest EGGCONSOLE release is a compelling way to revisit one of the 1980s’ standout shooters on Nintendo’s flagship platform.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo eShop Switch Switch eShop EGGCONSOLE Nintendo Switch eShop D4 Enterprise MSX Compile Zanac Famicom Disk System NES G-Mode Archives Zanac EX Zanac x Zanac