Play 1941 – Counter Attack (900227 USA)
1941: Counter Attack is a classic vertical scrolling shoot-’em-up (shmup) developed and published by Capcom. The version titled “1941 – Counter Attack (900227 USA)” refers to the U.S. arcade release from February 27, 1990.
✈️ Game Overview
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Title: 1941: Counter Attack
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Release Date: February 27, 1990 (USA)
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Developer/Publisher: Capcom
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Platform: Arcade (Capcom’s CP System – CPS1 hardware)
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Genre: Vertical-scrolling shooter
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Series: 19XX series (follows 1942 and 1943: The Battle of Midway)
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Mode: Single-player & 2-player simultaneous co-op
🕹️ Gameplay Features
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Setting:
The game is set during a fictionalized version of World War II, with players piloting a high-tech fighter plane against waves of enemy forces. -
Player Aircraft:
You control a P-38 Lightning-style fighter plane, equipped with standard rapid-fire guns and powerful special attacks. -
Energy Bar System:
Unlike its predecessors, 1941 introduced an energy meter instead of instant deaths from a single hit. Players lose energy when hit but can keep going until it runs out — adding a bit of strategy and survivability. -
Loop Maneuver:
Pressing a special button causes the plane to perform a backflip loop, dodging bullets and damaging enemies in the process. It consumes energy, so timing is key. -
Power-ups:
Collect icons for weapon upgrades, additional energy, and bombs. You can also summon support aircraft (side planes that fire with you). -
Boss Battles:
Each level ends with a dramatic boss fight against massive tanks, battleships, or flying fortresses. -
Co-op Mode:
Two players can play simultaneously — a big draw in arcades, allowing for joint attack strategies.
🎨 Graphics & Sound
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Visuals:
Beautiful 16-bit pixel art with vibrant enemy sprites, detailed aircraft designs, and explosive effects. The graphical leap from 1942 and 1943 was significant thanks to the CPS1 arcade board. -
Audio:
Catchy and dramatic wartime soundtrack with solid explosion effects and gunfire. Very immersive for its time.
📈 Legacy
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1941 is the third entry in Capcom’s 19XX series, following:
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1942 (1984)
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1943: The Battle of Midway (1987)
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It’s followed by:
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19XX: The War Against Destiny (1995)
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And inspired other similar shooters like Strikers 1945
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Unlike 1942 and 1943, 1941 was not widely ported to home consoles — it remained mostly an arcade-exclusive and MAME/emulation favorite.
🏁 Fun Fact
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Despite its setting in 1941, the game is not historically accurate and includes sci-fi weapons and fictional boss designs, making it more of a stylized WWII-inspired shooter than a simulation.