Radac Tailor-Made (Japan)

In Radac Tailor-Made, players dive into a creative vertical scrolling shooter world where the most unique aspect is the ability to "tailor-make" their own spaceship. Before starting each stage, you're presented with a unique customization screen where you can draw the shape of your spacecraft by filling in squares on a grid. This not only affects the ship's aesthetic but also determines its size and the placement of other components.

After creating the basic shape of your spacecraft, you proceed to attach weapons. There are various types of guns to choose from, and you can place them anywhere on the ship's body that you've designed. For example, you might place guns on the wings, the nose, or even at the back for backward firing. This customization capability opens up countless different strategies, from creating a compact, hard-to-hit vessel with limited weaponry, to a massive "flying fortress" with powerful firepower but greater vulnerability.

The core gameplay of Radac Tailor-Made adheres to the classic vertical scrolling shooter formula. You'll control your spacecraft, moving it upwards on the screen, shooting down countless enemies appearing from all directions, and dodging bullets and obstacles. Throughout the stages, you can collect power-up items to upgrade your weapons, flight speed, or add "options" (support pods) that provide additional firepower. Interestingly, these options will also be placed according to your design, creating a seamless integration.

Each stage culminates in a challenging boss battle, requiring players to fully utilize their ship design strategy and dodging skills. The game offers a unique and personalized experience, encouraging players to experiment with different spaceship designs to find the playstyle that suits them best. The freedom in creation is a key factor that makes Radac Tailor-Made stand out among other games of its genre on the NES system.