Vortex
↘ 24%
🙂 6.7/10
(Super Nintendo - PAL, Other)
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$22.61
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Developed_By:
Argonaut Software Ltd.
Published_By:
Electro Brain Corp.
Released On:
01 Sep 1994
Vortex , released on June 16, 1995, for the Super Nintendo (SNES) Super FX 1 chip, is a 3D shooter that utilizes this custom hardware. The game follows a similar design to Star Fox, but with distinct variations. Players can transform their vehicle into different forms at any time, each with its own set of weapons and abilities.
The player takes on the role of a soldier battling against the Aki-Do Forces, an evil empire seeking to dominate the universe. To thwart their plans, the player has access to an experimental mech, Vortex , which allows for traversal of the seven worlds within the Aki-Do system and destruction of enemy bases.
UPC-A:
099451614935 (United States)
eBay Product ID:
214697936 (Japan)
eBay Product ID:
4891 (United States)
EAN-13:
4988110900303 (Japan)
ASIN:
B00002SUN5 (United States)
Nintendo Media PN:
SHVC-4V-JPN (Japan)
Part #:
SNS-4V (USA)
Nintendo Media PN:
SNS-4V-USA (United States)
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GameFAQs
Save Game Methods:
Password
Sound Capabilities:
Dolby Surround
Number of Players Supported:
1 Player
Miscellaneous Attributes:
Super FX Chip
Prices as of 06 Oct 2026
Typical $21.77–$22.61 (last 90 days)
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Market activity: active · about 32 sales a year
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
How to Play
Getting Started
Insert your "Vortex" game cartridge into your Super Nintendo. Make sure the power is on. When you are ready to begin the game, press Start.
Title Screen Options
The Title Screen contains several options to choose from:
•
Start
•
Options
•
Password
•
Control
Starting the Game
If you select Start, press Start to begin the adventure.
This will take you to a sub-menu where you can select either Training mode or Game mode. Move the cursor Up or Down to select Training or Game, and then press Start.
Options Menu
If you select Options, press Start to enter the Options menu. This screen displays various options you are able to choose from:
•
Language
•
Difficulty
•
CPU Targeting (or UPC Target)
•
Sound
•
Music Test
Language Option
You can play the game in English or Spanish. To select a language, move the cursor to Language, then press the Control Pad either Left or Right to cycle through the choices. Move the Control Pad Up or Down to select another option or press Start to exit the Options Menu and return to the Title Screen.
Difficulty Option
To select a difficulty level, move the cursor to Difficulty, then press the Control Pad either Left or Right to cycle through the choices. The three choices are Easy, Normal, or Hard. Move the Control Pad Up or Down to select another option or press Start to exit the Options Menu and return to the Title Screen.
Targeting Option
Select the targeting system to be operated by the computer or manually. If you select ON, the target will appear automatically on the screen and will lock onto the nearest enemy during battle. If you select OFF, no target will appear on the screen.
Transmission and Speed
In the modes of the Walker, Land Burner, and Hard Shell, you will be able to adjust your speed by controlling the Morphing Battle System's transmission. Your speed can be seen in a meter found in the lower left corner of the Adventure screen.
The Morphing Battle System is capable of three forward speeds, neutral, and reverse. Only the Walker, Hard Shell, and Land Burner forms are capable of all speeds. The illuminated box next to the Morphing Battle System's radar indicates the current speed:
•
Forward Fast—top yellow box
•
Forward Medium—middle yellow box
•
Forward Slow—bottom yellow box
•
Stop (Neutral)—blue box
•
Reverse—red box
Training and Mission Areas
Your adventure takes place in two separate planetary systems, Deoberon and Aki-Do, which are linked together by the Interdimensional Vortex. Before your Morphing Battle System is sent to the Aki-Do System, you should first complete three simulator Training missions. Lt. Dante will give you a full debriefing on what is expected of you.
The training simulations consist of:
•
Training 1: Weapon Test
•
Training 2: Navigation Test
•
Training 3: Seek and Destroy
Once the simulations have been successfully completed, you will journey to the Aki-Do System, via the Vortex, and land on each planet one by one:
•
Mission 1: The Vortex
•
Mission 2: Cryston
•
Mission 3: Voltair
•
Mission 4: Thermis
•
Mission 5: Magmemo
•
Mission 6: Return through The Vortex
•
Mission 7: Trantor
Your Mission
Your mission is to recapture the Core segments and take them back to Trantor. One Core segment is located on each of the four planets of the Aki-Do System, and the final piece is located somewhere in the Interdimensional Vortex. This final piece can be retrieved only after you have retrieved the first four pieces.
With the pieces of the Core safely in tow, you will navigate through the mazes of the Citadel on Trantor and search for the resting place of the A. I. Core where it will be reassembled. When you have collected a Core segment from a planet surface, you will be picked up by the Mother Ship and taken to the next planet's mission area.
Adventure Screen Indicators
Watch the Adventure screen closely during the entire course of your adventure. It will tell you the following things:
•
Lives Remaining: The number of replacement Morphing Battle Systems you have remaining is shown in the top left corner. Your game will be over when your last Morphing Battle System is destroyed.
•
Time Remaining: The time displayed in the top center of the screen will count down. If the timer reaches zero, your mission is considered a failure and your Morphing Battle System will be destroyed, reducing your lives by one. You will encounter the timer in some mission areas and all bonus stages.
Game Start
At the beginning of every level, Lt. Dante will give you a mission debriefing. Listen closely to what she has to say, as she will guide you through the mission areas to the Core segments. On the screen, you will see the Core segments you have or have not picked up. When you are ready to begin the adventure, press Start.
Sonic Jet Mode
The Sonic Jet is a jet aircraft that allows the Morphing Battle System to fly to areas that are otherwise inaccessible. As a default weapon, the Sonic Jet can fire the same laser as the Walker. Like the Land Burner, it can only fire weapons carried on the Morphing Battle System's right arm, and you cannot change the left arm weapon in Sonic Jet mode.
The Sonic Jet normally cruises at very high speeds, but can use a turbo boost or air brakes to speed up or slow down for short periods. Be warned,
Tips & Maps
CPU Targeting
An option that allows you to lock onto an enemy by turning it On or Off using the Control Pad.
Sound
An option to select either stereo or mono music and sound using the Control Pad.
Music Test
An option that allows you to select and preview a piece of music by cycling through the choices using the Control Pad.
Password
A feature that allows you to enter a computer-provided password to begin play at the beginning of the level following the last level you successfully completed.
Control
An option that opens a new screen with Lieutenant Dante to provide a complete description of how to operate the controls of the Morphing Battle System.
Controls
Control Pad Up
To cycle through the letters move the Control Pad either Up or Down. Press the Control Pad Up to move the Morphing Battle System forward. In the Sonic Jet form when Up is pressed the Sonic Jet will dive.
Control Pad Down
To cycle through the letters move the Control Pad either Up or Down. Press the Control Pad Down to reduce speed and / or move backwards. In the Sonic Jet form when Down is pressed the Sonic Jet will climb.
Control Pad Left
When the letter you want appears, press the Control Pad either Left or Right to move to the next letter. Press Joy Pad Left to turn left. Press the Control Pad Left to move left.
Control Pad Right
When the letter you want appears, press the Control Pad either Left or Right to move to the next letter. Press the Control Pad Right to move right.
Start Button
When you have entered the correct password, press Start. If you select Control, press Start to enter the Control feature. Calls up the level map during the adventure, or confirms a menu choice. While the mission level map is displayed, the adventure is paused. Press Start again to return to the adventure.
Select Button
Cycles through the Morphing Battle System's four shapes.
X Button
Causes the Morphing Battle System to jump forward. In the Sonic Jet mode, press the X Button for a turbo boost!
X Button + Control Pad Down
To jump backwards, press the X Button with Down on the Control Pad.
B Button
Causes the Morphing Battle System to turn 180 degrees around and face the opposite direction! In Sonic Jet mode, press the B button to use the air brakes and slow the Jet down.
A Button
Fires the weapon carried on the Morphing Battle System's right arm.
Y Button
Fires the weapon carried on the Morphing Battle System's left arm.
R + A
Transform directly into Hard Shell.
R + B
Transform directly into Land Burner.
L + Y
Change left weapon on the Morphing Battle System's left arm.
L + A
Change right weapon on the Morphing Battle System's right arm.
L Button + Control Pad Left or Right
Tactical Rear View: Turn your character and the camera angle of your adventure up to 360 degrees.
L and R buttons
Only in the Hard Shell form, launch Electro Bombs at enemies.
Control Pad Left or Right
Choose On or Off for UPC crosshair, choose stereo or mono for Sound, or point to choices in Music Test
Control Pad Up or Down
Select another option in the menu
Start
Exit the options menu and return to the title screen, enter Password (if Password is selected), open the level map during the adventure (which pauses the game), confirm a choice in the menu, or return to the adventure from the level map
Select
Cycles through the four forms of the Morphing Battle System in order: Walker > Sonic Jet > Land Burner > Hard Shell > Walker...
R Button
Hold this button while pressing the following buttons to achieve the desired forms:
R + Y
Walker
R + X
Sonic Jet
L Button
Hold this button while pressing the following to change the S.B.M.'s weapon from the right arm to the left:
Items & Weapons
Guided Missiles
Carried on the robot's left arm, these missiles automatically home in on targeted enemies and are best used against flying foes.
Rockets
Unguided weapons carried on the robot's left arm that fire forward in bursts, best used against heavily defended ground enemies.
Cannon
Carried on the robot's right arm, this weapon fires heavy, armour piercing shells.
Laser
A weapon on the robot's right arm that fires bolts of pure light with unlimited ammunition, though it takes time to recharge if fired rapidly.
Bonus Container
A protective shell scattered around the planets that must be opened in Walker form to reveal and collect the item inside.
Electro Bombs
The most powerful weapons available, which can only be launched by the Hard Shell form of the Morphing Battle System.
Ammunition/Fuel Pods
Picking up one of these pods will replenish either your Missiles, Rockets, Cannon, Shield Meter, or Electro Bombs.
A.I. Core segments
Five segments that must be recaptured and returned to the planet of Trantor to successfully complete your mission.
Keys and Keyholes
Keys of various shapes used to open locks on certain items or places, which can be carried and viewed on the Adventure screen.
Enemies & Characters
Walker
The main Morphing Battle System shape, designed for exploration and defense, capable of jumping, facing backward, and firing simultaneously from weapon pods on both arms.
Land Burner
A low wheeled car capable of very high speeds, normally used to travel quickly without using as much fuel as the Jet.
Defense Unit
A Defense Reconnaissance Droid programmed to follow you and attack nearby enemies until its energy runs out or it is destroyed.
Mother Ship
Piloted by Lieutenant Dante, this ship transports you between missions and monitors your progress from orbit to offer advice and suggestions.
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