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Item
Homing
A recurring weapon power-up or ammunition type in retro action and shooter games that automatically targets and tracks enemies.
Action
About
In the shoot 'em up Earth Defense Force (1992), the Homing weapon is a selectable armament that fires tracking shots at enemy ships. It also appears as a seeking projectile weapon in titles like Biometal, Super Valis IV, and Machine Head, as well as a tracking missile weapon in the vehicular combat games Twisted Metal: Black and Twisted Metal: Black Online.
The lineage of this targeting system within the franchise began with the Super 4-in-1 Multicart [Homebrew] (1990), establishing a mechanical foundation for automated projectile guidance. When integrated into Earth Defense Force (1992), the weapon introduced a distinct risk-reward dynamic, trading raw destructive power for automated coverage, which helped players manage dense waves of enemies.
This balancing act persisted as the mechanic transitioned through Super Valis IV (1993) and Biometal (1993), where it served to alleviate the difficulty of complex side-scrolling encounters. The adaptation into three-dimensional space in Machine Head (1996) required advanced pathfinding, paving the way for its implementation in vehicular arenas. Within Twisted Metal Black (2000) and Twisted Metal Black Online (2000), the item evolved into a critical tactical asset for zoning and pressure. Across these diverse releases, the item has remained a design cornerstone, shifting from a simple screen-clearing aid to a highly contested resource in competitive multiplayer environments.
Connections
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Developers (4)
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Settings (4)
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Characters (3)
Games featuring Homing (4)
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