When comparing Tokio / Scramble Formation vs Knightmare (AKA Majou Densetsu), the Slant community recommends Tokio / Scramble Formation for most people. In the question“What are the best and the most revolutionary games of all time?” Tokio / Scramble Formation is ranked 49th while Knightmare (AKA Majou Densetsu) is ranked 51st. The most important reason people chose Tokio / Scramble Formation is:
As the player captures enemy planes, they would follow the player's plane in a formation. This was likely the first time players could change formations of friendly ships, which was quite innovative for the time. The basic formation could hit both air and ground units, although it only covered a small area while the two other formations could only target either air or ground but covered a much larger area. The best players had to dynamically switch formations depending on their surroundings.
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Pros
Pro Formation modes required the play to react to circumstances
As the player captures enemy planes, they would follow the player's plane in a formation. This was likely the first time players could change formations of friendly ships, which was quite innovative for the time. The basic formation could hit both air and ground units, although it only covered a small area while the two other formations could only target either air or ground but covered a much larger area. The best players had to dynamically switch formations depending on their surroundings.
Pro One of the first to use ym2203 tunes and sound effects
Tokio / Scramble Formation was among the first arcade games using yamaha ym2203, and the audio was designed to make the most of the chip using as few resources as possible.
Pro Tunes from Miki Higashino
Just like in Gradius, all tunes used in this game were composed by Miki Higashino. She was a teenager at the time and was working for Konami part-time, everyday, after school.
Pro Amazing graphics for the 80's
1986 was the same year that the original Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros: The Lost levels came out. The textures in Knightmare look substantially better than the relatively blocky textures in the Zelda and Mario games of its time.
Pro One of the first games to have a 'bird's eye view' angle
Considered technically challenging back in 1986, Knightmare offered a top-down (bird's eye) view. This made a lot of sense, especially for vertically scrolling games such as this one.