The Pollux (ポルックス porukkusu), formerly the Gemini Red, is one of two guest fighters from the 1987 Tecmo arcade shmup Gemini Wing, the other being the Castor.
The Castor and Pollux are the only ships whose main shot is never upgraded when you collect powerups.The Gemini Wing ships have a dual-bomber system that is unique to them.
Description[]
The Pollux is slower than the Castor, but has more powerful subweapons. Its main shot has a faster rate of fire, and it uses either its Laser weapon or Missile weapon at any one time.
Loadout[]
Laser weapon[]
Cyclopean Laser: Fires a piercing laser beam, based on the primary attack of the Stage 2 boss, Twin Cyclops. It fires straight ahead when the Pollux is not moving horizontally. Moving horizontally allows the laser to sweep left or right to damage enemies in multiple locations. This laser is only powerful if it can target an enemy continuously.
Missile weapon[]
Bubble Mine: Based on the attack by the Stage 1 Green Walrus Boss, bubbles are released from the Pollux, floating about 5 ship lengths in front of the Pollux. They explode when they collide with an enemy or after a set amount of time. When they explode, an all-direction burst of fire is released. This weapon is extremely effective against popcorn enemies, but almost ineffective against large enemies, unless the bubbles themselves hit the enemies.
Bomber[]
Dual Gunball Type 2: Deploying this bomber while holding down the Shot button releases a Wide Beam, which extends the full width of the screen and sweeps upwards quickly. Not a particularly powerful Bomber, but its quick deploy time makes it an effective panic bomb.
With a neutral press of the Bomb button, a Swinging Fire Bar is unleashed. This is a powerful swath of flame that deals catastrophic damage to anything it touches. It lasts for a significant amount of time as well. When the Swinging Fire Bar is active, the Pollux's subweapons are disabled; only its main shot is active. The Pollux is also vulnerable from the sides, as the firebar only protects a 90 degree arc in front of the ship.
A Gunball icon denotes what type of Bomber is active.
Slaves[]
Standard Raiden F: This is the standard Slave type used in the Raiden Fighters games.
Unlock requirements[]
Clear Stage EX-1 (Gemini Canyon) using the Castor.
Development history[]
In Xeno Fighters R's early versions (V.A.F. Squadron), the two Gemini Wing ships were playable, called Gemini Blue and Gemini Red. Their weaponry in those early versions were completely original, soon becoming the weapon sets of the Phyxius and Zaiva respectively. The Gemini Blue and Gemini Red return in Xeno Fighters R with names from the twin brothers in Greek and Roman mythology associated with the Gemini constellation. They were given weaponry based on attacks found in Gemini Wing.
| Playable fighters | ||
| Original ships | Amada Vipros ● Phyxius ● Zaiva ● Xelcor ● Divine Gale ● Bronze Kolibri ● Varuna | |
| Seibu Kaihatsu guests | Raiden mk-II ● Judge Spear ● Raiden mk-IIβ ● Blue Javelin ● Dark Sword ● Miclus ● Lasercopter | |
| Psikyo guests | A6M Zero ● X-36 ● Tengai ● P38 Lightning ● Twin Mustang ● Marion ● Yuan-Nang | |
| Capcom guests | P-38 ● Stearman E75 ● Michelle Heart ● Kevin Walker ● Mega Man | |
| Konami guests | Vic Viper ● TwinBee ● Lord British ● Hikaru ● Grey Layer ● Metalion | |
| Raizing/Eighting guests | Miyamoto ● Silver Sword ● Wild Snail | |
| Namco guests | Gyaraga ● Solvalou | |
| Tecmo guests | Castor ● Pollux | |
| Other guests | Miria ● Hoplon ● R-9Leo ● Opa-Opa ● Infernal Iris ● Core Cannon ● Astro Slug ● TC-17 Twin Cobra ● MiG-31 Firefox ● Fire Leo-03 Styx | |
| Related pages | Removed ships | |