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Macross M3 (マクロスM3) is a 3-D arcade-style shooter that was released for the Sega Dreamcast. Similar to Macross Digital Mission VF-X and Macross VF-X2, players were part of the elite Dancing Skull squadron and piloted various Macross-universe mecha through a variety of story-based missions. The game spans several decades in the Macross Timeline, from A.D. 2014 to 2030, and features playable pilots such as Maximilian Jenius, Milia Fallyna Jenius, and their adopted Zentradi daughter, Moaramia Jenius. It is considered a prequel to the Macross 7 television series.

Overview

Like its Playstation predecessors, Macross M3 is mission-based 3D shooter where players chose from several playable pilots, each with their own unique variable fighter. Combat was dependent on players taking advantage of their variable fighter's three distinct modes: Fighter, GERWALK and Battroid. The final game consisted of eight stages called "episodes", and each episode consists of a handful of levels, totaling 18 playable levels.

Development

The game is set in a previously unexplored period of the official Macross scenario (2014 and 2030). The game is noted involving series creator Shōji Kawamori, character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto, and animation director Ichiro Itano. Kawamori stated he wanted to flesh out what transpired between Maximilian Jenius and Milia Fallyna Jenius, and how the events in the game led to Macross 7. In addition, one of the big selling points of the game was the inclusion of previously unseen variable fighters, the VF-3000 Crusader and VF-9 Cutlass. Shōji Kawamori helped to refine their design.

Synopsis

MacrossM3Gameplay

A sample of Macross M3's gameplay.

Space War I ended with the destruction of much of the Earth's surface. Mankind and Zentradi formed a society that led to a space colonization program in 2012, hoping to preserve their species. As humanity and their new Zentradi allies expanded across the galaxy, many were convinced that they had finally entered a new era of peace.

However, not everyone was keen to join this new order. Zentradi Fundamentalists began mobilizing on several planets in the frontier section of the galaxy. Many began engaging in acts of terrorism, which terrified the population. Responding to these attacks, U.N. Spacy organized a secret military force known as the "Dancing Skull", led by ace pilots Maximilian Jenius a.k.a. "Blue Skull" and Milia Fallyna Jenius a.k.a. "Crimson Skull".

The Dancing Skull squadron were stationed aboard the cruiser Arugenikusu, allowing them full autonomy in how they carry out their confidential operations. Due to their status as a secret military group, the two ace pilots didn't expect much in terms of friendly military support. They engaged in military "dances" in the battlefield, claiming it helped their combat effectiveness. Early on, the couple captures and rehabilitates a young Zentradi named Moaramia Jifon, eventually adopting her as their daughter. Years later, she would be inducted to the Dancing Skull team, having many adventures since.

Stages

  • Episode 2 - DANCING TIGHTROPE
    • ステージ数 - 3
    • It is A.D. 2018, the Dancing Skull team's mission is to destroy the weapons development base discovered in the new Nile on the planet Cristrania. On Stage 3, the Dancing Skull team engage an the unidentified new VF type, the Variable Glaug. They capture the aircraft and its pilot, Moaramia Jifon.
  • Episode 3 - ESCORT OF VISITOR
    • Number of stages - 2
    • In A.D. 2020, the Dancing Skulls escort the a new type of variable aircraft, the VF-5000B Star Mirage. The new variable fighter was to deployed in Argenicus to eliminate the free Yoke Alliance Air Force that has been attacking the planet Neo York.
  • Episode 4 - BLACK CELEBRATION
    • Number of stages - 3
    • In A.D. 2022, the planet New Asia, which housed the U.N. Spacy biological research facility is destroyed and abandoned after a bio-hazardous accident. The Dancing Skulls engage the AI-controlled defense system and giant insectoid biological weapons. Moaramia finally becomes a selectable character in this episode.
  • Episode 5 - FEAST OF SANDSTORM
    • Number of stages - 2
    • In A.D. 2028, Dancing Skull team provide assistance on the relocation of a U.N. Spacy weapons research plant on the planet Susia. They repel the attack of the guerrilla organization "Iron Discipline". After a defensive battle on the ground, they proceed to intercept a large bomber in the sky.
  • Episode 6 - FIRE CARNIVAL
    • Number of stages - 2
    • In A.D. 2029, the terrorist group "Stringle" has hampered operations on the resource-rich planet of Dahan. Dancing Skulls are deployed to engage with a powerful mobile weapons platform that was released from an enemy battleship that immediately folded out.
  • Episode 7 - DEVIL GATE DRIVE
    • Number of stages - 2
    • In A.D. 2030, the planet Bellfan was occupied by the Anti-U.N. Forces rebel forces and many of its U.N. personnel, including the chief aide are taken hostage. This mission doubles as a combat test for the prototype VFX-11. This episode reproduces settings material originally found in the book "THIS IS ANIMATION Special Macross Plus" (manga, 1995, 70 pages).
  • Episode 8 - DANCING SKULL
    • Number of stages - 1 + branch A, b
    • In A.D. 2030, the Dancing Skulls intercept a mysterious flying object which was approaching the U.N. Spacy military command based located on the sky above the planet Susia. This episode diverge according to how the players "clear" the level. A "Good Ending" and "Bad Ending" is possible, which alters the story progression and the enemy's final weapon.

Mecha

U.N. Spacy

Variable Fighter

Zentradi Forces

Destroid


Theme Song

  • (Opening) "BRING IT ON"
    • Lyrics: Brian Peck / Masaaki Iizuka Arrangement: Masaaki Iizuka song: Yusuke Nakamura
  • (Ending) "NEVER ENDING WORLD"
    • Lyrics: Brian Peck / Yusuke Nakamura Arrangement: Yusuke Nakamura song: Yusuke Nakamura, Yukino Someya

Gallery

Releated Products

Limited Edition Release

A limited edition boxed version was released, which included a laminated card and a special certification.

Soundtrack

Macross M3 SOUND FILE - BGM, the game's soundtrack, included 12 songs (roughly 29 minutes of music), including the theme song, was released on February 21, 2001 by Victor Entertainment.

Tracklist

  • 1. プロローグ
  • 2. OPテーマ 「BRING IT ON」
  • 3. SELECT
  • 4. CAGE
  • 5. Fire Carnival
  • 6. Aerial Dance
  • 7. Starless
  • 8. Devil Gate Drive
  • 9. Skull Dance
  • 10. Black Celebration
  • 11. ステージクリア
  • 12. EDテーマ 「NEVER ENDING WORLD」

Reception

The game was poorly received by the professional gaming press and public due to poor control scheme and uneven difficulty. However, it was praised for its character design and the appearance of rarely seen and new mecha.

Secrets

  • The game includes a special "quiz page", and you could obtain a special pasword on the official Macross M3 page. (The link is dead however). Entering this password allows you to use the variable fighters from Macross Plus, including the YF-19 and YF-21 on Free Mission mode.
  • Once you complete the game, you can use the plug-in to listen to the songs of Lynn Minmay if you start a new game. If you acquired the "Good Ending", you get to hear "Do You Remember Love?" while the "Bad Ending" plays "Shao Pai Long".

External Links

TV Series Super Dimension Fortress Macross | Super Dimensional Fortress Macross II: Lovers Again | Macross 7 | Macross Frontier | Macross Δ
Events Unification Wars | Space War I | Sharon Apple Incident | Protodeviln War | Vajra War
Movies The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? | Macross Plus Movie Edition | Super Dimensional Fortress Macross II: The Movie | Macross Frontier Movie: The False Songstress | Macross Frontier Movie: The Wings of Goodbye | Macross FB7 Galaxy Flow Soul: Listen to My Song! | Macross Δ Movie: Passionate Walküre | Macross Δ Movie: Absolute Live
OVA The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 | Macross Plus | Macross 7: Encore | Macross 7 the Movie: The Galaxy's Calling Me! | Macross Dynamite 7 | Macross Zero
Books Misa Hayase: White Reminiscences | My Fair Minmay | Macross Ace | Macross Dynamite 7: Mylene Beat | Shōji Kawamori Macross Design Works | Macross Chronicle | Macross 7: Trash | Macross Plus: TAC Name | Macross The Ride | Macross 7th Chord | Super Dimension Fortress Macross The First | Macross F ~Secret Visions~ | Macross Δ Manga | Macross Δ Gaiden: Macross E | Macross Δ: Kuroki Tsubasa no Shiro Kishi | Macross Δ: Ginga wo Michibiku Utahime | Variable Master File | Macross Δ: Girl of Al Shahal
Video Games Super Dimension Fortress Macross (Arcadia 2001)| Super Dimension Fortress Macross (Famicom) | Super Spacefortress Macross | The Super Dimension Fortress Macross 2036 | The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Eternal Love Song | Super Dimensional Fortress Macross II (Arcade) | The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Remember Me | Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie | The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Skull Leader | The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Love Stories | The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Skull Leader Complete Pack | Macross Plus (Arcade) | Macross Digital Mission VF-X | The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? (Game) | Macross VF-X2 | Macross 7 -Shake the Heart of the Galaxy- | Macross Plus Game Edition | Macross M3 | The Super Dimension Macross: Aiuchi Typing Valkyrie | The Super Dimension Fortress Macross | Macross Ace Frontier | Macross Triangle Frontier | Macross Ultimate Frontier | CR Fever Super Dimension Fortress Macross | My Boyfriend is a Pilot 2012 | Macross 30: The Voice that Connects the Galaxy | Macross Card Fighter | Pachislot Macross Frontier | Macross Δ Scramble | Uta Macross Sma-Pho De-Culture | P Fever Macross Δ
ONA / Short Film All That VF - Macross 25th Anniversary Air Show | Macross 7 Plus | Macross Fufonfia | Delta Mini-Theater
Concerts Macross One Night Stand | Mylene Night | Macross 25th Anniversary Live: Minmay meets Fire Bomber | Macross Crossover Live A.D. 2009x45x49 | Macross Crossover Live 30 | Fire Bomber 2014 Basara Explosion | ANIME SYMPHONY JAPAN PREMIUM CONCERT MACROSS 35th × Macross F 10th Anniversary | Macross Crossover Live 2019
Drama / Character Album The Super Dimension Fortress Macross Vol. III MISS D.J. | The Super Dimension Fortress Macross Vol. IV Distantly Fading Memories | The Super Dimension Fortress Macross Vol. V Rhapsody In Love | Macross 7 Docking Festival | Macross 7 CD Cinema 1: Mellow Heart Beat | Macross 7 CD Cinema 2: Melodious Illusion | Macross 7 CD Cinema 3: Galaxy Song Battle | Macross Generation | The Super Dimension Fortress Macross Inside Story~Macross Classic | Macross Frontier Drama CD◎Nyan Dra Dra1 | Macross Frontier Drama CD◎Nyan Dra Dra2 | Macross Frontier Drama CD◎Nyan Dra Dra3 | Macross Frontier Drama CD◎Nyan Dra Dra4
Others Macross 15th Anniversary | Macross 30th Anniversary Project | Macross: The Museum | Macross The Musicalture | Macross: The Museum ver.2.Δ | Macross Modelers | Macross Blue Moon Show Case in Tokyo SkyTree | Macross: The Art 1982-2018 | Macross Bakuon Film Festival | Macross Boys | All Macross Big Voting | Macross Won’t Stop | Shoji Kawamori Expo
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