1941: Counter Attack, released on the Capcom Play System (CPS-1) arcade board in 1990, has a simple storyline where players fight a “new empire” in the European theater of World War II. The plot is minimal, serving primarily as a backdrop for the fast-paced, vertical-scrolling shooter gameplay. 

The Story

The game shifts the focus from the Pacific Theater of its predecessors to the Western Front in the North Atlantic Ocean. The brief narrative premise is that “The war situation was hard to discern, and the rise of the new empire only shook the world”. Players take on the role of elite pilots tasked with single-handedly dismantling this powerful, mysterious new enemy’s forces and advanced weaponry. 

Game Setting & Missions

The story is told through the game’s six diverse and visually rich stages, which were impressive for the CPS-1 hardware at the time. 

The Enemy Base: The final level involves a last stand against the enemy’s main stronghold and the final boss, the Gotha (a flying wing). 

North Atlantic Ocean Sky: The initial mission involves flying over the open sea and taking on enemy air forces.

European Sea Port: Players engage in battles over a port, culminating in a fight against the legendary German battleship Bismarck.

V3 Rocket Site: A key mission involves infiltrating a secret base and destroying a massive V3 rocket on its launchpad.

Brandenburg Gate: This stage is a chaotic urban battle, with players flying through a ruined city landscape.

Open Plains: A return to an open-sky battle featuring a confrontation with the “Super Leviathan”.