Aeroboto

a.k.a. Formation Z

created and published by Williams in 1984-09, running on Arcade

type: shooter
genre: Scrolling shooter
perspective: side view
player options: single player

Official description

from robot to jet fighter! As an exciting game with hot new "transformation" action, AEROBOTO is just what the player is demanding! It's the first game ever in which the player can actually change shape and form in the midst of play! With just the push of a button, the player can change from a landbound robot into a jet fighter in his odyssey across rough terrain, in the air, over oceans and into outer space! Armed with a laser gun to explode mines and enemy fighters and with deadly energy blasts that can destroy landwalkers with direct blasts to the head, hela tanks, space battlestars, guardships and the ultimate hidden evil fortress, Aeroboto must dodge bombs and maneuver against attacks while capturing energy cores which are depleted in flight.
Once the space battlestar is destroyed, the player must dock with the cosmo-booster before time runs out to be blasted off into outer space and a galaxy of new challenges!