Super Zaxxon - what's the trick to destroying them?

[Arcade Antics]

Seriously.

I've played this game on and off for years and I don't think I've ever blown up the Super Zaxxon Robot Dragons. I *might* have done it purely by accident on the 8-bit Atari port a million years ago, but I'm not 100% sure.

Anyhoo, where are our Super Zaxxon experts, and what's your strategy?

My vague recollection is that you want to shoot them down before they launch the fireball, but I can only score about 3-4 hits (I'm guessing that when the robot recoils and shakes a bit that's a "hit") before the fireball is... fired.

I don't have much of a problem getting to the dragons, I just can't figure out what I'm supposed to be hitting on them. Or how many times, or if the launch of the fireball even has anything to do with anything.

[Raccoon Lad]

you've got to shoot it in the mouth. It's been a while, but I think you have to blow up it's missile before it launces from it's mouth to actually kill it.

[Mianrtcv]

What racoon lad said. That or really hit them where it hurts. Discuss their shortcomings openly. Dig deep into their past family issues. Don't relent. Really dredge up old memories, then they'll destroy themselves and before you know it, it'll all be just a dream.

[fishsandwich]

you've got to shoot it in the mouth. It's been a while, but I think you have to blow up it's missile before it launces from it's mouth to actually kill it.

BINGO! I killed it a couple of times "back in the day" by timing my shot so that I hit the dragon in the mouth right as a missile was coming out.

I love that game.

[Arcade Antics]

Welp, that's what I've been doing lo these many years (shooting the robots in the mouth / missile) with no luck. I'm drawing the conclusion that I suck at blasting giant purple, green and red robotic dragons.

Is it best to stay in one place while shooting, or do you recommend moving around to keep the dragon's target area in your sights? I'm always able to hit them 3-4 times (judging by their shaking when struck) but eventually the missile launches and they run away with their robotic dragon tails between their robotic dragon legs.

I really, really want to a'splode these dragons.