Vaaaa!! (Tablet Drawing)
Posted: 2006-01-13 05:44pm
This is a piece I did with my Wacom Tablet and Photoshop depicting the last "boss" of the 1986 Konami space shooter Salamander (aka Life Force). Although this odd orb is officially known as the "Zelos Force", the Japanese appear to be fond of affectionately referring to it as "Vaa!", presumably in reference to the bizarre vocalization it makes upon defeat. This strange, archaic sound effect was apparently iconic enough that it was still used in 2004's Gradius V, when a more modern, less cheesy sound effect could have easily replaced it.
I always thought this thing looked sorta cool... almost like a giant, misproportioned eyeball, or perhaps a massive cell of some sort (an ovum, maybe?).