Yggdrasil (イグドラシル, mistranslated as Yugdesiral in-game) is the main antagonists' device and final threat in the NES Strider. 

The ZAIN host computer is the core system of the ZAIN Project, developed as a mind-control weapon. It is the center of a larger network of smaller ZAIN Terminals spread all over the world to help expand its worldwide influence^[1]. It's said to be powerful enough to process 50 billion transactions at once, with expectations to rise its processing power to one hundred billion data after an upgrade^[2]. The ZAIN computer can be also used to predict specific scenarios: it determined with a possibility of 96% that Hiryu and Kain would target the Amazon Research Institute next.^[3]

StoryEdit

MangaEdit

The ZAIN Host Computer is the central core computer controlling Enterprise's ZAIN Project. The machine is a massive construct surrounded by connection cables covering most of its imponent structure. In its front lays a throne, used by Faceas Clay. While at first it appears to be just a machine, it is slowly developing a mind of its own.

The Mother ZAIN is the product of 30 years of intensive research over brainwashing control and testing on human guinea pigs provided by Kazakh's Secret Police. The project has remained in the utmost secret, since Faceas Clay plans on using it to control all humanity. The computer is installed in Enterprise' headquarters, under the protection of a specially-designed ZAIN Defense System. Hiryu comes to face the defense system and Clay, and succesfully triumph over them.

After Matic is cornered by his former subordinates following Kuramoto's exposition of his betrayal, he attempts to threaten them with a bomb. However, just at that moment the Mother ZAIN releases one of its cables and pierces through Matic, killing him instantly. Yggdrasil starts talking about its directive to "erradicate humanity", as it unleashes its many appendages to destroy anything around it. Hiryu gathers his remaining strength and throws his Cypher at its core, destroying the machine and ending the ZAIN nightmare for good.

Strider (NES)Edit

Yggdrasil is the central vital core of the ZAIN Project. The Syndicate created this massive computer system after years of research and experimentation. Yggdrasil can control the brainwashing aspect of the project, but requires support of smaller "child" terminals in order to increase its effective range.

When Hiryu infiltrates Matic's Red Dragon base, he's already aware of the existence of the Yggdrasil from a previous fight. Yggdrasil rests in the heart of the station, under protection of its own defense system as well as Matic's subordinates. Hiryu, however, battles his way through the opposition, defeats Matic and finally destroys Yggdrasil, putting an end to the ZAIN Project.

InformationEdit

Stats
Hit Points:	15 HP

Yggdrasil is a stationary boss much like the ZAIN Terminals, but lacks the square defense machine that serves as a defense for the latter. As soon as Hiryu enters the chamber, Yggdrasil releases two disc-shaped projectiles from its core, which cross paths in the middle and then fly away, staying close to the edges of the screen. As this attack is going, Yggdrasil throws two bombs at Hiryu's direction, identical to the ones used by the smaller Terminals. After the discs leave the screen, Yggdrasil releases a new set and repeats the pattern.

Much like the ZAIN Terminals, Yggdrasil's weak point is found on its core or "head", so one needs to avoid all the projectiles and strike there in order to destroy it.

TriviaEdit

• It's named after the sacred World Tree of Norse mythology.
•   In the original manga, the ZAIN host computer looks greatly different in appearance from the Yggdrasil, but both share the same basic function in the story. 
• The manga grants a few different and interesting names to it: Hiryu refers to it as "Mother ZAIN" (ザインの母体, literally "Mother's Body", with "Mother" (マザー) written in furigana)^[4]; while Faceas Clay calls it Yggdrasil/"World Tree" (世界樹, with "Yggdrasil" in furigana)^[5]. Hiryu and his allies also refer to it despectively as a Devil's Weapon (惡魔の兵器)^[6][7], and since it is the core of the ZAIN Project, it is also referred to as the Main Tree.^[7]

ReferencesEdit