Zaxxon does carry a subtle Cold War-era tension, don't you think?
It was released by Sega in 1982 - right in the middle of Cold War fears (Reagan's "Evil Empire" speech from 1983, massive military buildup, and several proxy conflicts). Arcade games sometimes tapped into that vibe; another example is Missle Command.
Zaxxon's isometric view, metallic industrial bases, force fields, and robotic enemies give off a cold, mechanical, militaristic feel. And you could argue it's almost like assaulting a Soviet-style super-fortress reimagined in space (movies of the 80s leaned into that too).
Maybe I am overthinking this, but regardless of the background vibes when playing, Zaxxon was an absolute beast - and very, very tough.