Summary

• Release Year: 1983
• Genres: Arcade
• Platforms: BBC Microcomputer System, Commodore C64/128/MAX
• Developers: Alligata
• Publishers: Alligata

Bug Blaster (1983): A Detailed Retrospective

Introduction

Released in 1983, Bug Blaster is a single-screen shooter game developed and published by Sega. Inspired by the arcade classic Centipede, Bug Blaster tasks players with destroying a centipede that moves across the screen, splitting into smaller segments when shot. With its simple controls and addictive gameplay, Bug Blaster quickly became a popular arcade game and was later ported to home computers.

Gameplay

The goal of Bug Blaster is to destroy the centipede before it reaches the bottom of the screen. The centipede moves across the screen in a sinusoidal pattern, and when it reaches the edge of the screen, it moves down one row and continues moving in the opposite direction. The player controls a spaceship at the bottom of the screen, which can move left and right, as well as up and down a short distance. The player can shoot the centipede with a laser cannon, and each shot splits the centipede into two smaller segments. The smaller segments continue to move in the same direction as the original centipede, and they can also be split into even smaller segments.

The player must be careful not to let the centipede reach the bottom of the screen, as this will result in a loss of a life. The player also has a limited number of shots, so they must use them wisely.

Scoring

The player scores points for destroying the centipede and its segments. The number of points awarded depends on the size of the segment that is destroyed. The player also receives bonus points for destroying the centipede without losing any lives.

Power-Ups

There are a number of power-ups that can help the player to destroy the centipede more easily. These power-ups include:

• Speed Up: This power-up increases the speed of the player’s spaceship.
• Spread Shot: This power-up gives the player’s spaceship the ability to shoot three lasers at once.
• Barrier: This power-up creates a barrier at the bottom of the screen that protects the player from the centipede.
• Smart Bomb: This power-up destroys all of the segments of the centipede on the screen.

Legacy

Bug Blaster was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the best single-screen shooter games of all time. The game has been ported to a number of different platforms, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today.

Critical Reception

Bug Blaster received positive reviews from critics upon its release. The game was praised for its simple but addictive gameplay, its challenging difficulty, and its colorful graphics.

Commercial Success

Bug Blaster was a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies worldwide. The game was particularly popular in Japan, where it was one of the top-selling arcade games of 1983.

Ports

Bug Blaster has been ported to a number of different platforms, including the Atari 2600, the Commodore 64, and the ZX Spectrum. The game has also been released on a number of compilation discs and retro gaming consoles.

Legacy

Bug Blaster is considered to be one of the best single-screen shooter games of all time. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay, challenging difficulty, and colorful graphics have made it a favorite of gamers for over 30 years. Bug Blaster has also been cited as an inspiration for a number of other games, including the popular mobile game Snake.

Conclusion

Bug Blaster is a classic single-screen shooter game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay, challenging difficulty, and colorful graphics have made it a favorite of gamers for over 30 years. Bug Blaster is a must-play for fans of retro gaming and anyone who enjoys a good shoot-em-up.

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots