Summary

Release Year: 1981
Genres: Arcade, Shooter
Platforms: Intellivision, Legacy Mobile Device, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox 360
Developers: Mattel Electronics
Publishers: Digiplay, Mattel Electronics, Microsoft Game Studios, Sears, THQ Wireless

Astrosmash (1981) is a classic arcade shooter game developed and published by Midway Games. It was released in arcades in 1981 and quickly became a popular hit. The game is simple to learn but difficult to master, and its addictive gameplay has kept it popular for over 40 years.

Gameplay

The player controls a laser cannon at the bottom of the screen. The goal of the game is to destroy the various incoming meteors, bombs, and other objects in order to earn points. Points are earned for destroying objects, while points are lost for letting them get past the player’s cannon.

Meteors are the most common item that the player must defend against. They come in various sizes and colors, and some even split into two smaller meteors when shot. Mixed in with the meteors are white spinning bombs. While letting a meteor get past the player’s cannon will only lower the player’s score, the player must shoot the spinners. If one gets past, the player will lose a life. On the more difficult levels, UFOs and guided missiles will also appear occasionally and attempt to destroy the player’s cannon.

The player’s cannon can be moved left and right along the bottom of the screen. The player can also fire shots by pressing the fire button. The shots will travel in a straight line until they hit an object or reach the top of the screen.

The game is over when the player loses all of their lives. The player can earn extra lives by destroying certain objects, such as the UFOs and guided missiles.

Development

Astrosmash was developed by a team led by Eugene Jarvis. Jarvis was inspired to create the game after playing the arcade game Space Invaders. He wanted to create a game that was similar to Space Invaders, but with more variety and excitement.

Jarvis and his team worked on Astrosmash for over a year. They experimented with different gameplay mechanics and graphics until they were happy with the final product.

Release

Astrosmash was released in arcades in 1981. The game was an immediate success, and it quickly became one of the most popular arcade games of the year. Astrosmash was ported to a number of home computers and consoles, including the Atari 2600, the Commodore 64, and the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Reception

Astrosmash was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its simple but addictive gameplay, its variety of enemies, and its challenging difficulty. Astrosmash has been ranked as one of the greatest arcade games of all time by a number of publications, including IGN, GameSpot, and Arcade Magazine.

Legacy

Astrosmash has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay has inspired a number of other games, including the popular mobile game Angry Birds. Astrosmash has also been featured in a number of television shows and movies, including the Simpsons and Wreck-It Ralph.

Today, Astrosmash remains a popular game among retro gamers and arcade enthusiasts. The game is still available to play on a number of platforms, including the PlayStation 4, the Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch.

Tips for playing Astrosmash

Here are a few tips for playing Astrosmash:

Stay calm and focused. Astrosmash can be a challenging game, but it’s important to stay calm and focused. If you start to panic, you’re more likely to make mistakes.
Prioritize targets. Not all objects in Astrosmash are created equal. Some objects, such as the spinning bombs, are more dangerous than others. It’s important to prioritize targets and focus on destroying the most dangerous objects first.
Use cover. The player’s cannon can be destroyed by enemy fire. It’s important to use cover to protect the cannon from enemy fire.
Don’t be afraid to use your special weapons. The player’s cannon can be equipped with a variety of special weapons, such as the laser and the missile. These weapons can be very effective against enemy objects, so don’t be afraid to use them.
Practice makes perfect. The best way to get good at Astrosmash is to practice. The more you play, the better you’ll become at destroying enemy objects and earning points.