Summary
- Release Year: 1984
- Platforms: BBC Microcomputer System
Bed Bugs! (1984)
Bed Bugs! is a classic arcade game released in 1984 by Atari, Inc. for the Atari 2600 video game console. The game is a simple but addictive shooter in which the player controls a spaceship that must destroy bed bugs crawling on a mattress.
The game is played from a top-down perspective, and the player’s spaceship is controlled with a joystick. The player can move the spaceship left, right, up, and down, and can fire shots in any direction. The bed bugs crawl around the mattress in random patterns, and the player must shoot them all before they reach the top of the screen.
If a bed bug reaches the top of the screen, it will bite the player, causing the player to lose a life. The player has three lives, and if they lose all of their lives, the game is over.
Bed Bugs! is a challenging but rewarding game that requires quick reflexes and good aim. The game is also quite addictive, and it is easy to lose track of time while playing.
Gameplay
The goal of Bed Bugs! is to destroy all of the bed bugs on the mattress before they reach the top of the screen. The player controls a spaceship that can move left, right, up, and down, and can fire shots in any direction.
The bed bugs crawl around the mattress in random patterns, and the player must shoot them all before they reach the top of the screen. If a bed bug reaches the top of the screen, it will bite the player, causing the player to lose a life.
The player has three lives, and if they lose all of their lives, the game is over.
Development
Bed Bugs! was developed by Atari, Inc. and released in 1984 for the Atari 2600 video game console. The game was designed by David Crane, who is also known for designing other classic Atari 2600 games such as Pitfall! and Missile Command.
Bed Bugs! was one of the first arcade games to feature a top-down perspective, and it was also one of the first games to use a joystick for player control. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay made it a popular choice for arcade goers, and it remains a popular game among retro gaming fans today.
Reception
Bed Bugs! was a commercial success, selling over one million copies worldwide. The game was also well-received by critics, who praised its simple but addictive gameplay and its charming graphics.
Bed Bugs! has been included in several lists of the best Atari 2600 games, and it is considered to be one of the classic arcade games of the 1980s.
Legacy
Bed Bugs! is still enjoyed by retro gaming fans today, and it has been ported to several different platforms, including the PC, the Mac, and the Nintendo Switch. The game has also been featured in several video game compilations, such as the Atari 2600 Action Pack and the Atari Vault.
Bed Bugs! is a classic arcade game that is still fun to play today. The simple but addictive gameplay and the charming graphics make it a great choice for retro gaming fans.
Review Score
6.5/10
