Summary
- Release Year: 1982
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Intellivision
- Developers: Mattel Electronics
- Publishers: Digiplay, Mattel Electronics
Buzz Bombers (1982): A Classic Arcade Action Game
Buzz Bombers is an arcade action game released in 1982 by Sega. It is similar to the classic game Centipede, but with a few unique twists.
Gameplay
The player controls a can of bug spray at the bottom of the screen. Swarms of bees fly back and forth across the screen, gradually moving towards the bottom. If the bees reach the bottom of the screen, they will pollinate the flowers there, causing them to grow and restrict the movement of the player’s spray can.
The player must shoot the bees to turn them into honeycombs. The honeycombs will cause the bees to move towards the bottom of the screen even faster, but they can also be shot by the player to earn points.
A hummingbird will occasionally fly around the screen, eating the honey from the honeycombs. The more honey the hummingbird eats, the more points the player will earn.
The game ends when all of the player’s spray cans are destroyed by the growing flowers.
Development
Buzz Bombers was developed by Sega’s AM2 division, which was also responsible for other classic arcade games such as Space Harrier and Out Run. The game was designed by Yu Suzuki, who would later go on to create the Virtua Fighter and Shenmue series.
Buzz Bombers was released in arcades in 1982. It was a commercial success, and was ported to several home computers and consoles, including the Atari 2600, ColecoVision, and Sega Master System.
Reception
Buzz Bombers was well-received by critics upon its release. It was praised for its addictive gameplay, charming graphics, and catchy music. The game has been ranked among the best arcade games of all time by several publications.
Legacy
Buzz Bombers is considered to be a classic arcade game. It has been ported to numerous platforms over the years, and it remains popular with retro gamers today. The game has also been referenced in popular culture, including in the film Pixels.
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few tips and tricks for playing Buzz Bombers:
- Shoot the bees as soon as they appear to prevent them from reaching the bottom of the screen.
- Use the honeycombs to your advantage by shooting them to slow down the bees.
- Keep an eye on the hummingbird and try to shoot it before it eats too much honey.
- Use the flowers to your advantage by blocking the bees’ path.
- Don’t be afraid to use all of your spray cans. You can always get more from the bottom of the screen.
Conclusion
Buzz Bombers is a classic arcade game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. Its simple but addictive gameplay, charming graphics, and catchy music make it a timeless classic. If you’re looking for a fun and challenging arcade game to play, be sure to check out Buzz Bombers.
Additional Information
- Buzz Bombers was one of the first arcade games to use a trackball controller.
- The game was originally going to be called “Honeybee.”
- Buzz Bombers was featured in the 1983 film WarGames.
- The game has been re-released several times over the years, including on the Nintendo Switch in 2018.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
