Summary
Cosmic Crusader: A Retro Arcade Classic
Cosmic Crusader is a Space Invaders-style arcade game released in 1981 by Universal. The player controls a spaceship at the bottom of the screen and must shoot down waves of aliens that descend from the top. The game is notable for its fast-paced gameplay and challenging difficulty.
Gameplay
The player controls their spaceship with a joystick and two buttons, one to fire and one to move the ship left and right. The aliens move in formation across the top of the screen, and the player must shoot them before they reach the bottom. If an alien reaches the bottom of the screen, it will fire a shot at the player’s ship. The player has three lives, and if they are all lost, the game is over.
The game is divided into waves, and each wave becomes progressively more difficult. The aliens move faster and fire more shots, and the player must use all of their skill to survive. The game also features a number of power-ups that can help the player, such as a spread shot that allows the player to fire in multiple directions at once.
Development
Cosmic Crusader was developed by Universal, a Japanese video game company. The game was designed by Tomohiro Nishikado, who is also known for creating the classic arcade game Space Invaders. Cosmic Crusader was released in Japan in 1981, and in the United States in 1982.
Reception
Cosmic Crusader was a commercial success, selling over 100,000 arcade cabinets worldwide. The game was praised for its fast-paced gameplay and challenging difficulty. It was also one of the first arcade games to feature a power-up system, which added an element of strategy to the gameplay.
Cosmic Crusader has been ported to a number of home consoles, including the Atari 2600, the Commodore 64, and the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game has also been released on a number of compilation discs, such as the Midway Arcade Treasures series.
Legacy
Cosmic Crusader is considered to be one of the classic arcade games of the early 1980s. The game’s fast-paced gameplay and challenging difficulty have made it a favorite of retro gamers for decades. Cosmic Crusader has also been cited as an influence on a number of later video games, including the Gradius series and the R-Type series.
Tips for Playing Cosmic Crusader
Here are a few tips for playing Cosmic Crusader:
- Use the spread shot power-up to take out multiple aliens at once.
- Stay in the center of the screen as much as possible to avoid being hit by enemy fire.
- Don’t be afraid to use your bombs to clear out large groups of aliens.
- Practice makes perfect! The more you play Cosmic Crusader, the better you will become at it.
Conclusion
Cosmic Crusader is a classic arcade game that still holds up today. It’s a simple but addictive shooter that will keep you coming back for more. If you’re a fan of retro arcade games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Cosmic Crusader.
Review Score
7/10
