Summary
- Release Year: 1982
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Atari 2600
- Developers: CommaVid, Inc.
- Publishers: CommaVid, Inc.
Cosmic Swarm (1982)
Cosmic Swarm is a classic arcade space shooter game developed by Universal and released in 1982. The game is set in space, where the player controls a spaceship that must defend its outpost from an invasion of alien termites. The termites are constantly building nests, which the player must destroy before they can become too large and powerful.
Cosmic Swarm is a simple but addictive game that is easy to learn but difficult to master. The player’s spaceship can move in eight directions and fire in any direction. The termites can move in any direction and can fire at the player’s spaceship. The player must use their spaceship’s superior firepower to destroy the termites and their nests before they can overwhelm the player’s outpost.
Cosmic Swarm was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its simple but addictive gameplay, its challenging difficulty, and its impressive graphics and sound. Cosmic Swarm was one of the most popular arcade games of the early 1980s, and it remains a popular classic today.
Gameplay
The player controls a spaceship that must defend its outpost from an invasion of alien termites. The termites are constantly building nests, which the player must destroy before they can become too large and powerful. The player’s spaceship can move in eight directions and fire in any direction. The termites can move in any direction and can fire at the player’s spaceship.
The player must use their spaceship’s superior firepower to destroy the termites and their nests before they can overwhelm the player’s outpost. The player’s spaceship has a limited amount of energy, which is depleted each time it is hit by a termite or a nest. If the player’s spaceship loses all of its energy, it will be destroyed and the game will be over.
The player can collect power-ups that will increase their spaceship’s firepower or speed. The player can also collect extra lives, which will allow them to continue playing if their spaceship is destroyed.
Development
Cosmic Swarm was developed by Universal, a company that was founded in 1979. Universal was one of the pioneers of the arcade video game industry, and it developed a number of classic arcade games, including Cosmic Swarm, Donkey Kong, and Pac-Man.
Cosmic Swarm was designed by Steve Cartwright, who was also the designer of Donkey Kong. Cartwright wanted to create a game that was simple to learn but difficult to master. He also wanted to create a game that had impressive graphics and sound.
Cosmic Swarm was a commercial success, and it helped to establish Universal as one of the leading developers of arcade video games. The game was ported to a number of home computers, including the Atari 2600, the Commodore 64, and the ZX Spectrum.
Legacy
Cosmic Swarm is a classic arcade space shooter game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game is simple to learn but difficult to master, and it has impressive graphics and sound. Cosmic Swarm is a challenging and addictive game that is sure to provide hours of enjoyment.
Reviews
Cosmic Swarm received positive reviews from critics upon its release. The game was praised for its simple but addictive gameplay, its challenging difficulty, and its impressive graphics and sound. Cosmic Swarm was one of the most popular arcade games of the early 1980s, and it remains a popular classic today.
Awards
Cosmic Swarm won the Golden Joystick Award for Game of the Year in 1983. The game was also nominated for an Arcade Award for Best Action Game in 1982.
Cultural impact
Cosmic Swarm has been referenced in a number of popular culture works, including the films The Last Starfighter (1984) and Pixels (2015). The game has also been featured in a number of video game compilations, including the Midway Arcade Treasures series and the Arcade Classics series.
Legacy
Cosmic Swarm is a classic arcade space shooter game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game is simple to learn but difficult to master, and it has impressive graphics and sound. Cosmic Swarm is a challenging and addictive game that is sure to provide hours of enjoyment.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
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