Summary
- Release Year: 1985
- Genres: Platform
- Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST/STE, DOS
- Developers: Loriciel
Delta Patrol (1985): A Retro Shoot ‘Em Up Classic
Delta Patrol is a vertically scrolling shoot ’em up arcade game developed and published by Atari, Inc. in 1985. The player controls a lone spaceship that must fight its way through waves of enemy ships to save the galaxy. Delta Patrol was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the classic shoot ’em up games of the 1980s.
Gameplay
The player controls a lone spaceship that is constantly scrolling up the screen. The player must use the joystick to move the ship left and right, and the fire button to shoot. The ship can also be moved up and down the screen, but this is not necessary to complete the game.
The player must shoot down waves of enemy ships that are constantly appearing on the screen. The enemy ships come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and each type of ship has its own unique attack pattern. The player must also avoid being hit by enemy fire, or they will lose a life.
The game is divided into several levels, each with its own unique set of challenges. The player must complete each level in order to progress to the next one. The game becomes increasingly difficult as the player progresses, and the later levels are very challenging.
Graphics and Sound
The graphics in Delta Patrol are simple but effective. The ships and backgrounds are all rendered in bright, vibrant colors, and the game runs smoothly even on older hardware. The sound effects are also well-done, and the game’s music is catchy and memorable.
Controls
The controls in Delta Patrol are simple and easy to learn. The joystick is used to move the ship left and right, and the fire button is used to shoot. The ship can also be moved up and down the screen, but this is not necessary to complete the game.
Difficulty
Delta Patrol is a challenging game, but it is also fair. The player is given a limited number of lives, and they must use them wisely. The game becomes increasingly difficult as the player progresses, but the later levels are still possible to complete with practice.
Replayability
Delta Patrol is a highly replayable game. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay, combined with its challenging difficulty, makes it a game that players can come back to time and time again.
Overall
Delta Patrol is a classic shoot ’em up game that is still fun to play today. The game’s simple but effective graphics, catchy music, and challenging gameplay make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Tips for Playing Delta Patrol
- Use the up and down movement to dodge enemy fire.
- Shoot down the enemy ships as quickly as possible to avoid being overwhelmed.
- Be careful not to get hit by enemy fire, or you will lose a life.
- Practice makes perfect! The more you play Delta Patrol, the better you will become at it.
Trivia
- Delta Patrol was one of the first arcade games to use a trackball controller.
- The game was originally going to be called “Star Patrol”, but the name was changed to “Delta Patrol” to avoid confusion with another game called “Star Patrol”.
- Delta Patrol was a commercial success, selling over 100,000 arcade cabinets worldwide.
- The game was ported to several home computers, including the Atari 8-bit family, the Commodore 64, and the ZX Spectrum.
- Delta Patrol is still considered to be one of the classic shoot ’em up games of the 1980s.
Review Score
8/10
