Summary
- Release Year: 1983
- Genres: Shooter
- Platforms: Atari 2600
- Developers: Video Gems
- Publishers: Video Gems
Missile Control (1983): The Grandfather of Modern Shooters
Missile Control is a seminal arcade game released in 1983 by Atari, Inc. It is a Missile Command-style game in which the player controls a cursor on the screen to fire missiles at incoming bombs. The game is notable for its simple yet addictive gameplay, its iconic graphics, and its influence on the development of modern shooters.
Gameplay
The player controls a cursor on the screen which indicates the direction of fire for the defense missiles. Once launched, they travel in a straight line from the launcher through the point the player specified until they hit an object. The player has a limited number of missiles at their disposal, and they must use them wisely to destroy all of the incoming bombs.
The bombs are launched from alien spaceships that appear at the top of the screen. The spaceships move in a predictable pattern, but the speed and frequency of their attacks increases as the game progresses. The player must constantly be on the move, firing missiles and dodging bombs in order to survive.
Each level is won by destroying all of the alien spaceships. The player is awarded bonus points for destroying multiple spaceships with a single missile, and for destroying spaceships before they reach the bottom of the screen.
The game ends when all of the player’s cities are destroyed. The player can lose a city if it is hit by a bomb, or if it is overrun by enemy spaceships.
Development
Missile Control was developed by Atari’s coin-op division in Sunnyvale, California. The game was designed by Dave Theurer, who was inspired by the earlier arcade game Missile Command. Theurer wanted to create a game that was more challenging and exciting than Missile Command, and he introduced several new features to the genre, such as the ability to fire missiles in any direction and the use of bonus cities.
The graphics for Missile Control were designed by George Opperman, who was also responsible for the graphics in Missile Command. Opperman’s iconic pixel art style is still widely recognized today, and it helped to make Missile Control one of the most visually distinctive games of its era.
Release and Reception
Missile Control was released in arcades in 1983. The game was an instant success, and it quickly became one of the most popular arcade games of the year. Missile Control was also ported to a number of home computers, including the Atari 2600, the Commodore 64, and the Apple II.
Missile Control was praised for its simple yet addictive gameplay, its challenging difficulty, and its innovative graphics. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 20,000 arcade cabinets and over 1 million home computer copies.
Legacy
Missile Control is considered to be one of the most influential video games of all time. The game’s simple yet addictive gameplay has been imitated by countless other games, and its iconic graphics have become synonymous with the golden age of arcade gaming. Missile Control is also credited with helping to popularize the shooter genre, and it is considered to be a direct ancestor of modern first-person shooters such as Doom and Call of Duty.
Missile Control is still enjoyed by gamers today, and it remains a popular choice for classic gaming enthusiasts. The game is available on a variety of platforms, including arcade cabinets, home computers, and mobile devices.
Conclusion
Missile Control is a classic arcade game that still holds up today. It is a challenging and addictive game that is perfect for a quick fix of nostalgia. If you have never played Missile Control, I highly recommend giving it a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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