Summary
- Platforms: Amstrad CPC
Mission Jupiter: A Retro Sci-Fi Arcade Classic
Released in 1983, Mission Jupiter is a side-scrolling space shooter arcade game developed and published by Bally Midway. The player controls a spaceship on a mission to Jupiter, and must blast their way through waves of enemy ships and obstacles to reach their destination.
Mission Jupiter was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the classic arcade games of the early 1980s. It was praised for its fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and impressive graphics and sound for the time.
Gameplay
The player controls a spaceship that is constantly moving forward through a series of space-based levels. The player must use the joystick to move the ship up, down, and left and right, and the fire button to shoot at enemy ships and obstacles.
The player’s ship is equipped with a limited number of lives, and if it is destroyed, the player must start the level over. The player can collect power-ups to increase their firepower and speed, and can also collect extra lives.
The game is divided into a number of levels, each with its own unique set of challenges. The player must defeat all of the enemies in a level in order to progress to the next level.
Graphics and Sound
The graphics in Mission Jupiter are impressive for an early 1980s arcade game. The ships and backgrounds are detailed and colorful, and the game runs smoothly even with a large number of enemies on the screen.
The sound in Mission Jupiter is also very good. The game features a catchy soundtrack and realistic sound effects.
Legacy
Mission Jupiter was a major influence on the development of the side-scrolling space shooter genre. The game’s fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and impressive graphics and sound set a new standard for arcade games at the time.
Mission Jupiter has been ported to a number of home platforms over the years, including the Atari 2600, Commodore 64, and NES. The game is also available on a number of retro gaming compilations.
Critical Reception
Mission Jupiter was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and impressive graphics and sound.
In a review for the arcade version of the game, AllGame said: “Mission Jupiter is a classic arcade game that still holds up today. The gameplay is fast-paced and challenging, and the graphics and sound are impressive. If you’re a fan of side-scrolling space shooters, then you owe it to yourself to check out Mission Jupiter.”
Accolades
Mission Jupiter has received a number of accolades over the years, including:
- In 2010, Game Informer ranked Mission Jupiter 84th on their list of the “Top 100 Video Games of All Time”.
- In 2012, IGN ranked Mission Jupiter 24th on their list of the “Top 25 Arcade Games of All Time”.
- In 2017, The Strong National Museum of Play inducted Mission Jupiter into their World Video Game Hall of Fame.
Conclusion
Mission Jupiter is a classic arcade game that still holds up today. The game’s fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and impressive graphics and sound make it a must-play for fans of side-scrolling space shooters.
Review Score
8/10
