Summary
- Release Year: 1990
- Genres: Shooter
- Platforms: Atari 7800
- Developers: James Zalewski
- Publishers: Atari Corporation
Planet Smashers: A Late-Blooming Gem for the ProSystem
Released in 1990, Planet Smashers was a 2D shoot ’em up game that finally brought an original title to the ProSystem console. Despite the console’s waning popularity, Planet Smashers managed to shine with its unique gameplay, challenging levels, and impressive features.
Gameplay
Planet Smashers puts you in control of a spaceship tasked with defending Earth from an alien armada. Your ship is equipped with a variety of weapons, including lasers, missiles, and bombs. You must use these weapons to destroy enemy ships, asteroids, and other obstacles while protecting Earth’s shield.
The game features a variety of levels, each with its own unique challenges. Some levels are set in space, while others take place on the surface of planets. The levels are filled with a variety of enemies, including fighters, bombers, and bosses.
Features
Planet Smashers boasts a number of impressive features that set it apart from other shooters of its time. These features include:
- Level Warp Codes: You can use level warp codes to skip ahead to later levels in the game. This is a great way to practice difficult levels or to see the ending of the game quickly.
- Laser Upgrades: You can collect power-ups to upgrade your laser weapon. This makes your laser more powerful and allows it to fire faster.
- Cloaking Device: You can collect power-ups to activate a cloaking device. This makes your ship invisible to enemies, allowing you to sneak past them or attack them from behind.
- Interesting Bosses: Each level ends with a boss fight. The bosses are all unique and require different strategies to defeat.
Story
The story of Planet Smashers is simple but effective. Earth is under attack by an alien armada, and you must defend it. The game’s ending is a bit abrupt, but it’s still satisfying to defeat the alien mothership and save the day.
Graphics and Sound
Planet Smashers features colorful and detailed pixel art graphics. The backgrounds are varied and interesting, and the enemy ships are all unique and well-designed. The game’s soundtrack is also impressive, with catchy tunes that fit the action on-screen.
Overall
Planet Smashers is an excellent 2D shoot ’em up game that is still fun to play today. Its unique gameplay, challenging levels, and impressive features make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Tips for Playing Planet Smashers
Here are a few tips to help you succeed in Planet Smashers:
- Use your laser weapon to destroy enemy ships and asteroids.
- Collect power-ups to upgrade your laser weapon and activate your cloaking device.
- Be careful not to let enemy ships touch your shield. If your shield is destroyed, you will lose a life.
- Use the level warp codes to skip ahead to later levels if you’re having trouble.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different strategies to defeat the bosses.
Legacy
Planet Smashers was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered one of the best shoot ’em up games for the ProSystem. The game has been praised for its unique gameplay, challenging levels, and impressive features. Planet Smashers is a true hidden gem that deserves to be played by more people.
Review Score
6.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
