Summary
- Release Year: 1979
- Genres: Shooter
- Platforms: Atari 2600, Intellivision
- Developers: APh Technological Consulting
- Publishers: Digiplay, Mattel Electronics
Space Battle (1979): A Retro Arcade Classic
Space Battle is a one-player arcade game released in 1979 by Atari, Inc. It is a fixed shooter game in which the player controls a spaceship that must defend its mothership from waves of alien attackers. Space Battle was one of the first arcade games to feature full-color graphics and synthesized speech.
Gameplay
The player controls a spaceship that is docked with a mothership. The mothership is under attack by six alien fleets of different sizes. The player must use their spaceship to destroy the alien fleets before they can reach the mothership and destroy it.
The player’s spaceship is equipped with three squadrons of fighters. Each squadron can fire a different type of weapon. The player can switch between squadrons at any time.
The alien fleets will dodge the player’s attacks and will attack the player with photon blasts. The player must use their skill and strategy to defeat the aliens and protect the mothership.
Development
Space Battle was developed by Atari’s arcade division in Sunnyvale, California. The game was designed by Ed Logg, who also designed the classic arcade games Asteroids and Centipede.
Space Battle was one of the first arcade games to feature full-color graphics. The game’s graphics were created by George Faraco, who also created the graphics for Asteroids and Centipede.
Space Battle was also one of the first arcade games to feature synthesized speech. The game’s speech was provided by Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell.
Release
Space Battle was released in arcades in 1979. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it quickly became one of the most popular arcade games of the year.
Space Battle was ported to the Atari 2600 home video game console in 1982. The Atari 2600 version of the game was not as well-received as the arcade version, but it was still a popular game.
Legacy
Space Battle is considered to be one of the classic arcade games of the 1970s. The game’s simple gameplay and challenging difficulty make it a great choice for retro gaming fans.
Space Battle has been included in several compilations of classic arcade games, including Atari Anthology and Midway Arcade Treasures. The game is also available for download on several online gaming platforms.
Tips for Playing Space Battle
Here are a few tips for playing Space Battle:
- Use your three squadrons wisely. Each squadron has its own strengths and weaknesses. The blue squadron is the most powerful, but it is also the slowest. The red squadron is the fastest, but it is also the weakest. The green squadron is a good all-around squadron.
- Stay moving. The aliens will try to surround you and trap you. Keep moving to avoid their attacks.
- Don’t be afraid to use your photon blasts. Your photon blasts are your most powerful weapon. Use them to take out large groups of aliens.
- Be patient. Space Battle is a challenging game. Don’t get discouraged if you die a few times. Keep practicing and you will eventually get the hang of it.
Conclusion
Space Battle is a classic arcade game that still holds up today. Its simple gameplay and challenging difficulty make it a great choice for retro gaming fans. If you are looking for a fun and challenging arcade game to play, then Space Battle is definitely worth checking out.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
