Star Blazer (1982)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 8 minutes read

Summary

Star Blazer (1982): A Retro Space Shooter That Still Packs a Punch

Star Blazer is a horizontal space shooter released in arcades in 1982. It was developed and published by Konami, and was one of the first games to use a trackball for player control. The game was a critical and commercial success, and was ported to a number of home computers and consoles.

In Star Blazer, the player controls a spaceship that is flying through space, shooting at enemy ships and avoiding obstacles. The game is divided into a number of levels, each with its own unique challenges. The player must use their trackball to control the movement of their spaceship, and must shoot down all of the enemy ships in order to progress to the next level.

Star Blazer was one of the first games to use a trackball for player control. This gave the player a much greater degree of control over their spaceship, and allowed them to make more precise movements. The trackball also made it easier to shoot down enemy ships, as the player could simply roll the ball in the direction they wanted to shoot.

The graphics in Star Blazer are simple but effective. The backgrounds are black, and the ships and obstacles are all white. This gives the game a clean, minimalist look that is still visually appealing today. The sound effects are also simple, but they are effective in creating a sense of atmosphere.

Star Blazer is a challenging but rewarding game. The levels are all well-designed, and the difficulty gradually increases as the player progresses. The game is also very replayable, as the player can always try to beat their previous high score.

Overall, Star Blazer is a classic space shooter that still holds up today. The game is challenging, rewarding, and fun to play. If you are a fan of retro games, or if you are looking for a new space shooter to play, then I highly recommend checking out Star Blazer.

Gameplay

Star Blazer is a horizontal space shooter in which the player controls a spaceship that is flying through space, shooting at enemy ships and avoiding obstacles. The game is divided into a number of levels, each with its own unique challenges. The player must use their trackball to control the movement of their spaceship, and must shoot down all of the enemy ships in order to progress to the next level.

The player’s spaceship is equipped with a single laser cannon. The player can fire the laser cannon by pressing the fire button. The laser cannon can be fired in eight directions: up, down, left, right, and diagonally.

The player’s spaceship can also be equipped with a number of power-ups. These power-ups can be collected by flying over them. The power-ups include:

  • Speed up: This power-up increases the speed of the player’s spaceship.
  • Slow down: This power-up decreases the speed of the player’s spaceship.
  • Fire rate up: This power-up increases the fire rate of the player’s laser cannon.
  • Fire rate down: This power-up decreases the fire rate of the player’s laser cannon.
  • Shield: This power-up gives the player’s spaceship a shield that protects it from enemy fire.

The player can also collect a number of different types of bombs. These bombs can be dropped on enemy ships to destroy them. The bombs include:

  • Regular bomb: This bomb explodes on contact with an enemy ship.
  • Homing bomb: This bomb homes in on enemy ships and explodes on contact.
  • Napalm bomb: This bomb creates a pool of fire that damages enemy ships that come into contact with it.

Levels

Star Blazer has a total of 32 levels. The levels are all different, and each one presents a unique challenge. The levels are divided into four different worlds:

  • World 1: The first world is a relatively easy introduction to the game. The levels are short and the enemy ships are slow and easy to shoot down.
  • World 2: The second world is more challenging than the first world. The levels are longer and the enemy ships are faster and more difficult to shoot down.
  • World 3: The third world is even more challenging than the second world. The levels are longer and the enemy ships are even faster and more difficult to shoot down.
  • World 4: The fourth world is the most challenging world in the game. The levels are long and the enemy ships are very fast and difficult to shoot down.

Enemies

Star Blazer features a variety of different enemy ships. The enemy ships come in all shapes and sizes, and each type of enemy ship has its own unique attack pattern. The most common type of enemy ship is the small, red ship. These ships are slow and easy to shoot down, but they can be dangerous in large numbers. Other types of enemy ships include:

  • Large, blue ship: These ships are larger than the small, red ships and are more difficult to shoot down. They also fire a more powerful laser cannon.
  • Fast, green ship: These ships are faster than the other types of enemy ships and are more difficult to hit. They also fire a spread of lasers.
  • Boss ships: The boss ships are the largest and most powerful enemy ships in the game. They are very difficult to shoot down and they fire a variety of different types of lasers.

Bosses

Star Blazer features a number of different boss ships. Each boss ship is unique, and each one presents a different challenge. The boss ships include:

  • The Mothership: The Mothership is the first boss ship in the game. It is a large, slow-moving ship that fires a spread of lasers.
  • The Carrier: The Carrier is the second boss ship in the game. It is a large, fast-moving ship that carries a number of smaller ships.
  • The Battleship: The Battleship is the third boss ship in the game. It is a large, powerful ship that fires a variety of different types of lasers.
  • The Star Destroyer: The Star Destroyer is the final boss ship in the game. It is a massive, powerful ship that fires a variety of different types of lasers.

Conclusion

Star Blazer is a classic space shooter that still holds up today. The game is challenging, rewarding, and fun to play. If you are a fan of retro games, or if you are looking for a new space shooter to play, then I highly recommend checking out Star Blazer.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.

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