Summary
- Platforms: BBC Microcomputer System
Star Striker (1981)
Star Striker is a vertical-scrolling shoot-’em-up arcade game developed and released by Sega in 1981. The player controls a spaceship that must destroy waves of enemy ships and other obstacles while avoiding collision. Star Striker was one of the first arcade games to feature a rotating joystick, which allowed the player to control the direction of their ship’s fire as well as its movement.
The game is set in a distant future where the Earth is under attack by an alien armada. The player takes control of a lone starfighter and must fight their way through the enemy forces to save the planet. Star Striker is a challenging game, but it is also very rewarding. The sense of accomplishment that comes from defeating each wave of enemies is immense, and the game’s simple but addictive gameplay keeps players coming back for more.
Gameplay
Star Striker is a vertically-scrolling shoot-’em-up in which the player controls a spaceship that must destroy waves of enemy ships and other obstacles. The player’s ship can move left, right, up, and down, and can fire in eight directions. The player must use their ship’s firepower to destroy enemy ships and obstacles, while avoiding collision with them.
One of the unique features of Star Striker is its rotating joystick. The joystick can be rotated to control the direction of the player’s ship’s fire. This allows the player to fire in any direction, regardless of the direction that their ship is facing. This gives the player a great deal of flexibility in how they approach each wave of enemies.
Star Striker is a challenging game, but it is also very rewarding. The sense of accomplishment that comes from defeating each wave of enemies is immense, and the game’s simple but addictive gameplay keeps players coming back for more.
Graphics and sound
Star Striker’s graphics are simple but effective. The game’s backgrounds are black, and the enemy ships and obstacles are all rendered in simple geometric shapes. However, the game’s use of color is very effective, and the game’s visuals are still quite striking today.
The game’s sound is also very good. The music is catchy and upbeat, and the sound effects are well-done. The sound of the player’s ship’s laser fire is particularly satisfying.
Conclusion
Star Striker is a classic arcade shoot-’em-up that is still a blast to play today. With its simple controls, addictive gameplay, and catchy music, it’s easy to see why this game has stood the test of time. If you’re a fan of shoot-’em-ups, or if you’re just looking for a fun and challenging game to play, then I highly recommend checking out Star Striker.
Additional information
- Star Striker was developed by Sega AM2, which was Sega’s arcade game development division at the time.
- The game was released in arcades in Japan in 1981, and in North America and Europe in 1982.
- Star Striker was a commercial success, and it helped to establish Sega as a major force in the arcade game industry.
- The game has been ported to a number of home platforms, including the Sega Master System, the Sega Genesis, and the PlayStation 2.
- Star Striker has been praised for its simple but addictive gameplay, its innovative use of the rotating joystick, and its catchy music.
Review Score
8/10
