Summary
- Release Year: 1982
- Genres: Arcade, Puzzle
- Platforms: Atari 2600
- Developers: Western Technologies Inc.
- Publishers: U.S. Games
Towering Inferno (1982): A Classic Arcade Firefighting Experience
Introduction
Towering Inferno is a thrilling arcade game released in 1982 by Bally Midway. It simulates the perilous task of battling a skyscraper fire and rescuing trapped survivors. Players take on the role of firefighters, piloting a helicopter to the scene and directing their team to extinguish the blaze and save as many lives as possible.
Gameplay
The game is played on a vertically scrolling screen, with the skyscraper occupying the center of the display. The player’s helicopter hovers at the top of the screen, and they can use a joystick to move it left and right. Below the helicopter, the skyscraper’s windows are color-coded to indicate the severity of the fire:
- Green: No fire
- Yellow: Small fire
- Orange: Medium fire
- Red: Large fire
The player can dispatch firefighters to any window by pressing the corresponding button on the joystick. Firefighters will automatically enter the building and begin extinguishing the fire. However, they can only put out one fire at a time, and they will need to be recalled to the helicopter before they can be sent to another window.
The player must carefully manage their firefighters and prioritize which fires to extinguish first. If a fire spreads to too many windows, it will become uncontrollable and the building will collapse. The player loses a life if a firefighter dies or if the building collapses.
In addition to fighting fires, the player must also rescue survivors. Survivors are represented by small figures in the windows of the building. The player can rescue survivors by sending a firefighter to their window and then recalling the firefighter to the helicopter. Rescued survivors are taken to safety at the top of the screen.
The game ends when either all of the survivors have been rescued or the building collapses. The player’s score is based on the number of survivors rescued and the amount of time it took to complete the mission.
Graphics and Sound
For its time, Towering Inferno’s graphics were impressive. The skyscraper is rendered in detail, and the flames are animated smoothly. The game also features a catchy soundtrack that adds to the excitement of the gameplay.
Legacy
Towering Inferno was a popular arcade game in the early 1980s, and it remains a cult classic today. It is one of the first video games to simulate the experience of firefighting, and it has inspired many other games in the genre. Towering Inferno is a challenging and rewarding game that provides hours of exciting gameplay.
Tips for Playing Towering Inferno
- Prioritize putting out fires that are close to the top of the building. This will prevent the fire from spreading to other floors.
- Don’t be afraid to recall firefighters to the helicopter if they are in danger of being killed.
- Rescue survivors as soon as possible. Every survivor rescued is worth points.
- Don’t let the fire spread to too many windows. If a fire becomes uncontrollable, the building will collapse.
- Practice makes perfect. The more you play Towering Inferno, the better you will become at managing your firefighters and rescuing survivors.
Conclusion
Towering Inferno is a classic arcade game that is still enjoyed by many today. It is a challenging and rewarding game that provides hours of exciting gameplay. If you are a fan of firefighting games, or if you are just looking for a classic arcade experience, then I highly recommend Towering Inferno.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
