Publisher: CommaVid, Inc.

Cosmic Swarm (1982)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Cosmic Swarm (1982)

Cosmic Swarm is a classic arcade space shooter game developed by Universal and released in 1982. The game is set in space, where the player controls a spaceship that must defend its outpost from an invasion of alien termites. The termites are constantly building nests, which the player must destroy before they can become too large and powerful.

Cosmic Swarm is a simple but addictive game that is easy to learn but difficult to master. The player’s spaceship can move in eight directions and fire in any direction. The termites can move in any direction and can fire at the player’s spaceship. The player must use their spaceship’s superior firepower to destroy the termites and their nests before they can overwhelm the player’s outpost.

Cosmic Swarm was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its simple but addictive gameplay, its challenging difficulty, and its impressive graphics and sound. Cosmic Swarm was one of the most popular arcade games of the early 1980s, and it remains a popular classic today.

Gameplay

The player controls a spaceship that must defend its outpost from an invasion of alien termites. The termites are constantly building nests, which the player must destroy before they can become too large and powerful. The player’s spaceship can move in eight directions and fire in any direction. The termites can move in any direction and can fire at the player’s spaceship.

The player must use their spaceship’s superior firepower to destroy the termites and their nests before they can overwhelm the player’s outpost. The player’s spaceship has a limited amount of energy, which is depleted each time it is hit by a termite or a nest. If the player’s spaceship loses all of its energy, it will be destroyed and the game will be over.

The player can collect power-ups that will increase their spaceship’s firepower or speed. The player can also collect extra lives, which will allow them to continue playing if their spaceship is destroyed.

Development

Cosmic Swarm was developed by Universal, a company that was founded in 1979. Universal was one of the pioneers of the arcade video game industry, and it developed a number of classic arcade games, including Cosmic Swarm, Donkey Kong, and Pac-Man.

Cosmic Swarm was designed by Steve Cartwright, who was also the designer of Donkey Kong. Cartwright wanted to create a game that was simple to learn but difficult to master. He also wanted to create a game that had impressive graphics and sound.

Cosmic Swarm was a commercial success, and it helped to establish Universal as one of the leading developers of arcade video games. The game was ported to a number of home computers, including the Atari 2600, the Commodore 64, and the ZX Spectrum.

Legacy

Cosmic Swarm is a classic arcade space shooter game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game is simple to learn but difficult to master, and it has impressive graphics and sound. Cosmic Swarm is a challenging and addictive game that is sure to provide hours of enjoyment.

Reviews

Cosmic Swarm received positive reviews from critics upon its release. The game was praised for its simple but addictive gameplay, its challenging difficulty, and its impressive graphics and sound. Cosmic Swarm was one of the most popular arcade games of the early 1980s, and it remains a popular classic today.

Awards

Cosmic Swarm won the Golden Joystick Award for Game of the Year in 1983. The game was also nominated for an Arcade Award for Best Action Game in 1982.

Cultural impact

Cosmic Swarm has been referenced in a number of popular culture works, including the films The Last Starfighter (1984) and Pixels (2015). The game has also been featured in a number of video game compilations, including the Midway Arcade Treasures series and the Arcade Classics series.

Legacy

Cosmic Swarm is a classic arcade space shooter game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game is simple to learn but difficult to master, and it has impressive graphics and sound. Cosmic Swarm is a challenging and addictive game that is sure to provide hours of enjoyment.

Review Score

8/10

Art

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Mines of Minos (1982)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Mines of Minos: A Retro Gaming Classic

Released in 1982, Mines of Minos is a maze game that was developed and published by Bally Midway. The player controls a robot that must collect robot spare parts and build an army to defeat the enemy. The game is set in a maze-like mine, and the player must navigate through the maze while avoiding enemies.

Mines of Minos is a challenging and addictive game that has stood the test of time. The graphics are simple but effective, and the gameplay is fast-paced and exciting. The game is also notable for its two-player mode, which allows one player to control the robot and the other player to control an enemy.

Gameplay

The player controls a robot that must collect robot spare parts and build an army to defeat the enemy. The game is set in a maze-like mine, and the player must navigate through the maze while avoiding enemies.

The player can move the robot in four directions: up, down, left, and right. The player can also drop grenades to kill enemies. Grenades are limited, so the player must use them wisely.

When the player collects a robot spare part, it must be carried to a designated safe place. Once the player has collected enough spare parts, it can build a new robot. The player can have up to three robots in its army at a time.

The player must defeat all of the enemies in the mine in order to win the game. The player can defeat enemies by dropping grenades on them or by running into them. However, the player will lose a robot if it runs into an enemy.

The game is over if the player loses all of its robots.

Two-Player Mode

Mines of Minos has a two-player mode that allows one player to control the robot and the other player to control an enemy. The player who controls the robot must collect robot spare parts and build an army to defeat the enemy. The player who controls the enemy must try to kill the robot.

The two-player mode is a lot of fun, and it adds a new level of challenge to the game.

Legacy

Mines of Minos is a classic arcade game that has been enjoyed by gamers for over 40 years. The game is still popular today, and it is considered to be one of the best maze games ever made.

Mines of Minos has been ported to a number of different platforms, including the Atari 2600, the Commodore 64, and the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game has also been released on a number of compilation discs.

Mines of Minos has been praised for its challenging gameplay, its addictive nature, and its simple but effective graphics. The game is a true classic, and it is still a lot of fun to play today.

Tips for Playing Mines of Minos

Here are a few tips for playing Mines of Minos:

  • Use grenades wisely. Grenades are limited, so you must use them wisely. Only use grenades to kill enemies that are directly in your path.
  • Be careful when moving through the maze. The maze is full of enemies, so you must be careful when moving through it. Try to stay away from walls, as enemies can spawn from behind them.
  • Build an army of robots. The more robots you have in your army, the easier it will be to defeat the enemy. Try to collect as many robot spare parts as possible.
  • Don’t be afraid to run away. If you are outnumbered, don’t be afraid to run away. You can always come back later when you are stronger.

Conclusion

Mines of Minos is a classic arcade game that is still a lot of fun to play today. The game is challenging, addictive, and has simple but effective graphics. The game is also notable for its two-player mode, which adds a new level of challenge to the game. If you are a fan of retro games, then I highly recommend checking out Mines of Minos.

Review Score

7/10

Art

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Room of Doom (1982)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Room of Doom: A Retro Gem That Will Test Your Skills

Released in 1982, Room of Doom is a classic arcade game that will test your reflexes and strategic thinking. It’s a maze-like shooter where you must fight off snipers while dodging their bullets and avoiding a deadly monster. With its fast-paced gameplay and challenging levels, Room of Doom is a must-play for any fan of retro games.

Gameplay

Room of Doom is played from a top-down perspective. You control a small spaceship that is trapped in a room with several snipers. The snipers are positioned around the room, and they will shoot at you as soon as you enter their line of sight.

To avoid being hit by the snipers’ bullets, you must use the doors in the room to block their shots. The doors will open and close at random intervals, and you must time your movements carefully to avoid being hit.

In addition to the snipers, you must also contend with a deadly monster that will respawn randomly in the room. The monster is immune to your bullets, and it will relentlessly pursue you until it kills you.

To complete a level, you must kill all of the snipers in the room. Once you have killed all of the snipers, you will move on to the next level, which will be more difficult than the previous one.

Controls

Room of Doom is controlled with a joystick and two buttons. The joystick is used to move your spaceship around the room, and the buttons are used to shoot and open doors.

  • Joystick: Move your spaceship around the room.
  • Button 1: Shoot.
  • Button 2: Open doors.

Strategy

The key to success in Room of Doom is to be patient and strategic. Don’t try to rush through the levels, and take your time to learn the patterns of the snipers and the monster.

Here are a few tips to help you survive:

  • Use the doors to block the snipers’ bullets.
  • Time your movements carefully to avoid being hit by the monster.
  • Focus on killing the snipers one at a time.
  • Don’t be afraid to use your special weapons.

Special Weapons

In addition to your regular bullets, you can also collect special weapons that will help you to defeat the snipers and the monster. These weapons include:

  • Spread shot: Fires a spread of bullets that can hit multiple targets.
  • Laser: Fires a powerful laser beam that can pierce through walls.
  • Bomb: Drops a bomb that can kill all of the enemies in the room.

Legacy

Room of Doom was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its fast-paced gameplay, challenging levels, and innovative use of doors to block enemy fire. Room of Doom has been ported to several home computers and consoles, and it remains a popular game among retro gaming enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Room of Doom is a classic arcade game that is still fun to play today. With its fast-paced gameplay, challenging levels, and innovative use of doors to block enemy fire, Room of Doom is a must-play for any fan of retro games.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

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Cakewalk (1983)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 4 minutes read

Summary

Cakewalk: A Sweet Treat for Puzzle Fans

Released in 1983, Cakewalk is a charming and addictive puzzle game that challenges players to keep a steady hand and a sharp eye. The game is simple to learn but difficult to master, and it’s sure to keep you entertained for hours on end.

Gameplay

Cakewalk is played on a single screen, which is divided into six conveyor belts. Each conveyor belt transports cakes from the left side of the screen to the right. The player controls a character who stands at the end of the conveyor belts. The player’s goal is to catch the cakes as they reach the end of their respective belts and prevent them from dropping on the floor.

The conveyor belts run at different speeds, so it sometimes happens that two cakes reach the end of their respective lines at the same time. To prevent dropping one of the two cakes, the player can push a button which will halt the conveyor belt of their choice for four seconds. This gives the player enough time to catch both cakes.

As the game progresses, the speed of the conveyor belts increases, and the number of cakes that appear on the screen also increases. This makes it increasingly difficult to catch all of the cakes, and the player must use all of their skills to keep up.

Scoring

The player scores points for each cake that they catch. The number of points awarded for each cake depends on the speed of the conveyor belt that it was on. The player also receives bonus points for catching multiple cakes in a row.

The game ends when the player drops three cakes. The player’s score is then displayed on the screen.

Strategy

There are a few different strategies that can be used to play Cakewalk successfully. One strategy is to focus on catching the cakes that are on the fastest conveyor belts. This will give you more points, and it will also help you to avoid dropping cakes.

Another strategy is to try to catch multiple cakes in a row. This will give you a bonus, and it will also help you to clear the screen more quickly.

Ultimately, the best strategy for playing Cakewalk is the one that works best for you. Experiment with different strategies until you find one that you’re comfortable with.

Tips

Here are a few tips to help you play Cakewalk successfully:

  • Pay attention to the speed of the conveyor belts. The faster the conveyor belt, the more points you’ll get for catching the cake.
  • Try to catch multiple cakes in a row. This will give you a bonus, and it will also help you to clear the screen more quickly.
  • Don’t be afraid to use the pause button. This can give you a few extra seconds to catch a cake that you’re struggling with.
  • Don’t give up! Cakewalk is a challenging game, but it’s also a lot of fun. Keep practicing, and you’ll eventually become a master cake catcher.

Conclusion

Cakewalk is a classic puzzle game that has stood the test of time. The game is simple to learn but difficult to master, and it’s sure to keep you entertained for hours on end. If you’re looking for a fun and challenging puzzle game to play, then Cakewalk is definitely worth checking out.

Review Score

7/10

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Stronghold (1983)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Stronghold (1983): A Retro Shoot-Em-Up Classic

Stronghold is a classic shoot-em-up arcade game released in 1983 by Sega. It is notable for its challenging gameplay, 16 game variations, and intense action.

Gameplay

The player controls a spaceship that is on patrol in deep space. The ship encounters an abandoned base whose self-defense mechanisms are still functional. Upon detecting the player’s presence, the base launches several drones to destroy the ship.

The player must shoot down the drones and avoid being hit by their fire. After conquering three of these attack waves, a force field containing of three layers will form at the bottom of the screen protecting a SAM crawler.

The player’s objective now is to shoot a gap into the horizontally moving force field in order to eliminate the SAM crawler while still being under attack by hostile drones. As soon as the player breaches the force field, they must pay attention not to be shot down by the SAM crawler, which will exploit the fact that the player has destroyed the force field.

The game comes with 16 game variations, some of them allowing the player to use rapid fire while others make the attack drones invincible to the player’s missiles or produce drones that clone themselves. Still, some variants create a force field that will descend from above and minimize the space the player can move in.

Development

Stronghold was developed by Sega AM2, a division of Sega that was responsible for developing some of the company’s most popular arcade games, including Out Run, Space Harrier, and After Burner.

The game was designed by Yu Suzuki, who would later go on to create the Virtua Fighter and Shenmue series. Suzuki was inspired by the 1982 film Tron, which features a scene where a spaceship flies through a force field.

Release

Stronghold was released in arcades in Japan in 1983. It was later released in North America and Europe in 1984. The game was a commercial success, selling over 100,000 arcade cabinets worldwide.

Reception

Stronghold was well-received by critics upon its release. The game was praised for its challenging gameplay, innovative use of force fields, and intense action.

In a review for Computer Gaming World, Bill Kunkel wrote: “Stronghold is a fast-paced, exciting shoot-em-up that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.”

The game was also a hit with players. In a 1984 survey by the arcade industry magazine RePlay, Stronghold was ranked as the 10th most popular arcade game in the United States.

Legacy

Stronghold is considered to be one of the classic shoot-em-up games of the 1980s. The game has been ported to a number of home platforms, including the Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, and PlayStation 2.

Stronghold has also been included in several retro video game compilations, such as the Sega Ages 2500 series and the Sega Genesis Collection.

The game’s innovative use of force fields has been influential on other shoot-em-ups, such as the Gradius series and the R-Type series.

Conclusion

Stronghold is a classic shoot-em-up game that still holds up today. With its challenging gameplay, 16 game variations, and intense action, it’s a must-play for fans of the genre.

Review Score

8/10

Art

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