Astro Blaster

Astro Blaster is a fixed shooter released in arcades by Sega in 1981. It was designed and programmed by Gary Shannon and Barbara Michalec.[1] Astro Blaster features speech synthesis technology; during attract mode a voice says "Fighter pilots needed in sector wars...play Astro Blaster!"

For the Disney attraction, see Buzz Lightyear (attractions). For the educational toy, see Galilean cannon.
Astro Blaster
Arcade flyer
Developer(s)Sega
Publisher(s)Sega
Designer(s)Gary Shannon[1]
Barbara Michalec[1]
Platform(s)Arcade
ReleaseDecember 31, 1981
Genre(s)Fixed shooter
Mode(s)Single player
2 players, alternating
CabinetVertical, cocktail, cabaret
Arcade systemSega G80
CPU1 × Z80 @ 3.867 MHz[2]
SoundI8035, SP0250
DisplayRaster, 224 x 256 pixels, 65 colors

Gameplay
Gameplay screenshot.

The player controls a ship (bearing a resemblance to the Battlestar Galactica) which can fire and move left or right. The player must continuously monitor the onscreen temperature and fuel gauges. If the ship's laser overheats, it is disabled until it cools; and if fuel is depleted, the game ends regardless of how many lives the player has left. The player must battle through waves of enemies, which attack with varied formations and flight patterns. When a wave is destroyed, a new one appears. The Warp function is usable once per sector or life, temporarily slowing all enemy vessels and making them easier to shoot.

At the end of each sector, the player flies through an asteroid belt and can obtain extra fuel by shooting fireballs. Then the mother ship is met, where the player docks and refuels for the next sector.

The player is rewarded for completing each of twenty-five undisclosed tasks (called "secret bonuses" on the cabinet's instructions), such as shooting all enemies in a specific order or shooting all enemies without missing.[2]

Legacy

Astro Blaster is one of five unlockable games in the PlayStation Portable version of Sega Genesis Collection.

The current world record high score was achieved by Gus Pappas with 299,100 points on November 20, 1982 in Napa, California.[3]

Reception

References
  1. Hague, James. "The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers".
  2. "Astro Blaster arcade video game by SEGA". Arcade History.
  3. "Twin Galaxies' Astro Blaster High Score Rankings". Archived from the original on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
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