Space

MEGAMANIA

Activision, Inc.
for Atari VCS
$31.95/$26.00-29.00
1 or 2 players
Rating: R
Graphics: 7
Game Play: 8
Longevity: 8

MegaMania literally means “great hysteria” — but don’t let that scare you away. Once you’ve entered this “space nightmare,” as the game is appropriately subtitled, you’ll find MegaMania to be one of the most original variations on the bottom-shooter concept ever created exclusively for the home.

Using the joystick controller, you travel horizontally below rows of colorfully geometric projectiles that spin or sway back and forth, dropping lower with each pass. If you make direct contact with the enemy, get hit by one of his missiles, run out of energy, or fail to clear a screen in less than 45 seconds, you lose one of three lasers. Once you’ve cleared the first screen, you must survive the next seven waves, each one offering a deadlier form of projectile.

The basic strategy for MegaMania sounds fairly simple — but you’ll have to work at it. Think of it as the latest test of your Space Invaders skills. Start firing when the first enemy appears on the screen and continue to fire rapidly — you only have 45 seconds! But also learn to make each shot count in order to replenish and maintain your energy level. These two factors — time and energy — can turn your good score into a great one.

When the Projectiles begin their first descent, blast away enough of them to create a wide path through the center of the screen. This will create a safety zone for your Laser Cannon as the Projectiles reach the bottom and reappear at the top of the screen. With a little practice, you should be able to stockpile a few extra lasers — you’re awarded one for every 10,000 points. We’re certain that even the best Invaders players will find surprising new challenges in MegaMania.

SPACE ARMADA

Mattel, Inc.
for Mattel Intellivision
NA/$25.00-30.00
1 player
Rating: PG
Graphics: 6
Game Play: 5
Longevity: 5

Many home game manufacturers have combined the basics of the original bottom-shooter — Space Invaders — with their own ideas to produce attractive, playable games. Mattel’s Space Armada is another Invaders clone. Unfortunately it’s below Mattel’s usual level of quality.

The differences between the two games only serve to point out the superiority of the original. You start out with six laser cannons used to shoot at four rows of eight descending monsters. The three shields are now “bunkers,” and the original command ship is now a “flying saucer.” Sound familiar?

Naturally, even the worst copy might still be worth your time and money if it offered you exceptional game play. Unfortunately, however, Space Armada is less fun to play than the original.

The screen seems very cramped — like the game elements were put in with a shoe horn. And even in the slower “practice game” the monsters block your shot at the flying saucer too often. And when you get to the third screen, beware — it features a bomb that will kill you by simply landing near you.

Intellivision’s disc control is also a problem. It’s too awkward to handle the speed of this game — the fire button will soon have your fingers aching.

Not everything about Armada pales in comparison to Invaders, however. We found the monsters to be displayed in more attractive colors than the original.

We believe that Mattel could have created a more challenging bottom-shooter game. But if you feel that you must have an Invaders-type cartridge for your Intellivision system Space Armada is Mattel’s best offer.

ASTROSMASH

Mattel, Inc.
for Mattel Intellivision
N.A./$25.00-30.00
1 player
Rating: PG
Graphics: 6
Game Play: 7
Longevity: 6

As a bottom-shooting game, we’re very fond of Astrosmash. It’s like an elaborate, free-falling variation of Space Invaders. And it contains enough extra elements (and game variations) to challenge all levels of armchair space gamers.

As in most bottom-shooters, you maneuver a laser cannon laterally via a joystick controller. Your goal is to blast and destroy your enemies as they descend or fly across the screen. Your enemies consist of: two sizes of falling rocks; two sizes of white spinners; guided missiles; and UFOs. Naturally, you gain points for each object that you shoot, but you also lose points for each object that makes it to the bottom of the screen or hits your laser gun.

We prefer Game Variation 4, although we practiced on easier levels. The basic strategies for Astrosmash consist mainly of common sense and practice: Always go after the more valuable enemies first (small spinners, guided missiles, and UFOs) and clean up the lesser targets when you have to. This will take some getting used to, but will also maximize your score.

Another good tactic involves shooting rocks. Rocks will often split in half when hit by your laser. Do your best to shoot both of these smaller pieces. They are each worth twice as much as the original rock. And keep in mind that in an emergency you can get out from under a falling rock by pressing the “Hyperspace” button. This will cause your laser to move randomly to one side.

We strongly recommend Astrosmash over Mattel’s other bottom-shooter — Space Armada. The graphics could be more spectacular, but the game play is still “smashing.”

COSMIC SWARM

CommaVid
for Atari VCS
$31.95/$26.00-28.00
1 payer
Rating: PG
Graphics: 7
Game Play: 6
Longevity: NA

Cosmic Swarm pits you against a force of interstellar, nest-building termites. This odd shoot-‘em-up game mixes elements of Space lnvaders, Centipede, Asteroids, and Pac-Man.

You control a free-moving, rotating space ship (a la Asteroids). You must shoot termites as they descend from the top of the screen. You must also content! with the nest blocks they drop. The fun begins when you shoot a block-carrying termite squarely on the bottom. Not only do you exterminate the termite, you “energize” all of the nest blocks as well (they change color). This is the only time any blocks can be destroyed.

Your only other task is to dock with the fuel ship each time it appears. Clear out the nests in the center of the screen first for a clear path to this floating gas pump.

We found that the game variations in Cosmic Swarm offer enough difficulty selections for broad shoot-‘em-up appeal.

MISSILE COMMAND

Atari, Inc.
for Atari VCS
$31.95/$24.00-27.00
1 or 2 players
Rating: R
Graphics: 7
Game Play: 8
Longevity: 8

A descendant of one of the arcades’ most successful space games, Atari’s Missile Command is a true home video classic and perhaps the ultimate test of your bottom-shooter defense mechanisms.

From your missile base, armed with 30 antiballistic missiles (ABMs), it is your job to defend six Zardonian cities from the Krytolians’ progressively aggressive air attacks. Your enemies, armed with interplanetary ballistic missiles (IPBMs) and cruise missiles, fire mercilessly at your colorful little skyscrapers. The only way to score during this fast-paced assault is to aim slightly ahead of our adversaries’ IPBMs.

As is common to most Atari cartridges, game variables can be adjusted to almost any skill level. The factors involved are: target control speed, the intelligence of the cruise missiles, and the speed of your enemies. Our favorite, game 8, offers the more aggressive player a little bit of everything.

SPACE INVADERS

Atari, Inc.
for Atari VCS
$31.95/$24.00-27.00
1 or 2 players
Rating: R
Graphics: 7
Game Play: 9
Longevity: 8

Of all the available bottom-shooting games that pit you against colorful rows of descending monsters, none can compare with the o e and only home version of the classic arcade game — Space Invaders.

Here are the basics: You control a laser cannon capable of horizontal movement only. Your objective is to destroy six rows of eery aliens before they reach the bottom of the screen or wipe out all three of your ships. You are supplied with three stationary shields to hide under, but the aliens’ lasers will slowly penetrate them.

We suggest that you shoot the outside vertical rows of aliens first. This will slow their descent. And always shoot the bonus command ship that occasionally flies across the top of the screen.

Atari offers 16 one-player and 96 two-player variations — enough to please all forms of Invader fans. But we prefer the version closest to the coin-op game — game 1 (or game 17 for two players) described above.

STARMASTER

Activision, Inc.
for Atari VCS
$31.95/$26.00-29.00
1 player
Rating: X
Graphics: 7
Game Play: 8
Longevity: 7

We like Starmaster’s realistic point of view. The feeling of being inside your Spaceship looking out is one of the most original ideas in home video.

As the Starmaster of your galaxy, you must constantly scan your Radar Screen to determine which of your Starbases are under attack. Then switch to the appropriate Battle Screen and destroy all of the enemy Starfighters in each sector. You must accomplish this using the least amount of time and energy, while avoiding damage to your ship.

Constantly monitor your Mission/Attack Control Computer (MACC) to determine your Energy Level, and Space Date (both contribute to your score), plus the amount of damage done to your Lasers, Shields, Engines and Radar. And stay away from dangerous enemy sectors if your Shields or Lasers have been knocked out. Repair this damage first by docking with one of your unoccupied Starbases.

We reserve Starmaster for home video wizards only!

ALIEN INVADERS PLUS

N.A.P. Consumer Electronics
for Odyssey²
$22.95/$18.00-20.00
1 player
Rating: G
Graphics: 6
Game Play: 5
Longevity: 5

Alien Invaders Plus is actually more of a minus. You shoot from below at three rows of descending aliens. The bottom row consists of barriers, and the middle row of missiles protects the vulnerable top row — a simple game.

PHASER PATROL

Arcadia, Inc.
tor Atari VCS
$69.95 (includes Supercharger)/NA
1 player
Rating: X
Graphics: 8
Game Play: 8
Longevity: 7

Phaser Patrol (included with Arcadia’s Supercharger) offers a search-and-destroy space theme nearly identical to Activision’s Starmaster. We applaud the high-resolution graphics and complex instrument panel — this is not a game for rookies.

SPACE BATTLE

Mattel, Inc.
for Mattel Intellivision
NA/$25.00-30.00
1 or 2 players
Rating: R
Graphics: 8
Game Play: 8
Longevity: 8

Space Battle is actually two strategic space games. You must battle eight to 15 alien craft on one screen, while simultaneously defending your Mother Ship from four enemies on another screen. Develop strict battle plans, and constantly monitor both battles via radar.

SPACE CAVERN

Games by Apollo, Inc.
for Atari VCS
$31.95/$26.00-29.00
1 or 2 players
Rating: PG
Graphics: 6
Game Play: 6
Longevity: 6

Space Cavern is another bottom-shooting game. Although we like the splashy graphics, game play is too predictable. Simply move your man to the middle and blast away as soon as you see the enemy. We still prefer Space Invaders.

STAR RAIDERS

Atari, Inc.
for Atari VCS
$37.95 (includes special controller)/$27.00-30.00
1 or 2 players
Rating: X
Graphics: 8
Game Play:8
Longevity: 7

One of the earliest through-the-window space games, Star Raiders requires the usual strategic maneuvers of defending starbases, while monitoring controls. And we like the special controller included.

STAR VOYAGER

Imagic, Inc.
for Atari VCS
$31.95/$25.00-27.00
1 or 2 players
Rating: G
Graphics: 7
Game Play: 8
Longevity: 7

Star Voyager is a simplified through-the-window space game that appeals to more aggressive (less strategic) video pilots. Consult your radar screen to locate aliens and blast away! Then fly through a time warp to begin a more difficult wave.

STELLAR TRACK

Sears Tele-Games
for Atari VCS
$28.00/NA
1 player
Rating: X
Graphics: 3
Game Play: 8
Longevity: 7

Be advised: Steller Track is a theoretical battle game for skilled strategists only! Using computerized charts, maps, and status reports, you must determine the most logical battle plan. The computer will determine your success or failure and print the results on your screen.

ZAXXON

Coleco, Inc.
for ColecoVision
NA/$48.00-52.00
1 or 2 players
Rating: PG
Graphics: 10
Game Play: 9
Longevity: 8

A must for space pilots of all levels, Zaxxon transports you through incredibly realistic, 3-D cities, battling fighter planes, force fields, and a deadly robot. Maintaining a straight course in this arcade descendent will help you dodge enemy missiles and destroy fuel tanks.