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.[2] Astro Blaster features speech synthesis technology, and 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)Gremlin Industries[1]
Publisher(s)Sega
Designer(s)Gary Shannon[2]
Barbara Michalec[2]
Platform(s)Arcade
Genre(s)Fixed shooter
Mode(s)Single player
2 players, alternating
CabinetVertical, cocktail, cabaret
Arcade systemSega G80
CPU1 × Z80 @ 3.867 MHz[3]
SoundI8035, SP0250
DisplayRaster, 224×256 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 25 undisclosed tasks or "secret bonuses", such as shooting all enemies in a specific order or shooting all enemies without missing.[3]

Legacy

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

The current world record high score is held by Gus Pappas with 299,100 points as of November 20, 1982.[4]

Reception
gollark: Appearance/Basic Anatomy Their golden scales retain heat better than other dragons. The twin dorsal fins at their shoulders grow slowly. When first born, the golden scales are at their brightest and then dull over time. The dorsal and tail spines are not sharp. The underbelly has harder scales than the rest of the body. Three digits on each wing, with a small claw-like digit at the central joint. Eyes have slit pupils that are bright apple green. The tail is prehensile to a degree and helps steady movements.Hatchling Behavior Hatchlings are timid but curious. At a young age, scales start out sharp. When encountering other metallic dragons, Golds become very talkative. They can’t do much flying until the twin dorsal fins are long enough.Adult Behavior Can be persnickety at times. Absolutely love objects as shiny as they are. Being hunted for their lustrous scales has made them tend to avoid humans. Dislike direct sunlight when in groups. Highly intelligent compared to other breeds. Have studied humans to a small degree but are not particularly impresssed with them.Habitat Can be found near caves. Hatchlings tend not to stay where they are supposed to. Prefer dense wooded areas.Diet Primary diet of large game and pack animals. Are careful to avoid killing off entire herds. “Snack” on nuts, if available.
gollark: Gold what?
gollark: INdeed.
gollark: `his horse travelling with the speed of a thousand gazelles`
gollark: `his horse as fast as a horse capable of moving somewhat above the median speed of horses`

References
  1. "Overseas Readers Column - Japan's First Video Copyright Registered". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 175. Amusement Press, Inc. October 15, 1981. p. 42.
  2. Hague, James. "The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers".
  3. "Astro Blaster arcade video game by SEGA". Arcade History.
  4. "Twin Galaxies' Astro Blaster High Score Rankings". Archived from the original on December 17, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2009.
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