Summary
- Release Year: 1983
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Atari 2600
- Developers: Starpath
- Publishers: Starpath
Killer Satellites (1983): A Retro Arcade Classic
Killer Satellites is a classic arcade game released in 1983 by Atari, Inc. It is a fixed shooter game in which the player controls a spaceship that must shoot down satellites before they destroy the player’s town. The game is notable for its fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and innovative use of 3D graphics.
Gameplay
The player controls a spaceship that is flying above their town. Satellites will drop from the sky and show on the radar area at the top of the screen. The player must fly to the satellites and shoot them before they reach the town. The player’s spaceship is equipped with a laser cannon that can be fired by pressing the fire button. The laser can be moved up and down to aim at the satellites.
The player’s spaceship has a limited amount of fuel, which is displayed on the fuel gauge at the bottom of the screen. If the player runs out of fuel, they will lose a life. The player’s spaceship also has a laser heat indicator, which is displayed below the fuel gauge. If the laser gets too hot, it will not fire until it cools down.
The town’s forcefield can stop the satellites, but it will also stop the player’s spaceship. If the player’s spaceship flies into the forcefield, they will lose a life.
In later levels, the player must contend with meteors as well as satellites. Meteors cannot be shot, but they cannot penetrate the town’s shields. However, the player will lose a life if they ram into a meteor.
Development
Killer Satellites was developed by Atari’s coin-op video game division in Sunnyvale, California. The game was designed by Ed Rotberg and programmed by Owen Rubin. The game’s graphics were designed by George O’Hanlon.
Killer Satellites was one of the first arcade games to use 3D graphics. The game’s satellites and meteors are rendered in 3D, which gives the game a more realistic look than other arcade games of the time.
Release
Killer Satellites was released in arcades in 1983. The game was a commercial success, and it was ported to several home computers, including the Atari 2600, Atari 5200, and Commodore 64.
Reception
Killer Satellites was well-received by critics upon its release. The game was praised for its fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and innovative use of 3D graphics. Killer Satellites was also a commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the classic arcade games of the 1980s.
Legacy
Killer Satellites is still enjoyed by retro gamers today. The game is available on several retro gaming consoles and emulators. Killer Satellites has also been featured in several video game compilations, including the Atari Anniversary Collection and the Midway Arcade Treasures collection.
Tips for Playing Killer Satellites
- Conserve your fuel. Fuel is essential for staying in the air and shooting down satellites. Avoid flying around unnecessarily, and only use your laser when you need to.
- Keep your laser cool. The laser can overheat if you fire it too often. If the laser overheats, it will not fire until it cools down.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye on the radar area at the top of the screen to see where the satellites are coming from. Also, be aware of the meteors that will start to appear in later levels.
- Don’t be afraid to use the forcefield. The forcefield can stop the satellites, but it will also stop your spaceship. However, it can be useful to fly into the forcefield to avoid being hit by a satellite.
- Practice makes perfect. The best way to get good at Killer Satellites is to practice. The more you play, the better you will become at conserving fuel, keeping your laser cool, and avoiding the satellites and meteors.
Conclusion
Killer Satellites is a classic arcade game that is still enjoyed by retro gamers today. The game’s fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and innovative use of 3D graphics make it a must-play for any fan of classic arcade games.
Review Score
7/10
Art
Cover Art
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