Designer(s) Ed Salvo Developer Games by Apollo Genre Shoot 'em up | Initial release date 1981 Publisher Games by Apollo | |
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Platforms Atari 2600, Atari 8-bit family Modes Single-player video game, Multiplayer video game Similar Games by Apollo games, Shoot 'em up games | ||
Classic game room spacechase atari 2600 review
Spacechase is an Atari 2600 video game written by Ed Salvo and published by Games by Apollo in 1981.
Contents
Atari vcs 2600 spacechase games by apollo monogrammed version
Gameplay
In orbit of an unnamed "moon," the player uses a Starcruiser to destroy formations of alien enemy raiders that attack from above. The lunar surface rotates in the background, but has no effect on gameplay. The player's ship can maneuver in eight directions within the lower third of the game screen. As the game advances, the aliens attacks begin to include "Lazer-Directed Heat-Seeking Proton Missiles".
The game features single and two-player games, with the latter having players alternate turns. The game can be handicapped for each player by setting the Atari's Difficulty Switch. In the "A" position the player's shots are slower than when the switch is in the "B" position.
Market presence
Spacechase went on to become Apollo's best selling title. Apollo also marketed Spacechase with an offer to make customized or "monogrammed" versions of Spacechase. Less than 10 were sold, and several were given to press including Electronic Games magazine co-founder Arnie Katz.
PM Magazine came to Apollo's offices to film a segment on Apollo and Spacechase, with Leeza Gibbons doing the interview. The segment included programmer Ed Salvo making a customized Spacechase for Gibbons, changing three shapes in the explosion graphic to her initials. When her ship was destroyed, Leeza's initials appeared.