In the world of arcade games of the early 1980s, there are a few timeless classics that have left a lasting impact on a young Arcader like me. One such game that deserves that title is Astro Fighter, the first arcade game developed by Data East. Most of you know how much this game meant to me- I did a Coin Up article about it a few years ago!
Released in 1980, Astro Fighter was a space-themed shoot ’em up game that captivated gamers with its challenging levels and innovative features. In this post, we will delve into the history of Astro Fighter and explore why it remains a beloved classic among arcade game enthusiasts. So, buckle up and get ready for a trip back to the golden age of gaming!
Astro Fighter, as its name suggests, revolves around an intergalactic battle for survival. Players take control of a starship, entrusted with the duty of defending the galaxy against an alien invasion. Armed with only the ship’s laser cannons, players must navigate through a sea of enemy spaceships, dodging their relentless attacks and destroying as many adversaries as possible. But watch out! If you let even one escape to the bottom- the fleet resets, costing you valuable fuel!
And because the distribution of the game in the U.S. was Sega- we got two different uprights! The one I played on was the cocktail table at the deli down the street from my house- then Dream Machine got the Sega upright! It came in several different styles- check it out!
There’s only a couple of home ports- but the one to try is on the Atari 7800!
Have you ever played Astro Fighter? Have you ever hit the GS fuel droid with one shot?
Let me know in the comments!
Keep Playin’ Like It’s 1981!
The Arcade Archives! 
For being their first Arcade game Astro Fighter definitely stands out. It uses gameplay styles from Space Invaders and Galaxian, yet with some originality too. Especially with trying to shoot down that fuel power up at the end of each stage, and like you said, making sure no enemy ship makes it to the bottom of the screen.
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