Gyruss, 1983 Konami/Centuri (20 From 1983 #9)
18Hey folks; welcome to game #9 (Number 9.. Number 9.. Number 9..) in my 20 From 1983 series, and it's a classic by Konami with great music and sound effects (some Bach music is used!). This game is best described as TEMPEST meets GALAGA, as the action originates from the distance in the center of the screen and moves outwards towards you, and it's a game with non-vector graphics (unlike Tempest) with groups of enemies that emerge before settling in formation, like Galaga. Plus, there are bonus stages similar to Galaga (and you get a similar 10,000 point bonus for shooting all enemies). Your ship will make a complete circle around the edge of the screen, and you use a joystick (not a spinner like in Tempest) that allows movement up to the left or right edge, then you must either continue moving the joystick in a circular motion or center the joystick and then move again in the previous direction. Enemies will emerge either from the center of the screen from the distance, or they may emerge from the edge of the screen-- don't worry; if they move through you as they emerge they won't kill you by ramming you.. but they can after that point. Enemies will either try to ram you or shoot you, so you need to constantly move around to avoid death! A singular shot isn't particularly impressive firepower, so thankfully there are many opportunities to get DOUBLE shots! They are given by orange little planetoids that appear on occasion, and when you shoot it your ship will fire double shots until you die. The planetoid is accompanied by 2 tri-pod shaped enemies that give pretty decent bonuses for being shot. Upon getting the double shot, the planetoid won't appear until you die. Instead it's replaced by 3 tri-pod enemies, and they are worth 1,000, then 1,500, then 2,000 for the last-- pretty good scoring! Your ship flies through the Milky Way solar system trying to save planets one by one; though not all the planets are on your list (you don't save Pluto [though it's no longer considered a planet], nor Venus, nor Mercury). Your final destination is Earth, and you repeat the same planets after its liberation and subsequent bonus stage. Bonus points are given for eliminating a group of enemies-- an early example of what would become a staple in many later shooters. If you think this is a great shooter (and it is), check out the NES port by Ultra Games-- it's really fun! See you soon with game #8!