Word Zapper
| Word Zapper | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | James Wickstead Design Associates[1] |
| Publisher(s) | U.S. Games |
| Designer(s) | Henry Will IV[2] |
| Platform(s) | Atari 2600 |
| Release | 1982 |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Word Zapper is an Atari 2600 game written by Henry Will IV[2] and published under the Vidtec label of U.S. Games in 1982. Word Zapper is a mixture of spelling and arcade gaming, in which a word appears at the bottom of the screen and then letters scroll across the top which can be shot to spell words.[3]
Gameplay[]
The player controls a spaceship-like "Zapper" which can move about the screen and shoot up, left, and right. The objective is to shoot the letters that spell the current word, in order, while shooting or avoiding asteroids in the lower portion of the screen.[4] There are four types of asteroids, and each has a different effect if it comes into contact with the Zapper. The "Doomsday" asteroid ends the game. The "Scroller" asteroid mixes up the scrolling letters for five seconds. The "Zonker" and "Bonker" asteroids knock the Zapper to the side.
The game ends after being hit by a doomsday asteroid, after the 99 second timer runs down, or the ultimate goal of completing three words.[4]
Reception[]
Richard A. Edwards reviewed Word Zapper in The Space Gamer No. 59.[3] Edwards commented that "It is difficult to make a statement concerning recommendation. Word Zapper is innovative enough to draw attention at first, but it will depend on the individual gamer whether another arcade shooting match with letters is worth the price tag."[3]
In the 1983 Arcade Awards, Word Zapper was one of two runners-up for the "Most Innovative Videogame" category.[5]
References[]
- ^ Stilphen, Scott (2014). "Interview with Todd Marshall". Atari Compendium.
- ^ a b Hague, James. "The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers".
- ^ a b c Edwards, Richard A. (January 1983). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (59): 46, 48.
- ^ a b "Word Zapper Manual". archive.org. U.S. Games.
- ^ Katz, Arnie; Kunkel, Bill (January 1983). "1983 Arcade Awards". Electronic Games. 1 (11): 23–24.
External links[]
- Word Zapper at Atari Mania
- Word Zapper can be played for free in the browser at the Internet Archive
- Review in Electronic Fun with Computers & Games
- 1982 video games
- Atari 2600 games
- Atari 2600-only games
- Video games developed in the United States
- Word puzzle video games