Missile Command
Missile Command is another classic Atari arcade game where players defend cities from incoming missile attacks using a trackball and buttons. It was released in 1980 and was designed by Dave Theurer, who also designed Tempest.
In Missile Command, the player controls a missile base that is tasked with defending six cities from incoming missiles. The player uses a trackball to move the cursor around the screen and click the buttons to launch missiles at the incoming missiles. The player must also be careful not to shoot down their own missiles, as this will result in a loss of points.
The game is played over a series of levels, each of which becomes increasingly difficult. The number of incoming missiles increases, and the missiles become faster and more difficult to hit. The player must also contend with enemy bombers, which can destroy the missile bases themselves.
The goal of the game is to survive as long as possible and defend as many cities as possible. The player can earn points by shooting down missiles and bombers, and they can also earn bonus points by destroying enemy bases. The game ends when all six cities are destroyed or when the player runs out of missiles.
Missile Command was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the most influential arcade games of all time. It was praised for its simple yet addictive gameplay, its challenging difficulty level, and its innovative use of vector graphics. Missile Command has been ported to a number of home consoles and computers, and it is still enjoyed by players today.