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 combines spelling exercises with action gaming, as the player must shoot letters that scroll across the top of the screen to complete words.[3]
| Word Zapper | |
|---|---|
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| 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 |
Gameplay
editThe 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
editRichard 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]
Reviews
editReferences
edit- ^ 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 (59). Steve Jackson Games: 46, 48.
- ^ a b "Word Zapper Manual". archive.org. U.S. Games. 1982.
- ^ Katz, Arnie; Kunkel, Bill (January 1983). "1983 Arcade Awards". Electronic Games. 1 (11): 23–24.
- ^ http://www.gamefreaks365.com/review.php?artid=1774 [dead link]
- ^ https://woodgrainwonderland.com/2018/12/09/atari-2600-game-reviews-winter-games-through-words-attack/ [dead link]
- ^ "Word Zapper - the Atari Times". [dead link]
- ^ http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=9284&tab=review [dead link]
- ^ "HonestGamers - Word Zapper (Atari 2600)".
- ^ "Atari 2600 Reviews U-Z by the Video Game Critic".
External links
edit- 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