Alpha Beam With Ernie

About

Alpha Beam With Ernie is a 1983 puzzle game where you steer a space shuttle collecting alphabet letters as fuel canisters. Each letter you grab has to make it back to your ship before you can advance. The game supports two players taking turns, adding a competitive layer to the letter-hunting mission. Control is handled through simple directional inputs, with options for a standard controller or the specially designed Kid's Controller. It's a straightforward challenge that ties gameplay to learning basics, though the focus is more on quick thinking than deep strategy. What sets Alpha Beam apart is its educational angle, aiming to teach letter recognition through play. Released during the early days of home gaming, it's a relic from when edutainment was starting to gain traction. While the pixelated visuals and basic mechanics might feel dated, the concept remains clever. It has a niche following among retro and edutainment enthusiasts. With a release date of December 1, 1983, it's a piece of Atari 2600 history.