Astrosmash

About

Astrosmash puts you in charge of a laser canon fending off waves of falling objects. Your mission is simple: shoot meteors, bombs, and occasional UFOs before they pass your line of defense. Each destroyed target adds to your score while missed threats drain points or lives. Meteors come in different sizes and colors, some splitting into smaller pieces when hit. Bombs spin dangerously and must be destroyed outright to avoid losing a life. As the game progresses, new challenges like guided missiles and enemy craft add urgency to your defense. The 1981 original’s frenetic pace and responsive controls have kept it relevant through modern ports on PC and consoles. Without power-ups or complex mechanics, success hinges on quick reflexes and strategic prioritizing. Community reviews highlight its addictive high-score chasing and straightforward design. While short on story, the no-frills action and escalating difficulty make it a standout in the arcade shooter genre. Its legacy as a Mattel Electronics title for Intellivision adds retro charm for fans of early gaming.

Storyline

The Intellivision game catalog features the exciting caption, "Spin. Blast. And drop into hyperspace to avoid a killer asteroid shower. Power on. Attack computer engaged. Fire a quick burst at the alien antagonists. Got 'em!" The actual package gives a more specific description: "You're in command of a battery of laser guns. You have unlimited ammo and a lot of targets! You can roll up big scores by hitting a spectactular barrage of falling rocks, bombs, guided missiles and attacking UFOs..."