Space Attack

About

Space Attack is a single-player arcade game for the Commodore VIC-20 where you maneuver a ship at the bottom of the screen to fend off waves of descending aliens. Your vessel moves left and right, firing upward as enemy ships drift side to side and unleash straight or angled fire. Each destroyed alien gives 10 to 40 points based on its type. The game ramps up intensity with faster enemies as you progress through three difficulty settings. You start each round with three ships, balancing dodging and shooting to survive as long as possible. What makes Space Attack notable is its straightforward yet challenging gameplay, designed around reflexes and timing. Released in 1982, it reflects early arcade simplicity, focusing on relentless action over complex mechanics. The scoring system provides short-term goals, while escalating difficulty ensures repeats feel tougher. Its influence is minor, but it remains a relic of the VIC-20’s short-lived but dedicated library. No modern remakes exist, but the core loop still works as a test of quick thinking.

Storyline

As the pilot of an intergalactic battleship, you have to fight your way through wave after wave of various alien ships.