Phaser Patrol Explained

Phaser Patrol
Developer:Starpath
Publisher:Starpath
Designer:Dennis Caswell[1]
Genre:Space combat simulator
Modes:Single-player
Platforms:Atari 2600

Phaser Patrol, written by Dennis Caswell,[1] is the first numbered release by Arcadia for the Atari 2600 and the pack-in game for the Atari 2600 Supercharger accessory in 1982. The company changed its name to Starpath after launch, and the hardware was rebranded the Starpath Supercharger.

The game simulates space combat in which the player pilots a ship to destroy Dracon invaders. It is largely a clone of Star Raiders for the Atari 8-bit computers.

Reception

BYTE stated of Phaser Patrol that "the hyperdrive simulation is very addictive ... Scoring well in this game is a combination of skill and strategy",[2] Danny Goodman of Creative Computing Video & Arcade Games praised the high resolution of the game's instrument panel as an example of the Supercharger's excellent graphics.[3]

The game was a runner-up in the category of "Best Video Game Audiovisual Effects" at the 4th annual Arkie Awards.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers. Hague. James.
  2. News: The Coinless Arcade - Rediscovered . BYTE . December 1982 . 19 October 2013 . Clark, Pamela . Williams, Gregg . 84.
  3. Goodman . Danny . Danny Goodman . Spring 1983 . Home Video Games: Video Games Update . Creative Computing Video & Arcade Games . 32.
  4. Kunkel . Bill . Bill Kunkel (gaming). Katz . Arnie . Arnie Katz. February 1983 . Arcade Alley: The Fourth Annual Arcade Awards . Video. Reese Communications. 6. 11. 30, 108. 0147-8907.