Description

"Spider Fighter" is a classic video game developed for the Atari 2600 / VCS, and released by Activision in 1982. Designed by Larry Miller, who also created "Beamrider," the game puts players in the role of a "Master Gardener" tasked with defending a fruit orchard from a relentless swarm of insect attackers. The gameplay is fast-paced and arcade-styled, focusing on shooting down various bugs, including spiders, that descend upon the orchard to steal the player's fruit. Players control a small ship, the "Spray Gun," moving horizontally at the bottom of the screen, shooting upwards at the invading insects, which increase in speed and number as the game progresses, adding to the challenge.

"Spider Fighter" is notable for its vibrant graphics and smooth controls, qualities that were praised during its time for pushing the Atari 2600's capabilities. The game was part of the second wave of games released by Activision, a company founded by former Atari programmers who were crucial in advancing the video game industry by focusing on high-quality game design and graphics. The scoring system in "Spider Fighter" is another aspect that drew players, with various points awarded not just for hitting enemies, but also for preserving the fruit. Bonuses and extra lives are also awarded based on the player's performance, making it a challenging task to achieve high scores. The game was well-received and is still regarded as one of the more intense and engaging shooters for the Atari 2600.

Title

Spider Fighter - Title

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Gameplay

Spider Fighter - Gameplay

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