You were only a couple of levels into Robotron: 2084 and you were already feeling the pressure. Enemies were attacking you from all angles and the onslaught was relentless. Granted, using a second joystick to fire in any direction was certainly helpful, but it didn’t stop you from being overwhelmed by the sheer number of foes you were facing. It felt like the developer was out to get you and you kept praying for a reprieve that sadly never came.
Reaching Robotron’s fifth stage not only introduced you to a brand-new enemy, but also saw the very people you were trying to rescue turn against you. Initially you’re excited by the sheer number of women patrolling the screen as they represent a huge number of points that should not only send your score rocketing, but also net you at least one extra life. They even outnumber the new big-brained enemies, which further boosts your confidence. Suddenly, and without warning, the women are turned by your new foe, transforming them into deadly missiles that streak towards you. Needless to say, death quickly follows.
BIO
Eugene Jarvis and Larry DeMar’s Robotron: 2084 made its debut in 1982. Famed for its twin-stick controls and the sheer amount of sprites it threw around the screen, it became a staple of arcades and is often cited by our Desert Island Disks interviewees as one of their favourite games. It was ported to numerous home systems in the years following its release and has inspired many games, including Jeff Minter’s Llamatron and Eugene Jarvis’ spiritual follow-up Smash TV. It’s playable today via Midway Arcade Origins on Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X.