BEAMRIDER
1984
◼︎ The presentation and core mechanic underpinning
Beamrider
differentiate it from all other 2600 fixed-screen shooters. Enemy Saucers scream towards you on a moving 3D grid. You need to dispatch 15 of them on each sector before tackling a Sector Sentinel. These try to escape as Green Blockers rain down fire on you. You have unlimited lasers, but only your torpedoes can destroy a sentinel, and as you only get three per sector you need to save at least one for these bosses. As you progress through the sectors, the saucers start firing back and various secondary foes join the fray. There are also Yellow Rejuvenators. If you catch one you get an extra life, but if accidentally shot they become deadly fireballs. Lastly,
Beamrider’s aforementioned 3D grid defines its core mechanic, where if you move left or right your craft jumps from one vertical grid line to another. Your enemies also stick to these lines, and so taking shots requires precise timing.