SPIDER FIGHTER
1983
◼︎ There are some remarkably sophisticated mechanics in
Spider Fighter
considering that it looks like a simple shooter. You have to blast spider-themed foes that try to steal your fruit, but things get more complicated thanks to the ways the enemies interact. Master Nests are the main fruit stealers and they also release Spy Pods, which makes the nests temporarily vulnerable to your poison pellets. Pods instruct the nests to hatch more offspring, so wiping out pods is a priority. Green Widows also emerge from the nests, and they protect them by laying down cover fire and sacrificing themselves to protect their progenitor. Lastly, Stingers evolve from pods and widows when you take out a nest. Stingers are the most dangerous enemy in the game, as they home in on your craft with their missiles in an attempt to destroy it. You can choose pre-game to fire shots straight up or to steer them once they’re in the air.