
The Empire Strikes Back (Arcade)
Released: 1985
Systems: Arcade
The Basics
Insert Coin.
It seems Atari realized the error of its ways after Return of the Jedi because soon after, it released an Empire Strikes Back conversion kit for Star Wars. Although the sequel used the same color vector graphics, gameplay, and first-person perspective as its predecessor, few machines were actually produced, making it one of the more rare arcade games out there.
The Details
Darth Vader is looking for you.
There are three difficulty levels to choose from before the game begins: Easy starts you out at wave 1 with no bonus points, medium starts at wave 2 with 100,000 bonus points, and hard starts at wave 3 with 250,000 bonus points. Each wave consists of four stages, and each wave becomes successively harder.
Stage 1: Probe Droids
Shoot six probe droids.
Stop the Empire's probe droids from sending transmissions to Darth Vader. Avoid or deflect their fireballs, while trying to destroy them. Once four transmissions have gotten through, you move on to the next stage.
Stage 2: AT-ATs and AT-STs
Go for the legs!
Use your laser cannons to destroy the AT-ST walkers and your tow cable to topple the AT-ATs.
Stage 3: Tie Fighters
This stage is very similar to the opening stage of Star Wars, in that you are battling against TIE fighters. The only difference is that you are flying the Millennium Falcon instead of an X-wing.
Stage 4: Asteroids
Asteroids dead ahead.
You've entered an asteroid field! The Falcon's laser cannons are not powerful enough to destroy the asteroids, so take evasive action and maneuver around them.
The Verdict
Another casualty of the video game crash of the mid '80s, The Empire Strikes Back is one of the best arcade games you've probably never played. If it had been released earlier, Atari could've had another winner on its hands. This was the last Star Wars video game for six years, and since it came out right during the arcade crash, it's very rare.
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