"Alien Attack" by Tomy, vintage LSI VFD computer video game.

This is my classic Tomy "Alien Attack" VFD Vacuum Fluorescent Panel video game, with sound.

It is essentially a stand-alone implementation of the classic videogame "Scramble", and arguably one of the best VFD games ever made.

It works with 4 "C" size batteries (using rechargeables in this case) or with an external DC adaptor, and the VFD panel is a delight to use in the dark!

Has two levels of difficulty, "AMA" and "PRO" (the second is faster and harder), and it plays very similar to the original "Scramble" game. Here, I'm playing through a complete level at "PRO" difficulty.

I got this circa 1988 or 1989, and kept it in working order all those years.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• video
• computer
• game
• lsi
• alien
• attack
• scramble
• vintage
• classic
• retro
• vacuum
• fluorescent
• display
• vfd
• tomy

[Snuffomatica]

Now that was a bit weird, and a little dopey of me ... I got about 20% of the way into this video, then I see my reflection in the screen of this game which seemed totally normal :D. When I finally came to my senses (and through having to move my head to confirm it) I suddenly realized there's no way it could be me and that it must be you. I think I need some sleep :) Thanks for posting. I had (still do somewhere) the Caveman game. Same housing and some very similar sound FX.

[Velktron]

Lol, very trippy dude :-p Remember to get your sleep, kids ;-)

[TaxiLuvver]

I remember that thing ate up batteries like no ones business. I had to get a AC adapter for it.

[Velktron]

Yup....alkalines of that day were quite unlike modern ones, zinc-carbon were shite, and rechargeables were too expensive to even consider using with a toy. On this video it's running on LIDL NiMHs though ;-)

[Lachlant1984]

The fact that they managed to produce those kinds of graphics with a VFD screen is amazing. Death to LCD Screens. This is why I liked Speak and Spell even though I never owned one, because it too used a VFD screen. I played this game for the first time at Game On last year, and I quite liked it. When were these games made.

[Velktron]

Mostly early to late 80s, with early ones being somewhat crude, and titles such as Alien Attack approaching perfection for their class :-)

[CooIGamer]

240p we meet again..

[gmill3482]

@muslimini I just got finished watching a video about the "Alien Attck" game and saw that you said you had one for sale. I know its a long shot but was wondering if you still had it to sell?

[gmill3482]

Man I use to have this game I loved it. I wish I could find another one it brings back so many memories

[RomanticLinguaphilia]

Wow... very impressive for the time... and beautiful too... all that luscious red and advertising labeling not essential to gameplay...

Anyway, I'm surprised both these people and Coleco could release similar toys under same name...

[douro20]

It was LSI which made stuff like this possible...before LSI it would had been twice as large!

[Martinofredwall100]

I would love to find this in a second hand store!

[catfishkempster]

Very cool. I have one of these that I found at a Value Village thrift store. PLays well and looks great... well, for what it is. It is a Scramble like game.

[neoband]

I had this!! Loved it. My favourite was BMX Championship Racer.