Space Wars (Cinematronics 1977)

The first vector game, designed by Larry Rosenthal

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Arcade
• classic
• video
• games
• Cinematronics
• vector

[stcredzero]

I played that in a Marriott hotel game room in Philadelphia when I was in grade school. Loved that game.  Loved how the ships could take partial damage. (You could be hit in just the left drive section, the right drive section, or both. If one was hit, you could only turn in one direction. If both were hit, you were a dead duck, but could still fire.)

[a70duster]

Remember the repelling sun?

[CaesiusX]

This was my favorite game. Still is, actually - though I haven't played in decades. Oh how I miss this. I loved the many variations you could set before you started.

[dye46]

I have the Vectorbeam version of this game in my basement, waaaay cool. Fun to play with the different modes...beginner "very fast" (no inertia) mode the ship is faster than your projectiles so you have to make sure you don't shoot yourself!

The game has no microprocessor...it uses a bit-slice computer built out of TTL logic parts.

[bectonbrainwave]

in 77 i played this in st louis[vacation] then in 78 they got it in peoria at the alladins castle. my friends ronald roger , jeff and i had tournys with this game. you guys recall the hyperspace feature roger used that 50 times to escape me at least..he never exploded.every time i used it i would explode..or appear next to the sun and get attracted into it.the best game pre 80s...awesome

[SamSpade2010]

I remember with this game you could shoot pennies up the coin-return chute to get credits.

[kristell9]

Oh, yeah. You entered variables into the keypad before the game started. I played this many times with friends in a theater lobby waiting for the movie to start!

Even if you got hit, the front of the ship stayed intact. You were immobile but could still fire.

I don't think you could play against the computer with this one....

[Mattcrowley2a]

I think I remember playin' this in Florida.

[landraiderares]

I adored that feature. Taking out your opponent's thrusters with good shots and taunting them by flying around their helpless helm section before blasting it to bits was great fun. And it had so many variations that you'd never tire of it. Such a great game.

[chiefhighliner1]

omg dude thanks for the memories, I used to pump quarters into this game in the UA 150 Theater in Seattle between Star Wars movie times in the lobby, wow I miss 1977! Thanks again!