Mine Storm: Difference between revisions
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'''''Mine Storm''''' (also written as '''''MineStorm''''') is a [[multidirectional shooter]] similar to [[Atari, Inc.]]'s 1979 ''[[Asteroids (game)|Asteroids]]'' arcade game. |
'''''Mine Storm''''' (also written as '''''MineStorm''''') is a [[multidirectional shooter]] similar to [[Atari, Inc.]]'s 1979 ''[[Asteroids (game)|Asteroids]]'' arcade game. Designed and programmed by John Hall<ref name="giantlist"/>, it was published in 1982 by General Consumer Electronics as the [[pack-in game|built-in game]]<ref name="clark198212">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/byte-magazine-1982-12/1982_12_BYTE_07-12_Game_Plan_1982#page/n93/mode/2up | title=The Vectrex Arcade System | work=BYTE | date=December 1982 | accessdate=19 October 2013 | author=Clark, Pamela | pages=92–93}}</ref> for the [[Vectrex]] system. Although not provided on a physical cartridge, as the game was integrated in the Vectrex internal ROM, a Mine Storm screen overlay and manual were included with each system to support the game. |
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==Gameplay== |
==Gameplay== |
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Mine Storm's gameplay is very similar to that of Atari's ''[[Asteroids (game)|Asteroids]]''.{{r|ahl1983spring}} The game begins with a large enemy ship dropping mines onto the field (which appear as randomly scattered dots) as an ominous jingle plays, and moves from the top to the bottom of the screen, where it disappears. The player's ship starts in the middle of the field with 5 lives. Numerous mines then start popping up, as they grow out of the stationary dots on the play field, and begin drifting about. As each floating mine is destroyed a smaller mine pops up to replace it, requiring three hits to completely eliminate a mine-type. The player must destroy all of the mines, of three sizes, in order to progress to the next minefield. All of the mines can be destroyed with one shot (which activate a smaller replacement mine), or hit with the player's ship, costing the player a life. |
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There are 4 types of mines, and each distinctively different in shape. The regular mines simply drift, the second level has mines that shoot fireballs back when destroyed, then the third level has magnetic mines that follow the player's ship if neared, and the last are magnetic mines that also shot fireballs back. A combination of mine types appear on the same level as the player progresses. The player can hit 'escape' to teleport to a random area of the screen, as risky strategy. 'Thrust' moves the ship around the play-field. As the player nears the completion of a level, an enemy saucer ship zig-zags around the screen. It is destroyed with one shot, however if not immediately eliminated, it will drop new additional mines that must be cleared. The game offers two player support, each taking its own turn, with separate point scoring appearing on screen. |
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The original version that came packaged with the Vectrex system included a bug causing the game to crash on the thirteenth level. Players who called GCE ([[Milton Bradley Company|Milton Bradley]] in the UK) and reported the bug received a ''MineStorm II'' cartridge free of charge in the mail.<ref name="MinestormCrash">{{cite web |url=http://classicgaming.gamespy.com/View.php?view=ConsoleMuseum.Detail&id=20&game=12 |title=Vectrex - 1982-1984 - Classic Gaming |accessdate=2009-10-30 |publisher=Classic Gaming |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091017091430/http://classicgaming.gamespy.com/View.php?view=ConsoleMuseum.Detail&id=20&game=12 |archivedate=2009-10-17 }}</ref> Only a few people did this, making the game extremely rare.<ref>[http://www.rarityguide.com/vectrex_view.php GCE Vectrex Rarity Guide]</ref> |
The original version that came packaged with the Vectrex system included a bug causing the game to crash on the thirteenth level. Players who called GCE ([[Milton Bradley Company|Milton Bradley]] in the UK) and reported the bug received a ''MineStorm II'' cartridge free of charge in the mail.<ref name="MinestormCrash">{{cite web |url=http://classicgaming.gamespy.com/View.php?view=ConsoleMuseum.Detail&id=20&game=12 |title=Vectrex - 1982-1984 - Classic Gaming |accessdate=2009-10-30 |publisher=Classic Gaming |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091017091430/http://classicgaming.gamespy.com/View.php?view=ConsoleMuseum.Detail&id=20&game=12 |archivedate=2009-10-17 }}</ref> Only a few people did this, making the game extremely rare.<ref>[http://www.rarityguide.com/vectrex_view.php GCE Vectrex Rarity Guide]</ref> |
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Revision as of 07:20, 28 June 2023
| Mine Storm | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publisher(s) | General Consumer Electronics |
| Programmer(s) | John Hall[1] |
| Platform(s) | Vectrex |
| Release | 1982 |
| Genre(s) | Multidirectional shooter |
Mine Storm (also written as MineStorm) is a multidirectional shooter similar to Atari, Inc.'s 1979 Asteroids arcade game. Designed and programmed by John Hall[1], it was published in 1982 by General Consumer Electronics as the built-in game[2] for the Vectrex system. Although not provided on a physical cartridge, as the game was integrated in the Vectrex internal ROM, a Mine Storm screen overlay and manual were included with each system to support the game.
Gameplay
Mine Storm's gameplay is very similar to that of Atari's Asteroids.[3] The game begins with a large enemy ship dropping mines onto the field (which appear as randomly scattered dots) as an ominous jingle plays, and moves from the top to the bottom of the screen, where it disappears. The player's ship starts in the middle of the field with 5 lives. Numerous mines then start popping up, as they grow out of the stationary dots on the play field, and begin drifting about. As each floating mine is destroyed a smaller mine pops up to replace it, requiring three hits to completely eliminate a mine-type. The player must destroy all of the mines, of three sizes, in order to progress to the next minefield. All of the mines can be destroyed with one shot (which activate a smaller replacement mine), or hit with the player's ship, costing the player a life.
There are 4 types of mines, and each distinctively different in shape. The regular mines simply drift, the second level has mines that shoot fireballs back when destroyed, then the third level has magnetic mines that follow the player's ship if neared, and the last are magnetic mines that also shot fireballs back. A combination of mine types appear on the same level as the player progresses. The player can hit 'escape' to teleport to a random area of the screen, as risky strategy. 'Thrust' moves the ship around the play-field. As the player nears the completion of a level, an enemy saucer ship zig-zags around the screen. It is destroyed with one shot, however if not immediately eliminated, it will drop new additional mines that must be cleared. The game offers two player support, each taking its own turn, with separate point scoring appearing on screen.
The original version that came packaged with the Vectrex system included a bug causing the game to crash on the thirteenth level. Players who called GCE (Milton Bradley in the UK) and reported the bug received a MineStorm II cartridge free of charge in the mail.[4] Only a few people did this, making the game extremely rare.[5]
Reception
MineStorm was reviewed in 1982 by Video in its "Arcade Alley" column, where it was described as "a fast-moving contest, more than slightly similar to Asteroids".[6] David H. Ahl of Creative Computing Video & Arcade Games praised the controls' "excellent" responsiveness, and the "simply magnificent" graphics and sound. He recommended the game to Asteroids fans who were disappointed by other home versions.[3]
Reviews
References
- ^ a b Hague, James. "The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers".
- ^ Clark, Pamela (December 1982). "The Vectrex Arcade System". BYTE. pp. 92–93. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ^ a b Ahl, David H. (Spring 1983). "The Vectrex Arcade System". Creative Computing Video & Arcade Games. p. 56.
- ^ "Vectrex - 1982-1984 - Classic Gaming". Classic Gaming. Archived from the original on 2009-10-17. Retrieved 2009-10-30.
- ^ GCE Vectrex Rarity Guide
- ^ Kunkel, Bill; Katz, Arnie (October 1982). "Arcade Alley: The First Portable Video Game System". Video. 6 (7). Reese Communications: 32, 118–120. ISSN 0147-8907.
- ^ "GAMES Magazine #34". December 1982.