Star Raiders - MAME software

Atari 5200 cart. published 43 years ago:

Star Raiders © 1982 Atari, Incorporated.

Welcome, cadets, to Federation Field. I'm Commander Champion, your space flight instructor. You'll be stationed here for some intensive starship flight simulation and computer training. When you've successfully completed your training mission, you'll win your Novice star and a commission in the Earth Federation's most elite fighting unit... the Star Raiders.

We Star Raiders have a long, distinguished tradition of service to the Earth Federation and the Galaxy. Since the year 2010 we've policed the space routes, enforcing freedom of space and peaceful coexistence of the solar systems. thanks to the Star Raiders, there hasn't been a major space war since then. Space trade flourishes and the Earth Federation prospers.

Now, just as we're beginning to think peace will put the Star Raiders out of business, the Zylons... that rabble of half-life barbarians from Alpha Solar... turn to space piracy and terrorism. Their object is to break up the Federations's space trade and weaken its influence in the Galaxy. Space Security has issued 'cease and desist' orders to no avail. Zylon responds by hijacking our spacecraft and terrorizing starbases that harbor them. They've pushed us to the limit. Let's rid the Galaxy of this pest once and for all!

Your mission is to SEEK OUT Zylon combat ships in every sector of the Galaxy and DESTROY THEM ON SIGHT. For this job we've given you the ultimate in sophisticated fighter craft. Your starship is equipped with high-power photon torpedoes, twin ion engines, and dual hyperwarp engines that transport you instantly to the furthest reaches of the Galaxy.

Your computer instrumentation surpasses state-of-the-art. It includes a Galactic Chart with real-time updating, Long-Range Sector Scan for pinpoint targeting, and the most advanced Attack Computer ever devised for locking on the target and homing in for the kill.

TECHNICAL
Model CX5205

TIPS AND TRICKS
Here are some survival tactics that experience Star Raiders use to help them complete their missions and earn a promotion. If you have a few tips of your own, tell your fellow Star Raiders.

HOW TO MAKE A FAST RETREAT
When your shields are destroyed, the next enemy hit will destroy your starship. To get out of the sector fast, press the HYPERSPACE key and hyperwarp out of the sector without consulting the Galactic Chart. When you're safe in an empty sector, return to the Galactic Chart and locate a starbase.

HOW TO REACH A STARBASE FASTER
If you know there's a starbase next to an enemy sector you're in, you can hyperwarp directly to the starbase sector without using the Galactic Chart. In hyperspace, move the Hyperspace Target Marker to the edge of the crosshair that points in the direction of the starbase.

HOW TO FIND A STARBASE WITHOUT THE COMPUTER
How can you find a starbase when your Attack Computer Display doesn't work? Here's some help:
Locate a starbase on the Galactic Chart and engage your hyperwarp engines. As you enter hyperspace, note the position of the Hyperspace Target Marker and try not to stray from that position.
When hyperwarp is completed, press the SCAN key. If you're in the starbase sector, the starbase should be visible on the Long- Range Sector Scan. If it is not, return to the Galactic Chart, correct your position, and try again.
When you get the starbase on the Long-Range Scan, center it, LONG-RANGE SECTOR SCAN. Then press the FORE VIEW key. The target should now be visible on the screen.

LOW ON ENERGY?
If your energy supply threatens to run out while you are trying to dock at a starbase, turn off your shields temporarily. This will save 2 units of energy per second and may buy you enough time to establish orbit and energize your starship. Don't forget to turn your shields back on before you hyperwarp into an enemy sector.

WHEN TO SACRIFICE A STARBASE
When you cannot save a starbase, it is better to destroy it yourself than let Zylon destroy it. Mission Control doesn't penalize you as much when you destroy a starbase, because Zylon cannot use the starbase debris to build two new combat ships.

NEED A LITTLE TARGET PRACTICE?
After you destroy a starbase, the Attack Computer tracks meteors in the starbase sector, since there are no enemy targets to track. This gives you a perfect opportunity to practice homing in on the target and locking on the photon torpedoes. Meteors make good tracking targets because they never alter course. Sorry, you do not get kill credits for zapping meteors.

STAFF
Programmer: Joe Copson

CONTRIBUTE
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