Planetoids (video game)

Planetoids
Publisher(s)	Adventure International
Programmer(s)	Marc Goodman (Apple II) Greg Hassett (TRS-80)
Platform(s)	Apple II, TRS-80
Release	Apple II WW: 1980 TRS-80 WW: 1981
Genre(s)	Multidirectional shooter
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Planetoids is a clone of Atari, Inc.'s Asteroids arcade game published by Adventure International for the Apple II in 1980 and TRS-80 in 1981. Each was originally an independently sold game, neither of which was titled Planetoids. The Apple II version, written by Marc Goodman, was published as Asteroid.[1] The TRS-80 game was written by Greg Hassett as Fasteroids by Adventure Works.[2] Fasteroids was still sold by Adventure Works at the same time Planetoids was available through Adventure International.[3] The TRS-80 version includes features not present on the Apple II or arcade original.

Gameplay

Planetoids is a version of the 1979 arcade game, Asteroids.[4] The TRS-80 adaptation includes three additional modes: high-speed asteroids, very slow moving asteroids, and a dogfight with only enemy ships.[3]

Reception

Ian Chadwick reviewed Planetoids in Ares magazine #11 and commented that "it's enjoyable and [...] well done. It's a must for fans of the arcade game".[4] In 80-U.S. magazine, Bob Liddil called Fasteroids, "Asteroids with GUSTO" and called out the ability to save high scores to tape and the pause feature as positives.[5]

References

1. Hague, James (1997). Halcyon Days: Interviews with Classic Computer and Video Game Programmers.
2. "Planetoids". Adventure International Catalog. 2 (4): 16. 1981.
3. "Planetoids Manual". archive.org. Adventure International. 1981.
4. Chadwick, Ian (November 1981). "Games". Ares Magazine (11). Simulations Publications, Inc.: 27.
5. Liddil, Bob (September 1981). "Captain 80". 80-U.s. 4 (5): 97-98.

External links

• Review in Byte
• Review in Creative Computing