- Blast Off
Infobox VG
title = Blast Off
developer =Namco
publisher =Namco
designer = Nak, Tak
release =
genre = Verticalscrolling shooter
modes = Up to 2 players, alternating turns
cabinet = Upright
arcade system =Namco System 1
display = Vertical orientation, 224 x 288 resolution
input = 8-wayJoystick , 2 buttons
platforms = Arcade"Blast Off" (ブラストオフ) is a vertical
scrolling shooter arcade game that was released byNamco in1989 only inJapan . It is the sequel to "Bosconian ", which was released 8 years earlier.Description
In "Blast Off", the player controls a ship, facing the top of the screen, that can move freely while the background scrolls down, bringing enemies in to view. The player may destroy enemies for points.
There are two buttons used. One is used to fire circular lasers, while the second button is used to change the ship's firing pattern. The patterns are:
*Red: two lasers in a spiral pattern
*Blue: one laser straight ahead, one behind
*Yellow: one laser straight ahead, one left, and one right
*Green: two lasers diagonally forward (one to the left and one to the right), and one straight behind.By holding down the button, the ship will fire more powerful, spherical lasers.
Even though the game is the sequel to "Bosconian" (which used a synthesized voice saying "Blast off!" at the beginning of every round), "Blast Off" had more in common gameplay-wise with Namco's own "
Dragon Spirit " than with "Bosconian". This is especially noticeable in the 3rd area of every world, where the player's ship becomes enormous. Despite the gameplay differences, the connection with "Bosconian" was emphasized in the marketing of the game, with the hexagonal space stations from "Bosconian" appearing in the title of the game cabinet and in Namco's press literature, and also making appearances in the game itself. The game is also worth noting for its use ofEngrish phrases, such as "To push start only 1 player button", "Go next", "Congraturations" and "Entry your name".The game ran on
Namco System 1 hardware.External links
*KLOV game|id=7143
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.