Cosmic Chasm (set 1)

Navigate a sprawling space fortress in Cosmic Chasm, a vertical shooter released by Cinematronics/GCE in 1983. Players pilot a vector spaceship through interconnected chambers, each presenting a central growth that must be slowed with focused fire to avoid entrapment. Exits within these rooms unleash waves of enemies which must be defeated before progressing deeper into the structure; between levels, players are treated to animated tunnel sequences. The goal is to reach and destroy the fortress’s power core, requiring careful navigation aided by a map displayed on-screen. Cosmic Chasm utilizes a distinctive vector graphics display and controls involving rotation dials, thrust, firing, and shield buttons. Though visually similar in cabinet design to games like Dragon's Lair, its unique gameplay distinguishes it as the last color vector game produced by Cinematronics. Approximately 400 arcade units were manufactured, leveraging advanced hardware for impressive graphical effects uncommon for early 1980s titles. Originally released on the Vectrex home console in 1982, Cosmic Chasm marked a rare instance of an arcade conversion following a home system debut. The game’s side art features large stickers depicting a space fortress logo and girders against a purple backdrop.