Cerberus

Cerberus is a two-player shooter released in 1985 by Cinematronics. This single-screen game features a scrolling background and challenges players to refuel a space station under attack. At the start of each level, an energy pulse from the moon’s surface launches fuel pods across the screen that must be collected. Players pilot spacecraft and must retrieve one pod at a time, returning it safely to their base while avoiding enemy ships. The gameplay involves careful navigation and timing as hostile vessels attempt to intercept the fuel pods or steal them outright. One type of enemy ship is specifically designed to grab pods, adding another layer of difficulty to the refueling process. Cerberus was developed as part of Cinematronics’ new “Cinemat System” platform, intended to be a more easily adaptable arcade system for the company. Designed by Steve Hostetler and team, Cerberus utilizes Zilog Z80 processors and General Instrument sound chips to create its gameplay experience and audio. The game offers cooperative play allowing two players to work together towards the objective of keeping the space station operational.