Crater Raider

In Crater Raider, released by Bally Midway in 1984, players control a tank maneuvering through alien landscapes riddled with craters. The objective is to locate and rescue hostages held captive on each world. Gameplay involves navigating the terrain, avoiding encounters with enemy tanks and UFOs, or engaging them in combat to progress. Successfully rescuing all hostages unlocks access to the next challenging level. The game utilizes Bally Midway’s MCR 3 hardware and features a unique blend of shooting and driving elements as you pilot your tank across the pixelated environments. Programmed by Tom Didomenico with graphics from Sharon Perry and sounds by Mark Bartlow, Crater Raider offers a single-player experience controlled via a dial and three buttons. The game’s screen presents a horizontal view with a resolution of 480 x 480 pixels and incorporates a palette of 68 colors to depict the alien worlds. A Zilog Z80 processor manages gameplay, while another handles sound generation through General Instrument AY8910 chips, creating an immersive audio experience for the player.