Moon War (prototype on Frenzy hardware)

Stern Electronics’ Moon War, appearing in 1981, is a vertical-screen shooter built on their proprietary Frenzy hardware platform. Two players pilot spacecraft through lunar orbit, battling waves of enemy fighters, bombers, and other aerial threats. The gameplay centers around maneuvering your ship using a rotary dial to avoid projectiles while engaging enemies with a fire button. Strategic use of a warp drive and shield system is crucial for survival against increasingly difficult opposition. Players accumulate points by destroying various enemy craft, each type yielding different scores – from satellites to heavily armored strafers. A second Zilog processor manages the game's audio through two General Instrument AY8910 chips, creating a soundtrack accompanying the action. The game’s 224 x 256 resolution and limited color palette contribute to its distinct early-eighties visual style. A high score of 83,830 points was achieved by Tracy Miller, demonstrating the skill required to master Moon War's challenges. Three buttons are available for player control: fire, warp drive, and shields – each providing a vital tactical advantage in this two-player space combat experience.