Mad Planets

In Mad Planets, you pilot a spaceship tasked with eliminating rapidly approaching planets before they grow too large. These Earth-like celestial bodies emerge from the center of the screen and move directly toward your ship, increasing in size as they advance. Destroying all planets before they reach their full scale awards bonus points, but be wary – each planet is orbited by moons that, when destroyed, trigger a "mad" transformation, turning the planet red and sending it on a direct collision course. The gameplay involves strategic use of both vertical movement via the joystick and a rotating dial to maneuver your ship while firing at approaching threats. Rescuing stranded astronauts during bonus rounds adds another layer of scoring potential. Comets appear later in the game, adding further challenge as they travel unpredictably around the planets. A unique feature lies within the game's high score screen; it’s a testament to Gottlieb's unusual policy regarding designer recognition—a subtle act of defiance by one developer who secretly included the names of his colleagues.