Pulsar

Navigate shifting mazes in Sega’s Pulsar, a single-player maze shooter released in 1981. Players control a small tank using a four-way joystick and a single button to fire at progressively more challenging enemies. Yellow adversaries patrol the walls, green ones wander randomly, and red opponents bounce unpredictably, all increasing in speed and point value as you advance through rounds. Watch out for dangerous force-field walls that will instantly destroy your tank if contact is made. A key element of gameplay involves collecting colored keys to unlock numbered locks at the bottom of each maze. A bonus is awarded for unlocking them in numerical sequence; regardless, a fuel bonus is given upon reaching this point. Fuel is replenished by destroying enemies and opening locks, but running out results in game over. Shooting the central "Pulsar" creates six new enemies on screen to contend with. Pulsar’s vertical display presents a 224x256 pixel resolution filled with 64 colors. The Zilog Z80 processor powers the gameplay, and discrete circuitry provides sound effects within its maze-based shooting action.