Solar War

Solar War is a unique arcade game released in 1979 by Atari, blending elements of video games and pinball. Designed and programmed by Dave Theurer, players control a spaceship navigating a space-themed playfield. Using flippers to direct the ship, your goal is to hit various targets—including drop targets—to score points. Originally conceived under a different title due to licensing issues, the game's name ultimately settled on Solar War, reflecting its cosmic setting. The gameplay involves skillfully maneuvering the spaceship around the screen, aiming for strategically placed targets that contribute to the overall score. The design incorporates a distinctive target pattern, initially intended for an earlier project. A very limited number of arcade cabinets and distribution kits were produced, with most finding their way to Greece through a distributor. Solar War represents the second title in Atari’s “Video Pinball” series, showcasing an innovative approach to arcade entertainment that combined familiar pinball mechanics with video game visuals.