Vastar (set 1)

In Vastar, players pilot advanced fighting robots tasked with defending Earth from an invading galactic empire in the year 2956. As Vastar units, two players cooperate to navigate horizontally across a variety of environments, including forests and space sectors, battling waves of enemy ships and robotic forces. The gameplay centers on shooting down adversaries while strategically utilizing a shield button to deflect incoming fire. Players control their robots using an eight-way joystick and utilize two buttons: one for firing projectiles and another for deploying a protective energy shield. Hidden within the game are warp points that, when discovered through specific actions like entering a laser turret after landing in a forest area, can instantly transport players forward to later stages of the campaign. Released in Japan during December 1983 under the Sesame Japan banner, Vastar marked the final release from manufacturer Orca. The game showcases graphics driven by Zilog Z80 processors and sound produced by a General Instrument AY8910 chip.