Vortex

Lost deep within an interstellar vortex, players pilot Federation spaceships in Vortex, a cooperative shooter released by Zilec Electronics in 1980. Two players work together to navigate a constantly shifting field of celestial hazards, including stars, planets, space debris, and hostile alien vessels. Using a four-way joystick, each player can rotate their ship a full 360 degrees, thrust forward in any direction, and fire missiles to destroy the obstacles that threaten their survival. The gameplay shares similarities with Asteroids, requiring precise maneuvering and quick reflexes to avoid collisions while eliminating incoming threats. Players must clear each stage before progressing further, facing increasingly challenging combinations of cosmic dangers. Powered by an Intel 8080 processor and discrete sound circuitry, Vortex delivers a straightforward yet engaging shooting experience for two players simultaneously.