Developed On:
Apple II+
Developed For:
Apple II+
Published:
N/A
Language:
Applesoft BASIC
Graphics:
Hi-res
Size:
32 sectors
 
     
 

Continuing my trend of copying every game that I currently enjoyed, I attempted to create a Missile Command clone.  I still only knew how to program in Applesoft BASIC and I barely had a grasp of Hi-Res graphics, but I wouldn't let non-knowledge stop me!  Heh, heh.

Okay, I'll tell you right now that this game is just disgusting.  You can try it out if you'd like, but it is just awful.  I tried, though, I tried.

What a sickening pile.  My Missile Command 
dream was definitely NOT realized with Phazzar.
I just didn't get one single thing right.  The "missiles" come down and mostly go through the ground (hahaha that is so lame),  you can barely see your blinking crosshair on the screen, and you never really know when the game is supposed to end.
The name for Phazzar just came to me pretty easily - it's so easy to come up with cheesy 80's game titles.  I thought of the player shooting phasors (Star Trek terminology) at the incoming missiles, so I decided to change up the spelling of the word and make it the legendary PHAZZAR! 
Phazzar exhibits the same kind of linear programming that plagued Alien Attack.  When you fire at an incoming missile, everything stops as a line is drawn from the base to the crosshair.   Then, if a missile is hit, everything still waits as the explosion draws and the missile moves back up to the top of the screen.  After this further delay, play resumes.

It would be four more games (Maze Craze) before I would be able to code a game where everything kept working all at the same time.  But I do believe that Phazzar is just a smidgeon more fun than Alien Attack.  I recognized this fact and knew that I would get better if I just kept making games.

My sound effect programming knowledge was still limited to clicking the speaker and playing the CTRL-G beep.  It would be a while before I actually learned how to create a tone routine, because that took 6502 Assembly knowledge.

In Closing... 

I drew an advertisement for Phazzar back when I was doing a bunch at once.  The ad looks 10 times better than the game..... and that is kinda sad.

All in all, I believe it took me about a week to finish coding Phazzar.  Even though it didn't turn out as cool as I wanted, it gave me hope that I could do a better version.  And so, that became my next project:
Missle Defense!

(Yes, "Missile" is misspelled. :)


The one and only, the 
powerful Missile Command! 

Have any comments about this game?


      

1982
Crazy Climber
Dodge 'Em
Alien Attack
Phazzar
Missle Defense
Trashman
Smash 'N' Score
Maze Craze
Crazy Dunjun
Phantasm
Alien Attack II
Trashman II
Relic Quest
Bricklayer
Phantasm II
Trapped!
Alien Attack III


1983
Mach-Six
Targ II
Brick Breaker
Alien Conflict
Enemy Attack
Scramble
Battle Zone
Frogger
Donkey Kong
The Unknown
Mystery Mountain
Jumpster
Objectoids
Alien Attack IV
Phantasm III


1984
Scout Search
Miner 2049er
Mines of Moria
Snag!
Maze Panic
Cavern Crusader
Bongo's Bash
Krazy Kobra
Subnodule


1985
Pyramids of Egypt
Major Mayhem
City Centurian


1986
Zippi Zombi
Twilight Treasures
Operation: Obliteration


1987
Lethal Labyrinth
2400 A.D.


1988
Space Rogue
Might & Magic II
Tower Toppler
Wacky Wizard
Neptune's Nasties
Dangerous Dave


1989
Zappa Roids
Sub Stalker
Magic Boxes
Twilight Treasures - PC
Alfredo's Stupendous Surprise
Zappa Roids - PC
Pyramids of Egypt - PC


1990
How To Weigh An Elephant
Dinosorcerer
Same or Different
Dark Designs
Double Dangerous Dave
Dangerous Dave - PC
Catacomb II
Slordax
Commander Keen 1
Commander Keen 2
Commander Keen 3


1991
Shadow Knights
Dangerous Dave II
Rescue Rover
Hovertank One
Keen Dreams
Rescue Rover II
Commander Keen 4
Commander Keen 5
Commander Keen 6
Catacomb 3-D


1992
Wolfenstein 3-D
Spear of Destiny


1993
DOOM


1994
DOOM II
Heretic


1995
The Ultimate DOOM
Master Levels for DOOM
Final DOOM
Hexen


1996
Quake


2000
Daikatana


2001
Anachronox
Hyperspace Delivery Boy!


2002
Dig It!
Jewels and Jim


2003
Congo Cube
Red Faction N-Gage


2004
CN Block Party


2005
Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows

     
 
GAME INSTRUCTIONS
Objective:
Use your crosshair to shoot the incoming missiles.  Don't let your 3 cities get hit by the incoming missiles.
Controls:
Joystick moves the crosshair and 1,2,3 keys fire from their respective bases.
Extra Info:
The game is wretched.  Play at your own risk of brain damage!