Armor Attack

Atari console exclusive

The player controls a jeep and must destroy the many tanks and helicopters that attack them in a maze-like cityscape. The jeep is armed with a rocket launcher that fires straight forward; the player can have two rockets on-screen at the time. The driving is generally similar to the well-known Combat for the Atari 2600.

Released: 1980
Platforms: Arcade Atari 7800 Vectrex
Genres: Arcade Shooter
Developers: Tim Skelly
Publishers: Cinematronics
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Third person Bird view / Isometric
Themes: Action Warfare
Country: United States
Languages: English

About

Armor Attack is a multidirectional shooter designed by Tim Skelly and released as an arcade video game by Cinematronics in 1981. It was licensed to Sega for release in Japan and also to Rock-Ola. The vector graphics of Armor Attack present combat between the player's jeep and enemy vehicles in an overhead, maze-like view of a town. The buildings are not drawn in the game, but are an overlay that sits on top of the monitor. The overlay also tints the vectors green.

Armor Attack was released for the Vectrex in 1982.

Keywords

shoot 'em up
tank
vector graphics

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

One button rotates the jeep clockwise, while a second button rotates counterclockwise. A third button simulates the gas pedal and moves the jeep forward. A fourth button is used for firing a rocket launcher that shoots straight ahead. The player can have two rockets in the air at a time.

Tanks periodically spawn from different locations on the edge of the screen and drive towards the player. The tanks always travel along horizontal or vertical lines, unlike the freely moving jeep. Tank turrets move to track the player, allowing them to shoot in any direction. Tanks normally take two hits to kill, and the player can have only two rockets on the screen at a time.