"Programmable Parade"
(Excerpt of Bally / Astrocade Reviews)
Electronics Games, July 1982


Space Fortress / Astrovision / Astro Home Arcade

     Coin-op fans will instantly recognize this super fast-action arcade-style 
space shoot-'em-up as Midway's Space Zap. Gamers command a centrally located 
command fortress capable of firing in any of four directions-- North, East, 
South and West. From those respective positions at the top, bottom and sides of 
the playfield emerge alien laser-cannons and the occasional, free-flying 
mystery ship.
     As the contest commences, these enemy intrusions are infrequent, appearing 
at a leisurely pace and waiting a good while before actually firing. Once a 
cannon fires its laser torpedo, the missile can be detonated by a burst from 
the player's fortress, and a second blast will be required to eliminate the 
cannon itself. Graphics in this Bob Ogdon (of Dave Nutting Associates) creation 
are crisp and convincing, but it's primary claim as a space action classic is 
as the world's fastest home blast-'em-up sf videogame. Once the player has 
gotten the feel of the play mechanic, things really start jumping.
     The fortress is soon transformed into a whirling dervish of destruction, 
spinning crazily and spitting out flaming death. This is not the sort of game 
that arcaders will find themselves playing compulsively for hours. Wrists give 
out after about ten minutes of heavy duty action. Play sessions will be brief 
but intense. The most difficult obstacle players will encounter, aside from 
weakness of the flesh will be the UFO/mystery ship. Strategically, at all but 
the highest levels-- where it must be incinerated at the first opportunity-- 
play a waiting game. As in most space shoot-outs of a linear type (such as 
Space Invaders, Spacechase and Demon Attack) it's best to let the enemy come to 
you in preference to actively chasing after him. Sit patiently, but once the 
enemy strays into range, hesitate not.
     Perhaps the most manic space battle of all time, Space Fortress will leave 
you gasping. But you'll always come back for more.


Galactic Invasion /Astrovision / Astro Professional Arcade

     Up to four players can compete in this home version of Namco's well-known 
Galaxian coin-op. Options include a choice of four levels of difficulty and the 
ability to set the number of cannons given to each participant.
     As most arcaders already know, Galaxian is a sort of "son of Space 
Invaders". Gamers move a laser cannon horizontally and fire upward at a swarm 
of insectoid creatures. Periodically, a trio of invaders peels off from the 
main body of attackers to sweep down and across the playfield, spraying the 
ground below with deadly bombs.
     The aliens are a lot easier to hit while they're still in formation, but 
better players will always withhold fire until some begin to swoop. An attack 
is worth twice as much when it is zapped in the midst of a dive-bombing run.
     Galactic Invasion's graphics are nice and colorful, but they don't quite 
match the artistic detail of the drawings used in the coin-op machine. The 
insects' wings, for example, are not visible in the home program.
     The play-value, however is outstanding. The pistol-grip design of the 
Astro Arcade controllers give players excellent control over on-screen 
movement. The action sets a blistering pace that packs all the excitement of 
the arcade original. A Strategy depends on a combination of the skill of the 
player and the level of difficulty selected. In the easier versions, better 
marksmen will definitely want to wait until the insects make their move before 
lifting a finger to take them out.
     At the higher difficulty settings, Galactic Invasion is just plain 
murderous. Deadly aliens streak across the screen to ram the defending cannon 
and are capable of dropping a dozen bombs in one pass. Only the top gunners 
should sit back and wait for the bugs to make the first move. If they so much 
as twitch, blast 'em immediately. Once a three-insect group begins a sweep, all 
but the super-shots are virtually assured of being one "life" down by the time 
the maneuver is completed.
     The aliens always break formation from the sides. Therefore, a wise 
arcader will begin to attack from either the extreme left or right side of the 
playfield. That way, you'll have a good chance to eliminate the invaders before 
they come barreling down the screen at your gun.
     Galactic Invasion is one of the first cartridges Astrovision has released 
since acquiring the Professional Arcade from Bally. It is exactly the kind of 
well-conceived entry that should get all home arcaders to sit up and take 
notice of the revived system.