Yars' Revenge

A highly original shooter, Yars' Revenge has players maneuvering a "fly simulator" around the screen, avoiding Swirls and guided missiles while firing at an energy shield that protects an enemy laser base (called a Qotile), which moves vertically along the right side of the screen. The objective is to shoot a hole through the shield (which is made of individual cells) and destroy the laser base. However, standard shots cannot kill the Qotile; players must activate the Zorlon Cannon, which appears on the left side of the screen when the fly simulator comes in contact with (and thus devours) a cell. Destroying the Qotile requires strategy and planning as well as a nicely aimed shot from the cannon. The fly simulator moves with a sense of urgency and precision, making this a fun and fast game. Full-screen explosions and a no-fire neutral zone (a colorful, glittering strip down the center of the playfield) give the game graphical flare, but an annoying buzzing sound grates on the nerves. Despite audio deficiencies and the lack of a two-player simultaneous mode (oh, what could have been...), this is a great game with a huge following. ~ Brett Alan Weiss, All Game Guide