Machine Guides

Game History

Atari's Star Wars arcade machine was released on May 5, 1983, as a first-person rail shooter that simulated the assault on the Death Star from the 1977 film Star Wars. The game was designed by Mike Hally and utilized innovative 3D color vector graphics that gave it a distinctive visual style that still stands out today. The development began in 1981 under the title "Warp Speed" and was initially headed by Ed Rotberg, who had also worked on the vector-based Battlezone. In 1982, Atari secured the Star Wars arcade license from Lucasfilm and decided to convert the struggling prototype into a Star Wars game, reshaping it over the following year into what became the finished machine.

The game's controller was particularly innovative, as it evolved from a joystick design to the adapted gunnery yoke from Atari's Bradley Fighting Vehicle tank trainer, which was itself based on their Battlezone arcade machine from 1981. This control scheme provided an more immersive experience that made players feel like they were actually piloting Luke Skywalker's X-wing fighter.

The game featured three connected gameplay sequences from the film: combat against TIE fighters in space, flying across the surface of the Death Star, and the final trench run that culminated in the destruction of the Death Star. 

Star Wars became Atari's top-selling arcade release of 1983, with the company producing 12,695 cabinets. It was a commercial success in both the United States and Japan, topping the Play Meter arcade chart for street locations in October 1983.

How to Play

Objective

The main goal of Atari's Star Wars is to complete the assault on the Death Star by successfully navigating through three gameplay sequences. You must destroy enemy forces and ultimately fire the proton torpedoes that destroy the Death Star. The game recreates the final battle from the 1977 film, putting you in the cockpit of Luke Skywalker's X-wing fighter.

Controls

• Yoke Controller: Use the dual-axis yoke to steer your X-wing fighter in all directions
• Fire Button: Press to shoot lasers at enemy targets
• Torpedo Button: Press to launch proton torpedoes during the final trench run

Gameplay

• Starting the Game: Press the Start Button to begin your assault on the Death Star.

• Space Battle: Navigate through space and shoot down TIE fighters while avoiding their return fire.

• Surface Attack: Fly across the surface of the Death Star, destroying gun turrets and other defenses.

• Trench Run: Navigate through the narrow trench on the Death Star's surface while avoiding obstacles and enemy fire.

• Targeting System: Use the crosshair display to aim your weapons at enemy targets.

• Shield Management: Monitor your shield level, which decreases when hit by enemy fire.

• Final Attack: During the trench run, fire proton torpedoes into the exhaust port to destroy the Death Star.

• Wave Progression: Successfully destroy the Death Star to advance to the next wave with increased difficulty.

• Game Over: The game ends when you lose all your shields. Your final score is displayed based on enemies destroyed and Death Stars destroyed.