Astrosmash

The game

Defend the ground

You command a laser battery beneath a shower of multicolored rocks. Shoot incoming objects while keeping your active gun intact. Rocks that reach the ground subtract points, but a white spinning bomb that lands costs a gun. That distinction gives the action its shape: some missed shots hurt your tally, while others threaten the entire run. The game ends when your gun reserve is exhausted.

A score that changes the sky

Your score also governs the challenge. Higher scoring bands bring faster action, more attackers, larger rewards, and steeper penalties, with background colors marking the bands. The first change arrives at 1,000 points, when black becomes blue. Each additional 1,000 points reached by your peak score earns another gun, so setting a new personal high during a run has an immediate practical reward.

This edition

The Intellivision edition

This guide covers the original Mattel Intellivision game. Its controller uses a directional disc, action buttons, and a keypad overlay supplied with the cartridge. The overlay identifies special functions; the control names below refer to those original labels.

Start here

1. Start at the title

   Press the disc or any key on either hand controller to begin. Make a few short movements before trying to chase every target.

2. Establish a firing rhythm

   Move beneath a falling object and fire upward. Select AUTO FIRE for a steady three shots per second, giving yourself time to watch how targets descend.

3. Learn the white targets

   During your opening exchanges, practice spotting spinners among the rocks. Make identifying them a habit before the screen grows busier.

Original controls

These are the original game's controls. For keyboard, controller and touch settings in this player, see Controls & help.

Disc: left and right

Press the corresponding side to move your laser gun horizontally.

Any action button: fire

Fires the laser. In SINGLE SHOT mode, hold a fire button and tap the disc for rapid fire.

HYPER SPACE

Instantly shifts your gun left or right by a randomly determined distance.

Overlay yellow spots: interrupt

Press both yellow-marked positions together to pause the action. Press either disc to resume.

Playing tips

• Follow a split

  When a rock breaks into two fragments, follow through if the area is safe. Each fragment awards twice the points of the original large rock, making the pair a valuable opportunity.

• Leave room for explosions

  Avoid firing at rocks immediately beside your gun. Their explosions can produce lethal shrapnel; moving away can be a better choice than squeezing in one last shot.

• Intercept guided missiles early

  Try shooting from directly beneath a guided missile while it corrects its course. If it reaches ground level and pursues you horizontally, use hyperspace, then immediately reassess: the missile can follow, and your new position may be dangerous.

• Keep moving under UFOs

  Above 20,000 points, occasional attack UFOs drop aimed bombs. Use their slow descent to move clear, then seek a position beneath the saucer for a shot instead of lingering where it aimed.