Battle of the Star Shooters

[atari_envy]

I was looking through reviews on http://www.videogamecritic.com of the 2600, and I was intrigued by his reviews of the three star "shooter" games.

 

He gave Raiders a "C", Starmaster and Star Voyager both a “B+” although his comments favor Star Voyager.

 

Indirectly this is resurrecting an old post, Star Raiders vs. Starmaster http://atariage.com/forums/topic/5093-star-raiders-vs-starmaster/?hl=star%20raiders%20vs so I thought a poll would be good.

 

I realize that some people like Phaser Patrol or Solaris better, but I am curious which is your favorite from these very similar competing games from different companies.

[Gabriel]

As a shooter, Star Voyager is best. But as good as it is, the homebrew StarFire is better.

 

As a space sim, Star Master is the best option on the unenhanced 2600, by far. The Star Raiders port on the 2600 is embarrassing. I've never played Phaser Patrol, so I don't know if I'm missing out.

[Tinman]

About a year and a half ago, I posted a fairly detailed review of my top five favorite space first-person shooters (http://atariage.com/forums/topic/198404-my-top-five-first-person-space-simulatorsshooters/?hl=phaser&do=findComment&comment=2531025).

My order went like this:

5. Star Voyager
4. Space Attack
3. Star Raiders
2. Phaser Patrol
1. Starmaster

And I qualified my ranking by stating that the Atari 800 version of Star Raiders was (and still is) my favorite all-time video game on any system anywhere.

[+Ransom]

What, no love for Star Ship?

[VectorGamer]

I voted for Starmaster but Phaser Patrol should've been an option - great game!

[BassGuitari]

What, no love for Star Ship?

Right here.

 

I voted Starmaster. Star Voyager would be second. Star Raiders is best left to the 5200.

[atari_envy]

As a shooter, Star Voyager is best. But as good as it is, the homebrew StarFire is better.

 

As a space sim, Star Master is the best option on the unenhanced 2600, by far. The Star Raiders port on the 2600 is embarrassing. I've never played Phaser Patrol, so I don't know if I'm missing out.

 

 

What, no love for Star Ship?

 

 

I voted for Starmaster but Phaser Patrol should've been an option - great game!

 

 

Star Ship....sorry just couldn't bring myself to post that first painful attempt at a star shooter on the VCS, even though it was the precursor to these three. And while I agree that Phaser Patrol and Star Fire are excellent games (and possibly better), I am genuinely curious about the favorite ratio of these similar games from three of the big players competing at the time.

 

Thanks for voting!

[toymailman]

Of those three, I pick Starmaster, but they are all pretty close in their level of "fun" for me.

 

The four that are missing from your list (already mentioned) are:

Star Ship (early Atari)

Space Attack (M-Network)

Phasor Patrol (Starpath)

Starfire (XYPE homebrew)

 

Also, although not a shooter, Stellar Track (Sears exclusive), was a fun space game.

[cvga]

I voted for Starmaster but would have given serious consideration to Space Attack if it were an option.

[tremoloman2006]

The homebrew StarFire trumps all the above! (I voted for Starmaster though since that was my best choice)

[atari_envy]

The homebrew StarFire trumps all the above! (I voted for Starmaster though since that was my best choice)

 

Agreed, that is a helluva fun shooter. Although I still might give Starmaster the nod if I had to choose one. While StarFire has the best shoot, shoot and shoot action, I like the added elements of checking your radar, moving around and docking with space stations.

 

After I have satisfied my curiosity with these three similar shooters, I think in the next month or two I will open it up to all first person space shooters.

[atari_envy]

Of those three, I pick Starmaster, but they are all pretty close in their level of "fun" for me.

 

The four that are missing from your list (already mentioned) are:

Star Ship (early Atari)

Space Attack (M-Network)

Phasor Patrol (Starpath)

Starfire (XYPE homebrew)

 

Also, although not a shooter, Stellar Track (Sears exclusive), was a fun space game.

 

I agree that those are missing, but I really was curious about the three nearly identical ones I am polling. I had never given Space Voyager a chance until I read videogamecritic's review, so I played it for a while and realized it was much better than I initially assumed. I also didn't realize there were people who liked Star Raiders better than Starmaster until I read Tempest's post.

 

That said, and based on the response I am getting, maybe next month I will do a complete first person space shooter poll to include the ones you mention. But the criteria would have to be first person shooter in likeness of the one's being polled now, which would exclude games like Stellar Track and Solaris otherwise the list would be quite long (but maybe that is a poll for another time).

 

Given that criteria, I would be inclined to add "Earth Dies Screaming." What do you think, any others?

 

EDIT: I was scanning through my collection and saw that "Star Wars: The Arcade Game" should also be included as it is a pretty darn good first person shooter and gives StarFire a run for its money comparatively.

 

And lastly for next, larger poll to also encourage members to rank their favorites, so that the poll would give the #1 but I would tally up the numbers for the #2, 3, 4, etc spots based on votes.

Edited December 12, 2013 by atari_envy

[Serious]

I played alot of Star Raiders on the 2600 as a kid. I can't see myself doing much of that these days, but I do intend to get into Starmaster again.

[R.O.T.S]

Star Raiders for me,I am surprised when I voted and saw results as I would put Star Voyager clear second lol but it is a reason to play Star Master again and see if I am missing something.