Let's Compare - Demon Attack

[TrekMD]

Demon Attack is a video game written by Rob Fulop and published by Imagic. It was originally for the Atari 2600, then ported to the Intellivision, Odyssey², Atari 8-bit, Commodore VIC-20, Commodore 64, PC (booter), TRS-80 and TRS-80 Color Computer. There was also a port to the TI-99/4A titled Super Demon Attack.

Demon Attack is supposedly based on the 1979 arcade shooter Galaxian, though it closely resembles several waves from the 1980 arcade game Phoenix. The similarities prompted a lawsuit from Atari, who had purchased the latter's home video game rights. Imagic settled out of court, and Demon Attack became Imagic's best-selling game as of 1983.

Gameplay

Marooned on the ice planet Krybor, the player uses a laser cannon to destroy legions of demons that attack from above. Visually, the demons appear in waves similar to other space-themed shooters, but individually combine from the sides of the screen to the area above the player's cannon.

Each wave introduces new weapons with which the demons attack, such as long streaming lasers and laser clusters. Starting in Wave 5, demons also divide into two smaller, bird-like creatures that eventually attempt descent onto the player's cannon. Starting in Wave 9, the demons' shots follow directly beneath the monsters, making it difficult for the player to slip underneath to get in a direct shot.

Source:  Wikipedia

[align=center:1591rwr1]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki_Kpk3hzcU[/align:1591rwr1]

[davyk]

2600 version despite the missing boss.  The enemies look better and it looks smoother too. It's funny - but the backgrounds on the superior platforms somehow make the game not look as good. Makes it look like just another 80's generic shooter.

I suppose that is what Demon Attack is - but it's does enough of it's own thing to stand out in my mind. Some of the two player modes are excellent too and are underrated. There's one that switches control between players every few seconds and it's a real hoot.

[TrekMD]

The 2600 version is really an excellent game.  It's hard to improve on it.