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Missile Command is an arcade game released in 1980. It was ported to the Atari 2600, the Atari 5200, and the Atari 8-bit home computers.

Gameplay[ | ]

You control three missile defense bases that must defend six cities against the onslaught of ICBMs that are aimed at your cities and bases. (In the Atari home versions you only control one missile base.) Use your target control to select where you want the missiles to detonate and then fire. A well-placed shot can trigger off other explosions that will care of other incoming ICBMs. Occasionally a bomber or a satellite will cross the screen and launch more ICBMs at you. In later screens, watch out for the smart bombs that will sense a missile detonation and try to evade them to reach their targets. Survive an attack wave with at least one city intact and you'll receive a bonus, even enough to earn a bonus city; fail to survive the wave and it's THE END!!!

Controls[ | ]

The arcade game used a trackball controller to move the target control (which resembled a plus symbol). The Atari 2600 version compensated for the switch to a joystick control by offering the option of a fast or slow target control.

Scoring[ | ]

During an attack:

  • ICBM—25 points times current score multiplier
  • Bomber—100 points times current score multiplier
  • Satellite—100 points times current score multiplier
  • Cruise Missile—125 points times current score multiplier

At the end of a wave:

  • Each unused ABM—5 points times current score multiplier
  • Each saved city—100 points times current score multiplier

Notes[ | ]

  • The bombers and satellites do not appear in the Atari 2600 version.
  • There is a remastered version of this game called "Missile Command: Recharged" by Nickervision Studios that is available on Steam was released in 2020.
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