Released by Sunsoft in 1988 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Blaster Master is a hybrid action-platformer and top-down shooter that follows Jason Frudnick into an underground alien realm. Players pilot the heavily armed vehicle SOPHIA III through side-scrolling environments, jumping over obstacles and shooting subterranean enemies, while occasionally stepping out on foot to explore intricate overhead dungeon labyrinths.
How to Play
Drive SOPHIA III across side-scrolling sectors to locate subterranean cave entrances. Press down to exit the tank and enter dungeons in top-down view to battle bosses and earn crucial vehicle upgrades. Browser keyboard controls map to Player 1 as follows:
- Arrow Keys: Move SOPHIA III / Move Jason in dungeons
- Z (B Button): Primary cannon / Handgun
- X (A Button): Jump / Throw grenades
- Shift (Select): Cycle special sub-weapons
- Enter (Start): Pause / Resume
Tips & Strategy
- Conserve Gun Power: In top-down dungeons, collecting gun power-ups increases shot range and damage up to level 8. Taking damage decreases your gun meter, so dodge enemy projectiles to keep maximum firepower active for boss fights.
- Track Vehicle Upgrades: Bosses yield key upgrades like Hyper Beam, Crusher Beam, Hover, and Wall 1 & 2 that allow SOPHIA III to climb walls, swim across water, and reach new sectors.
- Stock Up on Sub-Weapons: Collect homing missiles, thunder, and three-way missiles in tank mode; saving these sub-weapons makes tough boss encounters and thick enemy groups far easier.
Leave a Comment / Review: