The Last Starfighter is a 1990 side-scrolling shooter for the NES. Despite bearing the title of the 1984 sci-fi film, the game is actually a rebranded port of the acclaimed Commodore 64 shoot ’em up Uridium. Players pilot a nimble starfighter across horizontal stages, skimming the surface of massive enemy dreadnoughts to destroy their defenses.
How to play
Your goal in each of the 15 levels is to destroy a set number of enemy fighters and surface structures before safely landing on the command ship. In the browser, use the Arrow Keys to control your speed and directionโyour ship remains centered while the background scrolls. Use Z or X to fire your weapons. Pulling in the opposite direction will flip your ship around to face the other way.
Tips
- Your ship can flip directions to shoot enemies approaching from behind. Master this maneuver to avoid being ambushed by fast-moving formations.
- Focus on taking out the raised structures on the enemy dreadnoughts. Colliding with the scenery is just as deadly as taking enemy fire.
- You control your speed as well as your direction. Slow down when navigating dense clusters of obstacles to maintain control.
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