Planet Patrol is a 1982 side-scrolling shooter developed by Spectravision for the Atari 2600. Flying from right to left, you pilot a space vessel defending the planet Spectra from invading aliens. Instead of an endless loop, the game is divided into distinct day and night phases that change your visibility as you fly.
How to play
Dodge drone missiles and heat-seeking torpedoes while shooting back at the alien forces. Along the way, you must manage your fuel gauge by touching down on landing strips, destroy enemy bases, and rescue stranded pilots. Use the arrow keys to move, Spacebar to fire, and Del for turbo. A second player can join using T/G/F/H to move, A to fire, and the period key for turbo.
Tips
- Pay close attention to your fuel gauge; missing a landing strip will end your run just as easily as taking a hit.
- When the game cycles into the night phase, visibility drops significantly, so prioritize dodging hazards over aggressively hunting targets.
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