Word Zapper
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| Word Zapper | |
|---|---|
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| Developer | James Wickstead Design Associates[1] |
| Publisher | U.S. Games |
| Designer | Henry Will IV[2] |
| Platform | Atari 2600 |
| Release | |
| Mode | Single-player |
Word Zapper is an Atari 2600 game written by Henry Will IV and published under the Vidtec label of U.S. Games in 1982.[2] Word Zapper combines spelling exercises with action gaming, as the player must shoot letters that scroll across the top of the screen to complete words.[4]
The player controls a spaceship-like "Zapper" which can move about the screen and shoot up, left, and right. The objective is to shoot the letters that spell the current word, in order, while shooting or avoiding asteroids in the lower portion of the screen.[5] There are four types of asteroids, and each has a different effect if it comes into contact with the Zapper. The "Doomsday" asteroid ends the game. The "Scroller" asteroid mixes up the scrolling letters for five seconds. The "Zonker" and "Bonker" asteroids knock the Zapper to the side.
The game ends after being hit by a doomsday asteroid, after the 99 second timer runs down, or the ultimate goal of completing three words.[5]