Robotron: 2084

released on Jan 01, 1982

In 2084, man creates a species of super-advanced cyborgs known as Robotrons. Recognizing the imperfect nature of their creators, the Robotrons conclude that the inefficient human race must be exterminated. In Robotron: 2084, only you and a single family of clones remain. If mankind is to survive, you must destroy the Grunts, Brains, Enforcers, and Tanks - but avoid the indestructible Hulks at all cost. Can you withstand wave after wave of android invasion and rescue Mommy, Daddy, and Mikey... before it's too late?


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Twin stick sickness with just two buttons.

very confusing arcade experience. never quite sure what you're meant to do and it takes a lot of attempts before it becomes clear. not very satisfying either!

i played this one a lot in the arcade as a kid which is notable because i don't think i ever actually figured out what the goal or objectives were

The hectic pace of the gameplay is the best part here. Combing simple shooting with a multitude of enemies to contend with while you rescue the humans is very engaging. The rainbow vomit aesthetic will never be my thing, and for some reason they decided to throw in a silly plot to give you justification for this manic robot murder spree.

Played via the Midway Arcade Origins collection on Xbox 360

A good majority of my pre-1990s game knowledge is second-hand because I haven't liked a majority of the games I've played before that era, but god DAMN if Robotron isn't a cut above its contemporaries. While not the first twin-stick shooter to make it to market, it's understandable why Robotron is as highly regarded and remembered as opposed to its predecessors in the genre. I will certainly return for more robot-blasting action in the future, be it through this exact collection or any other versions I may take a gander at in the future.

I frankly couldn't imagine trying to play any console port made before the existence of twin-stick controls, though.

At first I was playing this on Atari 7800 and wasn't sure what all the fuss was about, but then I tried the arcade version and it all made sense. The visuals, aesthetics, and speed of this are all core to why this is so good, and all of those are missing from the shoddy port. Play the original.