Planetoids (video game)

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Planetoids
Planetoids cover2.png
Publisher(s) Adventure International
Programmer(s) Marc Goodman (Apple II)
Greg Hassett (TRS-80)
Platform(s) Apple II, TRS-80
ReleaseApple II
  • WW: 1980
TRS-80
  • WW: 1981
Genre(s) Multidirectional shooter
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Planetoids is a clone of Atari, Inc.'s Asteroids arcade game published by Adventure International for the Apple II in 1980 and TRS-80 in 1981. Each was originally an independently sold game, neither of which was titled Planetoids. The Apple II version, programmed by Marc Goodman, was published as Asteroid. [1] The TRS-80 game was written by Greg Hassett as Fasteroids by Adventure Works. [2] Fasteroids was still sold by Adventure Works at the same time Planetoids was available through Adventure International. [3] The TRS-80 version includes features not present on the Apple II or arcade original.

Contents

Gameplay

Planetoids is a version of the 1979 arcade game, Asteroids . [4] The TRS-80 adaptation includes three additional modes: high-speed asteroids, very slow moving asteroids, and a dogfight with only enemy ships. [3]

Reception

Ian Chadwick reviewed Planetoids in Ares magazine #11 and commented that "it's enjoyable and [...] well done. It's a must for fans of the arcade game". [4] In 80-U.S. magazine, Bob Liddil called Fasteroids, "Asteroids with GUSTO" and called out the ability to save high scores to tape and the pause feature as positives. [5]

References

  1. ↑ Hague, James (March 1997). "Marc Goodman". Halcyon Days: Interviews with Classic Computer and Video Game Programmers. Dadgum Games. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  2. ↑ "Planetoids". Adventure International Catalog. 2 (4): 16. 1981.
  3. 1 2 "Planetoids Manual". archive.org. Adventure International. 1981.
  4. 1 2 Chadwick, Ian (November 1981). "Games". Ares Magazine (11). Simulations Publications, Inc.: 27.
  5. ↑ Liddil, Bob (September 1981). "Captain 80". 80-U.s. 4 (5): 97-98.
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