Starmaster
Platform: Atari 2600
Region: USA
Media: Cartridge
Controller: Joystick
Gametype: Licensed
Release Year: 1982
Developer: Activision
Publisher: Activision
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You are alone in space.  A critical and difficult mission awaits you. Carefully read these instructions and commit them to memory.  Then, study "The Power of StarMaster."  It will help to instruct you in the ways of advanced space combat.  And then, perhaps someday, YOU can attain the level of Supreme StarMaster.

PILOT BRIEFING

You must protect your starbases by destroying all invading enemy starfighters before they destroy you or your starbases.  You must accomplish your mission quickly, using the least amount of energy, sustaining the least damage. Succeed, and you will be rewarded.  Fail, and you will be destroyed.  The destiny of the galaxy is in your hands.

~From the Manual

The first person space shooter was a popular genre on the Atari 2600. Activision's entry into the fray is Starmaster. While Atari's own Star Raiders required a keypad to control the functions of your starship, Starmaster used the 2600's color/black and white switch to toggle your star map screen on and off. This allowed for a deeper game play experience, while still keeping things simple. 

Your job is simply to defend all of the starbases in the area by destroying enemy ships. Taking hits while battling out the enemy results in your ship taking damage. Your warp drive can be destroyed, weapon systems disabled, shields eliminated, or radar destroyed. The only way to repair this damage (and refuel your ship) is to dock with a local starbase. 

Your game ends when either all enemies are destroyed or your ship is eliminated. Any Mission Evaluation score of Star Master in the game qualified you to be inducted into the Order of the Supreme StarMaster. Lower ranks made you eligible to receive commendations as well. Sending a picture of your score to Activision would result in your receiving a Starmaster patch commemorating your excellent score! (Contributed by Lord Helmet)

http://www.atariage.com/software_page.html?SoftwareLabelID=507
