- Spectar
Infobox VG
title=Spectar
publisher=Exidy
developer=Exidy
release=1980
display=Raster
input=4-wayjoystick , one button
designer=Manuel Campos
modes=Up to 2 players, alternating
arcade system= Exidy 6502
platforms= Arcade,ColecoVision
genre= Maze
cabinet=Upright|"Spectar" was a 1980 arcade game by
Exidy depicting vehicular combat in a future world. It was a sequel to the arcade game "Targ". The name Spectar is a portmanteau of the phrase 'special target' which was a development term for a new feature of the electronic hardware designed for this game.Fact|date=January 2008Description
"Spectar" is similar to "Targ", but with enhancements. Whereas "Targ" took place on a completely regular 10x10 grid, "Spectar" adds blockades so that the grid is not completely regular. In addition, the center of the grid has a number of twinkling dots or stars that the player can pick up. Clearly inspired by "
Pac-Man ", this introduces a new mechanic to the game: in addition to finishing a level by destroying all enemies, the player can also finish the round by picking up all the dots.And where "Targ" had a number of wedge shaped enemies and one "Spectar Smuggler", none of which shoot back at you, in "Spectar", the enemies change shape every round (and are worth more points for shooting as the levels increase), and a second Spectar Smuggler is added, which fires at you. When the first smuggler appears on the board, the background sound changes, until all smugglers have been destroyed, in which it reverts back to the first one (which is an electronic humming sound that resembles a car engine shifting gears as it accelerates).
There is also some graphical glitz in the display of the Crystal City itself. In "Targ", the buildings on every level were featureless yellow blocks. In "Spectar", each level has a different building design. The buildings are green, and some have an interlocking or 3d appearance, which can be quite disorienting to the player.
Whereas there was crafty artificial intelligence in the arrow-shaped crafts in "Targ" making the game very difficult, the enemy in "Spectar" is much easier to defeat, making "Spectar" a much easier game to play than its ancestor.
Legacy
In France, a version of this game was published by
Jeutel under the title "Phantomas". Bootleg versions of "Spectar" have been seen under the name "Rallys".In 2006, Scott Huggins ported a version of "Spectar" to the
ColecoVision console.External links
*KLOV game|id=9702
* [http://www.atariage.com/forums/?showtopic=85028 "ColecoVision "Spectar" Homebrew Released!"]
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