Black Widow (arcade game)

Infobox VG
title = Black Widow


caption=Black Widow Title Screen
developer = Atari
publisher = Atari
designer =
released = 1982 (Arcade)
platforms= Arcade Game
genre = Multidirectional shooter
modes = Single player
input = 2 8-way Joysticks
arcade system=System 16
cpu=6502
sound=Pokey Audio Sound Chip
cabinet=Horizontal
display=Raster, 256 x 231 pixels, 256 colors

Black Widow is a vector arcade game developed by Atari released in 1982. The player takes the titular role of a Black widow spider defending a web from invading bugs. The player must move the spider around the web while simultaneously shooting/avoiding various bugs and collecting the bonuses that appear after the enemies are eliminated. The spider is controlled through two joysticks; the left one is used to move the spider, and the right one is used to control the shot direction.

Gameplay

The game is a fixed shooter and is very similar to "Robotron 2084" by Williams. Unlike "Robotron", "Black Widow" does not have as many enemies on-screen. However, the gameplay has been characterized as just as intense as its Williams counterpart. This is because in order to destroy certain enemies, the player must lure other enemies into destroying them. It is further differentiated by the "Bug Slayer", a bug that helps the player eliminate enemies, with only loss of potential points being the only consequence. The Bug Slayer can help the player in tough situations, but can also prevent the player from achieving the amount of extra lives necessary to endure later, more difficult, rounds. Also, other enemies appear on the playing field as eggs, laid by other enemies. The player can move these eggs off the playing field to both eliminate the enemy and receive points, before it reaches maturity.

Enemies and Scoring

* Mosquito - If shot, becomes '$'.
* Beetle - Eats '$', but if shot, becomes '$'.
* Hornet - Lays an egg on '$', but if shot, becomes '$'.
* Egg - Grows to become hornet or spoiler. Must be pushed off the web to score 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, or even 2500 points.
* Grub Steak - Tag for 500, 250, 100, or 50 points -- the sooner the better.
* Spoiler - Invulnerable. Can only be destroyed by a grenade bug, bug slayer or rocket bug.
* Grenade Bug - Explodes if shot. Bugs and eggs within the kill zone score 500 points each.
* Rocket Bug - Invulnerable. Launches "rockettes" at black widow from the other bugs it tags. Shoot rockettes to score 100 points each.
* Thunderbug - If shot, it breaks formation and attacks. If shot again, it explodes all other T-bugs for 5000 points. Keep away from all T-bugs to earn 10000 points. The resulting chain reaction from multiple thunderbugs is very dangerous and can encompass over 80% of the level at some times, depending on how many T-bugs are involved.
* Bug Slayer - Harmless to the player and invulnerable. The Bug Slayer competes with the Black Widow for food. Beat it to its flashing prey for points

Ports (collections)

*Sony PlayStation (2001, "Atari Anniversary Edition Redux")
*PC (MS Windows, CD-Rom] (2003, "Atari - 80 Classic Games in One!")
*Sony PlayStation 2 (2004, "Atari Anthology")
*Microsoft Xbox (2004, "Atari Anthology")
*Nokia N-Gage (2005, "Atari Masterpieces Volume 1")

Trivia

* "Black Widow" was also offered as a conversion kit for "Gravitar", which met poor commercial success. The kit included a new marquee, control panel, sideart, and an additional wiring harness. The kit used the original "Gravitar" PCB, with a few small modifications and a new set of ROM chips. Many factory-built "Black Widow"s were produced using unsold Gravitar cabinets, and although they contain original (not Gravitar conversion) boardsets, they had Black Widow sideart applied over the Gravitar sideart.
*James Vollandt holds the official record for this game with a maximum 930 100 points [http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&pi=2&gi=641&vi=2703]

External links

*KLOV game|id=7139|name=Black Widow