Robotron 2084:
and other Shooter games

Robotron, created in 1982, by Eugene Jarvis, is classified as an arena shooter. The player starts in the center of the screen, surrounded by hordes of enemies. You survive by moving quickly and carefully, shooting everything possible to get to the next level. Contact with any enemy is the loss of a life. Not only this, but there are also projectiles some enemies fire, and obstacles called electrodes that will end your life just as quickly if you touch them. This is a very fast paced game. The arcade machines had dual joysticks as the only controls. Moving and firing in 8 directions, independent of each other. The graphics and sounds aren't much by todays standards, but the gameplay is extremely intense and addictive.

In 1990, Jarvis refined the idea further into a game called "Smash TV". The two games are basically the same, except in Robotron the arena is full of enemies to begin with, while Smash TV started the player in an empty room and the enemies appear gradually. There is also the added element of surprise involved, and not knowing when the level is going to end.

Below are some mostly free and downloadable games to check out. Most are Robotron remakes in style. Some are just arcade style games that use the same independent move and fire control system.
Click on the images for larger screenshots. Titles lead to a download page for the game.

Mechatron , by Ray Norrish. - - freeware - - The best Robotron remake ever. This has excellent graphics, better sounds, and also includes a level editor! You can find the latest version at this website. You don't want to miss this final finished version, with online high score posting and support for many joystick and gamepad types. An awesome game all around!

SabreTron , by Havard Spring. - - freeware - - There are two versions of this game, Mini and Maxi. Both are basically the same except for the size of the graphics. (This also affects the size of the arena, making the Maxi version a little more difficult.) These have refreshing new enemies, sounds, and even bosses to battle. Lots of fun, and being improved upon with each new version.

Blitzatron , by Marcus Incitti. - - freeware - - A very faithful remake of the original. It took me several months to find this game and someone from Retro Remakes forum finally sent it to me. I couldn´t find a way to make a screenshot, but it looks the same as the original in the 3 images at the top of this page.

Ultratron , by Puppy Games. - - demo - - The images, sounds, and even the background graphics in this game are wonderfully retro styled. There are more than 70 different types of enemies, assault levels, bonus levels, and boss battles to face, along with a nice selection of power-ups as well. What´s more, the game actually 'learns' as you play, making it even more challenging. Controls are excellent, and also reconfigurable if you prefer. The demo hardly gives a taste of how much fun this game can be, but this is a must have addition to any Robotron collection.

Alien Deathmatch , by Jayenkai. - - freeware - - This excellent game allows you to select the level and type of game you want to play. There are some Robotron style arena levels and also corridor exploration maps. Beyond those included, you can easily make your own or download more from the net. This is not a multiplayer game.

Robotron RRC , by Dan Richardson. - - freeware - - This game was an entry in the Retro Remakes 2004 competition. The gameplay and controls are good, with graphics and sounds that are better than the original. There are only 6 levels so it's a fairly short game, but there is a tough boss battle at the end to make it more interesting.

Robotron 2084 , by An Ly. - - freeware - - This is a nicely made free game. Almost everything is different in this version, with all new graphics and additions to gameplay. It uses a combination of the mouse for aiming and the keyboard for moving that is different but cool.

Robotron Blitz , by Zi-Xiao Liang. - - freeware - - A super hyped-up and totally impossible game to play, for anyone as slow as I am. It's also a free game, and if the original Robotron didn't kick your ass hard and fast enough, this version certainly will!

You´re Gonna Die , by Paul Karpen. - - freeware - - This game is more like Smash TV than Robotron, but still similar enough to be included here. Simple retro style graphics and sounds. Easy to use controls. Lots of different power-ups make it even more interesting to play.

Grid Wars , by Marcus Incitti. - - freeware - - When I first saw this, I thought it was a space shooter. Well, it is sort of, but it has Robotron firing and movement controls, and the same type of relentless action.

Mojotron , by Craig Timpany. - - freeware - - This is not at all a Robotron remake and wasn't meant to be. It is, however, the same type of arena shooter as Robotron is, and just as fun to play. This game is also open enough that almost anything can be changed if you are interested in doing so. Graphics, sounds, level design and names can all be modified just like Doom.

R-Tronic , by Trevor "Smila" Storey. - - freeware - - This is well made and could be a really fun game, but I am used to controlling movement with my left hand and firing with the right. The author made it the other way around and gave no option to change it. It was impossible for me to adapt to, so I had to give up on it.

I have never seen it, but Robotron is one of 20+ classic games on Midway Arcade Treasures Volume 1 available for the PC. (2003)

It is a little more hassle to go through, but you can also play the original version(s) of Robotron by using game emulators for the PC.

Robotron was available for several gaming consoles. Here is a page of screenshots from the various versions.

It is also possible to play the original arcade version using the MAME emulator. This is a bit more complicated to set up, but there are literally thousands of free games available for it. This is a MUST for anyone who enjoys classic games. If you are not too technically inclined, check out this nice help page for instructions.