Space Armada
Platform: Intellivision
Region: USA
Media: Cartridge
Controller: INTV
Genre: Shoot 'em Up > Action 
Gametype: Licensed
Release Year: 1981
Developer: APh Technological Consulting
Publisher: Mattel Electronics
Players: 1
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Space Armada is a clone of the game Space Invaders. Rows of bomb dropping aliens are invading your home planet, and you need to protect it! You control a laser gun at the bottom of the screen; your goal is to earn as many points as possible by destroying the waves of attacking aliens at the top of the screen. The aliens march steadily downward, and if they reach the ground or you run out of laser guns, the game is over. When all aliens in a wave are destroyed, you move on to the next, more challenging round. From time to time, a flying saucer will pass by at the top of the screen which can be shot for bonus points.


PRODUCTION HISTORY:

Space Armada is a clone of the arcade game Space Invaders. According to Mattel lawyers, the copyright of the original game hadn't been properly protected. Any other company could make their own version as long as they changed the name ("Space Invaders" is a trademark).

Space Armada was the first Intellivision game to take advantage of sequencing GRAM to create the illusion of more than eight moving objects (sprites) on-screen at one time.


PLAYING TIPS:

From Intellivision Game Club News, Issue 3, Summer 1982:

* Start to the right. Knock off vertical columns to delay the armada from advancing down another rank. The fewer columns left in the armada, the better your chances of clearing the screen as the armada approaches the bottom. 

* Hit the saucer. It's difficult but well worth it. Not only do you get points, a bunker will be rebuilt as well. 

* Don't get hit. Stay mobile or hide behind the bunkers. You'll need every "life" possible late in the game. 

* Remember the red spiral missiles don't need a direct hit to cause damage. If you're too close when the missile hits bottom, your base will be destroyed. 

* Outmaneuver the red homing missiles. Lead them into a bunker. They will crash and self-destruct. Or, lead them along to one side, quickly double-back underneath and fire. 

* Concentrate. Remember the structure of the invisible armadas. Many good players suffer early defeat because they forgot the presence of just one alien.
 
http://www.mobygames.com/game/intellivision/space-armada
http://www.intellivisiongames.com/bluesky/games/credits/space.html#armada