Arcade Fun: Ultratron and Titan Attacks

K. Fields
2019-11-17T14:45:35-05:00
Video Games

After a number of lengthy computer games, I wanted something requiring less time commitment. Enter Puppygames and its collection of excellent "neo-retro" arcade games. I've been playing two of their offerings, Ultratron and Titan Attacks. Do I still love arcade games in the style of the old coin-op classics? Absolutely! In fact, a close friend and I recently visited a local arcade to play some vintage video games and pinball machines. I've had as much fun playing these Puppygames titles as I did playing some of the coin-op legends.

Ultratron is a frenetic top-down shooter reminiscent of Robotron: 2084. Using a mouse/keyboard combination certainly provides a different feel than using twin joysticks. However, it didn't take too long to get used to it. By accumulating in-game cash, Ultratron allows you to upgrade various aspects of your battledroid. I always enjoy this aspect of arcade games, which adds a bit of strategy and planning to the mix.

Titan Attacks is Puppygames' modernized take on Space Invaders. It has elements of Galaga as well with diving twisting enemies as well as challenge stages. Like Ultratron, Titan Attacks allows upgrades to your ship. You can improve shields and weaponry. Trying to decide which upgrades to purchase and when greatly adds to the fun. There are five worlds (Earth, Moon, Mars, Saturn, and Titan) of twenty levels each to progress through. Each world ends with a boss battle against a mothership.

These are games I will probably return to again and again, at least until I make it through all of the levels.