Phoenix

TECHNICAL DATASHEEET

Game name: Phoenix

Manufacturer: Amstar Electronic (Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A) Licensed by Centuri for U.S.A, and by Taito for Japan.

Year of development: 1980

Category: Shooter


Hardware Platform Info:

  • Main CPU 8085A@5.5 Mhz
  • Matsushita sound chip MN6221AA
  • 16Kb of ROM
  • 4Kb of RAM
  • Screen resolution 248×208


Main Developers: Unknown

Music Composers: Romance de Amor (anonymous author) and For Elise by Beethoven


GAME STORY

History of development:

The game was developed by a small company, Amstar, which apparently didn't have a long history and very little is known about it. Amstar licensed the game to Centuri for distribution in North America and to Taito in Japan. Due to the simplicity of its hardware, the game was cloned many times by various companies.

Game Overview:

Phoenix is a vertical shoot-em-up that bears a resamblance to other games of the moment, like Galaxian, Space Invader or Pleiads. The pilot operates a solitary ship that can only move from right to left, along the lower band of the screen. Phoenix enemies are small bird-shaped ships that fly and attack in formation.

Curiosities:

It was the first game to introduce different phases in the same game, instead of repeating the same screen again and again, and also the first to introduce a final enemy.

The game's developer, Amstar Electronics, was curiously based in Phoenix, Arizona.


HISTORY OF MACHINE IN ARCADE VINTAGE

Status: OPERATIONAL

Information about the location and purchase by Arcade Vintage:

Acquired by José Mª Litarte. It was one of the first machines to arrive at the association in 2013. Purchased from his friend Kevin Pitt in Brighton (England). Dave "smuggler" took care of the transportation to Arcade Vintage.

Information about the restoration process or repairs carried out:

Restored by Rafael Alonso in 2013, at Arcade Vintage. This machine was received with the furniture, but without monitor, missing wiring, marquee and bezel. The game used is a Spanish license from the manufacturer Recreativos Franco.

Links to other related websites:

http://arcadevintageshop.blogspot.com.es/2013/09/ave-phoenix.html

https://www.arcade-history.com/?n=phoenix&page=detail&id=1961

https://retrollection.net/2015/06/09/review-phoenix-amstar-electronics-1980/