Katerpillar is an arcade-type game for which you will need joysticks to play. It is written in machine code and operates on the high resolution colour mode of PMODE3. This gives a range of colours which is uses to give some variety to the display. The program is obviously well-designed, as the game runs at an entertaining speed and fire button responses as well as joystick responses are good.

Previous Next

The basic idea is that the player controls the direction in which the laser-gun points with the joystick, and fires the gun with the button. Suitable space-invader-type noises are emitted when the gun is fired at a variety of nasties which try to obliterate the player(s). Suitable sound effects are included.

This game can also be played by two players if a pair of joysticks are plugged into the computer. Among the attacking insects are Tarantulas, Scorpions and Beetles, not to mention the "Katerpillar" itself, of course.

To complicate matters, the screen is also covered with mushrooms which influence the behaviour of the katerpillar. Some of the mushrooms are "magic" ones and others may be "killer" types. These have drastic effects upon the Katerpillar, which makes the game a lot more interesting.

As you get more expert at this game and progress to the next level, things get steadily more difficult and faster, eventually becoming impossible. Katerpillar has been voted a great hit in my house by all ages and definitely gives good value for a high-speed arcade-type game.