DESCRIPTION

Equipped with a unique 49-position joystick and two buttons (one for firing, one for bombs), Sinistar has players piloting a ship through outer space, blasting away at planetoids and mining their Sinisite Crystals, which when gathered become Sinibombs. The crystals are tough to nab since speedy Warrior and Worker enemy vessels swarm about, seeking to steal them. Warriors attack the player's ship via top-mounted cannons while a number of the Workers labor offscreen, piecing together Sinistar — a demonic metal face with evil red eyes, silvery fangs and a loud menacing voice that belts out such memorable phrases as "Beware, I Live!" and "Run Coward!" Storing bombs and unleashing all or most of them in a flurry is the only way to destroy the quick moving and tough to kill Sinistar. After he dies, another will appear eventually, but it is brutally difficult to progress past three or four levels as the enemies get prohibitively fast. With its high degree of challenge, striking main character and killer sound effects, Sinistar has developed a rabid cult following and is a favorite among hardcore gamers and collectors. A sit-down unit equipped with stereo speakers was produced in addition to the more common upright version. ~ Brett Alan Weiss, All Game Guide