K-Star Patrol

K-Star Patrol is a 1 - 2 player sidescrolling arcade game for the 8-bit Atari.

The goal is to lead the player's squadron of 8 starships through 10 sectors under alien control. The player controls a small vessel that moves vertically on the left of the screen, and fires to the right. Behind the player is their 8 wingmen, who must be protected from alien attack. The player tries to destroy incoming alien vessels before they reach their wingmen and destroy them. The player can briefly activate a shield to protect these rear ships. The player starts the game armed with 3 High Amplitude Photon Neutralizer Bombs, which will destroy all enemies on the screen, and the player gains 1 per sector completed. The player must also watch out for the Intergalactic Leech, which cannot be destroyed, but only deterred by shooting at it. If the leech latches onto the player, they can no longer fire until they release a Photon Neutralizer Bomb. If the player is hit, the lead position is taken over by one of the wingmen. If all wingmen are lost, and the player is hit, it's game over.